Sovereignty and Blessing

06Jul09

Today’s Reading: Genesis 25 – 26

Gen. 25. God’s Sovereignty

Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. ~ Gen. 25:8

Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. ~ Gen. 25:17

Today, we say that believers have “gone to be with the Lord”, but remember, at this point in time, Jesus had not been resurrected; so rather than joining Him in Heaven, believers went to a place that Jesus called Abraham’s Bosom.  Jesus talks about this place in Luke 16:19-31 and I believe this is what “gathered to his people” means.

 

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

The LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.” ~ Gen. 25:21-23

This good husband prayed on his wife’s behalf. I love that! And I think God did too. Certainly God’s promises for Isaac were going to come to pass, but it was fitting for Isaac to remind God of his waiting in faith. When Rebekah was concerned about her babies, she went to the Lord. His answer was specific, and indicative of His sovereign will reigning supreme in the affairs of mankind.

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Tags: Abel, Abimelech, Abraham, Abraham's Bosom, Altar, Beersheba, Birthright, Cain, Canaan, Clay, Covenant, Edom, Egypt, Esau, Gaza, Gerar, God's Word, Heaven, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Jesus, Jews, Keturah, Messiah, Nations, Oath, Philistines, Potter, Rebekah, Seed, Stars, Water, Well

A Time to Worship, Weep, and Wed

05Jul09

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22 - 24

Gen. 22.  The Sacrifice.

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ~ Gen. 22:1-2

The name “Moriah” means “ordained by God”, but scholars speculate that the name may also suggest that the mountain was in the land of the Amorites.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” ~ Gen. 22:3-5

Abraham clearly believed in God’s power to raise Isaac from the dead. He confidently asserted, “WE WILL come back…”   Interesting that this took place on “the third day”, which we also associate with Jesus’ resurrection.  Worship is directly associated with sacrifice.  That’s probably a sermon all by itself…

So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. ~ Gen. 22:6-8

With curiosity, Isaac asks the obvious: Where is the sacrifice? Take note of Abraham’s faith-filled words: “God will provide”. This passage is also a prophecy, which foretells of the time when God will, in fact, provide a sacrificial Lamb — God Himself in the flesh — to take away the sins of the world.

 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ~ Gen. 22:9-10

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Tags: Abraham, Altar, Bethuel, Burnt Offering, Camel, Donkey, Father, Fire, God, God's Word, Gold, Heart, Hebron, Isaac, Jesus, Laban, Lamb, Lodging, Master, Mesopotamia, Milcah, Moriah, Mountain, Nahor, Nations, Pitcher, Ram, Rebekah, Sand, Sarah, Seed, Servant, Son, Stars, Third day, Vessel, Water, Well, Wife, Wood

Learning to Trust and Obey

04Jul09

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 19-21

Gen. 19.  Judgment falls on Sodom and other cities in the valley

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.” But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. ~ Gen. 19:1-3

Lot must have realized right away that these men were special in some way, and perhaps he even knew that they were angels; nevertheless, he feared for them because of the evil in Sodom. He treated them with the utmost respect, care, and consideration.

Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.” ~ Gen. 19:4-5

Puritan-influenced thought has historically condemned the men of Sodom because of their sexual orientation.  While it is true that the Word clearly states that God is against same-sex relationships, His Word also shows that these people in Sodom had much bigger problems. They had no sense or sensibility; no subtlety or self-control. Their words were brutally violent, and directed toward visitors to the city, whom should have been received with hospitality and kindness. Notice what the Word says about Sodom in the book of Ezekiel:

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. ~ Ezekiel 16:48

And what does Paul say in Romans?

Filed under: Abundance, Author: Moses, Condemnation, Death, Evil, False gods, Fear, Foolishness, Genesis, Guilt, Homosexuality, Hospitality, Idleness, Innocence, Integrity, Judgment, Kindness, Power, Pride, Respect, Self-Worship, Selfishness, Strife, Trinity (Godhead), Truth, Uncleanness, Ungodliness, Unrighteousness, Unthankfulness, Violence, Wisdom, Wrath   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Abimelech, Abraham, Angels, Circumcision, Creation, Dream, Egypt, Feast, Gomorrah, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael, Lord's Prayer, Lot, Pillar of Salt, Sarah, Silver, Sodom, Unleavened bread, Water, Wilderness, Zoar

Blessings of the Covenant

03Jul09

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16-18

The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”

Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”

And the Angel of the LORD said to her:
“ Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the LORD has heard your affliction.
He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”
~ Gen. 16:9-12

Hagar has been cast off by Sarai after acting too “uppity”. But God comforts Hagar with the knowledge that her child will, like Abram, be the father of a great nation.  Unfortunately, he will also be like a wild beast, fearing others and considering all of them his enemy.

Filed under: Author: Moses, Blessing, Doubt, Genesis, Name, Plan, Promise, Prophecy, Reality, Sovereignty   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Abraham, Abram, Angel of the LORD, Circumcision, Covenant, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael, Laughter, Sarah, Sarai, Time Magazine

God’s Promise to Abram

02Jul09

Today’s Reading: Genesis 12-15

This military standard is from the ruins of the royal tombs at Ur of the Chaldees in ancient Mesopotamia. The standard is about 4500 years old and one of the earliest representations of an ancient Sumerian army. It has two sides, one depicting war and the other depicting peace. The ‘War’ panel shows chariots, each pulled by donkeys, which would trample enemies; infantry with cloaks carrying spears; enemy soldiers being killed with axes, while others are paraded naked and presented to the king who holds a spear. The ‘Peace’ panel depicts animals, fish and other goods brought in procession to a banquet. Seated figures, wearing woolen fleeces or fringed skirts, drink to the accompaniment of a musician playing a lyre.

Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
~ Gen. 12:1-3

God wanted Abram to demonstrate his faith and his obedience by leaving the polytheistic environment at Ur.  He reminded Abram of his intention to bless those who follow Him, and to empower those believers to be a blessing to others.

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Tags: Abram, Bread, Canaanites, Covenant, Egypt, Euphrates, Hebron, Israel, King, Lot, Mamre, Master, Melchizedek, Mesopotamia, Palestinians, Priest, Promised Land, Prophecy, Reward, Salem, Seed, Servant, Slavery, Sumeria, Tithe, Ur, Vision, Wine

Who to Trust?

01Jul09

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 8-11

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ~ Gen. 8:11

The dove with the olive branch has always been a symbol for peace. Maybe this symbolizes the end of the ritual cleansing of the Earth and therefore the initiation of restored fellowship between God and man.   Peace between heaven and earth.

And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” ~ Gen. 9:12-15

In addition to establishing restored fellowship, God renewed His covenant with mankind, and even today, the symbol for God’s faithfulness is the rainbow.

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech… And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.  ~ Gen. 11:1, 4-5

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Tags: Africa, Babel, Babylon, Covenant, Dove, Hammurabi, Noah, Olive branch, Rainbow, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Yemen

The Wages of Sin for Adam’s Seed

30Jun09

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 4-7

So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~ Gen. 4:6-7

Whenever I’m tempted to be dissatisfied, disgruntled, or angry — I can remember these words, “sin lies at the door”. Interesting how God tells us “you should rule over it”. Where sin is concerned, we always have a choice.

 

Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. ~ Gen. 4:19

This is the first place I found where someone decided an extra wife was a good idea.

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. ~ Gen. 4:25-26

Eve’s reference to the fact that “God has appointed another seed” indicates that she knew this child was fulfilling a specific purpose. Eve may have actually thought that Seth would be the Messiah! Certainly she understood that God would send a Savior to pay the price for sin, so that true fellowship with God could again be restored. And she was right in the sense that Jesus was born from Seth’s lineage.

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Tags: Adah, Ark, Cain, Covenant, Enoch, Enosh, Eve, Flood, Ham, Japheth, Jesus, Lamech, Marriage, Messiah, Methuselah, Noah, Seth, Shem, The Name of the LORD, Zillah

In the Beginning… The Messiah

29Jun09

Today’s Reading: Genesis 1 – 3

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  ~ Gen. 1:26

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” ~ Gen. 1:27-28 

When God speaks of Himself in the plural sense, this is indicative of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I love how the very first thing God did after He created man and woman was to bless them!

The second thing He did was give them the responsibility of taking care of the Earth and all its creatures.  Hmmm…. 

Filed under: Author: Moses, Blame, Blessing, Cursing, Deception, Disobedience, Dominion, Doubt, Failure, Family, Free Will, Genesis, Good, Guilt, Henrietta C. Mears, Life, Name, Plan, Prophecy, Provision, Responsibility, Sin, Temptation   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Adam, Cherubim, Creation, Eden, Eve, Flaming Sword, Garden, Marriage, Messiah, Satan, Serpent, Spirit of God, Tree of Life, Trinity

Genesis Overview

27Jun09

Courtesy of Henrietta C. Mears, author of What The Bible Is All About

The word “Genesis” is Greek for “origin”, and accordingly this book explains the beginnings of everything except God.   

The book was written by Moses. In chapter 3, Satan is exposed as the enemy of God and the deceiver of the human race.  Satan attacks the book of Genesis for several reasons:

• Witness of a divine Creator and creation
• Divine promise of a Redeemer
• Bible that is “God-breathed” and therefore divinely inspired
• The book’s scientific accuracy
• Literal testimony to human sin as deliberate disobedience to God
• Its infallible truth and foreshadowing of the Messiah was confirmed by Jesus in John 5:46-47

In verse 15 of this book, we see the prophecy of Satan’s defeat and eventual doom. 

What beginnings are found in Genesis?

ch. 1.  The natural universe as well as our world
ch. 1-2  The human race
ch. 3  Sin and death
ch. 3  Promise of redemption
ch. 4 Family life
ch. 4-9 Man-made civilization
ch. 10-11 Nations of the world and diverse languages
ch. 12-50 Hebrew race

The book begins with “God” and ends “in a coffin”. It’s a history of man’s failure and God’s plan of redemption.

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. ~ Romans 5:20

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