Genesis 19: The Mercy of God in the Destruction of Sodom

"But he [Lot] lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city." Genesis 19:16

This morning, rather than looking at three chapters of scripture (although hopefully you read all three!), we will pause to look at one of them, this morning that being Genesis 19, which tells of the destruction of Sodom. Although we often think of this story as a divine judgment upon a wicked nation, what if we looked at the story differently, even as we realize the great mercy that is within the story towards Lot's family?

As we know from our Sunday School lessons, Sodom was an evil, evil city. We see this in the beginning of chapter 19 when scripture tells us that the men of the city desired to have sexual relations with the men (who were really angels) that came into the city to save Lot's family. From this, we find that Sodom was so evil that it was overflowing with adultery and homosexuality, and thus deserved to be destroyed for its sin. However, amist this chaos, God desired to save Lot's family.

However, let us note well that Lot was not so great himself. When the men came to his house asking to sleep with his guests, he freely offered up his two virgin daughters to them, which was certainly one of the most unrighteous acts he could have possibly committed. However, the Lord causes blindness to come upon all the men, and thus delivers Lot's daughters as well as the angels from having the evil men of Sodom use them for their own pleasure.

Yet even amidst Lot's evil, we find God having mercy towards him. In the morning of the destruction of the city, the angels told Lot and his family to escape the city lest they be part of the destruction. Next, we find a verse that truly struck my heart this morning: "But he [Lot] lingered. So the men [angels] seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city." Let us note well what is happening here. Lot didn't want to leave Sodom. He "lingered." Why? Because he desired his sin. However, the Lord sovereignly came into his life through two angels and rescued him from his sin. The angels "seized" him and his family and brought the out of the city, all because God is merciful towards his children.

Let us notice here what this story causes us to ask of God. So often, people ask the question of why God is so full of wrath and destruction, specifically in the Old Testament. However, when we read this story, our question is flipped on its head. Rather than asking why is God so wrathful? we rather are led to ask why is God so merciful? The men of Sodom, including Lot and his family, were wicked beyond all comprehension, yet God reaches into this mess and saves Lot and his family. Likewise, let us note that this is the question we ought to ask in our own lives as well. Rather than wondering why the Lord judges and brings destruction so often, we ought to flip that question around and ask why God is so merciful towards a human race who has blatantly sinned against him.

So, in response to our devotional today, have you realized God's mercy? Just like he reached into Lot's life amidst his horrendous sin, so he has reached into your life if you are truly his child. You were just like Lot, living in your sin and loving your sin, but God had a different plan for your life. He "seized" you from your wretched desires and saved you to himself. Praise the Lord! We have a God who is merciful.