12Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, 13and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; 14for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. 15Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth. 16Then Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us." 17And Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar, and settled there.
Things were going great for Isaac, so great that his neighbors became jealous. That would have been alright, but they were so jealous that they stopped up all his wells. In that day and age (and that area), stopping up someone's well was a big deal. They were trying to kill his livestock, his crops, and maybe even some of his servants. That's just how the enemy of our souls works too. When things are going great, watch out. Adversity is coming, and it won't be some little pansy attack. He goes for the throat. He doesn't want to see us succeeding in the Kingdom of Heaven. But hold on, weather the storms, and you'll be better for it in the end. We haven't seen the end of adversity for Isaac yet. Stay tuned...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Genesis 26:7-11
7When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "my wife," thinking, "the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful." 8It came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. 9Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, "Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, 'She is my sister'?" And Isaac said to him, "Because I said, 'I might die on account of her.'" 10Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." 11So Abimelech charged all the people, saying, "He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."
So far, Isaac has done pretty well in learning from the mistakes of his father. But here he goes for the classic Abraham move. The problem is that Isaac couldn't even claim that she was his half-sister like Abraham could. He just plain lied to Abimelech and everyone else to try and save his own skin. We all know already, though, that Abimelech was an honorable man. When he finds out the situation, he makes sure Isaac knows it too, and makes sure to keep all his own people safe by not letting them even think about harming God's chosen family. Same lesson, different story. God will take care of you, and there's still no good reason to lie, about anything.
So far, Isaac has done pretty well in learning from the mistakes of his father. But here he goes for the classic Abraham move. The problem is that Isaac couldn't even claim that she was his half-sister like Abraham could. He just plain lied to Abimelech and everyone else to try and save his own skin. We all know already, though, that Abimelech was an honorable man. When he finds out the situation, he makes sure Isaac knows it too, and makes sure to keep all his own people safe by not letting them even think about harming God's chosen family. Same lesson, different story. God will take care of you, and there's still no good reason to lie, about anything.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Genesis 26:1-6
1Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2The LORD appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3"Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4"I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws." 6So Isaac lived in Gerar.
With a famine, the typical course of action was to try and move elsewhere to a place where there was no famine. Especially since Isaac's family was still relatively small, it would have been very tempting to leave the land where he was living. But God had other plans, and wanted Isaac to stay put right where he was. Even in the midst of a famine, Isaac trusted God, and he stayed in Gerar.
With a famine, the typical course of action was to try and move elsewhere to a place where there was no famine. Especially since Isaac's family was still relatively small, it would have been very tempting to leave the land where he was living. But God had other plans, and wanted Isaac to stay put right where he was. Even in the midst of a famine, Isaac trusted God, and he stayed in Gerar.
Genesis 25:27-34
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished." Therefore his name was called 2Edom. 31 But Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." 32 Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?" 33 And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
This one is a classic story I've heard since I was young in Sunday School. We've likely all heard it several times. Jacob is making a lentil stew, and his brother, Esau, has been out hunting game. Apparently, Esau had caught nothing this day and was famished. We always say that he traded his birthright for a bowl of stew, which seems stupid enough when we are looking back at it. That isn't quite accurate though. Esau only asked for a swallow of stew. One bite was enough for Esau to trade his inheritance. We often hear it said that, "every man has his price." That shouldn't be the case. We should always strive to be people of integrity, regardless of what we are offered in return. Don't be an Esau. Don't despise your integrity for any price.
This one is a classic story I've heard since I was young in Sunday School. We've likely all heard it several times. Jacob is making a lentil stew, and his brother, Esau, has been out hunting game. Apparently, Esau had caught nothing this day and was famished. We always say that he traded his birthright for a bowl of stew, which seems stupid enough when we are looking back at it. That isn't quite accurate though. Esau only asked for a swallow of stew. One bite was enough for Esau to trade his inheritance. We often hear it said that, "every man has his price." That shouldn't be the case. We should always strive to be people of integrity, regardless of what we are offered in return. Don't be an Esau. Don't despise your integrity for any price.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Genesis 25:19-26
19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham became the father of Isaac;20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 The LORD said to her,
24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called 1Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.
Again, the promise of God to Abraham was in jeopardy. Rebekah was barren, just as her mother-in-law had been. But Isaac knew what God was capable of. He was the son of a woman barren until she was ninety years old. So he prayed to God that his wife might have children, and God answered him. Often, we forget what God has done, and when we see someone in need of prayer, we just look at them and say, "oh, that's too bad." We ought to remember what God is capable of (everything), and never forget to pray for someone in need. You never know what God may do.
"Two nations are in your womb;
And two peoples will be separated from your body;
And one people shall be stronger than the other;
And the older shall serve the younger."
24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called 1Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.
Again, the promise of God to Abraham was in jeopardy. Rebekah was barren, just as her mother-in-law had been. But Isaac knew what God was capable of. He was the son of a woman barren until she was ninety years old. So he prayed to God that his wife might have children, and God answered him. Often, we forget what God has done, and when we see someone in need of prayer, we just look at them and say, "oh, that's too bad." We ought to remember what God is capable of (everything), and never forget to pray for someone in need. You never know what God may do.
Genesis 25:12-18
12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maid, bore to Abraham; 13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam 14 and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, 15 Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.
Seems like pretty standard stuff, until the very end. Did you see it there? "...he settled in defiance of all his relatives." Now the main one we would normally focus on would be Isaac, but it says 'all his relatives', instead of 'his brother', so we need to include the sons of Keturah in this also. So we see that Ishmael, and his descendants, we're some rebellious folk, and not very nice to live around. In fact, it could probably be taken that they settled close to their relatives and annoyed/aggravated them on purpose, to gain prime territory for themselves. What happens a few hundred years later? The Israelites come back and have their way with everyone in their path, even some of the Ishmaelites. That's not the end of the story, as we see the Arabs (many of whom are descendants of Ishmael and Keturah) still fighting for land with Israel. So don't try and bully God's anointed ones, and as Paul said, "live peaceably with all men."
Seems like pretty standard stuff, until the very end. Did you see it there? "...he settled in defiance of all his relatives." Now the main one we would normally focus on would be Isaac, but it says 'all his relatives', instead of 'his brother', so we need to include the sons of Keturah in this also. So we see that Ishmael, and his descendants, we're some rebellious folk, and not very nice to live around. In fact, it could probably be taken that they settled close to their relatives and annoyed/aggravated them on purpose, to gain prime territory for themselves. What happens a few hundred years later? The Israelites come back and have their way with everyone in their path, even some of the Ishmaelites. That's not the end of the story, as we see the Arabs (many of whom are descendants of Ishmael and Keturah) still fighting for land with Israel. So don't try and bully God's anointed ones, and as Paul said, "live peaceably with all men."
Friday, December 25, 2009
Genesis 25:1-11
1 Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah. 5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; 6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.
7 These are all the years of Abraham's life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.
God indeed blessed Abraham, and now that Abraham had proven himself to be trustworthy, he had even more children by his second wife. He knew better than to let them contend with Isaac though, and sent them all to the east, so that there would not be contention (hopefully) between their descendants.
7 These are all the years of Abraham's life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.
God indeed blessed Abraham, and now that Abraham had proven himself to be trustworthy, he had even more children by his second wife. He knew better than to let them contend with Isaac though, and sent them all to the east, so that there would not be contention (hopefully) between their descendants.
Genesis 24:62-67
62 Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel. 65 She said to the servant, "Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "He is my master." Then she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
This one is for all the married folk out there. Appreciate your spouse, and all they provide for you. One of the things I appreciate about my wife is her comforting spirit. When I've had a hard day, she can certainly be a comfort and bring calm to the whirlwind.
This one is for all the married folk out there. Appreciate your spouse, and all they provide for you. One of the things I appreciate about my wife is her comforting spirit. When I've had a hard day, she can certainly be a comfort and bring calm to the whirlwind.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Genesis 24:52-61
52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the LORD. 53 The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master." 55 But her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go." 56 He said to them, "Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master." 57 And they said, "We will call the girl and consult her wishes." 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go." 59 Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham's servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her,
61 Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
We all know about the faith of Abraham, and we've seen the faith that his servant had in God, but here someone else shows the abundance of their faith and trust in God. Rebekah had never met Abraham's servant, she may have never even met Abraham. She has certainly never met Isaac. Yet she trusted God more than her brother and mother. Naturally, they are concerned for her, and reluctant to see her go also. But she has no such qualms about leaving with a stranger, to marry a stranger, the son of her uncle, who was likely also a stranger to her. She trusted God to take care of her when she would be beyond the reach of her family. Should things go horribly wrong, and this whole proposal be a terrible sham, she would have nothing left but God to turn to. And she was OK with that.
"May you, our sister,
Become thousands of ten thousands,
And may your descendants possess
The gate of those who hate them."
61 Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
We all know about the faith of Abraham, and we've seen the faith that his servant had in God, but here someone else shows the abundance of their faith and trust in God. Rebekah had never met Abraham's servant, she may have never even met Abraham. She has certainly never met Isaac. Yet she trusted God more than her brother and mother. Naturally, they are concerned for her, and reluctant to see her go also. But she has no such qualms about leaving with a stranger, to marry a stranger, the son of her uncle, who was likely also a stranger to her. She trusted God to take care of her when she would be beyond the reach of her family. Should things go horribly wrong, and this whole proposal be a terrible sham, she would have nothing left but God to turn to. And she was OK with that.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Genesis 24:42-51
42 "So I came today to the spring, and said, `O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I go successful; 43 behold, I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the maiden who comes out to draw, and to whom I say, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar"; 44 and she will say to me, "You drink, and I will draw for your camels also"; let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master's son.'
45 "Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and I said to her, `Please let me drink.' 46 "She quickly lowered her jar from hershoulder, and said, `Drink, and I will water your camels also'; so I drank, and she watered the camels also. 47"Then I asked her, and said, `Whose daughter are you?' And she said, `The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him'; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 "And I bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. 49 "So now if you are going to 1deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left."
50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.51 "Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."
Here's another amazing part about God's answer to the servants prayer. "Before I had finished speaking in my heart..." That may have been an exaggeration, but it shows how quickly God answered his prayer. It doesn't always happen that way, but when you have placed yourself in God's will, and are praying accordingly, things happen, and quickly.
45 "Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and I said to her, `Please let me drink.' 46 "She quickly lowered her jar from hershoulder, and said, `Drink, and I will water your camels also'; so I drank, and she watered the camels also. 47"Then I asked her, and said, `Whose daughter are you?' And she said, `The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him'; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 "And I bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. 49 "So now if you are going to 1deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left."
50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.51 "Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."
Here's another amazing part about God's answer to the servants prayer. "Before I had finished speaking in my heart..." That may have been an exaggeration, but it shows how quickly God answered his prayer. It doesn't always happen that way, but when you have placed yourself in God's will, and are praying accordingly, things happen, and quickly.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Genesis 24:28-41
28 Then the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring. 30 When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 And he said, "Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?" 32So the man entered the house. Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 But when food was set before him to eat, he said, "I will not eat until I have told my business." And he said, "Speak on." 34 So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. 35 "The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys. 36 "Now Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has. 37 "My master made me swear, saying, `You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; 38 but you shall go to my father's house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.' 39 "I said to my master, `Suppose the woman does not follow me.' 40 "He said to me, `The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father's house; 41 then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.'
As I alluded to yesterday, God didn't stop at just answering the servant's prayer by sending the right woman out to the well. He went all out, so that the servant would have no worries. Laban, her brother, realizes what is going on, and lays out the red carpet for the servant. He feeds the camels, unloads them, puts out water for the servant to wash his feet, and prepares a meal for them all. God doesn't just take care of the things we ask Him for. He takes care of everything in our lives. Whether we recognize His hand or not, He is there in even the smallest details.
As I alluded to yesterday, God didn't stop at just answering the servant's prayer by sending the right woman out to the well. He went all out, so that the servant would have no worries. Laban, her brother, realizes what is going on, and lays out the red carpet for the servant. He feeds the camels, unloads them, puts out water for the servant to wash his feet, and prepares a meal for them all. God doesn't just take care of the things we ask Him for. He takes care of everything in our lives. Whether we recognize His hand or not, He is there in even the smallest details.
Genesis 24:15-27
15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar." 18 She said, "Drink, my lord"; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking." 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. 21 Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence, to know whether the LORD had made his journey successful or not.
22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold, 23 and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house?" 24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor." 25 Again she said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in." 26Then the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD. 27 He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers."
I've already talked about putting yourself in the right place for God to answer your prayer, but there's also something to be said for giving thanks. Often, it's an afterthought, if we think of it at all, to thank God for His faithfulness. But Abraham's servant, overwhelmed by the swiftness of God's answer, and the completeness, falls to his knees and worships the Lord. We should take note, and follow suit.
22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold, 23 and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house?" 24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor." 25 Again she said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in." 26Then the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD. 27 He said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers."
I've already talked about putting yourself in the right place for God to answer your prayer, but there's also something to be said for giving thanks. Often, it's an afterthought, if we think of it at all, to thank God for His faithfulness. But Abraham's servant, overwhelmed by the swiftness of God's answer, and the completeness, falls to his knees and worships the Lord. We should take note, and follow suit.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Genesis 24:10-14
10 Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master's in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. 12He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. 13 "Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; 14 now may it be that the girl to whom I say, `Please let down your jar so that I may drink,' and who answers, `Drink, and I will water your camels also'--may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master."
Sometimes when we pray for something we can miss a critical element. We need to be in the place God wants for our prayer to be answered. Abraham's servant knew all the women would be coming to the spring, and that it would be a perfect place for God to answer his prayer. What would have happened had he just started going door to door? Could God have answered his prayer for guidance then. Sure, but he might have been there a month before he found the right girl. Instead, he found a place where all the girls would come, and God answered his prayer immediately.
Sometimes when we pray for something we can miss a critical element. We need to be in the place God wants for our prayer to be answered. Abraham's servant knew all the women would be coming to the spring, and that it would be a perfect place for God to answer his prayer. What would have happened had he just started going door to door? Could God have answered his prayer for guidance then. Sure, but he might have been there a month before he found the right girl. Instead, he found a place where all the girls would come, and God answered his prayer immediately.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Genesis 24:1-9
1 Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, "Please place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, 4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac." 5 The servant said to him, "Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?" 6 Then Abraham said to him, "Beware that you do not take my son back there! 7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, `To your descendants I will give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there. 8 "But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there." 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Abraham's request made sense in those days, but as the servant well knew, it had a high probability of failure. It was unlikely that a woman would want to leave her family to marry a man she had never met, even if he was related somehow. But Abraham had faith in God, that He could provide a wife for Isaac, and so he told his servant that God's angel would go before him and guide him. After all that had happened to Abraham, he knew that God could accomplish anything, if he only had faith.
Abraham's request made sense in those days, but as the servant well knew, it had a high probability of failure. It was unlikely that a woman would want to leave her family to marry a man she had never met, even if he was related somehow. But Abraham had faith in God, that He could provide a wife for Isaac, and so he told his servant that God's angel would go before him and guide him. After all that had happened to Abraham, he knew that God could accomplish anything, if he only had faith.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Genesis 23:1-20
1 Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.3 Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 "I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight." 5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 "Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead." 7 So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. 8 And he spoke with them, saying, "If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site." 10 Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth; even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 "No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead." 12 And Abraham bowed before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, "If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there." 14 Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 "My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead." 16 Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.
17 So Ephron's field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.
Pretty simple little lesson here. Your friends may wish to give you something of great value, just because you asked. However, things often go better for them and you if you pay for something like that. Just because they are willing to give beyond what they should, doesn't mean you should take advantage of it.
17 So Ephron's field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.
Pretty simple little lesson here. Your friends may wish to give you something of great value, just because you asked. However, things often go better for them and you if you pay for something like that. Just because they are willing to give beyond what they should, doesn't mean you should take advantage of it.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Genesis 22:15-24
15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at Beersheba.
20 Now it came about after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram 22 and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel." 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.
So Abraham passes the test, and the result is? God will bless him even and multiply his descendants. Wait, isn't that what God had already promised? Yes it is, but now Abraham had sealed his part of the covenant. Not only did he bear the mark of circumcision, but now he had held nothing back from God. God knew now that Abraham was devoted to Him. When God wants to bless us, it doesn't come for free. He wants to know that He has our full devotion, that nothing in our lives is as important as He is. Only then can God bless us like He wants to.
20 Now it came about after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram 22 and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel." 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.
So Abraham passes the test, and the result is? God will bless him even and multiply his descendants. Wait, isn't that what God had already promised? Yes it is, but now Abraham had sealed his part of the covenant. Not only did he bear the mark of circumcision, but now he had held nothing back from God. God knew now that Abraham was devoted to Him. When God wants to bless us, it doesn't come for free. He wants to know that He has our full devotion, that nothing in our lives is as important as He is. Only then can God bless us like He wants to.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Genesis 22:9-14
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 12 He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."
The lesson here is simple. Yesterday, we saw how much Abraham trusted God. We saw the faith that Abraham had that God would provide the sacrifice. Today, we see why Abraham had faith. Because God is faithful, and He provides. Nothing complicated, God is faithful.
The lesson here is simple. Yesterday, we saw how much Abraham trusted God. We saw the faith that Abraham had that God would provide the sacrifice. Today, we see why Abraham had faith. Because God is faithful, and He provides. Nothing complicated, God is faithful.
Genesis 22:1-8
1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 2 He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you." 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" 8 Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.
This has always been an amazing story to me. God tells Abraham to go sacrifice his son, his only son, and Abraham doesn't even quibble. In verse eight, we find out why. Abraham knew God didn't really want him to sacrifice Isaac his son. He trusted God to provide a sacrifice. After all this time, he remembered God's promise, and knew that Isaac was the fulfillment of that promise (God had told him so). There was no question in Abraham's mind that God would provide.
This has always been an amazing story to me. God tells Abraham to go sacrifice his son, his only son, and Abraham doesn't even quibble. In verse eight, we find out why. Abraham knew God didn't really want him to sacrifice Isaac his son. He trusted God to provide a sacrifice. After all this time, he remembered God's promise, and knew that Isaac was the fulfillment of that promise (God had told him so). There was no question in Abraham's mind that God would provide.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Genesis 21:22-34
22 Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do; 23 now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have sojourned." 24 Abraham said, "I swear it." 25 But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized. 26And Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today."
27 Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?" 30 He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well." 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days.
This is not a fun lesson for me right now, but here it is. God had been with Abraham in everything he did, and Abimelech knew it. Abimelech wanted to make sure that Abraham had no cause to be angry with him, and Abraham brought up the well that Abimelech's servants had seized. Even though Abraham had been wronged, and had every right to simply demand the well back, he offers Abimelech seven ewe lambs to be the price of the well, and guarantee that they belonged to Abraham. Sometimes, we are completely within our rights to make a demand, but making demands often goes ill in the long run. We may have to make a sacrifice to get what belongs to us. We may have to compromise, even when we don't think it should be necessary. I really don't want to hear that right now, but that's the only thing I can get out of this passage.
27 Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?" 30 He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well." 31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days.
This is not a fun lesson for me right now, but here it is. God had been with Abraham in everything he did, and Abimelech knew it. Abimelech wanted to make sure that Abraham had no cause to be angry with him, and Abraham brought up the well that Abimelech's servants had seized. Even though Abraham had been wronged, and had every right to simply demand the well back, he offers Abimelech seven ewe lambs to be the price of the well, and guarantee that they belonged to Abraham. Sometimes, we are completely within our rights to make a demand, but making demands often goes ill in the long run. We may have to make a sacrifice to get what belongs to us. We may have to compromise, even when we don't think it should be necessary. I really don't want to hear that right now, but that's the only thing I can get out of this passage.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Genesis 21:9-21
9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac." 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. 13 "And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant." 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, "Do not let me see the boy die." And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. 17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 "Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him." 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.
20 God was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Things were not looking good for Hagar this time. The first time, she had been allowed to come back and live with Abraham and Sarah. That was not an option this time, and she had no one to take care of her now. But God would take care of her, and her son. When God heard them weeping, He answered, and provided a well in the wilderness. Even when there was nothing to sustain Hagar, God took care of her.
15 When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, "Do not let me see the boy die." And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. 17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 "Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him." 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.
20 God was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Things were not looking good for Hagar this time. The first time, she had been allowed to come back and live with Abraham and Sarah. That was not an option this time, and she had no one to take care of her now. But God would take care of her, and her son. When God heard them weeping, He answered, and provided a well in the wilderness. Even when there was nothing to sustain Hagar, God took care of her.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Genesis 21:1-8
1 Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised. 2 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. 3Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." 7 And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
8 The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
Finally, the child of promise is here. God had made sure that He would receive all the credit for the birth of Isaac. As Sarah says in verse seven, no one would have thought that she could still bear a child. God had other plans though, and He wasn't worried about what man thought was possible. With God nothing is impossible; Not even having a child when you are ninety years old.
8 The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
Finally, the child of promise is here. God had made sure that He would receive all the credit for the birth of Isaac. As Sarah says in verse seven, no one would have thought that she could still bear a child. God had other plans though, and He wasn't worried about what man thought was possible. With God nothing is impossible; Not even having a child when you are ninety years old.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Genesis 20:8-18
8 So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were greatly frightened. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done." 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What have you encountered, that you have done this thing?" 11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. 12 "Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife; 13 and it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, `This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'" 14 Abimelech then took sheep and oxen and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you; settle wherever you please." 16 To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared." 17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. 18 For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Abraham tries to justify what he did here. First, he gives the excuse that he didn't think anyone would fear God in the area except his family. Fair enough, Abraham has seen enough evil in the world to expect that those who fear God are few and far between. Then he tells Abimelech, that Sarah actually is his sister. Well, she is his half-sister. I don't know how many times I've heard, "A half truth is still a lie." Abraham should have known that as well, and this is horrible justification for his omission of the facts. Both times that he did this, it caused horrible things to happen to the men who took his wife mistakenly. Had he been honest, and trusted God to take care of him, things would have turned out a bit different.
Abraham tries to justify what he did here. First, he gives the excuse that he didn't think anyone would fear God in the area except his family. Fair enough, Abraham has seen enough evil in the world to expect that those who fear God are few and far between. Then he tells Abimelech, that Sarah actually is his sister. Well, she is his half-sister. I don't know how many times I've heard, "A half truth is still a lie." Abraham should have known that as well, and this is horrible justification for his omission of the facts. Both times that he did this, it caused horrible things to happen to the men who took his wife mistakenly. Had he been honest, and trusted God to take care of him, things would have turned out a bit different.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Genesis 20:1-7
1 Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the 1Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar. 2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married." 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless? 5 "Did he not himself say to me, `She is my sister'? And she herself said, `He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this." 6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 "Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her,know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."
First of all, some people don't learn their lesson the hard way. If this story seems eerily familiar, it's because Abraham did this to Pharaoh once before, and made himself look like a fool. Now here he is again making the same mistake. The lesson here is pretty simple: learn from your mistakes the first time.
First of all, some people don't learn their lesson the hard way. If this story seems eerily familiar, it's because Abraham did this to Pharaoh once before, and made himself look like a fool. Now here he is again making the same mistake. The lesson here is pretty simple: learn from your mistakes the first time.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Genesis 19:30-38
30 Lot went up from Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 Then the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. 32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father." 33 So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 34 On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father." 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.
This story is just a bit disturbing. Lot is so scared of living in Zoar (which was probably evil as well, but Lot had asked for it to be spared), that he becomes a hermit, and takes his daughters up into the mountains to live. His daughters don't care too much about that, but they are concerned about having children, and preserving their father's lineage. So they get him drunk and have children by their father. I'm not in favor of totally removing children from society, but it seems that Lot didn't do much to preserve his daughters' sense of right and wrong while living in Sodom. As Proverbs says, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." On the converse, let the world train your child, and he will depart from the path of righteousness as soon as possible.
This story is just a bit disturbing. Lot is so scared of living in Zoar (which was probably evil as well, but Lot had asked for it to be spared), that he becomes a hermit, and takes his daughters up into the mountains to live. His daughters don't care too much about that, but they are concerned about having children, and preserving their father's lineage. So they get him drunk and have children by their father. I'm not in favor of totally removing children from society, but it seems that Lot didn't do much to preserve his daughters' sense of right and wrong while living in Sodom. As Proverbs says, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." On the converse, let the world train your child, and he will depart from the path of righteousness as soon as possible.
Genesis 19:15-29
15 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city." 16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. 17 When they had brought them outside, one said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away." 18 But Lot said to them, "Oh no, my lords! 19 "Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; 20 now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved." 21 He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken. 22 "Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the town was called 1Zoar.
23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace.
29 Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
We often look at Lot's wife as an example of 'what not to do' when it comes to sin. "Don't look back like Lot's wife," we always say. But Lot's fault could be seen as the greater one. In verse sixteen, the angels tell Lot to get moving, before the city is destroyed. "But he hesitated..." What? Is he insane? The city where he lives is going to be destroyed by God, and Lot hesitates? God's compassion towards Lot was indeed great, because I would have left him right then and there if I were God (good thing I'm not, eh?). Instead the angels grab them by the hands, and drag them out of the city to safety. Sometimes, no matter how apparent our sin is, and how apparent the impending doom of that sin is, we hesitate. We like it here, and leaving it sounds like so much work. Do we really want to have to get used to new surroundings, and a new lifestyle? Wouldn't we rather just let fate take its course? Yes, sometimes we are that daft, just like Lot. Then God, in His great mercy, gives us a solid kick in the pants that gets us out of danger just in time. Don't be Lot, get out while you can, and hope it doesn't take a kick in the pants from God to get you out. Those hurt (not as much as dying, but still...).
23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace.
29 Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
We often look at Lot's wife as an example of 'what not to do' when it comes to sin. "Don't look back like Lot's wife," we always say. But Lot's fault could be seen as the greater one. In verse sixteen, the angels tell Lot to get moving, before the city is destroyed. "But he hesitated..." What? Is he insane? The city where he lives is going to be destroyed by God, and Lot hesitates? God's compassion towards Lot was indeed great, because I would have left him right then and there if I were God (good thing I'm not, eh?). Instead the angels grab them by the hands, and drag them out of the city to safety. Sometimes, no matter how apparent our sin is, and how apparent the impending doom of that sin is, we hesitate. We like it here, and leaving it sounds like so much work. Do we really want to have to get used to new surroundings, and a new lifestyle? Wouldn't we rather just let fate take its course? Yes, sometimes we are that daft, just like Lot. Then God, in His great mercy, gives us a solid kick in the pants that gets us out of danger just in time. Don't be Lot, get out while you can, and hope it doesn't take a kick in the pants from God to get you out. Those hurt (not as much as dying, but still...).
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Genesis 19:1-14
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot sawthem, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof." 9 But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway.
12 Then the two men said to Lot, "Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; 13 for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it." 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, "Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city." But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
The depravity of Sodom is incredible here. God wasn't destroying the city just because they weren't serving Him faithfully. They were evil beyond belief. This is a passage often referred to by the church when speaking out against homosexuality, but I'm not even going to go there. Their drive was so evil, that they were going to destroy Lot and his household for trying to protect the two visiting men. However, the men of Sodom didn't know who they were dealing with, and the angels struck them all with blindness. But the men of Sodom don't stop. They keep trying to find the door of the house until they drain themselves of all physical energy. We may think of some sin as small and harmless, but the road you begin on when you let sin in your life is one that will take everything you are, and everything you have. Ultimately, it will even claim your life (physical and spiritual). Don't let sin have even a foothold in your life. Be on guard constantly against it.
12 Then the two men said to Lot, "Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; 13 for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it." 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, "Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city." But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
The depravity of Sodom is incredible here. God wasn't destroying the city just because they weren't serving Him faithfully. They were evil beyond belief. This is a passage often referred to by the church when speaking out against homosexuality, but I'm not even going to go there. Their drive was so evil, that they were going to destroy Lot and his household for trying to protect the two visiting men. However, the men of Sodom didn't know who they were dealing with, and the angels struck them all with blindness. But the men of Sodom don't stop. They keep trying to find the door of the house until they drain themselves of all physical energy. We may think of some sin as small and harmless, but the road you begin on when you let sin in your life is one that will take everything you are, and everything you have. Ultimately, it will even claim your life (physical and spiritual). Don't let sin have even a foothold in your life. Be on guard constantly against it.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Genesis 18:16-33
16 Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. 17 The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? 19 "For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." 20 And the LORD said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 "I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. 23 Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24"Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" 26 So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account." 27 And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. 28 "Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." 29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty." 30 Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." 31 And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty." 32 Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten." 33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
While Abraham is surely testing the Lord's patience, we learn something a bit interesting here. Even though God intended to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil, He would spare all the wicked people on account of just a few righteous. The righteous are so valuable to God that He will forgo punishing the wicked for their sake. Even though He had promised to never flood the earth to destroy the wicked, destroying a city full of wicked people was not entirely out of the question. Later on in the Bible, He would look to do the same to Nineveh, but Jonah's message of repentance saves the city from almost certain doom. Sodom and Gomorrah would have been saved had their been a trace of good in them. The depravity of the human heart apart from God is an amazing spectacle indeed. Even as a Christian, it is a struggle to keep on the straight and narrow. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, if we want to avoid slipping back into sin. Nothing else can save us from ourselves.
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. 23 Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24"Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" 26 So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account." 27 And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. 28 "Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." 29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty." 30 Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." 31 And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty." 32 Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten." 33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
While Abraham is surely testing the Lord's patience, we learn something a bit interesting here. Even though God intended to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil, He would spare all the wicked people on account of just a few righteous. The righteous are so valuable to God that He will forgo punishing the wicked for their sake. Even though He had promised to never flood the earth to destroy the wicked, destroying a city full of wicked people was not entirely out of the question. Later on in the Bible, He would look to do the same to Nineveh, but Jonah's message of repentance saves the city from almost certain doom. Sodom and Gomorrah would have been saved had their been a trace of good in them. The depravity of the human heart apart from God is an amazing spectacle indeed. Even as a Christian, it is a struggle to keep on the straight and narrow. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, if we want to avoid slipping back into sin. Nothing else can save us from ourselves.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Genesis 18:1-15
1 Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he sawthem, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, "My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. 4 "Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; 5 and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant." And they said, "So do, as you have said." 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes." 7 Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. 8 He took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.
9 Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10 He said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, `Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' 14 "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." 15 Sarah denied it however, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh."
I skipped over this part pretty quickly the first time through, but here's the most important line in this whole passage: "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" It's not a real question, it's a rhetorical one. Of course, nothing is too difficult for the Lord. Abraham and Sarah had seen their share of miracles, but they were getting old, and holding onto God's promise was getting harder every day. By this point, Sarah had resigned herself to having no children. The mere thought of bearing a child at her age prompted laughter, as it would for most of us. But God didn't want them to forget the promise, He wanted to reassure them that anything was possible with Him.
9 Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10 He said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. 12 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, `Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' 14 "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." 15 Sarah denied it however, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh."
I skipped over this part pretty quickly the first time through, but here's the most important line in this whole passage: "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" It's not a real question, it's a rhetorical one. Of course, nothing is too difficult for the Lord. Abraham and Sarah had seen their share of miracles, but they were getting old, and holding onto God's promise was getting harder every day. By this point, Sarah had resigned herself to having no children. The mere thought of bearing a child at her age prompted laughter, as it would for most of us. But God didn't want them to forget the promise, He wanted to reassure them that anything was possible with Him.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Genesis 17:15-27
15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but 3Sarah shall be her name. 16 "I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" 18 And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before You!" 19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name 4Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year." 22 When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him. 24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Abraham certainly thought God had forgotten the cold, hard facts. He and his wife were old. People their age didn't have children anymore. Sarah had probably already been through menopause, and Abraham certainly knew it. But God was fully aware of the facts, and He wanted to give Abraham of living reminder of His power. There was no way for them to have children without divine intervention. When Isaac was born, he would be that reminder. A reminder of God's promise, of His faithfulness, and His power.
23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him. 24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Abraham certainly thought God had forgotten the cold, hard facts. He and his wife were old. People their age didn't have children anymore. Sarah had probably already been through menopause, and Abraham certainly knew it. But God was fully aware of the facts, and He wanted to give Abraham of living reminder of His power. There was no way for them to have children without divine intervention. When Isaac was born, he would be that reminder. A reminder of God's promise, of His faithfulness, and His power.
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