Category : Family
Posted in Family on 22. Jul, 2010
In the last chapter, the two angels left Abraham and Abraham was talking to the LORD. In this chapter, those two angels went to Lot to see for themselves just how wicked Sodom had become. How bad was Sodom you ask? Sodom was so bad that when the townsfolk saw these two angels they wanted to rape them. In no time, the men of the City of Sodom had surrounded the house. Not just one or two men, this wickedness was widespread, the scriptures describes the composition of the mob as “…all the people from every quarter.” Genesis 19:4
Lot pleaded with the men to not act “wickedly” and offered his two daughters to the men instead. This only emboldened the mob.
Genesis 19:9 “But they said, “Stand aside.” Further-more, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door.”
I believe that this group of men was truly wicked. Why did so many men want to “have relations” with the angles? Why did they get even angrier when Lot offered up his daughters? Was this just lust? Seemed like more than lust to me. A former adult film (porn) director stated that he was troubled by how he had to “take it up a knotch” to satiate their viewers every time they created a new film. In fact, his productions got so radical and perverse that it made him sick to view them. Do I think that people can get this sick from sin? Absolutely. Sex outside of marriage is a break from God’s design. It is a perversion. Indulging in will absolutely corrupt your thoughts and life over time. I have yet to meet a person that has not had regrets for having sex outside of marriage.
Thank God the angles stepped in to stop Lot from giving his daughters up to them. Horrible things probably would have happened to them. The angels blinded the men at Lot’s house and told Lot and his family to get out of town. God was merciful to them and would spare their lives, but Sodom was going down!
Most of us know about Lot’s wife looking back and turning into a pillar of salt right? What I did not know is that both of Lot’s daughters got their father drunk on different nights, lay with him to preserve their family. Moab and Ben-ammi, the fathers of the Moabites and the sons of Ammon were conceived this way. When I read this part of the scripture at the end of chapter 19, it surprised me. I was judging Lot for attempting to give up his daughters as well as judging his daughters for sleeping with their father. I believe that the spirit is telling me that God’s word is truth. There are soooo many examples of God’s people doing things that I don’t agree with. But then I remember that it is not them that is perfect, but God himself and his word. We all make mistakes. Think of how your “book” would read if someone were to accurately account for your activities throughout the course of your life? Noah getting drunk isn’t looking so bad now is it?
Posted in Family on 20. Jul, 2010
How do you talk to God? Imagine having a discussion with the LORD and his angels as they overlook a city and determine that city’s fate! God really seemed to like Abraham and this chapter reinforces this in my mind. The Lord came down with two angels and had a conversation with Abraham about his future and the future of a city (Sodom). Abraham not only listened, but God listened to Abraham. What an awesome exchange!
In the heat of the day, Abraham saw three men. (I believe these three men where the LORD and two angels) After preparing a meal with the best that Abraham had to offer and having his visitors feet washed, they had asked Abraham the whereabouts of Sarah (Abraham’s wife). They told him that in about a year Sarah would have a son. Sarah, overhearing this doubted what she heard. Sarah was past child bearing age, so she did not believe what she was hearing but the LORD confronted her and asked, “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14)
At this point, the LORD let Abraham know of his intentions to judge the city of Sodom. Abraham approached the LORD and plead for his mercy on the city. When you have a second, take a chance to read Genesis Chapter 18:24-33 to see Abraham’s request and God’s merciful answer! Part of my can’t help but try to figure out what made Abraham so special. I want to make it complicated and analyze his behavior, but I am finding out that it is much simpler than that. Abraham loved God, was obedient, and most importantly God choose him. I pray that we all have a strong heart for the LORD and stay within his will!
Posted in Family on 19. Jul, 2010
This chapter of Genesis is all about a covenant with God and Abram (now called Abraham). Abraham may have jumped the gun a little bit with Hagar in the last chapter! God told Abraham that Sarai (now Sarah) would have a son (Issac) and that his covenant would be established through Issac. At 99 years of age, God comes down and tell Abraham that he has a new name, he will be the father of many nations, and he will receive all the land of Canaan (forever), and told Abraham that all the males must be circumcised.
In the scripture, God instructed the males to be circumcised when they were about 8 days old. I am not sure how old I was when I was circumcised, but I am glad that it was too early to remember anything! A servant of Abraham’s house was also to be circumcised. This was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. If someone was not circumcised, they broke the covenant and was to be “cut off” from his people.
God also renamed Sarai (Sarah is her name, both Sarai and Sarah mean princess) and told spoke of her having a son and being the mother of nations. Abraham desired for his first son Ishmael to have a heart for God, so God blessed Ishmael as well. Ishmael was to become the “father of twelve princes”.
One of the key points that I got from this chapter as well as the last is that Abraham had a heart to serve God. God had mercy on Abraham on numerous occasions, one example being that God blessed both of Abraham’s sons. Abraham did not ask for God to “bless” Ishmeal, rather he asked God for Ishmael to have a have a heart for God as well!
Genesis 17:18 “And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”"
That was Abraham’s response when he heard of all that Issac (Abraham’s son by Sarah) was due to receive through the covenant. Just another example of the intense focus of Abraham in doing God’s will and trying to please God.
Posted in Family on 16. Jul, 2010
In this chapter, Abram’s wife Sarai presents him with a suggestion to fufill God’s promise to Abram. God told Abram that he would have children. It’s been about 10 years since God spoke to Abram, Abram is now about 85 years old, and Sarai believes that God is not allowing her to have children.
Now Sarai suggest that Abram use Sarai’s maidservant Hagar to have children. Abram accepts Sarai’s proposal and conceives a child with Hagar. Now Sarai flips out because Hagar is pregnant and told Abram the following:
Genesis 16:5 “And Sarai said to Abram, May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid in to your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me.”
At this point Abram seemed to not want to be part of the conflict and reminded Sarai that Hagar was her servant and to “do to her what is good in your sight.” (Genesis 16:6) Needless to say that Sarai treated Hagar bad enough to drive from the home. However, God was not finished with Hagar or Abram’s child..
An angel came to Hagar while she was fleeing and told her to submit to Sarai’s authority, go back, and that her descendants would be too many to count.
Genesis 16:1-12 “Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone’s hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers.”
Hagar went back to Sarai, bore a son and Abram called him Ishmael.
This chapter is screaming consequences to me. Abram appears to have made a decision that he was going to “help” God fufill the prophecy by having children through Hagar (Sarai’s maidservant). God did not tell him to do this! What complicated things further is that his wife suggested this course of action and it doesn’t seem as if Abram had given his decision much thought.
This is the second time that Abram took a slight detour from God’s will. The first time I recall is when he told Sarai to tell the Egyptians that he was her sister so that his life would be spared. The result? God caused the Pharoah to experience plagues because he took Sarai as his wife when she was Abram’s wife. God still sparred Abram, even blessed him with increased wealth (can we say grace) but we may never know how God would have worked things out if Abram has chosen to go another route. The second time we see Abram starting his line of descendants with Hagar instead of his wife Sarai.
Posted in Family on 15. Jul, 2010
At the beginning of this chapter, the scripture says that the LORD came to Abram in a vision.
Genesis 15:2 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”
I think that God challenges our rational though because it forces us to rely on HIM. In this chapter Abram asked what kind of reward God would give him and God told him that he bless Abram with children. So many in fact that they would be as numerous as the stars in the sky!
Abram was childless and it seemed as though he had given up on having children altogether! I know this because Abram named an heir already from his house in the scripture. God showed Abram that he had a different plan in mind. God went into detail with Abram on what was going to happen with his descendants for generations. God even told Abram that he would live to a good old age before passing away.
As we work through the story of Abram, it is clear to me that Abram is not in control. Abram may be rich, wealthy, in command of hundreds of servants, soldiers, ect. but he is not in control! It is so good to trust in God! In modern times, Abram could have written a few best sellers because of his “accomplishments” right? The world today would praise Abram for his wealth and think him important, smart, or better than most… But I think Abram’s best quality was constantly seeking God’s approval and God’s favor in EVERYTHING he did.
Look at his travels, he was building alters and making sacrifices all the time for God! When God gave him great victories he vowed to not indulge in the spoils so that others would not even THINK that he was wealthy by anyone else’s hand but God!
LORD, forgive us for our sins and disobedience in our lives. May we cling to your every word and follow you wherever you lead us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Posted in Family on 14. Jul, 2010
At this point in the scripture, there were several kingdoms in or near the land of Abram and Lot that were fighting for years now. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah had dispersed and fled into hill county due to the fighting and Lot was caught up in the mayhem as well. (This was the land that he choose in the last chapter)
Once Abram hear about Lot’s plight, he sent out 318 “trained men”, defeated the enemy forces, brought back all the goods, possessions, people, and of course Lot. After the enemy’s defeat (there were several kings representing the defeated forces) Abram gave a tenth of the spoils for God.
Genesis 14:21 “The King of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
What I get out of this scripture is how Abram is putting God first. Abram recognizes that everything that he has comes from God, his trained men, his riches, his family, even his victories! Abram does not want to even give the appearance that he was blessed by anything or anyone else than our God!
I will pray that everyone that reads this will put God first in all that they do and give God the glory for all that is accomplished that is good.
Posted in Family on 13. Jul, 2010
Last chapter Abram left Egypt with his wife, belongings, Lot (his nephew) and great wealth. Abram and Lot were so wealthy at this point with livestock, silver, and gold that they had to split up. Later, the scripture tells us that there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. This is when Abram offered Lot a choice of the land of his choosing.
Genesis 13:6 “And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.”
Genesis 13:9 “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or to the right, then I will go to the left.”
Lot had spotted valley of the Jordan where it was well watered and a great spot for his herds. So Lot went eastward and Abram settled in the land of Canaan. Once Lot left, God spoke to Abram.
Genesis 13:14-15 “The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.”
What spoke to me in this chapter is Abram’s attitude. So far he has gone where God wanted him to go and has been blessed tremendously! Even when Abram and Lot’s holdings caused them to split. The scripture talks about Lot choosing an area that I imagine to be lush, green, and teaming with resources presumably near a water source (River Jordan). Lot took what seemed to be the best land for himself. I like the fact that Abram accepted his decision, avoided strife, and above all built an alter to God.
Posted in Family on 12. Jul, 2010
Chapter 12 starts the beginning of Abraham’s Journey to the land of Canaan as well as shows another side of Abraham that I have not seen or heard preached before. We have to start off with the verses that explain why I believe Israel is so important even to this day.
Genesis 12:1-3
“Now the Lord said to Abram, Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you;2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Dr. Stanley had a sermon recently that spoke of our nation’s relationship with Israel and how our country “cannot recover” from what will happen if we turn our back on Israel. Israel is surrounded by enemies and many people (including myself) believes that one of the reasons that God has blessed our nation so much is because we are being blessed for our support for Israel.
Abraham was 75 when he left Haran for the land of Canaan. During the journey, there was a famine so Abraham took his family and spent some time in Egypt. (Because of the Nile River, the food supply was usually plentiful). Now Abraham’s wife Sari was beautiful and Abraham knew that the custom in Egypt was that the Pharoh would take Abraham’s wife (presumably because of her beauty) but would have to kill Abraham first in order to do this. Abraham told Sari the following:
Genesis 12:11-13
11 It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now I know that you are a beautiful woman;12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.”
Needless to say, when Pharaoh heard word of her she was taken to his house and made his wife. Later verse 17 reads that the Lord “struck Pharaoh with great plagues because of Sarai”. Pharaoh had given Abraham sheep, oxen, donkeys, male and female servants, ect because of Sarai. Because of God’s work, the Pharaoh sent Sarai, Abraham, with all his new wealth away.
This passage shows that God’s people are not perfect. So far we have seen Noah’s drunkenness/nakedness, Adam of Eve, Cain and Able, and a few other examples. I cannot imagine how hard it would have been to give up my wife to the Pharaoh. I think I understand the fears and motivations behind his decision and I thank God for his grace and mercy in our lives in spite of our mistakes and shortcomings.
Posted in Family on 09. Jul, 2010
After the time of Noah, the world had one language. Genesis 11:4 “Then they said, “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.”
Genesis 11:6-7
“The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
This chapter shows the arrogance and pride of man. Once God confused the language, scattered the people, they stopped building the tower. These descendants of Noah, must have been more focused on themselves instead of God. Even today, we see certain leaders have a desire to unify the world without God. It’s almost like man’s attempt to rebuild Babel. We were created to worship God, let us honor Him, not ourselves!
The rest of the chapter is dealing with Shem’s lineage to Abraham. We will cover Abraham on Monday (God willing).
Posted in Family on 08. Jul, 2010
God lays out in Genesis Chapter 10 our family tree after the great flood. I put all of the descendants of Noah in a flowchart style graphic. Read along in Chapter 10 and take a look at the abundance of sons and children of Noah. Read along while you look at the chart and let me know if I missed something.
There were Kingdoms formed in this chapter as well:
Babel, Erech, Accad, Calneh in the land of Shinar
Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah in the land of Assyria (I think Resen was here as well)
Noah Descendants
Sidon, Gerar, Gaza, Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, Lasha were cities or territories all mentioned in verses19-20 as well.
Look how abundantly God has blessed Noah! This is not only Noah’s family tree, but it is also our own history as well!
Descendants of Noah Chart
Click Here to Download Descendants of Noah Chart (Word Doc)
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