"Abraham said, 'God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.'"
-Genesis 22:8
This is the last lesson of the Genesis Bible Academy, and I'm really glad I decided to do it. I learned a lot about God and different characters in the Bible, and I hope you who read this blog learned something as well. This chapter discusses Abraham's "final test", where God tests his faith. God tells Abraham to take his son Issac, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Keep in mind that Abraham had to wait 25 years for Issac to be born, and that Issac is now about 10-15 years old now. This means that Abraham has been walking with God for about 35 years.
When God told Abraham to sacrifice Issac, Abraham was probably very confused and angry. If he felt these things, he did not show it. Instead, Abraham wakes up early the next morning to go and do as God commanded him. Issac and Abraham go to a mountain, and Abraham gets ready to kill his son. As he lifts the knife, an angel calls to Abraham and tells him to stop. The angel tells Abraham that God saw that he was willing to sacrifice Issac and that he fears God.
This is a crazy story of Abraham's faith in God. Abraham was overjoyed when Issac was born, and cherished him as he grew older. When God tells him to sacrifice Issac, Abraham immediately obeys, and he would have killed Issac if God did not intervene. Abraham had a choice to listen to God, or to ignore God's insane command. Abraham now had to prove that he loved God more than he loved Issac. Now that Abraham had seen God's power and faithfulness, Abraham chose to trust God and sacrifice Issac. Abraham believed that God could resurrect Issac, because God had promised that Abraham's descendants would be through Issac.
There are times when we will have to choose whether to obey God or ignore Him. The choice will not always be easy, as He may ask us to give up what we value the most. Issac meant the world to Abraham, and giving him up would crush Abraham. However, because Abraham trusted God, he decided it was worth giving up Issac in order to obey God. When we have to give up something we value a lot, we have to keep in mind that God is greater than everything. If something is getting in the way of us loving God, we have to make the decision to give it up. We have to trust that God loves us more than we could ever deserve.
-Smart
Issac is Born (Genesis 20-21)
"So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him."
This passage includes a great spiritual defeat as well as a great spiritual victory. In the previous passage we see that Abraham did the right thing by welcoming God into his home and serving Him. Abraham also intercedes on behalf of the people of Sodom, learning the heart of God. This was a great spiritual victory for Abraham, but it did not last for long. When Abraham goes to Gerar in chapter 20, he lies about his relationship to his wife, claiming that she is his sister. This should sound very familiar, as Abraham has used this tactic before in Egypt. Even despite this lie, God still manages to bless Abraham.
Chapter 20 is a good reminder to us that spiritual victories can sometimes lead to compromise. After we have done something great for the Lord, sometimes we begin to get used to being victorious. When trials come our way, it is easy for us to stumble and fall. Life is full of victories and defeats, but we must not focus on either. Life will always be full of good and bad things, but we must focus on Jesus Christ. Only then will we learn to live a life that pleases God.
In Chapter 21, Abraham's son is finally born. Abraham has been waiting for 25 years for God to deliver His promise. Abraham is now 100 years old, and it seems ridiculous that he could have a son at this age. Against all human understanding and power, Issac is born to Sarah and Abraham. This must have been a great time of celebration for them, because they have been waiting for a son for a very long time.
God is a faithful God, whether or not we are faithful to Him. Abraham did not live a perfectly faithful life, as we saw in chapter 20, where he lies about his wife. However, God still delivered on His promise, and He granted a son to Abraham. Abraham must have known that it was only through God's power that he got a son, because Abraham was much too old to have a son, and Sarah was also very old. We can learn that "for nothing will be impossible for God (Luke 1:37)". God will do what He promises, because He is faithful and He has the power to do what it is He promises to us.
Even though God is faithful to us regardless of our faith, we still must have faith in Him. "Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)", so we must put our faith in God. Sometimes this seems like a difficult task, especially when life is not going our way. When Abraham was going through those many years without his promised son, he probably doubted God many times. However, against all hope, Abraham chose to believe God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. We too must choose to believe in God, and He will credit our faith as righteousness. On our own we cannot be righteous, but through faith God will treat as if we were. This is because Jesus paid for our sanctification, and only through Him can we be saved.
-Smart
This passage includes a great spiritual defeat as well as a great spiritual victory. In the previous passage we see that Abraham did the right thing by welcoming God into his home and serving Him. Abraham also intercedes on behalf of the people of Sodom, learning the heart of God. This was a great spiritual victory for Abraham, but it did not last for long. When Abraham goes to Gerar in chapter 20, he lies about his relationship to his wife, claiming that she is his sister. This should sound very familiar, as Abraham has used this tactic before in Egypt. Even despite this lie, God still manages to bless Abraham.
Chapter 20 is a good reminder to us that spiritual victories can sometimes lead to compromise. After we have done something great for the Lord, sometimes we begin to get used to being victorious. When trials come our way, it is easy for us to stumble and fall. Life is full of victories and defeats, but we must not focus on either. Life will always be full of good and bad things, but we must focus on Jesus Christ. Only then will we learn to live a life that pleases God.
In Chapter 21, Abraham's son is finally born. Abraham has been waiting for 25 years for God to deliver His promise. Abraham is now 100 years old, and it seems ridiculous that he could have a son at this age. Against all human understanding and power, Issac is born to Sarah and Abraham. This must have been a great time of celebration for them, because they have been waiting for a son for a very long time.
God is a faithful God, whether or not we are faithful to Him. Abraham did not live a perfectly faithful life, as we saw in chapter 20, where he lies about his wife. However, God still delivered on His promise, and He granted a son to Abraham. Abraham must have known that it was only through God's power that he got a son, because Abraham was much too old to have a son, and Sarah was also very old. We can learn that "for nothing will be impossible for God (Luke 1:37)". God will do what He promises, because He is faithful and He has the power to do what it is He promises to us.
Even though God is faithful to us regardless of our faith, we still must have faith in Him. "Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)", so we must put our faith in God. Sometimes this seems like a difficult task, especially when life is not going our way. When Abraham was going through those many years without his promised son, he probably doubted God many times. However, against all hope, Abraham chose to believe God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. We too must choose to believe in God, and He will credit our faith as righteousness. On our own we cannot be righteous, but through faith God will treat as if we were. This is because Jesus paid for our sanctification, and only through Him can we be saved.
-Smart
God meets Abraham and Lot (Genesis 18-19)
"Abraham came near and said, 'Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?'"
-Genesis 18:23
Ever since Abraham shows up in the Bible, we see how his relationship with God grows. Abraham's faith always gets stronger every chapter, even though God does have to remind him of His promise many times. Abraham has done many things in his life at this point, such as saving Lot from four powerful nations. Whenever we hear of Lot, it seems that he has not really learned to trust in God like Abraham. Lot is living in Sodom, a wicked city. Lot is surrounded by sinful people and wicked acts while living in Sodom.
In both of their lives, Abraham and Lot have both experienced God's grace. Abraham was called from Ur, as a man that had no special qualities. Abraham was chosen simply because of God's mercy on him. Lot experiences God's mercy when Abraham saves him from the four nations that had taken him captive. Also in Genesis 19, Lot is rescued from the destruction of Sodom, the place he was living. In Genesis 18, God visits Abraham in the form of a human being. Abraham immediately welcomes Him into his home, not knowing that it is God. Lot also is visited by God in human form, and he also promptly welcomes Him into his home.
When Abraham realizes that it is God that has visited him, God tells him of His plan to destroy Sodom. Abraham remembers that Lot is living in Sodom, so he pleads to God to spare the city of Sodom, if ten righteous people are found. Abraham's first thought was to help other people, even people who deserved not to be saved. Realize that Abraham did not only plead for the life of Lot, but also for the entire city of Sodom. Abraham is learning the love that God has for people, and intercedes on behalf of others.
Lot is visited by God, and when he recognizes that it is God, he is very hesitant to listen to God. God tells Lot to leave his home and to get away from the city of Sodom, because it will be destroyed. When Lot hesitates to leave Sodom, God actually has to pull Lot away from the city. Lot only ever thinks of himself, never even considering to plead on behalf of others. While this is understandable considering the situation, Lot doesn't even listen to God right away. Here we see that Lot doesn't have a good relationship with God, and doesn't understand who God is.
Both Abraham and Lot had received grace from God. However, they respond to His grace in different ways. Abraham responds to it by developing a relationship with God, and learning His heart. Abraham loves people and intercedes on behalf of them. Lot responds to God's grace by continuing to live a normal life. He makes no effort to build a relationship with God, or understand God. Lot only concerns himself with earthly matters and material gains.
We all have received amazing grace from God, and we have to choose how to respond to it. Are we going to sit around and not let it change our lives? Or are we going to develop a relationship with God and make an effort to understand His character? Building a relationship with God can only begin once we accept the grace that God has given us and respond to it. A sign that we are having a relationship with God is that we start to love others and intercede on behalf of others. Our relationship with God should make us more like Him. We cannot let the grace of God simply pass us by.
-Smart
-Genesis 18:23
Ever since Abraham shows up in the Bible, we see how his relationship with God grows. Abraham's faith always gets stronger every chapter, even though God does have to remind him of His promise many times. Abraham has done many things in his life at this point, such as saving Lot from four powerful nations. Whenever we hear of Lot, it seems that he has not really learned to trust in God like Abraham. Lot is living in Sodom, a wicked city. Lot is surrounded by sinful people and wicked acts while living in Sodom.
In both of their lives, Abraham and Lot have both experienced God's grace. Abraham was called from Ur, as a man that had no special qualities. Abraham was chosen simply because of God's mercy on him. Lot experiences God's mercy when Abraham saves him from the four nations that had taken him captive. Also in Genesis 19, Lot is rescued from the destruction of Sodom, the place he was living. In Genesis 18, God visits Abraham in the form of a human being. Abraham immediately welcomes Him into his home, not knowing that it is God. Lot also is visited by God in human form, and he also promptly welcomes Him into his home.
When Abraham realizes that it is God that has visited him, God tells him of His plan to destroy Sodom. Abraham remembers that Lot is living in Sodom, so he pleads to God to spare the city of Sodom, if ten righteous people are found. Abraham's first thought was to help other people, even people who deserved not to be saved. Realize that Abraham did not only plead for the life of Lot, but also for the entire city of Sodom. Abraham is learning the love that God has for people, and intercedes on behalf of others.
Lot is visited by God, and when he recognizes that it is God, he is very hesitant to listen to God. God tells Lot to leave his home and to get away from the city of Sodom, because it will be destroyed. When Lot hesitates to leave Sodom, God actually has to pull Lot away from the city. Lot only ever thinks of himself, never even considering to plead on behalf of others. While this is understandable considering the situation, Lot doesn't even listen to God right away. Here we see that Lot doesn't have a good relationship with God, and doesn't understand who God is.
Both Abraham and Lot had received grace from God. However, they respond to His grace in different ways. Abraham responds to it by developing a relationship with God, and learning His heart. Abraham loves people and intercedes on behalf of them. Lot responds to God's grace by continuing to live a normal life. He makes no effort to build a relationship with God, or understand God. Lot only concerns himself with earthly matters and material gains.
We all have received amazing grace from God, and we have to choose how to respond to it. Are we going to sit around and not let it change our lives? Or are we going to develop a relationship with God and make an effort to understand His character? Building a relationship with God can only begin once we accept the grace that God has given us and respond to it. A sign that we are having a relationship with God is that we start to love others and intercede on behalf of others. Our relationship with God should make us more like Him. We cannot let the grace of God simply pass us by.
-Smart
Sarai and Hagar (Genesis 16-17)
"Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless."
-Genesis 17:1
Today marks my one hundredth blog post, which I never thought would happen. When I first started this blog I thought I would just stop writing after a while, but I have been going strong for almost two years now. I thank God for blessing me and giving me the strength and the will to continue writing. I also want to thank all of you who read my blog, and I hope it has encouraged you. I know that my posts tend to be long and sometimes difficult to understand, so I really appreciate your support. Enough thank yous, let's talk about Genesis.
In Genesis 16 we see that Abram is starting to lose faith in God's promise. In Genesis 15 we learned that God promised Abram a son, and Abram believed His word. However, it has been a very long time, and Abram still does not have this son that God promised him. Sarai, Abram's wife, suggests that Abram should try having a son with their servant Hagar. This was custom at the time, and Abram thought it was a good idea. So Abram sleeps with Hagar, and Hagar becomes pregnant.
This pregnancy causes great tension in the household, as Hagar despises Sarai, and in turn Sarai mistreats Hagar. Hagar is so badly mistreated that she decides to run away from Abram's house. She ends up in a desert near a spring, where God speaks to her. God then promises Hagar that she will have many descendants. God instructs her to go back to Abram's house, and submit to Sarai's authority over her. Hagar's son is born, and he is named Ishmael.
Genesis 17 talks about God's renewed covenant with Abram. God tells Abram to circumcise all of his household, including non-family. In turn God will bless Ismael and give Abram a son through Sarai. God also changes Abram and Sarai's name to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham again puts his faith in God, and he circumcises everyone just as God commanded him.
What is quite easy to miss in this part of the Bible is the passage of time. It seems like only a short period of time, because it's only been two chapters. What we have to realize is that these chapters span the time period of twenty-five years. When we realize that it has been a very long time since Abraham was promised a son, we can understand Abraham's concern and doubt. He perhaps thought God forgot him again, or that he was doing something wrong. After Hagar gives birth to Ishmael, Abram probably assumed that this was the son he was promised such a long time ago.
It's easy to lose sight of God, especially when it seems that He has not spoken in a long time. It's also easy to forgot that God is always watching us and doing things for our good. When Hagar is out in the desert and God speaks to her, she realizes that God was always watching her, declaring that He is "a God who sees (Genesis 16:13)". Even in our worst moments, God is always there, watching over us. God is faithful, even when we are not faithful to Him.
When Abraham is waiting for all these years, he probably started to seriously doubt God's promise. Abraham probably felt a sense of defeat, having to wait for so long just to hear from God again. When Abraham was in one of his darkest moments, God again promises him a son from Sarah. This gives great hope to Abraham, and he probably didn't feel so defeated. In our own lives, it's very easy to doubt that God is with us. Life is filled with moments of great heights and great depths. Even when we are in our darkest times, God is a God who sees. He is there, watching over us. He has a plan for us, and it may include going through rough times. However, in everything, whether good or bad, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
-Smart
-Genesis 17:1
Today marks my one hundredth blog post, which I never thought would happen. When I first started this blog I thought I would just stop writing after a while, but I have been going strong for almost two years now. I thank God for blessing me and giving me the strength and the will to continue writing. I also want to thank all of you who read my blog, and I hope it has encouraged you. I know that my posts tend to be long and sometimes difficult to understand, so I really appreciate your support. Enough thank yous, let's talk about Genesis.
In Genesis 16 we see that Abram is starting to lose faith in God's promise. In Genesis 15 we learned that God promised Abram a son, and Abram believed His word. However, it has been a very long time, and Abram still does not have this son that God promised him. Sarai, Abram's wife, suggests that Abram should try having a son with their servant Hagar. This was custom at the time, and Abram thought it was a good idea. So Abram sleeps with Hagar, and Hagar becomes pregnant.
This pregnancy causes great tension in the household, as Hagar despises Sarai, and in turn Sarai mistreats Hagar. Hagar is so badly mistreated that she decides to run away from Abram's house. She ends up in a desert near a spring, where God speaks to her. God then promises Hagar that she will have many descendants. God instructs her to go back to Abram's house, and submit to Sarai's authority over her. Hagar's son is born, and he is named Ishmael.
Genesis 17 talks about God's renewed covenant with Abram. God tells Abram to circumcise all of his household, including non-family. In turn God will bless Ismael and give Abram a son through Sarai. God also changes Abram and Sarai's name to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham again puts his faith in God, and he circumcises everyone just as God commanded him.
What is quite easy to miss in this part of the Bible is the passage of time. It seems like only a short period of time, because it's only been two chapters. What we have to realize is that these chapters span the time period of twenty-five years. When we realize that it has been a very long time since Abraham was promised a son, we can understand Abraham's concern and doubt. He perhaps thought God forgot him again, or that he was doing something wrong. After Hagar gives birth to Ishmael, Abram probably assumed that this was the son he was promised such a long time ago.
It's easy to lose sight of God, especially when it seems that He has not spoken in a long time. It's also easy to forgot that God is always watching us and doing things for our good. When Hagar is out in the desert and God speaks to her, she realizes that God was always watching her, declaring that He is "a God who sees (Genesis 16:13)". Even in our worst moments, God is always there, watching over us. God is faithful, even when we are not faithful to Him.
When Abraham is waiting for all these years, he probably started to seriously doubt God's promise. Abraham probably felt a sense of defeat, having to wait for so long just to hear from God again. When Abraham was in one of his darkest moments, God again promises him a son from Sarah. This gives great hope to Abraham, and he probably didn't feel so defeated. In our own lives, it's very easy to doubt that God is with us. Life is filled with moments of great heights and great depths. Even when we are in our darkest times, God is a God who sees. He is there, watching over us. He has a plan for us, and it may include going through rough times. However, in everything, whether good or bad, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
-Smart
The Lord's Promise to Abram (Genesis 15)
"Then (Abram) believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness."
-Genesis 15:6
At this point in his life, Abram was probably very fearful. He had just defeated four very powerful nations, and they were probably seeking revenge. Also, he was getting old, and wondered if God would really give him a son that He promised. Abram probably did not feel secure, and questioned God's sovereignty. God knew these fears Abram had, and told Abram, "do not fear, I am a shield to you, Your reward shall be very great". Abram immediately doubts God, and tells God that he has no son even though God has promised him one for a very long time now.
God then takes Abram outside and tells him to count the stars, if he can. God then says that Abram's descendants shall be as numerous as the stars. I want to stop in the story and talk about this part for a bit. Remember that Abram had many fears and doubts, and these things were consuming his thoughts. God realized this, and He took Abram outside into the cool night. Often times when we have problems our minds are filled with worry and fear. We have to learn to step outside of our problems and turn to God. Our focus should not be our fears but God's promises.
Continuing the passage, God tells Abram to bring certain animals and cut them in half. Abram falls into a deep sleep, and God promises to give his descendants land and possessions. Abram was even concerned about land, but God promised it to him anyway. After God speaks, a fire blazes in between the pieces of the animals, signifying the closure of a covenant. Animals cut into halves were used as a reminder to people that if they did not keep the covenant, they would surely die.
Notice that in this passage Abram never actually has to do anything for God. God is promising him a son and great lands, and meanwhile Abram is doing nothing. Abram even falls into a deep sleep while God is promising him these things. Also, only God walks through the pieces of the animals. Abram has no commitment to this covenant, only God. This is known as a one way covenant, or an unconditional covenant. Abram had no requirements in this covenant, only God had responsibility.
God has promised us a son as well. This son is not a son of our own, but God's one and only son. Even more, God has already completed this covenant. This too is an unconditional covenant, only God has to do the work. Jesus was sent down and He paid for our sins, giving us a chance for true life. He completed the covenant when He cried out "It is finished! (John 19:30)". Some may say, well how can this be unconditional if we have to believe? Isn't that a condition? Not really. Regardless of whether or not we believe, God has already done His part of the covenant. All we have to do is accept or deny His grace to us. What do you choose?
-Smart
(p.s. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments)
-Genesis 15:6
At this point in his life, Abram was probably very fearful. He had just defeated four very powerful nations, and they were probably seeking revenge. Also, he was getting old, and wondered if God would really give him a son that He promised. Abram probably did not feel secure, and questioned God's sovereignty. God knew these fears Abram had, and told Abram, "do not fear, I am a shield to you, Your reward shall be very great". Abram immediately doubts God, and tells God that he has no son even though God has promised him one for a very long time now.
God then takes Abram outside and tells him to count the stars, if he can. God then says that Abram's descendants shall be as numerous as the stars. I want to stop in the story and talk about this part for a bit. Remember that Abram had many fears and doubts, and these things were consuming his thoughts. God realized this, and He took Abram outside into the cool night. Often times when we have problems our minds are filled with worry and fear. We have to learn to step outside of our problems and turn to God. Our focus should not be our fears but God's promises.
Continuing the passage, God tells Abram to bring certain animals and cut them in half. Abram falls into a deep sleep, and God promises to give his descendants land and possessions. Abram was even concerned about land, but God promised it to him anyway. After God speaks, a fire blazes in between the pieces of the animals, signifying the closure of a covenant. Animals cut into halves were used as a reminder to people that if they did not keep the covenant, they would surely die.
Notice that in this passage Abram never actually has to do anything for God. God is promising him a son and great lands, and meanwhile Abram is doing nothing. Abram even falls into a deep sleep while God is promising him these things. Also, only God walks through the pieces of the animals. Abram has no commitment to this covenant, only God. This is known as a one way covenant, or an unconditional covenant. Abram had no requirements in this covenant, only God had responsibility.
God has promised us a son as well. This son is not a son of our own, but God's one and only son. Even more, God has already completed this covenant. This too is an unconditional covenant, only God has to do the work. Jesus was sent down and He paid for our sins, giving us a chance for true life. He completed the covenant when He cried out "It is finished! (John 19:30)". Some may say, well how can this be unconditional if we have to believe? Isn't that a condition? Not really. Regardless of whether or not we believe, God has already done His part of the covenant. All we have to do is accept or deny His grace to us. What do you choose?
-Smart
(p.s. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments)
Abram Rescues Lot (Genesis 14)
"'And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' He gave him a tenth of all."
-Genesis 14:20
Genesis Bible Academy is turning out to be a great learning experience for me. I hope that you are learning a lot about it through these posts. Yesterday we learned about Genesis 14, when Abram rescues his nephew Lot. In Genesis 13, Lot had chosen the better land for himself, only thinking about his well-being. In this passage we learn that Lot had moved as far as the city of Sodom, which is a wicked and sinful city. Five nations rebel against their king, causing a war between nine nations, a four on five battle. The four nations are able to defeat the five and restore the kingship of Chedorlaomer, who had ruled these nations before. Among the defeated nations was Sodom, resulting in the capture of Lot.
Abram learns that Lot has been captured by these powerful nations, and he decides that he will go rescue Lot. Abram gathers some men and some allies, and they go to war against these four nations. Abram is able to defeat them, and he rescues Lot from them. Afterwards Abram meets with one of his allies, Melchizedek and one the enemies, the king of Sodom. Melchizedek worships God and gives Abram and his men food and wine. Abram refuses to take anything from the king of Sodom, because he knew that if he did the king of Sodom could use that as leverage against Abram.
In this passage, I noticed that it has a striking resemblance to the story of the Jesus. When Lot had been captured, it was because he was selfish and decided to live in the wicked city of Sodom. Lot had chosen to live precariously, and this caused him to become a prisoner. Abram had every right to leave Lot captured, because Lot had brought this upon himself. However, Abram still loved Lot, so Abram risks his life for Lot. He couldn't allow Lot to remain a prisoner and possibly be killed. In a war that looked foolish and seemed like certain death for Abram, he was able to defeat Chedorlaomer and rescue Lot.
Like Lot, we too are prisoners. We have chosen to live wicked lives and to live for our own selfish reasons. God has every right to leave us trapped in our sin because we brought wrath upon ourselves. However, God loves us too much to let us remain trapped and die in our sin. In a plan that seemed foolish and ridiculous, Jesus died and rose again to save us. He defeated Satan and rescued us from the power of sin, and gave us life.
Before I end, I want to talk about Abram's decision not to take anything from the king of Sodom. When Abram meets with Melchizedek, they worship God, and Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had. When the king of Sodom tries to lure Abram into taking the spoils of war for himself, Abram refuses because he had made an oath to God. Abram could have taken everything from the defeated kings, and made himself very rich. Abram also did not have to give Melchizedek anything and keep everything for himself. Why doesn't Abram do this?
Abram could have made himself very rich and powerful; in fact, He could have made himself a king. However, by this time in his life, Abram knew who the real King was. Abram refuses to allow himself to become consumed in riches because he wanted to honor the King and Lord of his life. We too have to resist the temptations of this world and honor the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die for us, and He is the only one that deserves our praise.
-Smart
-Genesis 14:20
Genesis Bible Academy is turning out to be a great learning experience for me. I hope that you are learning a lot about it through these posts. Yesterday we learned about Genesis 14, when Abram rescues his nephew Lot. In Genesis 13, Lot had chosen the better land for himself, only thinking about his well-being. In this passage we learn that Lot had moved as far as the city of Sodom, which is a wicked and sinful city. Five nations rebel against their king, causing a war between nine nations, a four on five battle. The four nations are able to defeat the five and restore the kingship of Chedorlaomer, who had ruled these nations before. Among the defeated nations was Sodom, resulting in the capture of Lot.
Abram learns that Lot has been captured by these powerful nations, and he decides that he will go rescue Lot. Abram gathers some men and some allies, and they go to war against these four nations. Abram is able to defeat them, and he rescues Lot from them. Afterwards Abram meets with one of his allies, Melchizedek and one the enemies, the king of Sodom. Melchizedek worships God and gives Abram and his men food and wine. Abram refuses to take anything from the king of Sodom, because he knew that if he did the king of Sodom could use that as leverage against Abram.
In this passage, I noticed that it has a striking resemblance to the story of the Jesus. When Lot had been captured, it was because he was selfish and decided to live in the wicked city of Sodom. Lot had chosen to live precariously, and this caused him to become a prisoner. Abram had every right to leave Lot captured, because Lot had brought this upon himself. However, Abram still loved Lot, so Abram risks his life for Lot. He couldn't allow Lot to remain a prisoner and possibly be killed. In a war that looked foolish and seemed like certain death for Abram, he was able to defeat Chedorlaomer and rescue Lot.
Like Lot, we too are prisoners. We have chosen to live wicked lives and to live for our own selfish reasons. God has every right to leave us trapped in our sin because we brought wrath upon ourselves. However, God loves us too much to let us remain trapped and die in our sin. In a plan that seemed foolish and ridiculous, Jesus died and rose again to save us. He defeated Satan and rescued us from the power of sin, and gave us life.
Before I end, I want to talk about Abram's decision not to take anything from the king of Sodom. When Abram meets with Melchizedek, they worship God, and Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had. When the king of Sodom tries to lure Abram into taking the spoils of war for himself, Abram refuses because he had made an oath to God. Abram could have taken everything from the defeated kings, and made himself very rich. Abram also did not have to give Melchizedek anything and keep everything for himself. Why doesn't Abram do this?
Abram could have made himself very rich and powerful; in fact, He could have made himself a king. However, by this time in his life, Abram knew who the real King was. Abram refuses to allow himself to become consumed in riches because he wanted to honor the King and Lord of his life. We too have to resist the temptations of this world and honor the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die for us, and He is the only one that deserves our praise.
-Smart
Abram and Lot Separate (Genesis 13)
"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.'"
-Genesis 13:14-15
After Abram escapes from Egypt through God's intervention, he settles down and becomes very rich in livestock and gold. Lot, Abram's nephew, follows Abram and settles down with him. Both Abram and Lot are now very rich, and it becomes difficult for them to live together because the land cannot support both of their livestock. Abram realizes this, and he comes up with a plan to avoid conflict between Lot and himself. Abram allows Lot to choose where he would like to live, and Abram would live elsewhere. Lot agrees to this, and so they separate.
Lot's decisions reflects his heart and his mindset. First of all, he does not allow Abram to choose where he will live, even though Abram is older. Even if Abram refused to choose where to live, Lot could have come up with a different solution, such as flipping a coin to make the selection fair. Instead, Lot takes advantage of Abram's kindness and chooses to live in the valley of the Jordan, near Sodom. Lot sees that this land is very good, so he takes it for himself. This eventually becomes a disaster because Sodom is a very sinful and wicked place, but that is for a later time.
Abram's decisions show how he changes from who he was in the previous passage. Abram sees that the valley of the Jordan is a good land, and if he allows Lot to choose, Lot will most likely choose that land. Despite this, Abram gives the choice to Lot, because he knows that fighting for this better land is not beneficial to either of them. Abram's priority was to preserve peace in his relationship with Lot, so he sacrifices the better land.
In this passage there are two different kinds of people. Lot makes his decisions based on what he wants. He's looking out for his own interests and well-being. He sees that the land is good, and he takes it for himself. On the other hand, Abram makes his decisions based on faith. He knows that Lot will choose the better land, but he has faith that God will bless his decision. Instead of looking out for himself, Abram is looking to keep peace with his nephew Lot. In the previous passage Abram lies to protect himself, but here he sacrifices material possessions to protect his relationship with Lot.
It's very easy to do things just for our own benefit and well-being, even at the expense of others. When we see something we want, we want to take it for ourselves. However, we have to realize that having things for ourselves should not be our top priority. Our top priority should be to love God and love other people. True love demands sacrifice, as demonstrated by Abram in this passage. Even though Abram lost the better land, later God blesses him and reminds him of the promise He gave to him. When we do our best to love others, that is when God is glorified. Don't live for yourself, live for Christ.
-Smart
-Genesis 13:14-15
After Abram escapes from Egypt through God's intervention, he settles down and becomes very rich in livestock and gold. Lot, Abram's nephew, follows Abram and settles down with him. Both Abram and Lot are now very rich, and it becomes difficult for them to live together because the land cannot support both of their livestock. Abram realizes this, and he comes up with a plan to avoid conflict between Lot and himself. Abram allows Lot to choose where he would like to live, and Abram would live elsewhere. Lot agrees to this, and so they separate.
Lot's decisions reflects his heart and his mindset. First of all, he does not allow Abram to choose where he will live, even though Abram is older. Even if Abram refused to choose where to live, Lot could have come up with a different solution, such as flipping a coin to make the selection fair. Instead, Lot takes advantage of Abram's kindness and chooses to live in the valley of the Jordan, near Sodom. Lot sees that this land is very good, so he takes it for himself. This eventually becomes a disaster because Sodom is a very sinful and wicked place, but that is for a later time.
Abram's decisions show how he changes from who he was in the previous passage. Abram sees that the valley of the Jordan is a good land, and if he allows Lot to choose, Lot will most likely choose that land. Despite this, Abram gives the choice to Lot, because he knows that fighting for this better land is not beneficial to either of them. Abram's priority was to preserve peace in his relationship with Lot, so he sacrifices the better land.
In this passage there are two different kinds of people. Lot makes his decisions based on what he wants. He's looking out for his own interests and well-being. He sees that the land is good, and he takes it for himself. On the other hand, Abram makes his decisions based on faith. He knows that Lot will choose the better land, but he has faith that God will bless his decision. Instead of looking out for himself, Abram is looking to keep peace with his nephew Lot. In the previous passage Abram lies to protect himself, but here he sacrifices material possessions to protect his relationship with Lot.
It's very easy to do things just for our own benefit and well-being, even at the expense of others. When we see something we want, we want to take it for ourselves. However, we have to realize that having things for ourselves should not be our top priority. Our top priority should be to love God and love other people. True love demands sacrifice, as demonstrated by Abram in this passage. Even though Abram lost the better land, later God blesses him and reminds him of the promise He gave to him. When we do our best to love others, that is when God is glorified. Don't live for yourself, live for Christ.
-Smart
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