God Is Merciful

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful. [Genesis 19.16]

God would have been fully within the terms of His agreement with Abraham to destroy Lot and his family because God had agreed that if there were only 10 righteous people, He would not destroy the region of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's group consisted of only 4 souls. And, as the story goes, it is entirely arguable that even they were not righteous (Lot's wife turned back and the daughters later got their father drunk and slept with him).

God proceeded with His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but, in mercy toward Abraham, God spared Abraham's relative Lot, his wife, and their two daughters (the daughters' fiancés would not come).

What does this tell us about God's character? He is merciful!

But more specifically, God is merciful toward those with whom He has real relationship. God did not save Lot and his family for the sake of Lot and his family. God saved Lot because of Abraham! And, as the story reads, Abraham did not even specifically mention Lot in his intercession for Sodom! God did not make Abraham spell it out, but knew exactly what Abraham was alluding to.

God knows our desires even if we are incapable of articulating them. God is merciful.

On another note, much can be learned from Abraham's example of intercession in the context of this story. It is interesting that Abraham "pushed" God's Word for all he could get from it. God promised not to destroy the area for the sake of 50 righteous people then Abraham pushed for 45. In "intercession" that number eventually came down to 10 people.

It is apparently not wrong to ask God for a little more than He promises!

God is merciful.

Father, I am so grateful for the revelation of Your mercy all through the Bible, but particularly as seen in the OYCB reading today. Your mercy truly endures forever!