For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19
Who said the Bible wasn't interesting? These chapters were really full!
Chapter 16:
Sarai offering her servant girl to Abram...kind of strange, but not to them. That was the custom. Having children was so important that if a woman was barren, the husband would have children with the servants so they would have heirs. Although it was a common practice, Abram and Sarai took matters into their own hands when God had already promised them descendants.
Chapter 17:
Footnote for 17:1: The Lord told Abram, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." God has the same message for us today. We are to obey the Lord in every respect because he is God -- that is reason enough. If you don't think the benefits of obedience are worth it, consider who God is -- the only one with the power and ability to meet your every need.
Footnote 17:9, 10: Why did God require circumcision?
1. As a sign of obedience to him in all matters. 2. As a sign of belonging to his covenant people. Once circumcised, there was no turning back. The man would be identified as a Jew forever.
3. As a symbol of "cutting off" the old life of sin, purifying one's heart, and dedicating oneself to God.
4. Possibly as a health measure.
Circumcision more than any other practice separated God's people from their pagan neighbors. In Abraham's day, this was essential to develop the pure worship of the one true God.
Chapter 18 & 19:
What did you think about Sodom and Gomorrah? There was a lot going on there -- an evil city, Abraham's plea for the righteous, God's mercy on Lot, Lot's hospitality to the angels, the evil and perverted mob, Lot's wife "turning back", the sister's desperate act of incest.
An interesting footnote says that Moab and Ben-Ammi were the products of incest and they became the fathers of two of Israel's greatest enemies, the Moabites and the Ammonites BUT Ruth, the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus, was from Moab.
This whole scenario is a reminder that we are all sinners and although God can forgive our sin and still use us for His glory, we cannot escape the consequences of sin.
A lot to think about.............
What did you find interesting, confusing or just plain STRANGE?!
Keep reading -- 359 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
What did you think about Sodom and Gomorrah? There was a lot going on there -- an evil city, Abraham's plea for the righteous, God's mercy on Lot, Lot's hospitality to the angels, the evil and perverted mob, Lot's wife "turning back", the sister's desperate act of incest.
An interesting footnote says that Moab and Ben-Ammi were the products of incest and they became the fathers of two of Israel's greatest enemies, the Moabites and the Ammonites BUT Ruth, the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus, was from Moab.
This whole scenario is a reminder that we are all sinners and although God can forgive our sin and still use us for His glory, we cannot escape the consequences of sin.
A lot to think about.............
What did you find interesting, confusing or just plain STRANGE?!
Keep reading -- 359 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
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