The LORD being merciful

Introduction

We say we understand God is merciful but do we truly understand what that mean?

This narrative gives us insight into God’s nature and His saving work in our lives, what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, and why professing believers often find themselves left behind.

Background on Lot and the immediate context

Genesis 19:15–22 ESV

As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he 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. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

What does God say?

The angels urged Lot to take his family and leave so they will not be swept away in the punishment of the city

Lot lingered or hesitated. Most like due to him not wanting to leave the life he had behind. His hesitation can be understood as an active resistance to the command given by the angels.

The angels seized or apprehended the family by the hand

The LORD being merciful, demonstrated mercy to them, through the angels, brought him out and set him outside the city. “Set” means to rest in Hebrew. So, essentially God’s was merciful enough to lead the out of a place of wickedness into a place of rest.

Angels gave directions to escape to the mountains and do not look back or they would be swept away. Mountains were seen as a sanctuary of isolation and safety. In this case, it served as a place outside the target zone of God’s judgement. The constant use and urging to “flee” or risk being “swept away” reminds them of the imminent wrath/judgement of God.

Lot makes a petition, although recognizing the favor has been shown to him and great kindness (hesed/loyal and gracious love) in saving his life.

His petition is be sent to a little city named Zoar, instead of the mountains, because he would not be able to make it. If he can get there, indeed his life would be saved.

The angels grant his request and will not overthrow that city.

The purpose of this narrative would point to the very nature of God, specifically, He is faithful (keeping promise to Abraham), gracious, merciful, steadfast in love (loving kindness), slow in anger, forgiving, and just. It would also contrast the actions of Abraham and Lot. And for Lot specifically, it would point to the fact Lot was worried about his life, rather than his life.

What can we do to make changes?

Know the LORD is merciful (especially in great kindness in saving lives)

Demonstrate God’s mercy and loyal love towards others by loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke 6:27-36; 11:25-37; Jude 22-23)

Stop being hesitant or risk being swept away (self-denial; losing your life for Jesus; examine yourselves; think about this: you should be striving to be teachers)