Mercy, Even When We Linger
“Steve, STOP! Steve, GO FORWARD!” This was the command. In a split second I hoped and prayed there would be follow-through obedience. I was just hanging out grilling with a buddy at seminary. We lived in a large apartment complex on campus. Steve was former military. He had just hopped into his van, put his window down on that sweltering day, and begun to back out when disaster loomed. Little Acacia had wandered away from her Mommy on the Gordon-Conwell playground and hung a quick turn right toward the back of Steve’s car as it was backing up. I witnessed it all and screamed to Steve as loud as I could. Five words aptly spoken. Loudly spoken. Steve stopped. Steve went forward. No questions asked. No shenanigans. No “But, WHY, Henrys?” I hollered. He obeyed. Acacia was banged up and bruised as the van had her in the position to drive right over her three-year-old neck, but she was given mercy. Great mercy.
Genesis 19 is all about God’s salvation. It is not about sexual immorality or a “righteous man” called Lot and his family being saved or any other themes that we would like to link to contemporary American culture. It is not primarily about commands and obedience either—but I couldn’t help but think about the kindness and mercy God had on little Acacia that day. This is the same sort of salvation God offers us. There is disobedience—a wandering off—and pending doom and destruction in those wanderings. God shows up in mercy. Is this not why Lot and his household were spared?
This mercy really strikes me, especially in light of our lackadaisical obedience to God’s command. Genesis 19:15-17 tells us of God’s urging to Lot—“Get up and go!” And, Lot’s response? Amazingly, “He lingered.” Lingered? Yep. In light of the coming destruction, Lot and his family lingered. And later on, sadly, the result of this kind of disobedience is found in Genesis 19:26, “Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
For many of us, we are just like Lot. God wants to save us—but we linger. See vs. 16! There is pending doom, yet we hesitate, we prevaricate. We think we know best. We are too self-absorbed. We don’t desire to say “Yes, sir!” but rather “Why?” I have struggled immensely in my life with this issue: If I can’t understand it, than it can’t be true. And, if I don’t like it, then perhaps I just won’t do it. This is a heart filled with unbelief, and this is clearly not what the Lord desires for those who would walk by faith and not by sight. God has offered Lot a “command of salvation”—UP! Take your family and go! Be free! But, no. Lot knew best.
However, Lot’s disobedience was not something that frustrated God’s plan; the Lord could handle Lot’s defiance. Verse 16 clearly states that God Himself acted to save Lot—even amidst Lot’s inaction. The Lord (being merciful to him) brought him out and set him outside the city. Salvation is 100% the work of God. The image of taking Lot by the hand, even seizing him by the hand portrays sovereignty, authority, determination—and mercy. This is the image of mercy in my own willful, disobedient life as well.
To be given a command and not to obey has grave, grave consequences. Not to understand something is very frustrating but is no excuse to disobey the Lord. But, thank you, God, that even amidst our failure, Your mercy overflows!
As you prepare for worship this week, read Genesis 19:1-22.
1. Read Genesis 18:20-21. What do you think is the “outcry” that has come to the Lord? Where did the “outcry” come from?
2. In Genesis 19:1 Lot is described as “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” Why does he do that? Note: in ancient times, city leaders would sit as leaders at the most public of all places in a walled city—the gate. What implications might there be with his “sitting” there?
3. What are all the positive reasons you can think of for Lot to invite these travelers in? What are some negative or cynical reasons?
4. Why would Lot offer his two daughters to the men of the city? What might be the reasons that they are specifically identified as virgins?
5. In verse 14 Lot appears to be amazingly ineffectual as motivating his sons-in-law. Why might that be?
6. How do you explain Lot’s attitude in verse 16? What appears to be Lot’s emotional state at this point?
7. Jumping ahead, Lot’s wife turns into a pillar of salt because she “looks back.” How is this an excellent description of Lot and his family? Note: salt in ancient times was used much more as a preservative as a flavoring. What was she “preserving”?
