Below are my thoughts from the daily
Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Genesis
12-15. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you
read His Word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.
What Does This Passage Say?
- This is perhaps one of the most pivotal points in the entire Bible. In Genesis 3 we watched as man sinned. In Genesis 6 the world was so sinful God decided to send a flood. In Genesis 11 the world had tried to be like God and know the things of God so they created a tower. Sin is nasty part of the human condition. Sin separates us from God. But here in Genesis 12 God puts into motion his plan to redeem all of mankind.
- God calls Abram to follow Him, to move to a new land … a land God will give to his descendants. If Abram does this, God promises to bless all people on earth through him (v. 3). Basically, God is saying to Abram that one day, one of his offspring will be born that will redeem mankind. As Christians, we know that offspring to be Jesus.
- Seventy-five-year-old Abram listens and follows God to the promised land. But, he doesn’t remain there. Abram is a shepherd, driving large herds of sheep. Depending on the time of year and the others shepherds, he had to go where the water and grasses were. This causes him to end up in northern Egypt. It is here in Egypt that Abram makes his first mistake in this life of following God.
- Abram’s wife, Sarai, also his half-sister (different mothers, this is something unheard of in our society, but not uncommon in theirs), was beautiful. Abram knew that sixty-five-year-old Sarai was desirable and men have killed other men to claim their wives. So, he lies. Just as he predicted the king takes her as his wife. But God protects Abram and saves the day and all is restored.
- When Abram left his homeland, he took his nephew Lot with him. Because Abram had a large herd of sheep and Lot had a large herd of sheep the two separate. Lot took the better land and settled in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was during this time that Lot got caught up in raid and was taken captive by the raiders.
- It is here that uncle Abram comes in and saves the day. Not only does he and the large number of men born into his household (a good reminder to us that Abram was wealthy) save Lot, but they also save the day for the cities on the plain, returning all that was lost.
- When Abram returns everything, he meets a king and priest of the one true God. In response to what God had done through him, Abram offers the first recording of a tithe given in the Bible.
- Because of his faith, God comes to Abram and builds on the covenant. It is here that we are introduced to the protection God is going to give His people. It is here that circumcision is introduced. Its is here that promises to bless this childless couple with multitudes of offspring.
What is This Passage Teaching?
- There are a lot of themes in these four chapters. But one stands out to me … God promised to world saving work through Abram … and no matter what ways he messed it up … God protected His promise.
How Can I Apply this Passage to my Life?
- We serve a powerful God. God is a God who protects those He loves. Sometimes we may struggle with this. Sometimes we may wander does God even love me or care about me. Does God get upset with me. Is God ready to write me off. And the answer is no. One theme we are going to see as we keep reading through the Bible is that the people God uses in some amazing ways are really messed up and flawed people. If God could use them, and allow them to tell the story of His Word, then what will He be willing to do through your life. You are never beyond redemption. God loves you and will protect you as often as you need.
No comments:
Post a Comment