Monday, October 31, 2005
Genesis 28
Genesis 28
“Stairway to Heaven” (I couldn’t resist!!!)
Vs. 1-5 “Do not marry a Canaanite woman”
Jacob, with the help of Rebekah his mom, has just tricked Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau. So, due to his disobedience, Jacob is forced to run away. Rebekah decides that one great way to get Jacob to safety is to send him for a wife. Despite the problems, Isaac knows if Jacob is going to be the one to carry on the faith, and the promise, that he must have a good, believing, wife.
Vs. 6-9 “Do not marry a Canaanite woman”
Have you ever just done something to irritate your parents? Of course, we all have. Maybe now that you may be too old for that, it has become a spouse, or even a boss. This is why Esau married one of Ishmael’s daughters, just to be displeasing to the family out of rebellion. We all have done this, and one thing remains true, it is worse on us every time. When was the last time that something you did to irritate someone else was truly fulfilling, long term?
Vs. 10-15 “Jacob had a dream”
Jacob’s lifestyle of trickery and conning people has put him out now away from his family. He is journeying to a land that is distant family members to find a wife for himself while he lets his brother “cool off” about their situation. Meanwhile Jacob has a dream.
His dream is one of realizing that God not only exists in some far off way, but that God is real and personal. The stairway signifying that God does interact and care about fallen humanity. Angels were going up and down to obviously tend to the work of God. And then it happened. God Himself shows up and talks to Jacob. He re-covenants the promise given to Jacob’s father, and to his grandfather Abraham. He tells Jacob I am with you, I will protect you, and you will come back to this land.
Vs. 16-17 “I was not aware of it”
Jacob finally learns that there is more to God than he had ever known.
Vs. 18-End “Jacob makes an Altar”
All at once, Jacob has a realization about God. He says if God is like this, than I want to live for God. He takes a stone, and builds a place to where he can honor God and commit his life to living for God. He promises to live life for the One who created him.
- What was the turning point where you decided you needed God in your life?
- How has God made Himself ‘real’ in your life?
The most important question you will ever have to answer is who God is to you. Peter was asked this very question by Jesus, when Jesus was on Earth:
Matt 16:15-18
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Genesis 27
Genesis 27
"Motives"
Vs. 1-4 “I want to bless you before I die”
Isaac is getting older, and is feeling as if he is at the end of his life. At this point, all he wants to do is bless Esau before he dies. But, God has already told him that he is to bless Jacob, not Esau. So why does he do this? Is he in rebellion towards God?
Vs. 5-13 “Rebekah calls Jacob”
Now, Rebekah enters into the equation. Esau leaves to do his father’s wishes, and Rebekah plots to get Jacob the blessing, but tricking Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. Jacob asks about the possible consequences, and Rebekah she is willing to take the curse if he gets caught.
Vs. 14- 20 “Jacob tricks his father”
Jacob may not have thought of the idea, and maybe he was unsure of it when Rebekah approached him, but he sure is fully on board now. He goes in to his father Isaac, and lies to him. He says that he is Esau, and that he has brought the food his father desired so much, so that he can receive the blessing. Not only does he lie, but he uses God in his lie. God gave me success in finding the game for you Dad!
Vs. 21-29 “Let me bless you”
Isaac is unsure of who it is that is there with him. So much so that he tests his son several ways. “Come near so I can touch you.” “This is the voice of Jacob…” “Are you really my son Esau?” It was when Isaac smelled the smell of his son Esau that he blessed him. Isaac was so intent on blessing Esau, despite the commands of God, that he rushed in when he knew something was wrong and did it anyhow. He questioned which son was there, but he couldn’t call anyone else in to verify it, because then he would have to admit what he was doing. So he blesses the wrong one.
Vs. 30-36 “Esau returns”
Once it was too late, Esau returns unknowing of what had transpired. Esau is shocked to find out that Jacob has taken the blessing, and it is too late to change it. Esau realizes that not only has he lost his birthright (the double portion inheritance), but that he has lost his blessing (the spiritual headship) as well. Esau is angered to find out that he has nothing left.
Vs. 37-end “The fallout”
At this point in time, all is found out, and each person has their part to deal with. Isaac is confronted with the failure of his plan to circumvent God, Rebekah has chosen one son over the other, and over her husband. Jacob has lied to his father, and stolen from his brother. Esau, knowing he had already sold his birthright was trying to scramble for something before his father died. Each person thought only of themselves. And, the fallout is disastrous.
Motives:
Each person chose themselves over God. God wanted something to go one way, and each person in this story chose to follow their own prideful ambitions and take things into their own hands.
What are your motives?
Ask yourself, the next time you make plans, are these plans Godly, or selfish?
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition , there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16
"Motives"
Vs. 1-4 “I want to bless you before I die”
Isaac is getting older, and is feeling as if he is at the end of his life. At this point, all he wants to do is bless Esau before he dies. But, God has already told him that he is to bless Jacob, not Esau. So why does he do this? Is he in rebellion towards God?
Vs. 5-13 “Rebekah calls Jacob”
Now, Rebekah enters into the equation. Esau leaves to do his father’s wishes, and Rebekah plots to get Jacob the blessing, but tricking Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. Jacob asks about the possible consequences, and Rebekah she is willing to take the curse if he gets caught.
Vs. 14- 20 “Jacob tricks his father”
Jacob may not have thought of the idea, and maybe he was unsure of it when Rebekah approached him, but he sure is fully on board now. He goes in to his father Isaac, and lies to him. He says that he is Esau, and that he has brought the food his father desired so much, so that he can receive the blessing. Not only does he lie, but he uses God in his lie. God gave me success in finding the game for you Dad!
Vs. 21-29 “Let me bless you”
Isaac is unsure of who it is that is there with him. So much so that he tests his son several ways. “Come near so I can touch you.” “This is the voice of Jacob…” “Are you really my son Esau?” It was when Isaac smelled the smell of his son Esau that he blessed him. Isaac was so intent on blessing Esau, despite the commands of God, that he rushed in when he knew something was wrong and did it anyhow. He questioned which son was there, but he couldn’t call anyone else in to verify it, because then he would have to admit what he was doing. So he blesses the wrong one.
Vs. 30-36 “Esau returns”
Once it was too late, Esau returns unknowing of what had transpired. Esau is shocked to find out that Jacob has taken the blessing, and it is too late to change it. Esau realizes that not only has he lost his birthright (the double portion inheritance), but that he has lost his blessing (the spiritual headship) as well. Esau is angered to find out that he has nothing left.
Vs. 37-end “The fallout”
At this point in time, all is found out, and each person has their part to deal with. Isaac is confronted with the failure of his plan to circumvent God, Rebekah has chosen one son over the other, and over her husband. Jacob has lied to his father, and stolen from his brother. Esau, knowing he had already sold his birthright was trying to scramble for something before his father died. Each person thought only of themselves. And, the fallout is disastrous.
Motives:
Each person chose themselves over God. God wanted something to go one way, and each person in this story chose to follow their own prideful ambitions and take things into their own hands.
What are your motives?
Ask yourself, the next time you make plans, are these plans Godly, or selfish?
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition , there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
James 3:16
Friday, October 21, 2005
Genesis 26
Genesis 26
“Cultural Impact”
Vs. 1-6 “The Lord appeared to Isaac”
Our emerging generation, where Isaac is now the patriarch, is in full swing. God is speaking to Isaac, and directing his steps. God basically tells Isaac, I will bless you if you follow my instructions. Live like your father Abraham did.
Vs. 7-11
I don’t think when God called Isaac to live like Abraham, that this is what he meant! Isaac gets weak and does the same dumb thing that Abraham did in a foreign land. Isaac fears for his own life due to the beauty of Rebekah, and decides to not trust God to do what He had promised, and instead to take things into his own hand.
Isaac tells people that his wife is his sister. Abraham, Isaac’s father, did that very same thing twice (Genesis 12:13, and Genesis 20:2). Why is it a problem? Not only does Isaac lie, but also it shows that at this very moment in time he is not trusting God. Isaac is not living in the faith that God will fulfill the promise He gave him in the first few verses of this chapter. Just as Abraham had to learn his own lessons on faith, so too must Isaac.
Vs. 12-22 “Quarreling”
Despite the lack of faith in the prior verses, God now blesses Isaac. Isaac is so blessed that the neighbors can see it. In time the herdsmen of the neighbors and Isaac’s herdsmen become quarrelsome. Eventually, since the disputes are not able to be reconciled, Isaac moves to a new area.
Vs. 23-end
God blesses Isaac again. God continues to reaffirm the covenant through Isaac. It is not a covenant dependant on Isaac, fortunately. God will continue to keep the blessings coming, but Isaac must learn how to deal with others, as well as himself, better. Abimelech has to ask Isaac to make a treat to deal honestly with him, and not to take advantage of him.
Thoughts:
How does Isaac look from the outside?
As the patriarch representing God, how does he appear to others?
Isaac is in a foreign land, and is the only real representative of the faith. It is just like Christians today in the workplace, school, or their neighborhoods. How do we come across to others?
Isaac was faithless and a liar:
We are often much the same. Do people that know you are a Christian see a strong, faith-filled person? Or, do they see someone who goes to church on Sunday, but lives like there is no God Monday through Saturday?
Isaac’s workers were quarrelsome:
Jesus taught us, “be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50), and Paul says, “make every effort to live in peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14). So, why are we so quarrelsome within, and outside of, the church? How does that make us appear when we can’t even love one another?
Isaac is asked to treat others fairly:
Abimelech asks Isaac to make a promise that he and his people will deal fairly with those around them. We as people in the church often have this asked of us as well. Why is it that we (the church) are commanded by Jesus to love our neighbor, yet we are so often seen as the worst people to do business with?
Closing:
How do people that are not a part of the church see us in the church? Do your neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, and friends see you in a way that honors God? Are we, those who are called to be different, setting the example for those around us, or are we just another bad example of the faith?
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1
“Cultural Impact”
Vs. 1-6 “The Lord appeared to Isaac”
Our emerging generation, where Isaac is now the patriarch, is in full swing. God is speaking to Isaac, and directing his steps. God basically tells Isaac, I will bless you if you follow my instructions. Live like your father Abraham did.
Vs. 7-11
I don’t think when God called Isaac to live like Abraham, that this is what he meant! Isaac gets weak and does the same dumb thing that Abraham did in a foreign land. Isaac fears for his own life due to the beauty of Rebekah, and decides to not trust God to do what He had promised, and instead to take things into his own hand.
Isaac tells people that his wife is his sister. Abraham, Isaac’s father, did that very same thing twice (Genesis 12:13, and Genesis 20:2). Why is it a problem? Not only does Isaac lie, but also it shows that at this very moment in time he is not trusting God. Isaac is not living in the faith that God will fulfill the promise He gave him in the first few verses of this chapter. Just as Abraham had to learn his own lessons on faith, so too must Isaac.
Vs. 12-22 “Quarreling”
Despite the lack of faith in the prior verses, God now blesses Isaac. Isaac is so blessed that the neighbors can see it. In time the herdsmen of the neighbors and Isaac’s herdsmen become quarrelsome. Eventually, since the disputes are not able to be reconciled, Isaac moves to a new area.
Vs. 23-end
God blesses Isaac again. God continues to reaffirm the covenant through Isaac. It is not a covenant dependant on Isaac, fortunately. God will continue to keep the blessings coming, but Isaac must learn how to deal with others, as well as himself, better. Abimelech has to ask Isaac to make a treat to deal honestly with him, and not to take advantage of him.
Thoughts:
How does Isaac look from the outside?
As the patriarch representing God, how does he appear to others?
Isaac is in a foreign land, and is the only real representative of the faith. It is just like Christians today in the workplace, school, or their neighborhoods. How do we come across to others?
Isaac was faithless and a liar:
We are often much the same. Do people that know you are a Christian see a strong, faith-filled person? Or, do they see someone who goes to church on Sunday, but lives like there is no God Monday through Saturday?
Isaac’s workers were quarrelsome:
Jesus taught us, “be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50), and Paul says, “make every effort to live in peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14). So, why are we so quarrelsome within, and outside of, the church? How does that make us appear when we can’t even love one another?
Isaac is asked to treat others fairly:
Abimelech asks Isaac to make a promise that he and his people will deal fairly with those around them. We as people in the church often have this asked of us as well. Why is it that we (the church) are commanded by Jesus to love our neighbor, yet we are so often seen as the worst people to do business with?
Closing:
How do people that are not a part of the church see us in the church? Do your neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, and friends see you in a way that honors God? Are we, those who are called to be different, setting the example for those around us, or are we just another bad example of the faith?
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Genesis 25
Genesis 25
“End or Beginning?”
I have a friend who is in his last week of work right now. He is getting ready to leave one job, and getting ready to start another. Even though it is the same type of work, only with another company, it is still the end of one thing, and the beginning of another.
There are goodbyes to say, and phone numbers to exchange. There are people with whom he will plan to see again, and others who may never be seen again, as well as last looks around. It is both a joyous occasion as well as a sad one at the same time.
Isaac is in a similar situation to my friend. His dad has died, and the end of a generation has come. But, with that, so a new generation is emerging. How does he put away old things and then start new?
Vs. 1-8
The end of Abraham’s life finally comes. The man whom Moses (the author of Genesis) spends the most time on, has finally passed away. He had others in his life after the death of Sarah, even other children. But, Abraham left everything to Isaac. I am sure that this “everything” consisted of things as well as last words. Can you imagine the words of the great patriarch as he leaves the world? So many years of walking with God to pass on to his son. He may have reminded him that at one point he was willing to offer his best to God in the form of Isaac, encouraging Isaac to always surrender everything to God.
Vs. 9-10 “There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah”
Abraham finally is laid to rest by his two first-born sons, right next to his beloved wife Sarah, in the tomb that he had worked so hard to get in the field of the Hittite.
Vs. 11 “God blessed his son Isaac”
It is important to realize that God also blessed Isaac to carry on the work that God had given Abraham. God had called Abraham to receive the land, and carry on a blood line through Isaac that would bless the world. Now, it is Isaac’s job to hear from God, pass on the promise, teach his sons to hear from God, and in time be the generation who takes the promise of the land. This is the emerging generation of faith, with Isaac now the new patriarch. This is the official “passing of the torch”.
Vs. 12-18 “This is the account of Ishmael”
Abraham has had a son with the servant Hagar, and now that his father is buried and Isaac has received the blessing from both his father, and from God, Ishmael leaves. He goes on with life as he sees fit. He has sons, settles lands, and dies. That is the extent of it. From these sons the Islamic Religion draws it’s ancestry.
Vs. 19-21 “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife”
Isaac gets married, and becomes a man of God. He takes his needs and desires to God who honored his father Abraham, and he learns to be a man of God. The torch of Faith has been passed, and Isaac is now the patriarch who follows God.
Vs. 22-end “Two Nations are inside of you”
God reveals to the couple that Esau and Jacob are to be two nations of people, and one will serve the other. God has set forth the promise that there is already a plan for the children to fulfill.
What is Isaac and Rebekah’s responsibility at this point?
It is to raise the next generation to have faith in God. We see here by the early stories of Esau and Jacob that Isaac and Rebekah have their hands full with these two.
How does this apply to us?
Our job is both to be a generation of faith by fulfilling the call God has on our lives, and to call out the next generation. We must BE people of God and CALL OUT the future generation of God. This is our responsibility.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
“End or Beginning?”
I have a friend who is in his last week of work right now. He is getting ready to leave one job, and getting ready to start another. Even though it is the same type of work, only with another company, it is still the end of one thing, and the beginning of another.
There are goodbyes to say, and phone numbers to exchange. There are people with whom he will plan to see again, and others who may never be seen again, as well as last looks around. It is both a joyous occasion as well as a sad one at the same time.
Isaac is in a similar situation to my friend. His dad has died, and the end of a generation has come. But, with that, so a new generation is emerging. How does he put away old things and then start new?
Vs. 1-8
The end of Abraham’s life finally comes. The man whom Moses (the author of Genesis) spends the most time on, has finally passed away. He had others in his life after the death of Sarah, even other children. But, Abraham left everything to Isaac. I am sure that this “everything” consisted of things as well as last words. Can you imagine the words of the great patriarch as he leaves the world? So many years of walking with God to pass on to his son. He may have reminded him that at one point he was willing to offer his best to God in the form of Isaac, encouraging Isaac to always surrender everything to God.
Vs. 9-10 “There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah”
Abraham finally is laid to rest by his two first-born sons, right next to his beloved wife Sarah, in the tomb that he had worked so hard to get in the field of the Hittite.
Vs. 11 “God blessed his son Isaac”
It is important to realize that God also blessed Isaac to carry on the work that God had given Abraham. God had called Abraham to receive the land, and carry on a blood line through Isaac that would bless the world. Now, it is Isaac’s job to hear from God, pass on the promise, teach his sons to hear from God, and in time be the generation who takes the promise of the land. This is the emerging generation of faith, with Isaac now the new patriarch. This is the official “passing of the torch”.
Vs. 12-18 “This is the account of Ishmael”
Abraham has had a son with the servant Hagar, and now that his father is buried and Isaac has received the blessing from both his father, and from God, Ishmael leaves. He goes on with life as he sees fit. He has sons, settles lands, and dies. That is the extent of it. From these sons the Islamic Religion draws it’s ancestry.
Vs. 19-21 “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife”
Isaac gets married, and becomes a man of God. He takes his needs and desires to God who honored his father Abraham, and he learns to be a man of God. The torch of Faith has been passed, and Isaac is now the patriarch who follows God.
Vs. 22-end “Two Nations are inside of you”
God reveals to the couple that Esau and Jacob are to be two nations of people, and one will serve the other. God has set forth the promise that there is already a plan for the children to fulfill.
What is Isaac and Rebekah’s responsibility at this point?
It is to raise the next generation to have faith in God. We see here by the early stories of Esau and Jacob that Isaac and Rebekah have their hands full with these two.
How does this apply to us?
Our job is both to be a generation of faith by fulfilling the call God has on our lives, and to call out the next generation. We must BE people of God and CALL OUT the future generation of God. This is our responsibility.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Genesis 23
Genesis 23
“The Death of Sarah”
We in our culture in the U.S. spend a lot of time focused on things that pass away, the many creature comforts that we enjoy so much. How much time do we put into what legacy we leave behind?
What will people be able to say honestly at your funeral?
Vs.1-2
At the age of 127 years old, Sarah passes on. She has spent over 60 years as the bride of Abraham; she has suffered through many ups and downs of life, but now that is all over.
Vs. 3-4
Abraham wishes to honor his wife by burying her in the land that God has promised to Abraham and his offspring. Abraham has been promised the land by God, but he has not taken possession of it yet. So, since Abraham is a foreigner in the land, he is not able to own property. However, his desire is to honor his wife, and bury her in land has prompted him to petition the Hittite people to sell him land.
Vs. 5-9
Abraham is offered land from someone who has plenty to share, but this would not be his own land. Abraham would not have the land to visit Sarah’s tomb, or to come and go as he pleases, or even to be buried there with her in the future. So, he says that if he is that well respected by these people to ask them to “go to bat” for him with the king of the land, and see if he will allow the land to be sold.
Vs. 10-11
It appears that Ephron, king of the Hittites, offers to give the land for free, but this is just polite eastern bargaining language. He is actually telling Abraham that they will be able to work a deal, kind of a “don’t worry about it, we will figure something out” type of comment.
Vs. 12-13
Abraham offers to pay whatever Ephron wants, so Ephron says 400 shekels. Now this is a lot of money. (To compare: see 2 Samuel 24, where David buys the land to build the Temple to God, he pays only 50 shekels.) So, Abraham is offered a huge price for the land.
Vs. 14-16
Abraham chooses to honor his wife over bargaining, and he pays the outrageous price to the king of the Hittites. So the first place ever owned by Abraham in the promised land from God was a plot to honor Sarah!
Why so important?
Abraham, at the end of Sarah’s life, is looking back at all they had been through. A marriage that lasted more than 60 years, enduring an affair that resulted in a child, suffering from barrenness until the age of 90, always being on the move with no real place to call home, and the two times that Abraham lied and said his wife was his sister, and she was given away to a foreign king. He looks back at all of this, and he realizes what a great wife he had. She put up with all his shortcomings and failures. So, he does what he can to honor her, no matter what the cost.
The very next thing that Abraham is going to do, after realizing what an amazing wife does for a man, is to send someone to find a wife for his son. That is the next chapter.
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth”
Proverbs 5:18
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD”
Proverbs 18:22
“The Death of Sarah”
We in our culture in the U.S. spend a lot of time focused on things that pass away, the many creature comforts that we enjoy so much. How much time do we put into what legacy we leave behind?
What will people be able to say honestly at your funeral?
Vs.1-2
At the age of 127 years old, Sarah passes on. She has spent over 60 years as the bride of Abraham; she has suffered through many ups and downs of life, but now that is all over.
Vs. 3-4
Abraham wishes to honor his wife by burying her in the land that God has promised to Abraham and his offspring. Abraham has been promised the land by God, but he has not taken possession of it yet. So, since Abraham is a foreigner in the land, he is not able to own property. However, his desire is to honor his wife, and bury her in land has prompted him to petition the Hittite people to sell him land.
Vs. 5-9
Abraham is offered land from someone who has plenty to share, but this would not be his own land. Abraham would not have the land to visit Sarah’s tomb, or to come and go as he pleases, or even to be buried there with her in the future. So, he says that if he is that well respected by these people to ask them to “go to bat” for him with the king of the land, and see if he will allow the land to be sold.
Vs. 10-11
It appears that Ephron, king of the Hittites, offers to give the land for free, but this is just polite eastern bargaining language. He is actually telling Abraham that they will be able to work a deal, kind of a “don’t worry about it, we will figure something out” type of comment.
Vs. 12-13
Abraham offers to pay whatever Ephron wants, so Ephron says 400 shekels. Now this is a lot of money. (To compare: see 2 Samuel 24, where David buys the land to build the Temple to God, he pays only 50 shekels.) So, Abraham is offered a huge price for the land.
Vs. 14-16
Abraham chooses to honor his wife over bargaining, and he pays the outrageous price to the king of the Hittites. So the first place ever owned by Abraham in the promised land from God was a plot to honor Sarah!
Why so important?
Abraham, at the end of Sarah’s life, is looking back at all they had been through. A marriage that lasted more than 60 years, enduring an affair that resulted in a child, suffering from barrenness until the age of 90, always being on the move with no real place to call home, and the two times that Abraham lied and said his wife was his sister, and she was given away to a foreign king. He looks back at all of this, and he realizes what a great wife he had. She put up with all his shortcomings and failures. So, he does what he can to honor her, no matter what the cost.
The very next thing that Abraham is going to do, after realizing what an amazing wife does for a man, is to send someone to find a wife for his son. That is the next chapter.
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth”
Proverbs 5:18
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD”
Proverbs 18:22
Genesis 22
Genesis 22
“Faith, Obedience, Surrender”
Vs. 1-2
“Some time later God tested Abraham”, is how we start this chapter. It is a time when scholars believe that Isaac is between 13-18 years old, so it is several years later. We get some interesting information right up front that Abraham didn’t know. It says that God was testing Abraham. We see this in verse 1, but Abraham didn’t know it. Picture how this must have impacted our ancient patriarch as this unfolds. God tells Abraham to go and kill his only remaining son. Bear in mind, Abraham has already lost one son due to his marital unfaithfulness, and now he is faced with killing his son Isaac.
Vs. 3-4
“Early the next morning” is such a powerful line. Abraham was facing the worst thing possible, and he didn’t even procrastinate! He got up early the next morning and set off to do what God called him to do. No procrastination, he got up early the next morning and left.
Vs. 5-8
“…we will worship then we will come back.” Abraham speaks with faith, he doesn’t understand, but be believes. He says that they will both come back, and he says that God will provide. It is a testimony to how we are to take on parts of life that make no sense to us by trusting in God.
Vs. 9-12
“I know that you fear God.” Abraham has pleased God by placing nothing before him, including the only child in his life. God has seen a new surrender in his life, a willingness to give all to God.
Vs. 13-14
God provides a ram for the offering in stead of Isaac. Abraham has learned a great lesson, and so has Isaac. They have learned that to obey God no matter the cost is far greater than anything else in life. And, through the obedience, God provides.
Vs. 15-End
“I will surely bless you.” God tells Abraham that he will be blessed for his obedience. In fact, not only him, but his descendants as well.
Here we see Abraham and Isaac learn a great lesson:
1. First, it takes faith to obey God in circumstances that make no sense to us. Sometimes things will not be understandable, but we must trust in God.
2. Obedience is to respond immediately to the call of God. Procrastination and waiting are not obeying.
3. Surrender is costly, it could cost you everything, but God always gives more.
“Faith, Obedience, Surrender”
Vs. 1-2
“Some time later God tested Abraham”, is how we start this chapter. It is a time when scholars believe that Isaac is between 13-18 years old, so it is several years later. We get some interesting information right up front that Abraham didn’t know. It says that God was testing Abraham. We see this in verse 1, but Abraham didn’t know it. Picture how this must have impacted our ancient patriarch as this unfolds. God tells Abraham to go and kill his only remaining son. Bear in mind, Abraham has already lost one son due to his marital unfaithfulness, and now he is faced with killing his son Isaac.
Vs. 3-4
“Early the next morning” is such a powerful line. Abraham was facing the worst thing possible, and he didn’t even procrastinate! He got up early the next morning and set off to do what God called him to do. No procrastination, he got up early the next morning and left.
Vs. 5-8
“…we will worship then we will come back.” Abraham speaks with faith, he doesn’t understand, but be believes. He says that they will both come back, and he says that God will provide. It is a testimony to how we are to take on parts of life that make no sense to us by trusting in God.
Vs. 9-12
“I know that you fear God.” Abraham has pleased God by placing nothing before him, including the only child in his life. God has seen a new surrender in his life, a willingness to give all to God.
Vs. 13-14
God provides a ram for the offering in stead of Isaac. Abraham has learned a great lesson, and so has Isaac. They have learned that to obey God no matter the cost is far greater than anything else in life. And, through the obedience, God provides.
Vs. 15-End
“I will surely bless you.” God tells Abraham that he will be blessed for his obedience. In fact, not only him, but his descendants as well.
Here we see Abraham and Isaac learn a great lesson:
1. First, it takes faith to obey God in circumstances that make no sense to us. Sometimes things will not be understandable, but we must trust in God.
2. Obedience is to respond immediately to the call of God. Procrastination and waiting are not obeying.
3. Surrender is costly, it could cost you everything, but God always gives more.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Genesis 21
Genesis 21
“Troubles in Blessings”
Now, last we left Sarah and Abraham, they were just coming out of a time when God had protected them. Now we see where God fulfills the promise he gave to them to have a son. This is less than a year from when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and just months after the deliverance from the situation with Abimelech that was in the last chapter.
Vs. 1-7 “Isaac is Born”
Sarah has Isaac, her first child at the age of 90. All is joyous, because God has fulfilled all that He promised in regards to a child. There is celebrations, and much joy. They name him Isaac, as God had commanded them, and they circumcise him on the 8th day, also as God had commanded. So, Abraham has learned to obey, or at least now, when things are going well.
Vs. 8-10 “Problem!”
Sarah is doing fine until she hears that Ishmael, the son that Hagar had when Abraham slept with her, is mocking Isaac. Remember, it was her idea in the first place for Abraham to be unfaithful, and to sleep with her for the reason of having a child. But as always, our disobedience to God catches up with us. Sarah is stricken with jealousy and demands that Abraham get rid of Hagar and Ishmael.
Vs. 11-14 “Sending away Ishmael”
Because of his own personal disobedience, Abraham must send away Hagar and Ishmael. He does this with the comfort of God, but it costs him losing his own son. God does tell him that the boy and his mom will be alright, but Abraham must let them go.
Through the end of the chapter, God promises Ishmael a future, where a race of people will come from him. Then Abraham has to negotiate for a well that is already his. Those in themselves are interesting stories, but for today, let’s stay to the first half of the chapter.
Background:
Abraham and Sarah get a promise from God that they are going to have a son. When they grow impatient and can not see how God could perform this through old people like themselves, they concoct their own plan. Sarah decides that Abraham should go have sex with Hagar, their young Egyptian servant. Abraham, of course, agrees. Hagar, seeing an opportunity for herself, also agrees. All three of them sin, and all three of them pay for it in this chapter.
Sarah sinned by taking the promise of God and doubting His ability to perform. Then she adds to it by taking things into her own hands. She thinks that all is over when God forgives her of her sin, and she gets to have a baby anyways. However, the penalty for her sin is that she must deal with the uncertainty that the affair brought. Every time she looks at Hagar she knows that Abraham slept with her. Each time she sees Ishmael, she sees that very same thing, Abraham’s indiscretion. So now it comes to a head when she finally demands that Abraham send Hagar away.
Abraham sinned when he chose to listen to Sarah. Abraham was presented with the opportunity to sleep with his young servant girl “in order to do God’s will”. Yeah right! Instead of keeping the moral high ground, he succumbed to his own lustful desires, and slept with Hagar. He also didn’t trust in God. Now, he is losing a son.
Hagar, though she is often seen as the innocent victim, had it in her mind to move up a station in life. She thought that by providing a son for her master, that she would reap the benefits. Now, she is asked to leave by the very same master that slept with her before.
We seem to think that because God forgives us for our disobedience that we will never have to face them again. We still must see some of the repercussions of our sin decisions, even after we are forgiven.
We can’t just ask forgiveness after we sin and expect that it never happened.
“Troubles in Blessings”
Now, last we left Sarah and Abraham, they were just coming out of a time when God had protected them. Now we see where God fulfills the promise he gave to them to have a son. This is less than a year from when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and just months after the deliverance from the situation with Abimelech that was in the last chapter.
Vs. 1-7 “Isaac is Born”
Sarah has Isaac, her first child at the age of 90. All is joyous, because God has fulfilled all that He promised in regards to a child. There is celebrations, and much joy. They name him Isaac, as God had commanded them, and they circumcise him on the 8th day, also as God had commanded. So, Abraham has learned to obey, or at least now, when things are going well.
Vs. 8-10 “Problem!”
Sarah is doing fine until she hears that Ishmael, the son that Hagar had when Abraham slept with her, is mocking Isaac. Remember, it was her idea in the first place for Abraham to be unfaithful, and to sleep with her for the reason of having a child. But as always, our disobedience to God catches up with us. Sarah is stricken with jealousy and demands that Abraham get rid of Hagar and Ishmael.
Vs. 11-14 “Sending away Ishmael”
Because of his own personal disobedience, Abraham must send away Hagar and Ishmael. He does this with the comfort of God, but it costs him losing his own son. God does tell him that the boy and his mom will be alright, but Abraham must let them go.
Through the end of the chapter, God promises Ishmael a future, where a race of people will come from him. Then Abraham has to negotiate for a well that is already his. Those in themselves are interesting stories, but for today, let’s stay to the first half of the chapter.
Background:
Abraham and Sarah get a promise from God that they are going to have a son. When they grow impatient and can not see how God could perform this through old people like themselves, they concoct their own plan. Sarah decides that Abraham should go have sex with Hagar, their young Egyptian servant. Abraham, of course, agrees. Hagar, seeing an opportunity for herself, also agrees. All three of them sin, and all three of them pay for it in this chapter.
Sarah sinned by taking the promise of God and doubting His ability to perform. Then she adds to it by taking things into her own hands. She thinks that all is over when God forgives her of her sin, and she gets to have a baby anyways. However, the penalty for her sin is that she must deal with the uncertainty that the affair brought. Every time she looks at Hagar she knows that Abraham slept with her. Each time she sees Ishmael, she sees that very same thing, Abraham’s indiscretion. So now it comes to a head when she finally demands that Abraham send Hagar away.
Abraham sinned when he chose to listen to Sarah. Abraham was presented with the opportunity to sleep with his young servant girl “in order to do God’s will”. Yeah right! Instead of keeping the moral high ground, he succumbed to his own lustful desires, and slept with Hagar. He also didn’t trust in God. Now, he is losing a son.
Hagar, though she is often seen as the innocent victim, had it in her mind to move up a station in life. She thought that by providing a son for her master, that she would reap the benefits. Now, she is asked to leave by the very same master that slept with her before.
We seem to think that because God forgives us for our disobedience that we will never have to face them again. We still must see some of the repercussions of our sin decisions, even after we are forgiven.
We can’t just ask forgiveness after we sin and expect that it never happened.
Genesis 20
Genesis 20
“Even Good Christians Blow It!”
I know that technically Abraham wasn’t a Christian, but he is the patriarch of our Christian faith. He was a man of faith and covenant, and he lived for God. Today, in our modern day vernacular, we would call him a believer. So for today, in this chapter of Genesis, we will consider Abraham equal to what we would call a “Christian” today.
What had Abraham just seen? God had just destroyed an large rebellious population of people, but God had also just answered Abraham’s prayers by saving Lot. Our patriarch has just experience God’s grace and mercy, as well as His holiness and judgment. Some time after this had happened, God calls him to move on to a new area. Remember, God has promised Abraham all the surrounding land to be his and his descendents, and that he will have descendents! Abraham and Sarah have no children at all yet.
Vs. 1-2 “Sarah’s Beauty, is Abraham’s Fear”
Abraham and Sarah go into the Negev area, and when they get there they lie about who Sarah is. Abraham and Sarah say that they are brother and sister, because they think that with how beautiful Sarah is, the people will kill Abraham to keep Sarah. BUT!!! If Abraham says that she is his sister, they will give gifts to him and desire to buy her from him for the king.
Vs. 3-7 “Abimelech Talks to God”
God shows up in a dream to the King who now has Sarah in his “possession”. God tells the king that he will die for being with a married woman. Abimelech responds, with, “He lied, I am innocent, I haven’t even slept with her”. So, God commands him to return Sarah to Abraham.
Vs. 8-16 “Sarah is Returned”
So Abimelech takes Sarah back to Abraham, and of course, wants an explanation. He tells Abraham, “you have done things to me that shouldn’t be done”. And, he is right. Abraham should not have done it. When Abraham is asked his reasoning, he explains that, basically, he was afraid of what might happen, and technically, she is a sister (born to one parent of Abraham’s, not the other – a half sister). So, Abimelech and Abraham settle with an agreement that there will be safety in all the land, and Abraham and Sarah can go wherever they please.
Vs. 17-18 “Abraham prays for Abimelech”
Since all has been made right, God tells Abraham to pray for Abimelech’s household, so that God may heal them. Interesting that God chose to use Abraham as a part of the healing prayer, even though it was his sin that caused the whole mess.
“Abraham the Example”
It is comforting to see such a man of faith struggle in his own walk with God as Abraham does. We see here that even the great Abraham, who is mentioned hundreds of times in the bible as a man of faith, fell flat on his face sometimes. It teaches us that even good Christians make mistakes, and that God doesn’t give up on us when we do. In fact, God continues to use us in a way to bless others, even when we cause some of the problems.
God doesn’t use good people to do things for Him, he uses normal people, because He is a Good God.
“Even Good Christians Blow It!”
I know that technically Abraham wasn’t a Christian, but he is the patriarch of our Christian faith. He was a man of faith and covenant, and he lived for God. Today, in our modern day vernacular, we would call him a believer. So for today, in this chapter of Genesis, we will consider Abraham equal to what we would call a “Christian” today.
What had Abraham just seen? God had just destroyed an large rebellious population of people, but God had also just answered Abraham’s prayers by saving Lot. Our patriarch has just experience God’s grace and mercy, as well as His holiness and judgment. Some time after this had happened, God calls him to move on to a new area. Remember, God has promised Abraham all the surrounding land to be his and his descendents, and that he will have descendents! Abraham and Sarah have no children at all yet.
Vs. 1-2 “Sarah’s Beauty, is Abraham’s Fear”
Abraham and Sarah go into the Negev area, and when they get there they lie about who Sarah is. Abraham and Sarah say that they are brother and sister, because they think that with how beautiful Sarah is, the people will kill Abraham to keep Sarah. BUT!!! If Abraham says that she is his sister, they will give gifts to him and desire to buy her from him for the king.
Vs. 3-7 “Abimelech Talks to God”
God shows up in a dream to the King who now has Sarah in his “possession”. God tells the king that he will die for being with a married woman. Abimelech responds, with, “He lied, I am innocent, I haven’t even slept with her”. So, God commands him to return Sarah to Abraham.
Vs. 8-16 “Sarah is Returned”
So Abimelech takes Sarah back to Abraham, and of course, wants an explanation. He tells Abraham, “you have done things to me that shouldn’t be done”. And, he is right. Abraham should not have done it. When Abraham is asked his reasoning, he explains that, basically, he was afraid of what might happen, and technically, she is a sister (born to one parent of Abraham’s, not the other – a half sister). So, Abimelech and Abraham settle with an agreement that there will be safety in all the land, and Abraham and Sarah can go wherever they please.
Vs. 17-18 “Abraham prays for Abimelech”
Since all has been made right, God tells Abraham to pray for Abimelech’s household, so that God may heal them. Interesting that God chose to use Abraham as a part of the healing prayer, even though it was his sin that caused the whole mess.
“Abraham the Example”
It is comforting to see such a man of faith struggle in his own walk with God as Abraham does. We see here that even the great Abraham, who is mentioned hundreds of times in the bible as a man of faith, fell flat on his face sometimes. It teaches us that even good Christians make mistakes, and that God doesn’t give up on us when we do. In fact, God continues to use us in a way to bless others, even when we cause some of the problems.
God doesn’t use good people to do things for Him, he uses normal people, because He is a Good God.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Genesis 19
Genesis 19
Destruction
We left off last chapter with Jesus talking to Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their overtly sinful lives. The two angels that were with Jesus have now left Abraham, and arrived in Sodom where Lot greets them.
Vs. 1-3 “Lot’s lifestyle”
Lot is now sitting in the city gate. This is a place where the leaders of the city sit to do business. Take a look at the progression of Lot’s move to Sodom:
Genesis 13:12, Lot pitches his tent outside the city “near Sodom” where the men were wicked
Genesis 14, Lot is caught up in the middle of a war on Sodom and is captured, where Abraham must go rescue him
Now in Genesis 19, Lot has become a leader in the city.
This is how easy it is to get caught up in things that are wrong. First we are near them, next thing you know we are involved in them to the point of troubles, then finally we are fully immersed in the life style so much so that we have made it our own lifestyle.
Vs. 4-9 “the sinfulness of Sodom”
All of the men in Sodom were so corrupt that they want to rape the visitors that were with Lot. Lot offers to send out his virgin daughters, but the men say no. This is the city of anarchy. There is no government control of anything, and the men are left to do whatever they want. We see the depth of corruption in the men’s sexual violence and perversity. Before the men of Sodom force there way in, the angels with Lot pull him back in the door.
Vs. 10-14 “the warning”
Unfortunately, due to his compromised lifestyle, nobody takes Lot seriously. He warns of the destruction to come but the people laugh at him. Even though he had started out as a man of faith, he had become a compromised even to his own family. So, nobody listened to his warning.
Vs. 15-25 “Escaping Sodom”
Unfortunately, Lot is so unwilling to leave that the next morning is when they end up getting dragged out of the city by the angels. See how people, I am sure you and I included, are so unwilling to leave the horrible lifestyles that we live, even when obvious destruction lay ahead. That is the cost of living a compromised lifestyle. Finally, Sodom is destroyed.
Vs. 26 "Looking Back"
Sadly, Lot’s wife looks back, obviously concerned with what she lost and had to give up to follow God, and it cost her life. She was just like we so often are, looking back at our old lives before we followed God. Maybe we miss aspects of it, or think that we lost something to follow God. A costly viewpoint for her, and for us.
Vs. 27-29, “Abraham’s Prayer”
The greatest verses in this whole chapter are right here. We are reminded of why Lot was saved. Lot got rescued from his rebellious lifestyle because his faith-filled uncle, Abraham, was praying for him. Abraham had asked Jesus to protect Lot. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”, according to James 5:16.
Vs. 30-End, “Right back to where we left off”
Notice, as soon as the family of Lot forgets the destruction that happened, they are right back to the same type of issue that got Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed, sexual perversion.
The time that Lot spent raising his family in Sodom, a life lived in compromise, has long term effects for generations to come.
o If you are a parent: what are you teaching your children
BY YOUR ACTIONS?
o If you are a friend: what life are you showing those around you,
BY HOW YOU LIVE?
o If you are a leader: what do you teach those who watch you
BY WHAT YOU DO?
Paul taught his followers to,
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1
Destruction
We left off last chapter with Jesus talking to Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their overtly sinful lives. The two angels that were with Jesus have now left Abraham, and arrived in Sodom where Lot greets them.
Vs. 1-3 “Lot’s lifestyle”
Lot is now sitting in the city gate. This is a place where the leaders of the city sit to do business. Take a look at the progression of Lot’s move to Sodom:
Genesis 13:12, Lot pitches his tent outside the city “near Sodom” where the men were wicked
Genesis 14, Lot is caught up in the middle of a war on Sodom and is captured, where Abraham must go rescue him
Now in Genesis 19, Lot has become a leader in the city.
This is how easy it is to get caught up in things that are wrong. First we are near them, next thing you know we are involved in them to the point of troubles, then finally we are fully immersed in the life style so much so that we have made it our own lifestyle.
Vs. 4-9 “the sinfulness of Sodom”
All of the men in Sodom were so corrupt that they want to rape the visitors that were with Lot. Lot offers to send out his virgin daughters, but the men say no. This is the city of anarchy. There is no government control of anything, and the men are left to do whatever they want. We see the depth of corruption in the men’s sexual violence and perversity. Before the men of Sodom force there way in, the angels with Lot pull him back in the door.
Vs. 10-14 “the warning”
Unfortunately, due to his compromised lifestyle, nobody takes Lot seriously. He warns of the destruction to come but the people laugh at him. Even though he had started out as a man of faith, he had become a compromised even to his own family. So, nobody listened to his warning.
Vs. 15-25 “Escaping Sodom”
Unfortunately, Lot is so unwilling to leave that the next morning is when they end up getting dragged out of the city by the angels. See how people, I am sure you and I included, are so unwilling to leave the horrible lifestyles that we live, even when obvious destruction lay ahead. That is the cost of living a compromised lifestyle. Finally, Sodom is destroyed.
Vs. 26 "Looking Back"
Sadly, Lot’s wife looks back, obviously concerned with what she lost and had to give up to follow God, and it cost her life. She was just like we so often are, looking back at our old lives before we followed God. Maybe we miss aspects of it, or think that we lost something to follow God. A costly viewpoint for her, and for us.
Vs. 27-29, “Abraham’s Prayer”
The greatest verses in this whole chapter are right here. We are reminded of why Lot was saved. Lot got rescued from his rebellious lifestyle because his faith-filled uncle, Abraham, was praying for him. Abraham had asked Jesus to protect Lot. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”, according to James 5:16.
Vs. 30-End, “Right back to where we left off”
Notice, as soon as the family of Lot forgets the destruction that happened, they are right back to the same type of issue that got Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed, sexual perversion.
The time that Lot spent raising his family in Sodom, a life lived in compromise, has long term effects for generations to come.
o If you are a parent: what are you teaching your children
BY YOUR ACTIONS?
o If you are a friend: what life are you showing those around you,
BY HOW YOU LIVE?
o If you are a leader: what do you teach those who watch you
BY WHAT YOU DO?
Paul taught his followers to,
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Genesis 18
Genesis 18
“Questions”
Vs. 1
“The LORD appeared to Abraham…” In this passage, Abraham and Sarah get something we might all wish for at some point, a visit from Jesus Himself. Now you might be looking back at your bible and wondering how we know it is Jesus. Here is how:
“LORD” in all capital letters: vs. 1,10,13,14,17,19,20,22,26,33.
Statements made by Jesus:
o Prophecy in vs. 13 about birth of Isaac.
o He knew Sarah talked and laughed under her breath vs. 10-13
o “I have chosen Abraham” vs. 19
So, Abraham has an encounter with Jesus, long before the incarnation of Jesus. What an amazing privilege for Abraham and Sarah. So how do they handle it?
Vs. 3-8
Abraham turns into a wonderful host, and invites his guests to a fine dinner, including fresh baked bread, and the choicest of meat. Abraham treats the three visitors very well.
Vs. 10
“I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Jesus promises to return in one year, and the promise of a child will have come to pass by that day.
Vs. 12
"After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Sarah questions Jesus himself. She doubts and makes sarcastic remarks. Of course Jesus hears her and challenges her on it.
Vs. 16-21
Jesus tells Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Vs. 22-End
“Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if …” Abraham has many questions. He asks questions about what will become, and what would be the number that Jesus would feel is worth saving. They have a long conversation in which Abraham learns about the character of God, and what will be.
Questions:
There is a large difference in how Sarah questioned Jesus and how Abraham questioned Jesus. When Sarah did it, she didn’t really want to know the answer, she just wanted to question and mock. When Abraham asked Jesus, he really wanted to learn.
How do you question God?
Are you sincere, or are you mocking?
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matt 7:7-8
“Questions”
Vs. 1
“The LORD appeared to Abraham…” In this passage, Abraham and Sarah get something we might all wish for at some point, a visit from Jesus Himself. Now you might be looking back at your bible and wondering how we know it is Jesus. Here is how:
“LORD” in all capital letters: vs. 1,10,13,14,17,19,20,22,26,33.
Statements made by Jesus:
o Prophecy in vs. 13 about birth of Isaac.
o He knew Sarah talked and laughed under her breath vs. 10-13
o “I have chosen Abraham” vs. 19
So, Abraham has an encounter with Jesus, long before the incarnation of Jesus. What an amazing privilege for Abraham and Sarah. So how do they handle it?
Vs. 3-8
Abraham turns into a wonderful host, and invites his guests to a fine dinner, including fresh baked bread, and the choicest of meat. Abraham treats the three visitors very well.
Vs. 10
“I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Jesus promises to return in one year, and the promise of a child will have come to pass by that day.
Vs. 12
"After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Sarah questions Jesus himself. She doubts and makes sarcastic remarks. Of course Jesus hears her and challenges her on it.
Vs. 16-21
Jesus tells Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Vs. 22-End
“Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if …” Abraham has many questions. He asks questions about what will become, and what would be the number that Jesus would feel is worth saving. They have a long conversation in which Abraham learns about the character of God, and what will be.
Questions:
There is a large difference in how Sarah questioned Jesus and how Abraham questioned Jesus. When Sarah did it, she didn’t really want to know the answer, she just wanted to question and mock. When Abraham asked Jesus, he really wanted to learn.
How do you question God?
Are you sincere, or are you mocking?
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matt 7:7-8
Monday, October 10, 2005
Genesis 16
Genesis 16
“My Way”
Vs. 1
“Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children.” Abram and Sarai have been promised a child, but have not gotten pregnant yet. They have been promised land, yet still they wander. There is often time that passes between God telling us what is going to happen for us, and when it actually happens. That is the “gap” we must stand in, by faith.
“But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.” No children, “But…” she does have the maid. This is where Sarai falls into a trap. Often times we see what appears to be the “obvious” way to do what God wants. Unfortunately it isn’t the way God wants it done.
Vs. 2-4
Abraham agrees to Sarai’s plan to sleep with Hagar, and see if he can get her pregnant. They decide they will keep that baby and make it the baby that God had promised them. So Abram sleeps with Hagar, and she gets pregnant.
Notice that in verse 2 it says, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant.” Sarah makes it all about God’s fault. So often when things don’t happen in the way that we think they should, or in our timing, we blame God. He must be punishing me, He must not want me to have …, God stopped me from …. We often see the lack of fulfillment in our time frame or understanding as a desire of God to not allow us to have/do something. And, then, we use this as a license to do things our own way.
“When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.” As soon as it is done, the problems arise. Tension between Sarai and Hagar is immediate.
Vs. 5-6
"You are responsible…” And the problems continue. The tension is now not only between Hagar and Sarai, but between Sarai and Abram. The infidelity of Abram has created problems for all involved. So often people think that their disobedience and wrong doing won’t hurt anyone else. We hear the statement “it didn’t hurt anyone” thrown around so haphazardly. Here we see the ripple effect of what seemed like a simple solution to God’s plan.
Eventually it is so bad that Hagar leaves.
Vs. 7-End
Hagar is sent back to live with Abram and Sarai by God. It is such a great picture of how God forgives us of our disobedience, but we still have to deal with some of the repercussions of our wrongdoing.
Conclusion
What we see in this story is typical of so many of us who get impatient with God. We seem to think that we need or deserve something quicker than God wants to give it to us. So, we take things into our own hands. When we do what God has promised to do in our own effort, it is inevitably bad. God sees all the outcomes, and knows how it is best for us. But, we still think we can do it better.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”
“My Way”
Vs. 1
“Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children.” Abram and Sarai have been promised a child, but have not gotten pregnant yet. They have been promised land, yet still they wander. There is often time that passes between God telling us what is going to happen for us, and when it actually happens. That is the “gap” we must stand in, by faith.
“But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.” No children, “But…” she does have the maid. This is where Sarai falls into a trap. Often times we see what appears to be the “obvious” way to do what God wants. Unfortunately it isn’t the way God wants it done.
Vs. 2-4
Abraham agrees to Sarai’s plan to sleep with Hagar, and see if he can get her pregnant. They decide they will keep that baby and make it the baby that God had promised them. So Abram sleeps with Hagar, and she gets pregnant.
Notice that in verse 2 it says, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant.” Sarah makes it all about God’s fault. So often when things don’t happen in the way that we think they should, or in our timing, we blame God. He must be punishing me, He must not want me to have …, God stopped me from …. We often see the lack of fulfillment in our time frame or understanding as a desire of God to not allow us to have/do something. And, then, we use this as a license to do things our own way.
“When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.” As soon as it is done, the problems arise. Tension between Sarai and Hagar is immediate.
Vs. 5-6
"You are responsible…” And the problems continue. The tension is now not only between Hagar and Sarai, but between Sarai and Abram. The infidelity of Abram has created problems for all involved. So often people think that their disobedience and wrong doing won’t hurt anyone else. We hear the statement “it didn’t hurt anyone” thrown around so haphazardly. Here we see the ripple effect of what seemed like a simple solution to God’s plan.
Eventually it is so bad that Hagar leaves.
Vs. 7-End
Hagar is sent back to live with Abram and Sarai by God. It is such a great picture of how God forgives us of our disobedience, but we still have to deal with some of the repercussions of our wrongdoing.
Conclusion
What we see in this story is typical of so many of us who get impatient with God. We seem to think that we need or deserve something quicker than God wants to give it to us. So, we take things into our own hands. When we do what God has promised to do in our own effort, it is inevitably bad. God sees all the outcomes, and knows how it is best for us. But, we still think we can do it better.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Genesis 15
Genesis 15
“Just Believe”
Abram has just experience a mighty move of God as he defeated a very powerful army of multiple kings, and rescued his nephew Lot. Now Abram has a vision, and God speaks to him.
Vs. 1
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Honestly, it doesn’t get any better than this. God speaks from Heaven directly to Abram. He is going to continue to speak to Abram, but consider the words here.
“I am your shield” says God. I am the One who is your full protection. We so often think about God as the protection we get when we can’t do it ourselves. But that is not what is said here. God tells Abram that He alone is the protection for Abram. He starts off by saying “do not be afraid Abram”. If God is your shield, you have nothing to fear.
“I am…your very great reward.” God gives us great insight into the life of the believer in this statement to Abram. God tells Abram that He is the reward, the prize at the end of the race. I am the end result Abram. All you have to do is realize that I am the best thing that is offered, and I am yours!!!
Vs. 6
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
This is the needed response from every follower of God, to believe. The early Protestants, as they separated from the Catholic Church, had a common saying, “Faith Alone”. It spoke to the needed response of the follower of Jesus. He/she was to believe, that was their response to all that God had already done for them.
Vs. 8-End
Just because Abram believed, didn’t mean he didn’t have questions, in fact he had many. So he asked God. And, God answered. He had Abram set up an altar, and place animals on the altar as a sacrifice, then God covenanted by walking through the middle of the animals. But the important part here is that God walked through the middle alone.
This is where we get our custom of the wedding seating arrangement. In our wedding ceremonies, we put one side of the family on one side of the church, and the other side of the family on the other. Then the bride and the groom walk through the middle to make a covenant before God and the entire family to be married. The difference is that two people walk through the middle, and two people are responsible for the covenant.
With God and Abram, just like the salvation covenant, only God can walk through the middle. He alone is able to make the covenant, and He alone is able to keep it. We are simply left to believe.
If God is the one who makes the covenant (as He alone walks through), and God is the reward (I am…your very great reward), and God is the protector of the covenant (I am your shield), then we can freely understand that all we can do, or need to do, is to believe, and it will be credited as righteousness to us.
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
“Just Believe”
Abram has just experience a mighty move of God as he defeated a very powerful army of multiple kings, and rescued his nephew Lot. Now Abram has a vision, and God speaks to him.
Vs. 1
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Honestly, it doesn’t get any better than this. God speaks from Heaven directly to Abram. He is going to continue to speak to Abram, but consider the words here.
“I am your shield” says God. I am the One who is your full protection. We so often think about God as the protection we get when we can’t do it ourselves. But that is not what is said here. God tells Abram that He alone is the protection for Abram. He starts off by saying “do not be afraid Abram”. If God is your shield, you have nothing to fear.
“I am…your very great reward.” God gives us great insight into the life of the believer in this statement to Abram. God tells Abram that He is the reward, the prize at the end of the race. I am the end result Abram. All you have to do is realize that I am the best thing that is offered, and I am yours!!!
Vs. 6
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
This is the needed response from every follower of God, to believe. The early Protestants, as they separated from the Catholic Church, had a common saying, “Faith Alone”. It spoke to the needed response of the follower of Jesus. He/she was to believe, that was their response to all that God had already done for them.
Vs. 8-End
Just because Abram believed, didn’t mean he didn’t have questions, in fact he had many. So he asked God. And, God answered. He had Abram set up an altar, and place animals on the altar as a sacrifice, then God covenanted by walking through the middle of the animals. But the important part here is that God walked through the middle alone.
This is where we get our custom of the wedding seating arrangement. In our wedding ceremonies, we put one side of the family on one side of the church, and the other side of the family on the other. Then the bride and the groom walk through the middle to make a covenant before God and the entire family to be married. The difference is that two people walk through the middle, and two people are responsible for the covenant.
With God and Abram, just like the salvation covenant, only God can walk through the middle. He alone is able to make the covenant, and He alone is able to keep it. We are simply left to believe.
If God is the one who makes the covenant (as He alone walks through), and God is the reward (I am…your very great reward), and God is the protector of the covenant (I am your shield), then we can freely understand that all we can do, or need to do, is to believe, and it will be credited as righteousness to us.
“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Friday, October 07, 2005
Genesis 14
Genesis 14
“Motives”
We pick up the journey of Abram some time after he and Lot separate. Lot has gone his own way, and Abram has gone his. We know that God has eventually promised this land to Abram, and to his descendents. However, Abram has not yet taken possession of the land. At this point, both Abram and Lot are living as foreigners in the lands they are in.
Vs. 1-10
We see here a dispute not so different from something we might see today. 4 kings, and their armies, go to war against 5 kings, and their armies. The cause of the war was the oppressive governing of King Kedorlaomer. So he and his allies decide to fight against the kings that are oppressed by Kedorlaomer.
Vs. 11-12
Kedorlaomer and his alliance win the battle and loot the land. They take all the spoils of land, and all the people that are left they capture as slaves. This includes Abram’s nephew Lot, and all that Lot and his family owned.
Vs. 13-16
God had been blessing Abram and he had become a very powerful man with strong ties to the people around him. So, when Abram heard about the capture of Lot, his nephew, he called to the men around him and they went to retrieve his family. It appears that Abram, even though he allied with others that were near him, probably had less fighting men to work with. However, we also get a good indication that Abram fought smart, instead of hard. He divided his men, and attacked at night. Undoubtedly God gave him a plan, and he followed it. So, Abram retrieves Lot.
Vs. 17-20
An interesting person comes onto the scene in this passage. Melchizedek, which means King of Righteousness, and he is called King of Salem (peace). Many believe this to be either an appearance of Christ, or at least a foreshadowing of Christ to come. It is truly interesting, that he blesses Abram, and Abram tithes to him.
Vs. 21-End
The defeated kings come to Abram, and they ask for some of their stuff back. Things that had been taken by the kings who allied with Kedorlaomer, were now in the possession of Abram. But he says, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you.” Abram tells the defeated kings that money was not the object in this battle for him. He came to set his captured nephew free.
A great insight to our Christian life is in this passage. It lies in the motives. Where is your heart? If you are in life for the gain, you may miss the opportunities of blessing others. What are the motives in your heart?
Do you help others, only when it benefits you?
Or, do you help others for the pure pleasure of helping?
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”
“Motives”
We pick up the journey of Abram some time after he and Lot separate. Lot has gone his own way, and Abram has gone his. We know that God has eventually promised this land to Abram, and to his descendents. However, Abram has not yet taken possession of the land. At this point, both Abram and Lot are living as foreigners in the lands they are in.
Vs. 1-10
We see here a dispute not so different from something we might see today. 4 kings, and their armies, go to war against 5 kings, and their armies. The cause of the war was the oppressive governing of King Kedorlaomer. So he and his allies decide to fight against the kings that are oppressed by Kedorlaomer.
Vs. 11-12
Kedorlaomer and his alliance win the battle and loot the land. They take all the spoils of land, and all the people that are left they capture as slaves. This includes Abram’s nephew Lot, and all that Lot and his family owned.
Vs. 13-16
God had been blessing Abram and he had become a very powerful man with strong ties to the people around him. So, when Abram heard about the capture of Lot, his nephew, he called to the men around him and they went to retrieve his family. It appears that Abram, even though he allied with others that were near him, probably had less fighting men to work with. However, we also get a good indication that Abram fought smart, instead of hard. He divided his men, and attacked at night. Undoubtedly God gave him a plan, and he followed it. So, Abram retrieves Lot.
Vs. 17-20
An interesting person comes onto the scene in this passage. Melchizedek, which means King of Righteousness, and he is called King of Salem (peace). Many believe this to be either an appearance of Christ, or at least a foreshadowing of Christ to come. It is truly interesting, that he blesses Abram, and Abram tithes to him.
Vs. 21-End
The defeated kings come to Abram, and they ask for some of their stuff back. Things that had been taken by the kings who allied with Kedorlaomer, were now in the possession of Abram. But he says, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you.” Abram tells the defeated kings that money was not the object in this battle for him. He came to set his captured nephew free.
A great insight to our Christian life is in this passage. It lies in the motives. Where is your heart? If you are in life for the gain, you may miss the opportunities of blessing others. What are the motives in your heart?
Do you help others, only when it benefits you?
Or, do you help others for the pure pleasure of helping?
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Genesis 13
Genesis 13
“Building Altars”
We saw Abram receive a blessing and a promise from God in the last chapter. God promised him an amazing future based on the relationship God has with Abram, a relationship that is based on Abram worshipping God. So, Abram built an altar to God …
Genesis 12:7
“So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him”
Genesis 12:8
“There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD”
Then Abram blows it in the end of chapter 12 when he goes to Egypt, and lies about Sarah. This is where we pick up in chapter 13. And, what is the first thing Abram does in this Chapter?
Genesis 13:4
“…and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD”
Vs. 5-13
So, now we see Lot and Abram are going to go in two different directions. The quarreling happens between workers on both sides of the family. The decision is made that Lot will pick where to go, and he does. He decides to go live near Sodom. Obviously, the bible will tell us in the next six chapters that it was not a great choice, but we will deal with that then.
The part that I find interesting in this chapter is that Abraham, immediately goes back to building an altar.
Genesis 13:18
“So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD”
In this section of Genesis, I see that Abram has learned a valuable life lesson. Abram knows that he is called to worship God. It is his purpose, it is what is most important, it is all that matters to him at this point. Worshipping God is of highest priority to Abram.
Abram builds altars when life is good, and when life is bad. He does the same in times of plenty, and in times of hardship. Abram knows that no matter if he is obedient or disobedient, he can call on God. So, Abram builds and altar.
The word “altar” occurs 75 times in the books of Genesis and Exodus. God wanted to completely instill the idea that worship was most important, as God led our early fathers of the faith back to Himself.
Luke 4:8
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
“Building Altars”
We saw Abram receive a blessing and a promise from God in the last chapter. God promised him an amazing future based on the relationship God has with Abram, a relationship that is based on Abram worshipping God. So, Abram built an altar to God …
Genesis 12:7
“So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him”
Genesis 12:8
“There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD”
Then Abram blows it in the end of chapter 12 when he goes to Egypt, and lies about Sarah. This is where we pick up in chapter 13. And, what is the first thing Abram does in this Chapter?
Genesis 13:4
“…and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD”
Vs. 5-13
So, now we see Lot and Abram are going to go in two different directions. The quarreling happens between workers on both sides of the family. The decision is made that Lot will pick where to go, and he does. He decides to go live near Sodom. Obviously, the bible will tell us in the next six chapters that it was not a great choice, but we will deal with that then.
The part that I find interesting in this chapter is that Abraham, immediately goes back to building an altar.
Genesis 13:18
“So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD”
In this section of Genesis, I see that Abram has learned a valuable life lesson. Abram knows that he is called to worship God. It is his purpose, it is what is most important, it is all that matters to him at this point. Worshipping God is of highest priority to Abram.
Abram builds altars when life is good, and when life is bad. He does the same in times of plenty, and in times of hardship. Abram knows that no matter if he is obedient or disobedient, he can call on God. So, Abram builds and altar.
The word “altar” occurs 75 times in the books of Genesis and Exodus. God wanted to completely instill the idea that worship was most important, as God led our early fathers of the faith back to Himself.
Luke 4:8
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Genesis 12
Genesis 12
“GO!!!”
In the final verses of chapter 11 we are introduced to a man named Abram, who will eventually get his name changed to Abraham. This one man will be used by God to change the face of worship. By far, he is one of the most famous biblical figures. So, how does it start for Abraham?
Vs. 1
"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” I must admit, I am grateful that I have never heard those words directed towards me. Again, God shows His desire to keep the Gospel moving as He sends His followers outward.
Vs. 2-3
God gives Abram many blessings. Many things are promised to him. “I will make you into a great nation.” Abram is promised that many generations in the future God will make his family great. “I will make your name great” We get a look at the future of the recognition with this blessing. The great patriarch Abraham today blesses us. We see all the things about him in retrospect that he never got to see. The Bible calls Abraham “a righteous man” because of his faith. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God also gives to Abram a promise of protection. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." The promise of the Savior to come was also a part of the blessing to Abram.
Vs. 4
“Abram left, as the LORD had told him.” So, Abram left. He did as God had told him to. We learn a great lesson here from Abram. He left and did what God commanded him to, long before the promises ever came true. Abram was a man of obedience, not because he was given the benefits, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. Abraham made a commitment to obey God, and was blessed because of it.
So often in our lives today we only want to obey only when the “benefit” is visible. Abraham believed in the promises from God, but had not ever seen the promises come true. Before we make a large commitment to God, we want to see signs and “doors opened up for us”. We so seldom step out in faith without seeing benefit. Abraham “…left, as the Lord had told him”. What a powerful way to live.
Vs. 10-18
These verses tell the story of one of Abraham’s “less than brilliant” moments. He doesn’t act like the man of faith that he is, and does some dumb things. However, God honors His promises to Abraham. He protects Abram anyhow! Even when Abram is in disobedience, he is kept safe. Why? Not because Abram is a good man, but because God is a good God!
Two things for us to learn here:
1. We are called to obey for obedience’ sake, not for benefits. The benefits come as a part of the package, but should not be the motivator.
2. God is faithful to His promise to us, even when we are not faithful in our promises to Him. He is a good God, and we are blessed to be loved by Him.
“GO!!!”
In the final verses of chapter 11 we are introduced to a man named Abram, who will eventually get his name changed to Abraham. This one man will be used by God to change the face of worship. By far, he is one of the most famous biblical figures. So, how does it start for Abraham?
Vs. 1
"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” I must admit, I am grateful that I have never heard those words directed towards me. Again, God shows His desire to keep the Gospel moving as He sends His followers outward.
Vs. 2-3
God gives Abram many blessings. Many things are promised to him. “I will make you into a great nation.” Abram is promised that many generations in the future God will make his family great. “I will make your name great” We get a look at the future of the recognition with this blessing. The great patriarch Abraham today blesses us. We see all the things about him in retrospect that he never got to see. The Bible calls Abraham “a righteous man” because of his faith. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God also gives to Abram a promise of protection. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." The promise of the Savior to come was also a part of the blessing to Abram.
Vs. 4
“Abram left, as the LORD had told him.” So, Abram left. He did as God had told him to. We learn a great lesson here from Abram. He left and did what God commanded him to, long before the promises ever came true. Abram was a man of obedience, not because he was given the benefits, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. Abraham made a commitment to obey God, and was blessed because of it.
So often in our lives today we only want to obey only when the “benefit” is visible. Abraham believed in the promises from God, but had not ever seen the promises come true. Before we make a large commitment to God, we want to see signs and “doors opened up for us”. We so seldom step out in faith without seeing benefit. Abraham “…left, as the Lord had told him”. What a powerful way to live.
Vs. 10-18
These verses tell the story of one of Abraham’s “less than brilliant” moments. He doesn’t act like the man of faith that he is, and does some dumb things. However, God honors His promises to Abraham. He protects Abram anyhow! Even when Abram is in disobedience, he is kept safe. Why? Not because Abram is a good man, but because God is a good God!
Two things for us to learn here:
1. We are called to obey for obedience’ sake, not for benefits. The benefits come as a part of the package, but should not be the motivator.
2. God is faithful to His promise to us, even when we are not faithful in our promises to Him. He is a good God, and we are blessed to be loved by Him.
Genesis 10-11
Genesis 10-11
“Scatter not Gather”
Genesis 10 and 11 are easier to read together if you read 11 first, then 10. The reason of that is that they are written backwards chronologically. Chapter 11 is the scattering of the people, and Chapter 10 is the Table of Nations, or, where they went. After reading both chapters, consider these thoughts.
Genesis 11:1-9
In these verses, we are given the mindset of humanity in the times of Babel. People of that day were trying to “gather”. Their interests were in glorifying themselves, and making their own name great, rather than the Name of God. They wanted the greatest community known to man. We see this as they say, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:4). The culture in that day was self centered, and had lost of sense of purpose that God had given them.
To contrast this, let’s look at the command of God to Noah, “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth’” (Genesis 9:1). God had given a command to go and fill the earth. Another way of saying that is to scatter instead of gather.
So, the people built a monument to themselves, to attempt to make their name great. Instead of lifting up the God who created them, they went and attempted to lift up themselves, and glorify themselves. So God confused their language, and frustrated their plans (Genesis 11:7-9). Specifically, the text says “the Lord scattered them all over the face of the Earth”.
We have this issue today. It is very common in our churches, and in our culture. We seem to feel that if we build the biggest, best, most dynamic church that we will leave a lasting legacy that matters. We may believe that that is the Godly thing to do. We also tend to have the idea that if we build the most intimate small group, that we will succeed in our Christian journey. Now, both those things are not bad in and among themselves, but who is doing the scattering?
To scatter would be to take the Gospel to those who don’t know it. Are we as a Church making the Gospel known to others? Are we doing it in our neighborhoods? Are we going to the foreign countries that don’t know Jesus? Our we telling the people we sit next to all day at work/school/stores/playgrounds? We are called to scatter, just as the people of Babel were called to scatter. God had to force them. I want to learn how to do it willingly.
This is why the final words of Jesus teach us to go, and not stay!
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 16:15
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Luke 24:46-48
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
“Scatter not Gather”
Genesis 10 and 11 are easier to read together if you read 11 first, then 10. The reason of that is that they are written backwards chronologically. Chapter 11 is the scattering of the people, and Chapter 10 is the Table of Nations, or, where they went. After reading both chapters, consider these thoughts.
Genesis 11:1-9
In these verses, we are given the mindset of humanity in the times of Babel. People of that day were trying to “gather”. Their interests were in glorifying themselves, and making their own name great, rather than the Name of God. They wanted the greatest community known to man. We see this as they say, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:4). The culture in that day was self centered, and had lost of sense of purpose that God had given them.
To contrast this, let’s look at the command of God to Noah, “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth’” (Genesis 9:1). God had given a command to go and fill the earth. Another way of saying that is to scatter instead of gather.
So, the people built a monument to themselves, to attempt to make their name great. Instead of lifting up the God who created them, they went and attempted to lift up themselves, and glorify themselves. So God confused their language, and frustrated their plans (Genesis 11:7-9). Specifically, the text says “the Lord scattered them all over the face of the Earth”.
We have this issue today. It is very common in our churches, and in our culture. We seem to feel that if we build the biggest, best, most dynamic church that we will leave a lasting legacy that matters. We may believe that that is the Godly thing to do. We also tend to have the idea that if we build the most intimate small group, that we will succeed in our Christian journey. Now, both those things are not bad in and among themselves, but who is doing the scattering?
To scatter would be to take the Gospel to those who don’t know it. Are we as a Church making the Gospel known to others? Are we doing it in our neighborhoods? Are we going to the foreign countries that don’t know Jesus? Our we telling the people we sit next to all day at work/school/stores/playgrounds? We are called to scatter, just as the people of Babel were called to scatter. God had to force them. I want to learn how to do it willingly.
This is why the final words of Jesus teach us to go, and not stay!
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 16:15
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Luke 24:46-48
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Monday, October 03, 2005
Genesis 9
Genesis 9
“Starting Over”
The flood that covered the Earth is over, and all is quiet now. Can you imagine a day without the sounds of others? How about no birds chirping? Only the animals that were with Noah are present, and they probably scattered after being cooped up in the ark for so long. Life is again at it’s starting point. Noah must start fresh with his family.
Vs. 1
“God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’” Notice that God didn’t leave this family stranded with no purpose. God immediately gives the blessing and purpose to Noah and his family. God never calls us to a place where we do not have a purpose to fulfill.
Vs. 5-6
“And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” Again, we are given identity; we are made in the image of our Creator. Even though humanity is born separated from God by each of our own sin, God still cares for us, and sees us as created in His image. We have a unique value to God, so different from all of other Creation.
Vs. 7
As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." Now Noah and family are now given a mission. Go out and fill the world with people. You can see that God designed us to have families, and teach the next generations what we know.
So, now, humanity is given a purpose, an identity, and a mission. God brings us back to where we were in the beginning. The only difference between the people that God created and us is our fallen nature. We are born with a brokenness to us that only God can restore. Noah and his family will prove this very soon.
Vs. 8-17
God now covenants with Noah. He gives him the sign of the rainbow. I wonder what it was like for this one family to see the first rainbow ever. How impressive was it to have God make such a powerful promise, and give such a beautiful sign to remember it by.
Vs. 20-22
Well, back to the same thing. First Noah goes and gets drunk, then Ham does something perverted. It doesn’t take long to get us right back to where we were before in sin.
I remember when September 11th happened. Within hours, churches were holding prayer vigils in hopes of survivors, lost family members, and answers to questions that we all had. That Sunday, September 16th 2001, there was a surge in attendance in churches across the country. Churches experienced more attendees than on Easter and Christmas. People had a very traumatic experience, and they reached out to God. It wasn’t two or three months before the attendance in all the churches was back to where it had been on September 10th.
How quickly we forget that we have seen “life changing” things. We forget almost as quick as the dust settles. We forget that God created us with a purpose, an identity, and a mission. We forget the outcome of our disobedient ways.
“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Psalms 42:4
“Starting Over”
The flood that covered the Earth is over, and all is quiet now. Can you imagine a day without the sounds of others? How about no birds chirping? Only the animals that were with Noah are present, and they probably scattered after being cooped up in the ark for so long. Life is again at it’s starting point. Noah must start fresh with his family.
Vs. 1
“God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’” Notice that God didn’t leave this family stranded with no purpose. God immediately gives the blessing and purpose to Noah and his family. God never calls us to a place where we do not have a purpose to fulfill.
Vs. 5-6
“And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” Again, we are given identity; we are made in the image of our Creator. Even though humanity is born separated from God by each of our own sin, God still cares for us, and sees us as created in His image. We have a unique value to God, so different from all of other Creation.
Vs. 7
As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." Now Noah and family are now given a mission. Go out and fill the world with people. You can see that God designed us to have families, and teach the next generations what we know.
So, now, humanity is given a purpose, an identity, and a mission. God brings us back to where we were in the beginning. The only difference between the people that God created and us is our fallen nature. We are born with a brokenness to us that only God can restore. Noah and his family will prove this very soon.
Vs. 8-17
God now covenants with Noah. He gives him the sign of the rainbow. I wonder what it was like for this one family to see the first rainbow ever. How impressive was it to have God make such a powerful promise, and give such a beautiful sign to remember it by.
Vs. 20-22
Well, back to the same thing. First Noah goes and gets drunk, then Ham does something perverted. It doesn’t take long to get us right back to where we were before in sin.
I remember when September 11th happened. Within hours, churches were holding prayer vigils in hopes of survivors, lost family members, and answers to questions that we all had. That Sunday, September 16th 2001, there was a surge in attendance in churches across the country. Churches experienced more attendees than on Easter and Christmas. People had a very traumatic experience, and they reached out to God. It wasn’t two or three months before the attendance in all the churches was back to where it had been on September 10th.
How quickly we forget that we have seen “life changing” things. We forget almost as quick as the dust settles. We forget that God created us with a purpose, an identity, and a mission. We forget the outcome of our disobedient ways.
“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Psalms 42:4
