Genesis chapter 17
As Abram gets into his nineties, God has not forgotten him and he renews his covenant with him. Notice that God tells him to be perfect. We know that Abram has sinned, and is not perfect, but God instructs him, and I believe us also, to be perfect. We are not to be perfect by our own might, but by his. We will most likely never be perfect down here, but whatever sin we may have in our past, we are to seek forgiveness, then seek to be without sin through Jesus Christ.
Now with the renewing of this covenant, God gives Abram the new name of Abraham which means Father of many or a multitude. God reminds Abraham that this covenant is forever and it will be everything that God has promised it would be. With this covenant that was up until this point by faith, God will also have his covenant with Abraham be a physical one as well. Not outwardly, but real and permanent. Isn't this the covenant we have in our hearts with Salvation? Our continence might change, but our outward physical appearance doesn't alter; just the heart.
God is going to change Sarai's name to Sarah. She will bear children and Abraham laughs in his heart at this idea. He knows that Sarah is just as old as him and he doesn't see it happening. Let us all remember that just as God reminds Abraham the inheritance will INDEED come from Sarah's womb, that God's ways are not our ways and he will bring what he promises to pass whether we think it possible or not. God goes so far as to tell Abraham when this child will come and what his name will be. God is specific with our purpose in life.
So Abraham goes and does as God commands and circumcises his entire household, servants and all. Let us all try and be thorough with what God would have us do with and in our lives.
Showing posts with label Sarai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarai. Show all posts
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Genesis 16
Genesis chapter 16
The bible is full of characters great and small, wise and foolish, God fearing and sinful. No one, and I mean no one in the Bible is perfect save God and his son Jesus Christ. Even Enoch was born with sin though God took him. I believe we are not to take the sins of great people in the Bible as excuses to sin, but as examples to turn back to God as quickly, humbly, and sincerely as possible.
In this chapter Sarai and Abram both make mistakes by not waiting on God. I myself cannot imagine what it would be like to patiently wait as long as this couple did. Make no mistake though, God is always right on time, every time. Man may not be there when God is ready with the answered prayer, but God is there on time.
Sarai is tired of waiting and she instructs Abram to try and bare a child from Hagar her handmaiden. Abram it says 'hearkened unto the voice of Sarai'. I don't know how many time the Bible records 'hearkened unto the voice of the Lord' but unfortunately, this isn't one of those times.
Abram does as requested of Sarai and Sarai regrets it almost immediately. We will most likely regret the times we do our own thing and not obey God. Abram, who no doubt also feels guilt tells Sarai to do as she wishes with Hagar. Now two people feel miserable about themselves and each other, and another is about to be an outcast for doing what she was told.
God is sympathetic to those that are done wrong and Hagar is no exception. God makes a covenant with Hagar that her son will be a great nation. Unfortunately for the Hebrews, her son will be a thorn in their side for the rest of time.
The bible is full of characters great and small, wise and foolish, God fearing and sinful. No one, and I mean no one in the Bible is perfect save God and his son Jesus Christ. Even Enoch was born with sin though God took him. I believe we are not to take the sins of great people in the Bible as excuses to sin, but as examples to turn back to God as quickly, humbly, and sincerely as possible.
In this chapter Sarai and Abram both make mistakes by not waiting on God. I myself cannot imagine what it would be like to patiently wait as long as this couple did. Make no mistake though, God is always right on time, every time. Man may not be there when God is ready with the answered prayer, but God is there on time.
Sarai is tired of waiting and she instructs Abram to try and bare a child from Hagar her handmaiden. Abram it says 'hearkened unto the voice of Sarai'. I don't know how many time the Bible records 'hearkened unto the voice of the Lord' but unfortunately, this isn't one of those times.
Abram does as requested of Sarai and Sarai regrets it almost immediately. We will most likely regret the times we do our own thing and not obey God. Abram, who no doubt also feels guilt tells Sarai to do as she wishes with Hagar. Now two people feel miserable about themselves and each other, and another is about to be an outcast for doing what she was told.
God is sympathetic to those that are done wrong and Hagar is no exception. God makes a covenant with Hagar that her son will be a great nation. Unfortunately for the Hebrews, her son will be a thorn in their side for the rest of time.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Genesis 12 & 13
Genesis chapter 12 & 13
Not long after we meet Abram he is told to talk himself and his possessions and leave everything he has ever known. Anything that God asks us to give up in this world is not to be compared with the glories he has in store for us. Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Abram does as he is told and steps out by faith. God promises him that he will be the father of a blessed people. God is quick to show us what is in store if we will only listen and obey.
As Abram leaves Haran and goes out with just his family and his nephew Lot, he quickly finds the land of the Canaanite which we know are the descendants of Ham. Abram wastes no time to build and altar and make a sacrifice to the Lord for his mercies. We should all be quick to go to God in prayer and not only pray for those in need, but to give thanks for the many wonderful blessings he gives us.
As God would do again years later to show himself strong, a famine sends Abram and his people down to Egypt.While their, Abram fears that someone will take his wife because of her beauty and thinks up a lie to protect her. It turns out that is is not the lie, but the hand of God that protects her and brings her back safely to Abram. So it will be in our lives as well; it is not our own doing but the hand of God that will deliver us.
In the thirteenth chapter Abram is leaving Egypt and we hear that he has great possessions. He returns to Bethel (which is a place and theme that will also be visited again years later) and builds and alter again for the Lord. Thanking God once would only suffice if he only was good to us once but God's mercies are renewed every day and we should be thankful everyday, building many private alters of prayer to God.
With all this great possession comes great problems. Lot and Abrams servants can not get along and they need to put distance between their property. Make sure that we may from time to time need time and space from other people. We may need time alone in solitude, but we are never to separate ourselves from God at anytime. Here Abram separates himself from Lot but not from God. Lot seems to separate himself from both Abram and his God.
Abram gives Lot the choice of the land he wants to dwell in and Lot takes the easier more pleasant land. Make no mistake, that we can live in the best of times and with the best of intentions and still not serve God. Abram takes the harsher land and still lives and increases in the Lord.
Lot chooses the land closer to the wickedness of Sodom. Abram, after making the better choice, is reminded by God of the covenant. If we stay in close proximity to God, he will remind us and encourage us of the promises that are yet to come. So the chapter ends with Abram doing what he always does, and that is sacrificing to God for his blessing and the promise to come.
Not long after we meet Abram he is told to talk himself and his possessions and leave everything he has ever known. Anything that God asks us to give up in this world is not to be compared with the glories he has in store for us. Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Abram does as he is told and steps out by faith. God promises him that he will be the father of a blessed people. God is quick to show us what is in store if we will only listen and obey.
As Abram leaves Haran and goes out with just his family and his nephew Lot, he quickly finds the land of the Canaanite which we know are the descendants of Ham. Abram wastes no time to build and altar and make a sacrifice to the Lord for his mercies. We should all be quick to go to God in prayer and not only pray for those in need, but to give thanks for the many wonderful blessings he gives us.
As God would do again years later to show himself strong, a famine sends Abram and his people down to Egypt.While their, Abram fears that someone will take his wife because of her beauty and thinks up a lie to protect her. It turns out that is is not the lie, but the hand of God that protects her and brings her back safely to Abram. So it will be in our lives as well; it is not our own doing but the hand of God that will deliver us.
In the thirteenth chapter Abram is leaving Egypt and we hear that he has great possessions. He returns to Bethel (which is a place and theme that will also be visited again years later) and builds and alter again for the Lord. Thanking God once would only suffice if he only was good to us once but God's mercies are renewed every day and we should be thankful everyday, building many private alters of prayer to God.
With all this great possession comes great problems. Lot and Abrams servants can not get along and they need to put distance between their property. Make sure that we may from time to time need time and space from other people. We may need time alone in solitude, but we are never to separate ourselves from God at anytime. Here Abram separates himself from Lot but not from God. Lot seems to separate himself from both Abram and his God.
Abram gives Lot the choice of the land he wants to dwell in and Lot takes the easier more pleasant land. Make no mistake, that we can live in the best of times and with the best of intentions and still not serve God. Abram takes the harsher land and still lives and increases in the Lord.
Lot chooses the land closer to the wickedness of Sodom. Abram, after making the better choice, is reminded by God of the covenant. If we stay in close proximity to God, he will remind us and encourage us of the promises that are yet to come. So the chapter ends with Abram doing what he always does, and that is sacrificing to God for his blessing and the promise to come.
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