Tag: Genesis

Daily Word

Genesis 20

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Read Genesis 20 – The Lord protects, even when we are foolish. 

For the second time, Abraham tells his wife to say she is his sister, and she is taken to be another man’s wife. 

Abimelech has beautiful Sarah brought to him, yet does not touch her and goes to bed.  God meets Abimelech in a dream and tells him he will die because Sarah is already married. 

Abimelech defends his life, saying he did not sleep with her, she and Abraham both said she was his sister.  And would God destroy an innocent nation?  This is interesting because in :11 we learn that this is a godless nation, yet Abimelech knows enough about God’s character to present his incomplete knowledge of who Sarah was to say he acted in innocence.  For that matter, he takes God seriously and does not deny or question that he is God. 

God responds with words that should echo in your heart.  He says:  YES, I KNOW YOU ARE INNOCENT.  THAT’S WHY I KEPT YOU FROM SINNING AGAINST ME, AND WHY I DID NOT LET YOU TOUCH HER. :6  The LORD was in control, protecting Sarah, guarding the line of Jesus that would come from her and Abraham.  God acted in the lives of those who were godless even though Abraham made the mess by deceiving the king in the first place.  Keep reading to learn how all this works out. 

Beloved, we are a messy bunch!  Paul says in Romans 7:19 “I want to do what is good, but I don’t.  I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”  This is the war at work between the sin nature we were born with, and the spiritual nature we were born-again into.  So, before you start throwing stones at Abraham, look in a mirror.  If anything comes to mind to confess, now is the time, and thank God for His hand of protection over your life as He makes Romans 8:28 come true again and again:  AND WE KNOW THAT GOD CAUSES ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.”😻🙀😿❤🙌☝🙏

Daily Word

Genesis 19:17-38

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Read Genesis 19:17-38 – Continuing on in vs :17, “The angel exclaims, ‘Escape with your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain, lest you be destroyed.'”

That does not sound wishy-washy to me, yet again, Lot wants to compromise. The angel grants him favor. Destruction rains down as they set foot in Zoar, and Mrs Lot looks back. She becomes a pillar of salt, forever cautioning humanity DO NOT LOOK BACK LONGINGLY ON SIN. 

Lot and the girls wind up living isolated in a mountain cave.  The daughters come up with a vile plot to secure offspring by Lot…. Perhaps believing they were the only people on earth, but without any indication they sought the LORD… Their babies would forever be at war with Israel.   Moab fathers the Moabites, and Ben-Ammi the Ammonites.

Beloved, may God speak to your heart through these broken people. Lot shows us our influence is important, for better or worse. We see how enviornment can drag one’s morals down. Lot’s daughters teach us the perils of making life choices without Jesus. What else did you take away from these cautionary events?🤔🙏❤📖❤🙏🥰

Daily Word

Genesis 19:1-16

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Read Genesis 19:1-16 – God is good, all the time.  And all the time, God is good.  I think that is an especially important reminder as we read these verses.  

The LORD heard the outcry against Sodom and was coming to investigate; we read that yesterday in 18:20-21.  He is traveling in a trio, and two of them are in Sodom when Lot finds them. 

Lot urges them to come to his home, and when they get there, the men of the town, young and old, gather around Lot’s house.  They call to Lot, insisting the men come out so they can have sex with them, :5. 

Let’s pause and consider what this reveals.  Lot was sitting at the city gate.  That is where the older men would counsel, administer and rule over smaller legal matters.  Lot being there implies he was a town elder.  When Lot saw the men he knew they were important and would not be safe in town. 

Now, consider the townsmen.  They were perfectly comfortable insisting on gang-raping these visitors even though they were under the protection of Lot.  This is a level of depravity gone rampant. 

Lot offers his virgin daughters instead of the men :8.  Beloved, there is no defending this, but we must respect that the bible does not sugar-coat human nature. 

By vs :10, we see the LORD’s rescue for Lot, and his family, when the men pull them inside, shut the door and supernaturally strike the townsmen with blindness.  The men/angels have seen all they need to make the decision to destroy the town.  They tell Lot to gather his family.  His sons-in-law thought he was joking, and the bible even records that Lot “dallied”, so the angels had to grab him and his family by the hand and flee :16. 

Beloved, we are stopping here today.  It is important to let the weight of what transpired sink in, and the rest of the chapter is also heavy.  Lot had the first choice on where to live (Genesis 10:10-13).  He originally chose to live in the valley, but now we see him living in town.  Sin is like that… it will draw a person in so gradually they don’t even realize they are caught in a web.  The angels expressed urgency, yet no one else seemed in a hurry.  Beloved, Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but all to have eternal life through Salvation in Him.  But that door will not remain open forever.  There will come a time when God recognizes that the last possible sinner has been saved, and then the time for judgment will be here.  Do not dally, and do not be shy to share.  ⏳☄⌛☝⌛🔥⏳

Daily Word

Genesis 18

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Read Genesis 18 – The LORD appeared again to Abraham.  Beloved, are you aware that the LORD appeared rarely and to people in the Old Testament, but we have Jesus 24/7?  He is always with you; never will he forsake you. 

Verse :2, “He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby.”  Abraham jumps to his feet, offering hospitality, and rallying Sarah to help. 

One of the three inquires about Sarah; Abraham says she is in the tent.  Then one of them says, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” 

Sarah was listening and laughing to herself, thinking how funny this will be for a woman her age.  The LORD wants to know why Sarah laughed; she denied it, but He said, “No, you did laugh.” :9-15. 

Now, recall that Abraham also laughed in the last chapter when the LORD told him the same thing, 17:17.  It was humanly impossible, but nothing is impossible with God.  Abraham embraced this on faith, while Sarah chose to lie and deny it. 

Then the men looked out at Sodom, wondering if Abraham should be told of their mission.  They decided to tell him, then two of the men turned and headed toward Sodom, while the LORD stayed behind with Abraham. 

Abraham boldly negotiates for Sodom, asking in verse :25a, “Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked.”  Then he asks if God would spare it for 50 righteous people, then 45, then 40… all the way down to 10, and each time the LORD says He will not destroy it for the sake of that many righteous people. 

Beloved, can you imagine speaking so forwardly with God?  Well, you can.  That is what prayer is, conversations, sharing your heart with Jesus.  Abraham gives an example of intercessory prayer.  Notice how specific it is; be specific with yours.  Know you are speaking with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, in whom nothing is impossible. 💖🙏💖  

Daily Word

Genesis 17

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Read Genesis 17 – Faith and time – Abram is 99 years old and Sarai is 90.  It has been roughly 23 years since the LORD promised Abram he would be the father of many, and 13 years since God reminded Abram of His promise after the birth of Ishmael. 

God is outside of time.  Just because you have to wait longer than you want, do not lose faith. 

The LORD gives Abram a new name.  Abram means ‘the father of many’; his new name will be Abraham, meaning ‘the father of many nations’. (:5)  The LORD makes a covenant with Abraham to give him and his offspring the land of Canaan and to be their God.

This covenant will be sealed through the act of circumcision… much like Salvation in Christ Jesus is offered, yet one must seal it by saying yes and asking Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. 

God required circumcision of every male, 8 days old and older.  Science would discover the 7th day of life is when an infant’s immune system begins to mature and their bodies develop blood clotting agents (vitamin k and prothrombin), making the 8th day the most optimal… as God knew all along. 

The LORD also has a promise for Sarai, and a new name, Sarah.  Both versions mean princess, the first Sarai, is to one family; the second Sarah is princess over a multitude. 

In verses 17-22 we see how very real Abraham’s relationship is with the LORD, pointing out the problem of their advanced years and suggesting that the LORD is referring to Ishmael, to which God says no.  “But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” (:22) 

We see Abraham’s great faith and leadership in :23 when he, and Ishmael and every male in his household is circumcised on that very day. 

Beloved, is there something you’ve been waiting for a long time?  I pray these Scriptures would refresh your faith that the LORD has not forgotten your prayers.  He is at work in His timing and purpose, and when it is time, you will say, “Yes, LORD, that was perfect.”

Daily Word

Genesis 16

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Genesis 16 – What could go wrong? 

God promised to give Abram a multitude of offspring, yet Sarai was barren, and she blamed God for her condition, saying, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children.” (:2) She decided to help God keep His promise by giving her maid, Hagar, to Abram as a surrogate. 

Once pregnant, Hagar looked on Sarai with contempt :4.  Sarai then gets mad at Abram!  He is the spiritual leader of the household, and he’s not leading.  He didn’t lead when Sarai decided to help God, and he is not leading now. 

Abram bows out and reminds her Hagar is her maid and tells her to do as she pleases.  Sarai treats Hagar harshly, and Hagar flees. 

An angel of the LORD finds pregnant, destitute Hagar by a spring in the wilderness and talks to her.  First, he asks her to open up.  He lets Hagar know she is heard and understood.  He tells her to return to her mistress, and he gives her some great inside information about the child she is carrying.  She calls the LORD, Beer Lahai Roi, the-God-Who-Sees-Me, and does as he says.  Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 years old. 

Now, jump back to Chapter 12 and recall when Abram took his family to Egypt.  This is most likely where Hagar was acquired, and we see this deeper fall-out from not trusting God as it continues to ripple through the lives of Abram and his people. 

Beloved, there are casualties to veering off course, yet still the LORD is with you, working all things out for your good and His glory. 💖👀🤰🙌👶👀💖

Daily Word

Genesis 15

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Read Genesis 15 – After these things… after saving Lot,  after meeting Melchizedek,  after turning down the spoils offered by the king of Sodom,  the Word of the LORD came to Abram.  Yes, Beloved, that is our God.   He knew Abrams heart needed encouragement, and He had beautiful, wonderful things to say.   So often, after great things happen, we humans let worries in. 

God assured Abram that He would be his shield.  He reminded Abram that he would have offspring as numerous as the stars. Abram and Sarai were already quite old, babies would be impossible, but not for God.

After verse :9. things get weird by our standards, but these acts seal God’s covenant with Abram.  The animals were split in two and both parties were to walk between them, restating the terms. Abram walked through, then God waited for evening, and passed through as a smoking oven and a burning torch…. This is brimming with so much symbolism; if you can,  peek a commentary on it. 

And for now,  Beloved,  KNOW that God’s promises are certain.  Jesus is our seal.  May your faith be resolute. ☁️🔥🔰👑🔰🔥☁️

Daily Word

Genesis 14

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Read Genesis 14 – Life with Lot – Oh Lot… He just had to pick life on the edge. 

Lot is now living in Sodom when war breaks out (this is the first mention of war in the bible).  He is captured, along with everything he owned, :12.  But one of his men escaped and reported the situation to Uncle Abram. 

Abram was a man of great faith.  He was blessed with great wealth.  And here we see he was also a prudent man, with 318 men born in his household and trained to fight.  Abram recovered all that was taken, including Lot, all the women and other captives, :16. 

After Abram returns, the King of Sodom and Melchizedek, the King of Salem, go out to meet him. 

Melchizedek is one of the most fascinating characters in the bible.  He is a bit of a mystery, not in any genealogies.  He is both King and priest of God Most High (a special designation), and he brings bread and wine to Abram, and blesses him (perhaps a foreshadowing of Jesus).  Then Abram gives him 1/10 of the recovered goods… our first example of tithing. 

The king of Salem asks for the return of his people, and tells Abram he can keep all the recovered goods.  Abram answers, “Ewww”  (slight paraphrase on my part).  He does not want a cent for himself, lest the king say he made Abram rich… Abram’s wealth is to God’s glory alone.  But Abram does request that his allies get their fair share.  In other words he did not make his standards the standards of his neighbors. 

Beloved, where are you in this?  Do you live one foot in faith and one in the world, like Lot?  Are you ready to take a stand against evil, like Abram?  Do you use money to make yourself look good, like the King of Sodom? Does your faith shine with the extraordinary love of God, like Melchizedek?❓🤷‍♂️🤺💰💖❓

Daily Word

Genesis 13

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Read Genesis 13 – Back to basics.  When one strays from the LORD and nothing is working simply go back to the last place you heard from Him and do what you did in the beginning. 

Remember, the LORD did not call Abram to Egypt.  At this point in the story, both Abram and Lot are wealthy ranchers.  Beloved, take note that wealth does not equal wholeness or contentment.  We are designed with those longings which only God can fill. 

Abram goes back to the last place he heard from God, between Bethel and Ai, :4.  The land could not sustain all the livestock between the two men, and fights were breaking out among the herdsmen :6-7.  Abram proposes that they separate and gives Lot first choice of land.  Lot chose the fertile land of the entire Jordan Valley, drawing close to Sodom, even though the people were known for their wickedness :10-13. 

Then, LOOK at what God’s Word says, “As soon as Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, ‘Look as far as you can see in every direction – north, south, east and west.  I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.’ “ :15  Plus, God adds more descendants than grains of sand… remember, Sarai has been barren thus far.  And God tells Abram to walk the land He is giving him.  And Abram settled near an oakgrove, trees known for deep roots, in Negev, and built an altar to the LORD. 

Beloved, God wants you to delight in all that He gives you – when is the last time you “walked the land” he has given you?  When is the last time you worshipped Him sacrificially as Abram built the altar… we may not do that today, but we can give, we can sing in worship, pray and give thanks.  Remember, gratitude to the LORD changes everything.  Your gratitude glorifies God and makes your heart right.🍁❤🙌🙏🙌❤🍁

Daily Word

Genesis 11

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Read Genesis 11 – We can be dangerous people when left to our own devices. 

Verse :1 sounds lovely, everyone understood each other with one language. But take a look at verse :4, THEN THEY SAID, “COME, LET’S BUILD OURSELVES A CITY WITH A TOWER THAT HAS ITS TOP REACHING UP INTO HEAVEN, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES AND NOT BE SCATTERED ALL OVER THE EARTH.”  What’s missing?  God is missing – any level of reverence for Him – obedience is missing – God said, “Be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth.”  These people wanted to challenge God.  They wanted to reach the heavens.  They wanted to gather together when God said to spread out over the earth. 

I had the privilege of having a well versed Jewish passenger yesterday who was happy to answer my inquiry about Nimrod during our 5 hour flight.  He said Nimrod was believed to be the architect behind the tower of Babel, and that he was a hunter before Adonai (that’s the Hebrew word for God… I love it, it feels rich and reverent when I speak it.  Try it on.  It’s beautiful.)  In other words, Nimrod hunted men.  He wanted to rule the world, and, same old story as in the garden, be god. 

This does not escape the LORD’s attention.  He responds by saying, “Come,  let’s go down and confuse their language,”:7.  Isn’t that radical?  First, we get another subtle reference to the trinity with “Let’s”.  Second, the LORD doesn’t destroy the tower; He confuses the language…. thereby, confusing the people and returning them to His commission to spread out over the earth without taking away their free-will. 

Chapter 11 then goes into the lineage from Noah’s son, Shem, to Abram, who will become Abraham, who will become the first Hebrew patriarch. 

Beloved, can you think of a time you were headed down a path of sin, and the LORD intervened to get you back on course?  It was probably something from left field.  There is no such thing as a coincidence.  🏗🏙💬📖☝🙌🌏