Why Stop At 10?

   In Genesis 14, Lot is rescued by Abraham’s intervention; in Genesis 18, he is rescued by Abraham’s intercession. Because Abraham was the friend of God (Jas. 2.23), he shared God’s secrets, and in Genesis 18.20–21, God tells Abraham what He intends to do to Sodom. Abraham’s response was to appeal to God’s justice: “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (v 23); Lot would be saved, not on the basis of God’s justice, but on the basis of God’s mercy. (19:16,19).

After asking his question, Abraham starts “bargaining” with God. Would God spare the city if fifty righteous people were found (v 24)? Yes, said the Lord; if fifty righteous can be found in Sodom, I’ll spare it (v 26). When fifty weren’t found, Abraham countered, what if forty-five righteous are found (v28)? Yes, says the Lord. When forty-five couldn’t be found, Abraham asked, what about forty (v 29)? thirty (v 30)? twenty (v 31)? ten (v 32)? But ten couldn’t be found, and he didn’t go any lower.

Have you ever wondered why he didn’t? Why stop at ten; why not five? My guess is Abraham thought he had reached the limit of God’s grace. Maybe he was afraid to push his luck and incur God’s anger. Whatever the reason, he didn’t ask if God would go lower. Which was a mistake, for I’m pretty sure God would have. “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her” (Jer. 5.1). Find one man, Jeremiah—one fair and square, truth-seeking man—and I’ll spare Jerusalem. I wonder if Jeremiah began searching immediately? Given Sodom’s reputation, no one’s really surprised ten righteous men couldn’t be found there, but surely, one righteous man could be found in Jerusalem. But there wasn’t even one (5.7).

There’s an important point here: let’s not underestimate God’s grace. How many people believe their forgiveness depends on God finding enough good in them, and if He doesn’t find enough, there’s no forgiveness for them? Don’t make the mistake of Abraham and think God won’t spare/forgive you below a certain level. “Though sin is show to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still! . . . Sin used to be the master of men and in the end handed them over to death; now grace is the ruling factor, with righteousness as its purpose and its end the bringing of men to the eternal life of God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5.20–21)

Kenny Chumbley