Because of Mercy

In Genesis we read of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two "men" (who we realize are not actually men, but angels in human form) go to the city. Lot takes them in, but "before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them'" (Gen 19:4-5). Others will try to tell you that they just wanted to get to know the new visitors, but clearly that was not the case. Lot told them, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly" (Gen 19:7). "Wickedly"? How is "Introduce us to your friends" wicked? No, they didn't suffer from an abundance of friendliness. They wanted to know them as Adam knew Eve (Gen 4:1). Need I say more? Well, the crisis is averted (by blinding them all) and the men (angels) tell Lot to get his family out of the city because they were sent to destroy it (Gen 19:12-13). So the morning dawned and the angels said, "Go!!" (Gen 19:15) ... and the text says, "But he lingered" (Gen 19:16). He lingered? He hesitated. He didn't go. He stood still. He was told what was coming and he didn't move. He even knew what was right, but he didn't move. The Scripture says, "The men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand ... and they brought him out and set him outside the city" (Gen 19:16). God's messengers dragged Lot to safety. "Hey, hang on a minute," I can hear some complain. "What about human free will???" Apparently these angels didn't get the memo.

Now, you'll notice in that verse I just quoted (Gen 19:16) that I put an ellipsis. That's those three dots that indicate omitted words. I left something out. What did I leave out? God is kind enough in His Word to give us the reason that God's messengers overrode Lot's will. The phrase stuck between those two sections reads, "the LORD being merciful to him." Now, that's interesting. Genesis says that Lot lingered when told to run and God's men dragged them out by the hand. Why? Because God was being merciful to him. Peter describes Lot as "greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked" (2 Peter 2:7), but he still lingered and God had to -- no, chose to rescue him.

We believe, by and large, that God respects Man's Free Will and won't transgress it. From this and other biblical references I think it's clear that we're wrong. He didn't get Paul's permission to knock him to the ground (Acts 9:3-6). He didn't get Abimelech's permission to prevent him from sinning (Gen 20:3-7). He doesn't always let us do what we want. Sometimes He does; sometimes He doesn't. One thing we can be sure of. What He does -- allowing us to sin or not -- He does out of mercy. Sometimes it's a painful mercy and sometimes it's a saving mercy, but it's always good. And that ought to give us some measure of comfort. And something to ask for. "Please, heavenly Father, when I hesitate to run from evil, take my hand and bring me out." Amen, Lord.