Genesis 17:23-27 Abraham's instant obedience

 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him. 24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 All the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.


After God has explained how He plans to bless Abraham and Sarah, and He tells Abraham of his plan for Isaac, and God has told Abraham what is required of him and his servants and his household - Abraham and his household do what God asked them to do.

We have already discussed the amount of obedience that would be required for a grown man to uphold his part of this covenant. 

I think the importance of this whole set of verses is the obedience of Abraham to do what God asked of him.  And, it was instant obedience.  They didn't think about it for a few days, discuss it.  They just obeyed, that day.

Genesis 17:15-22 God's promise of Isaac

 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” 19 But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.” 22 When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.


This has conveniently corresponded to my grandson's homeschool lesson.  How difficult to teach the precepts of God to a 6 year old.  But, I find that being taught as a young child, I still remember the story in young child terms.  Reading again for myself as an adult helps me learn more of the character of God.  And, that is the point of this exercise.  Understanding this God whom I serve as fully as possible without someone trying to pull me to one camp or another. 


Observe:  God changes Sarai's name to Sarah
                   He promises to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah
                  He tells them that Kings will come through her

                   Abraham laughs at the thought of being a parent at such an old age
                   Abraham tries to apply people-logic.  God must have meant through Ishmael
                   God corrects Abraham and makes it clear
                   God hears Abraham's desire for Ishmael to be blessed and answers his concern
                    God re-states that His covenant will be with Isaac
                   God is specific about when Sarah will deliver

I love that God is again clear in what He is saying to Abraham.  I love that God shows his concern toward Abraham in dealing with Ishmael.  I love that He is still firm about what His plan is.

Lord, help us to hear Your instruction, Your guidance, Your words to us.  Thank You for rising up mighty men of God to teach us more about You.  Thank You for Your word and for giving us what we need to have to learn about You.
Help us to be forever changed by You, walking according to Your Spirit, doing Your will.
In Jesus Name - amen

Genesis 17:9-14 The covenant and circumcision

God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants. 13 A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”


Okay, normally I stick right to the text at hand.  But, here I can't do it.

In the new testament (some of by Bible scholar friends will have to help me by telling me where) the New Testament Jesus church is just starting out and there is a debate between some of the leaders.  Some want the gentiles who are coming in to be circumcised.  Here is why.  I understand, growing up with this covenant as your standard, your guide.  I understand why they want to make the gentiles come in to this covenant.  It is spelled out by God himself.  It is clear that ALL of the household are to be circumcised.  It was important to fully obey God.  They just didn't understand how fully the new covenant had replaced the old one.  We will have a great conversation about that in 10 years when we get to the new testament - ha haha.

Now, for the current.
obedience to a covenant was very important and laid out clearly here.  Specifics.

I am still struck by the fact that God so carefully lines out clearly what is important to adhere to.  He didn't make them guess whether or not their servants "counted" in the convenant.  He told them exactly what He wanted.  He also didn't make them guess what would happen if they were not circumcised.

Not many people have seen a circumcision done.  I have seen many.  Not on the 8th day, but honestly I don't know why we ever stepped away from God's idea there.  He made us, He probably knows when it is best to do that.  Either way, not to be too inappropriate, but, these men were far older than 8 days old and it is not a pleasant experience.  They were serious about God and their obedience was not easy.
Sometimes I think we get soft and whimpy in our obedience to God.  I whine when I get a little less sleep than I think I want.  I need to toughen up!

What I learn about the character of God here is that when something is very important, He makes sure the message is clear.  And, that sometimes God will ask me to do difficult stuff, that's okay.  He doesn't even really have to tell me why.  Note that however clear God was about what they were to do, why was nowhere in this conversation.  I also need to help my children and grandchildren learn (which is  personal difficulty for me) that there is value in limited information obedience if the person asking it is trustworthy.  God doesn't always answer all of our questions before he asks for our obedience.

Sorry, talking too much.

Lord, thank You for Your word.  Thank You for allowing us to learn about who You are and how You work and what You desire from Your children.  Please help us to hear You clearly, and follow You willingly, even when it is painful or not easy.  In Jesus Name - amen

Genesis 17:1-8 Abram becomes Abraham establishing a covenant

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.

2 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you,

And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,

And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.

5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram,

But your name shall be Abraham;

For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. 7 I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

 

Oh my goodness, how overwhelming this conversation must have been for Abram!  I know that when I pray and God starts to answer me, when I am sure it is His voice, I am instantly and overwhelmingly humbled.  No wonder Abram fell on his face!

 

Now, there's so much to this! 

 

First, God calls Abram to be blameless.  He says it outright.  Walk before me and be blameless.

 

Abram is wise not to talk but to listen.  Somehow I don't think interrupting God is a good idea!

 

God doesn't make promises like we do, His are everlasting.  It says so.  throughout generations!

 

Here is  where Abram becomes Abraham, at God's request and with the promise that God would make Abraham the father of a multitude of nations, not just one.  Interesting.  Not just Israel, a multitude of nations.  Never saw that before.

 

But before all of this promise comes the request for Abram to walk blamelessly.  There isn't even a law written yet, not rules, just walk blameless.  Hmm. 

 

God's not done yet, there is more coming.  This is an important beginning.

 

 

Lord, help us to humble ourselves to hear You.  Help us to walk blameless as much as we possibly can.  Help us to be willing for You to change who we are down to even our names.  Help us to be willing to be used by You and changed by You so we can help other to see You.

 

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

 

just a note:  I realize that we are bought and paid for by Jesus who covers our sin.  I am just soaking up the lessons of the Old Testament including when God expected men to walk upright.

Genesis 16:11-16 An Angel appears to Hagar

The angel of the LORD said to her further,

“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.”

13 Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?” 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him

 

Well, this is a loaded bit of scripture!

 

How impressive this angel must have been if Hagar thought she had seen "Him". 

 

If I am being honest, and I usually am, this would have troubled me.  I'm not sure I would have come away thinking - "awesome!"  He is going to fight a lot!

 

I would also like to know what Beer-lahai-roi means.  I may look that up in a bit.

 

On the other hand, the angel of the Lord appearing to me would clearly remind me that God had heard my cry to him, whatever the message was. 

 

So, I know that people equate Ishmael with the origin of the Arab nation.  I will keep reading.  I don't know if that is universally accepted or just something I have been told.  I will see what continues in scripture.  Interesting. 

 

How brave Hagar must have needed to be to go back to the house of her mistress who had just sent her away.  How humbling to go back, submit to her authority, and stay throughout the rest of that pregnancy. 

 

Soap operas and TV drama has nothing on old testament saga

It might require a bit more thinking to see the implications of each verse in the story, but wow!

 

note:  well of the living one who sees me - translation thanks Deana!

Genesis 16:7-11 an Angel appears to Hagar

Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.” 10 Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” 11 The angel of the LORD said to her further,


Wow, the angel of the Lord did know the underlying issue.  She wasn't submitted to her mistress.  Now, whatever I may think of this rather interesting arrangement, she was still supposed to be submitted to Sarai.  Maybe that is why the whole thing fell apart.  Maybe she figured she was carrying Abram's kid so she should be top dog.  I can imagine feeling that way.  And, God already knew he had the plan of giving Abram and Sarai a child of their own, but Hagar did not know that.

I love how God sees the difficulty of our circumstances even when we have to stay in them.

The angel gives her a promise.  She is promised that her descendants would multiply and be too many to count also.  How interesting. 

God seems to help encourage his children to go the way He would like them to go.  He doesn't just order and wait for them to fail.  He sends messengers, He allows encouragement. 

Hmmmmm

Genesis 16:1-6 Sarai gives Hagar to Abram

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 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife. 4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. 5 And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me.” 6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.


I know that the culture was different at this time, but I still have a hard time with this scenario.  I can see that Sarai was trying to provide for Abram through Hagar what she herself had been unable to give him - a son.  It actually seems very unselfish to me. 

So, Abram does take Hagar at Sarai's suggestion and Hagar conceives.  Then, she decides that she doesn't like Sarai any longer, or Sarai was despised in the sight of Hagar. 

Was it greed?  Or an "I'm better than you, ha ha ha!" attitude.  It isn't clear, either way it ticks Sarai off.  Which honestly I guess it would tick me off too!

On a lighter note, Abram is NOT an idiot.  When Sarai complains to him about Hagar, he very smartly does NOT take up for her, but restates that Hagar is Sarai's maid and under her power to deal with.

Well, this is just the beginning of the story. 

Lord, help us to not despise those in authority over us.  Help us to deal rightly with those who we are in authority over.  Help us to deal rightly in all things.

In Jesus Name
Amen

Genesis 15:6-20 God tells Abraham about the captivity of Isreal in Egypt (I think)

6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 And He said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” 8 He said, “O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. 11 The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. 16 Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”

17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,

“To your descendants I have given this land,

From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite 20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim 21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.”

 

I did not remember this was in here.  It sounds like God is foretelling to Abram the captivity of the Isrealites in Egypt.  I am not sure though. 

 

I also think it is funny that when Abram wants answers from God this time, he has to do something.  It costs him a bit of work, some of his possessions and time.  Then, God does tell him what he wants to know.

 

I see several things.  God tells Abraham, that though they will be in captivity, then his descendants will leave with many possessions after he judges the nation who holds him.  Certainly sounds like the story of Moses and Egypt.  That is not surprising to me, God is God, He knows what is to happen.  I see that already He knows that all of that is going to happen.  Not like, it might happen this way, or vague.  He's pretty specific.  He knows.  Then I notice that the returning of Abrams fourth generation is somehow tied to the iniquity of the Amorites.  It isn't clear whether it is because God wants to intervene, or to judge or both.  That will be an interesting item to seek four generations from now.

 

God is specific.  He gives Abram the parameters of his inheritance.  from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.  And all those "ites" that will be involved.

 

So, from this we can draw that God does know the future, He intervenes in the process and has a desired timing for things. 

 

Thank You Lord for showing Your character through Your word.  Thank You for allowing the stories of the mighty men of faith to make it through to us so we could learn about You.  Thank You for being sovereign, for knowing everything and being powerful, and loving, and accessible.  In Jesus name, amen

Genesis 15:1-6 God's conversation with Abram - and the promise

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.”

2 Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” 5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

 

 

I LOVE to be allowed to peek into the prayers of the founding fathers of our faith.  It is great!

 

Now, God initiates this conversation.  He came to Abram in a vision saying . . .

 

1.  Don't be afraid

2.  I am your shield

3.  You are getting a reward

 

I love to see Abram's response, because it is honest.  He didn't pretty it all up, twist it around, try to make it churchy, he just laid his concern out before God.

 

God didn't chastise him for ungratefulness, He didn't say shut-up haven't I done enough to prove myself to you?  He just let's him talk his heart.

 

Then, I see this lovely part of the character of God.  I am far too excited about this, but it's so cool!

 

God hears his concerns and gives him a promise!  He addresses his concerns and gives him a bonus.  Not only am I going to bless you, I am going to give you an heir from your own body, then I am going to multiply that out to number more than the stars!

 

God doesn't think small.  We do.

 

Abram believed God and it was counted unto him as righteousness.

 

God is not afraid of our honesty.  He isn't afraid of our questions.  And, he loves us in spite of the fact that we don't see as big as he does.  Well, at least that is what I draw from that passage.

 

Thanks for studying with me.

 

Genesis 14:17-24 Melchizedek blesses Abram and Abram gives a tenth

God’s Promise to Abram

17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 And blessed be God Most High,

Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

He gave him a tenth of all. 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.’ 24 I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.”

 

Okay, up until this point I've been giving the straight from the original read commentary.  Exactly what I thought and was brought to me as I read.  This is different.  The first time I read this, I got it all wrong.  I am thankful for Godly friends who know more about the word than I do.  I will likely add their comments after mine here.  There were just tooooooo many pronouns and I got confused.

 

This is the first time we see Melchizedek.

 

Then after his (Abram's) return from the defeat of Chedar and the other kings, the king of Sodom went out to meet him (Abram) at the King's Valley.

 

And Melchizedek (Mel), king of Salem (wait til you read the note on this one) brought out bread and wine; now he (Mel) was a priest of God Most High. 

 

  (I know that we will hear of Mel in the New Testament because Jesus is called a priest of the order of melchizedek, so he is a big deal)

 

He (Mel) blessed him (Abram) and said:

 

"Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand"

 

See how clear it is that God got the glory and not Abram, but Mel recognized Abram's contribution, or the fact that Abram was honored by God that God would deliver his enemies into his hand.

 

He (Abram) gave him (Mel) a tenth of all. 

The first tithe?  It wasn't commanded, it wasn't requested, but Abram gave it. 

 

 

the King of Sodom here is still a mystery.  I still feel like I don't truly understand what is happening here.  The King of Sodom is trying to give Abram possessions and Abram does not want to ever have to credit the King of Sodom for his wealth. 

 

Is the King of Sodom trying to copy Abrams offering to Mel? 

 

Either way, Abram gets his men and whatever their share is and is done with the King of Sodom.

 

 

from a mentor:

This is the first time we hear of Melchizedek, and one of the two times he is mentioned in the Old Testament.  The other is Psalm 110 that appears to be a prophetic Psalm speaking of Jesus.  He is discussed again in Hebrews where Jesus is said to be a "high priest after the order of Melchizedek."  There is no lineage given for Melchizedek.  Some say he is a picture of Christ.  Another interesting point is that Salem appears to be a theocracy who's leader is king AND priest. (Sound familiar?)   Abram tithed to Melchizedek, acknowledging him to be a representative of the same God Abram served.

It is believed that ancient Salem stood where JeruSALEM is now. If Melchizedek represents Christ, and Abram represents Israel, it is really cool to think about Israel being restored to a relationship with the Messiah when Jerusalem is the Holy City once again under the rule of the One who is also King and Priest.

This is one of those fascinating stories for me.  :-)  I had never realized that Salem and Jerusalem were the same until a guide explained this on our tour when we were in Jerusalem.  So cool.

 

 

Hebrews 7:2 - a New Testament reference to Mel

 

 

This is the third time I have worked through this few verses.  I still find them a challenge.  When that happens, I know that God is bigger than me.  I will not understand it all.  and This must have some pretty cool stuff to learn.  I am sure I will visit this scripture again when I run across Mel in the New Testament.

 

Love y'all.

Keep studying!

Genesis 14:13-16 Abraham rescues Lot

13Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.
I don't know how many men escaped the tar pits, but just Abram and his household trained men went and defeated them.

You know, the more I read the Bible, old or new testaments, the more silly I feel for doubting that God could move on this situation or that.  Every time you turn around God is having his "man" gather up a few folks and whip up on a big army.  I assume it is bigger.  I mean, the remnants of a 5 king army are bound to number more than 318.

Is this the first time God causes his guy to win with less people?  There isn't even any fanfare to this story.  It's just tucked into Genesis between Abraham's blessing and whatever comes up next.  God does this stuff in the between times.  When it isn't a big deal - but, actually when God is showing off, it is always a big deal!

This is one reason to read the Bible all the way through.  They don't teach this little lesson in Sunday school class, there are no WeeKids Bible songs about how Abram goes with a few men and rescues Lot.

Still good to know another time when God shows up and shows favor.
And what causes God to show favor?  So far, it seems to be faith.

Help me Lord to have the faith I need to find favor with You.  I know the only way You and I can have relationship is through Jesus.  Thank You for making that way.

Genesis 14:1-12 (war of the kings, lot taken captive)

And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar. 8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.


Amraphel          of Shinar
Arioch                of Ellasar
Chedorlaomer  of  Elam
Tidal                   of Goiim

warring against

Bera                   of Sodom
Birsha                of Gamorrah
Shinab               of Admah
Shemeber         of Zeboiim
Zoar                    of Bela


Before this war, I think I understand that all these kings served Chedarloamer (I call him Chedar) for 12 years.  Then they began to rebel.

After warring and defeating a bunch other folks in places I wish I could see on a map, then Chedar and his buddies met up with the 5 kings at the Salt Sea.

Though the 5 kings had arrayed for battle, when it all came down, they fled.

Must have been in a big ol' hurry, cuz the kings and a bunch of other folks fell into the tar pits. 
Some folks survived, took all the goods they could and fled to the hills.  Lot and his crew were among the survivors.

Whew!  That was work!  I am assuming it will be important.

Genesis 13 Abraham and Lot choose land

1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him.

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. 3 He went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 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. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.

14 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; 15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. 16 I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

 

This was short enough to just do the whole story. 

 

I've heard this story preached many times, everybody is always giving Lot a hard time about picking the better looking land.  Which, well, many of those sermons stuck with me.  The "it looks good to me" sermon; the "thinking of himself first" sermon; the "wonder if he wanted it because it was close to Sodom and Gamorrah" sermon, and the "look where that choice got him" sermon.

 

Now, on the very surface I see God showing Abram favor for being a gentlemen, for having faith in God.  I could read in that Abram may have had so strong a faith that he didn't feel the need to choose first in order to make sure his needs were met.  It isn't written out, but I think his faith was likely that strong. 

 

I like that God sent Abram to walk the length and breadth of it.  What a way to look closely at what God had delivered him to, or gifted him with.   So, here's my take.

 

Oh, that I had Abram's faith

so far he has left all that he has ever known to just go where God sends him

now he can wait and allow Lot to choose first the lands that he desires

 

Self-eval

Do I have enough faith in the character and promises of God to step out of my comfortable place

and go where He tells me?  Even when it costs me something?  Even when it is difficult?

Am I willing to trust that if I give up my "rights" God will supply my need in abundance.

 

Lord, help me to see Your character in Your word.  Please help me to increase my faith as I learn more of who You are.

Genesis 12:10-20 (Sarai and Pharoah)

10 Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 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.” 14 It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. 17 But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20 Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

 

When I read this as a little girl, the gravity of it escaped me.  As an adult - Abram basically sells his wife to Pharoah as a concubine?  OK, now I am sure that none of these guys in the Bible were perfect.

 

Abram asks Sarai to lie for him, and she does.  It never comes down on whether she should have obeyed Abram or not.  But, God does get her out of Pharoah's house and back with her husband where she belongs.   It never says how Pharoah learns that Sarai is Abram's wife.  Did she tell him or did God tell him.  It doesn't say how long the whole realization process took, but apparently she wasn't with child. 

 

This is one of those stories I read, I take in the details, and I set it on the shelf.  I know that God likely honored Sarai's obedience to her husband in getting her out of Pharoah's house, but other than that, not sure what this should tell me.  Well, except that God is serious about taking another man's wife, even if one has been deceived.

 

That is all I got on this one.

 

 

a comment from a friend:  Hi there. :) In the NT God says that we are like Sarah if we submit like she did. And God did tell Pharaoh that Sarah was Abram's wife. And the rest of the story.....I think I am remembering correctly.... he sent Sarah back to Abram along with gifts!! That has always amazed me..... pure grace as I see it.

 

thought it would help someone

Genesis 12:4-9 (the journey made in obedience are the ones that make the difference)

4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. 8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. 9 Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.
   I might be 50 when I get this study done, but I'm going to do it!

So, after the promise from God to Abram, Abram sets out to obey God and bravely takes up all he owns and sets out.  Now, I'm not sure if I think of 75 as old anymore, but it is on the older side for our lives.  You know old enough to know that you could trust God, but maybe too old to want to uproot and shuffle everything in life and start wandering.

But, another way to look at it is - If you live to be 900, 75 kind of equals 20.  There's ton loads of research to back up that analogy!  ha ha ha ha ha ha

So, I don't know which impresses me more, an older man who is willing to pick up all that he has accumulated and risk it on the open road or a 20 year old who does what God asks him to do!  (I have raised four children to this point so far). 

Either way, it is impressive.  He took who God told him and started out.  I think I will ask a pastor friend of mine if he has a well researched map that shows this journey.  The one I found on internet is okay but not as informative as I'd like and I'm not sure of the research.  Either way.  He headed out. 

From this map I can find, it is already a ways from the ark (or where they think it may be) to Haran and Ur.  Nothing was really said about those wanderings.  I know that the reason we hear about this journey is that it is made in obedience to God.

Those are the journeys that count - the ones that are made in obedience to God.  Those are the journeys that make the difference.

Lord, please help us be instantly obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  Please help us to be instantly obedient to Your will.  Please help us to clearly discern Your word and Your voice in our lives.
In Jesus name - amen

Genesis 12:1-3 (finally out of the begats!) blessing of Abraham

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.”

 

 

Ahhhhhhh, finally out of the begats for a while!  I know they are important, but it takes a bit of gumption to work through them to discern meaning!

 

I would consider this the blessing of Abraham.  But, that's probably not quite right.

 

How scary!  Hey Abram - grab your wife and your nephew, hop on a camel, and head out to worlds unknown.

 

I mean today we go with GPS, a map (if you are old enough to have ever read paper ones), an itinerary, a good chunk of change in our wallet, a credit card or two, a googled list of restaurants that are on our path as well as a list of hotels.  Not that I think Abram didn't have a plan with the supplies he had, but WOW!  Could any one of us just cut ties, pack it all up and start driving?

 

I know very few people hear God's voice as audible, but I think it might have to be that clear before I could move into obedience in that situation, and then I am not sure.  I will say this, God promised him plenty. 

 

If anyone other than God was saying, hey - if you leave all you have and follow me I'll make you famous and wealthy and elevate your friends and put down your enemies - I would run!  Because it would be surely false. 

 

But, this is not anyone, this is God.  How faithful Abram must have been to cause God to speak to him this way and promise him this much.  How blessed are we to be counted among the sons of Abraham. 

Genesis 11:10-32

Descendants of Shem

10 These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; 11 and Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters.

12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah; 13 and Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters.

14 Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber; 15 and Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters.

16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17 and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.

18 Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19 and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters.

20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21 and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters.

22 Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23 and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters.

24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25 and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters.

26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.

27 Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot. 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29 Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. 30 Sarai was barren; she had no child.

31 Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there. 32 The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.

 

 

I know at this rate I will be four hundred years old when I get through the Bible.  But, I don't want to rush to just get it done.  It is important to me to just work through it. 

 

So, daunting are the big list of begats, but important still.  Again, we seek to learn.

 

The best I can tell there are 10 generations between Noah and Abraham. 

 

I find it interesting that as the generations continue, the lifetimes get shorter. 

Most of them had their first child in their 30's.  Teran was an exception at 70, so much more was Abram and Sarai, but we haven't gotten to that story yet.

 

Teran began the journey away from the land of Ur with Abram, Sarai, and Lot. 

So the background to the story of Abraham and Lot is filled in a bit.

 

The reading is a bit dry (sorry, hope that isn't sacreligious), but when it is written out by generation without all the extra words, it is easier to absorb. 

 

Onward we go, keep at it.  I need to see the whole picture if I am to gain a better understanding of my Lord.

 

Help us Lord to discern Your word, desire to seek You within it and in all things.  Thank You for giving me a desire to do this.  I am learning.  In Jesus Name - amen

 

Genesis 11: 1-9

1 Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. 2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5 The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.
I remember hearing this Bible story as a kid.  The picture is still in my mind.  The tower of Babel, men crawling all over the sides, reaching into the clouds.

I find it interesting reading it as an adult that the tower was only a piece of the story.  They wanted to build a city to make a name for themselves.  It was not an endeavor to bring God glory, it was one to bring themselves security so they wouldn't be scattered abroad over the face of the earth. 

This is also a place where God refers to himself as "Us".  I am assuming this to mean, God the Father and the Son. 

And, they began the city, but they did not complete it.  The Lord scattered them.

I wonder if they learned that He was wherever they were whether they were all together or scattered.

Lord, thank You that You are wherever we are.  Wherever our loved ones are, wherever our friends are - even if they are not with us.  Thank You for Your word.  I don't always understand what You have intended.  I desire to learn more of You this way.  I desire to know who You are.  Please reveal Yourself to me in whatever way You desire.  I want to seek You with all of my heart. 

In Jesus Name
amen

Genesis 10:21-32

Also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, and the older brother of Japheth, children were born. 22 The sons of Shem were Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah 27 and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah 28 and Obal and Abimael and Sheba 29 and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Now their settlement extended from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, according to their nations.

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.

 

Well, we are back to it!  Sorry for the long break!

 

I feel like a kid returning to school after the Christmas break!  Kind of lost, kind of desiring to return to the learning, and a bit overwhelmed.

 

So, on we go.

 

When I used to read or hear the old Bible stories, I wondered why God let Sodom and Gamorrah go on so long, or why some of the places were named as they were.  The valley of Uz?  So, obviously that was before I read the Bible through.  Now, it occurs to me that God was patient with Sodom and Gamorrah.  I haven't figured out the time table yet to see how long it took from the point this division of land happened until Sodom and Gamorrah was so far gone.  But, I do know that God was there for the beginning.  (I know - duh!)  But really, it hadn't sunk fully in to me that God watched those people walk off the ark, multiply and then the descendents of Noah, who found His favor, walked away from Him AGAIN!   

 

I think I used to see the Old Testament God as vengeful and a bit mean.  (Don't excommunicate me now, but it is true)  But, the older I get, the more kids I have or watch, the more I see patience where I didn't see it before. 

 

I did need a pen and paper to see this passage a bit more clearly.  I might try to jot it down for you.

Either way, even in the begats there are things to learn.  God can speak through anything.  If the rocks can cry out His praise, then I am guessing the begats have something to teach us. 

 

 

Shem

     Elam

     Asshur (Hey Lindsay - here is an Asher!)

     Arpachshad

              Shelah

                    Eber

                          Peleg - because in his days the earth was divided

                          Joktan

                                a big ole list of kids!

 

I find it interesting that this passage opens with Shem, the father of all the children of Eber.  Eber is 3 generations down!  I wonder why he's the important one.  The one worth mentioning. 

 

Not many answers but good things to think about.  We'll see in the coming chapters how many questions get answered. 

 

 

Genesis 10:15-19

Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth 16 and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite 17 and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite 18 and the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite; and afterward the families of the Canaanite were spread abroad. 19 The territory of the Canaanite extended from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; as you go toward Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. 20 These are the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, by their nations.

Oh, this is not the type of Bible Study I want to do this morning!  Just being honest.  Ok, I will settle in, this is important!

Ok, Canaan is the 4th son, the youngest of the children on Ham, who a son of Noah.

So, Noah -> Ham -> Canaan -> Sidon and Heth and a whole bunch of "ites" who were spread abroad

Oh for a map!  Gaza, at least that I've heard of. 

Ok, those were the sons and nations of Ham. 

I know that the land of Canaan becomes very important later so it is interesting to see that Canaan was populated by the sons of Ham.  I'll try to remember that when we get to the land of Canaan in later text.

Genesis 10:6-14

6 The sons of Ham were Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. 8 Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.” 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city. 13 Mizraim became the father of Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim 14 and Pathrusim and Casluhim (from which came the Philistines) and Caphtorim.


THE SONS OF HAM

1.  Cush
       Seba
       Havilah
       Raamah
             Sheba
             Dedan
       Sabteca
       Nimrod - a mighty hunter before the Lord
                        beginning of kingdom Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar
                        then went into Assyria build Ninevah and Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, Resen the great city
2.  Mizraim
       Ludim
       Anamim
       Lehabim
       Naphtuhim
       Pathruism
       Casluhim -  from him came Philistines
       Caphtorim
3.  Put
4.  Canaan


So we learn a lot about who belongs to whom, but we also learn the Nimrod builds Ninevah, that will come up later.  It seems as though Nimrod had a large expanse of land to rule over.  I'm not sure we ever hear about Resen again, but we will be on the look out through our study since it was a great city.

We also learn where the Philistines came from.

I have tagged a couple of word in the title line to remind me where to come back to when we start talking about Ninevah and Philistines later.

Not earth shattering, kind of confusing, can't pronounce the names, but still important to understanding the whole of the Bible.  So we carry on.

Genesis 10:1-5

 Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. 5 From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

 

 

 

I don't know if you all get tired of me having more questions than answers, but I just write what I write.  That's how I have to study.  I try to get some of them answered.

 

First:  So, it goes Noah, Japeth, Javan, then Elishah.  Is this THE Elishah?  If so, I now have more respect for the begats.  It gives me an idea of time.

 

Now, they were separated from just these?  According to their language?  They have been on a boat together for a long time, wouldn't they speak the same language?  Apparently not.  Maybe they spread out to populate the earth and grew apart and grew into different languages?  I don't know, my Bible scholar friends are going to have to help me with this one.

Maybe this is answered in a later chapter.  Either way, we continue

 

We are looking at several generations away from the Ark so maybe the language difference developed over time.   I might forward this one to a preacher friend for information.

 

 

Lord, please help us to find You in Your word.  Please help us to understand what we need and be changed into a closer likeness of Christ. 

 

In Jesus Name - amen

 

footnote:  This isn't THE Elisha.  That much I did get answered.

Sorry that I took such a long hiatus.  Let Satan distract me, I'll try to not let that happen again.  Moving forward, and seeking God.  One day at a time.  Can't let the ooopsies derail me!

Genesis 9:26-28

26 He also said,

“Blessed be the LORD,

The God of Shem;

And let Canaan be his servant.

27 “May God enlarge Japheth,

And let him dwell in the tents of Shem;

And let Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood. 29 So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.

 

I guess it is possible that Noah saw Shem as seeking God and Ham was not.  That could have been the reason his response was magnified.

 

I know in the old testament the sins of the fathers were often paid for by the sons.  I know that somewhere that changes and I am glad for that!  Seeing here that Ham was the one who saw the nakedness of his father, but Canaan is the one being "cursed" into servanthood.

 

950 years old.  That is a lot of living!  He must have been wise!

 

 

Not much today, I was going to start chapter 10, but it seems like too much.  We'll start another bit of "begats" next time.

 

Genesis 9:18-24

18 Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem and Ham and Japheth; and Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 So he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;

A servant of servants

He shall be to his brothers.”

 

I find this a bit confusing.  I am sure there are commentaries by seriously educated people about what all happened or didn't happen here.  But, I am really trying to study the Bible as it is without commentary. 

 

First.  Whatever there is to say about where Cain's wife came from, or other living creatures at the time of creation.  From here at least, God is clear.  We all descended from either Shem, Ham, or Japeth.  Cuz that is all there was. 

 

Second.  God is serious about modesty.  I don't know why it was such a big deal that Noah's son saw him naked.  I don't understand how seeing him naked was "doing" something to him.  But, on whatever level this nakedness was, it was serious.  Maybe it was because of the disrespect that Noah was shown by his son.  Either way, God wasn't happy and Noah wasn't happy.  

 

Third.  Coming from my family history, I would have been more upset that Noah was drunk.  But, that was not what was highlighted as the poor choice in this little section of scripture.  God and I do not always think alike, but He is always right. 

 

Genesis 9:8-17

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8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. 11 I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; 13 I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, 15 and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

This is more than I usually take at one time, but it was a paragraph, so we will do it.

First - I think it is interesting that God establishes the covenant.  He declares the meaning, He gives the sign, and He explains it.

Second - I find it interesting that He says Himself that He places it there to remind Him of His covenant - not us.  That seems like a funny statement to me.  He will look upon it and remember.  Hmm.  Just hmmm.  I'm not sure I ever thought that God needed reminded of anything.  But, I know as a people we do make Him angry with our disobedience and evil ways. 

I like that God establishes a covenant with us at all.  He makes promises.  He keeps them. 

He reminds Himself to keep them.  Still funny to me.

I'm not sure that observation will leave my mind soon.

Thank You Lord for Your mercy and grace that we do not deserve.   Thank You for being the chief promise keeper.  Thank You for enduring the disobedience and the wandering we do.  Thank You for loving me through mine. 
In Jesus Name
amen