Righteous Remnant

I am pretty good at calling down judgment on the wicked. It comes naturally. I am not as good at advocating for the righteous and for mercy. It is not nearly as natural for me.

In Genesis 18, God tells Abraham about His plan to destroy Sodom for its wickedness. If I were Abraham in this moment, I would think I love the idea. Sodom is full of wickedness, and what could be better than God’s power rendering judgment on the wicked?

Abraham does the opposite of rejoice about the coming judgment. Instead, he pleads for the preservation of any righteous remnant in the city. He begins by asking God if He will save the city if just fifty righteous people can be found within its limits. God is quick to agree, and Abraham goes back not once, not twice, but six times asking God to reduce the number He will require in order to choose mercy. In the end, God and Abraham settle on the number ten. If ten righteous people can be found in Sodom, God will spare the city on Abraham’s behalf.

I cannot help but notice that God is willing to go as far as Abraham is willing to ask in terms of granting mercy. Why did they settle on ten? Because that was when Abraham stopped asking. How often do I walk away before I have reached the limits of the mercy God is willing to extend to our land?

God is willing to wrap His judgment in mercy. But how often are we advocating for it? How often do I choose to advocate for the righteous remnant rather than celebrate the impending judgment? O God, “in wrath, remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2)