How well do you negotiate? Full disclosure: my dad dealt in used cars, and his dad had secondhand stores. I grew up watching my dad negotiate. When Melanie and I married, I found two stores with the same mattress in Waco. I haggled with both and bought the mattress at a lower price. These experiences created a monster. After that, I learned to barter for cars and all kinds of things. Even going to a restaurant, I was tempted to ask the wait-staff, "Is that your best price?"
Years ago, I ran into master negotiators in other countries. At the bazaars and shops in Israel and Turkey, the first price was never the best price. I learned not to pay full price. But I also marveled at the skillfulness of the merchants. They were really good at what they did. We can learn from those who know how to barter. But what about God? Would you ever try to broker a better deal with God?
Abraham did. Knowing the reputation of Sodom and Gomorrah, he realized the cities would be destroyed. His nephew Lot and his family still lived there. So, Abraham asked the Lord if he would sweep away the righteous with the wicked. What if there were fifty righteous people there? Abraham negotiated on the basis of God's righteousness. Would God really kill the righteous with the wicked? The Lord answered that he would save the whole city for fifty righteous people.
We may never negotiate with God in person. But we may pray. Like Abraham, our knowledge of God informs our prayers. What is the character of God? He is both holy and loving. His holiness demands the judgement of sin. And his love encompasses even sinners. Knowing God as we do, we pray that he will save people from judgment. Abraham trusted the heart of God for people. So should we!
