Today's reading is packed (again) with many often-repeated and important pieces of biblical history: Sarai giving her maid, Hagar, to her husband. Ishmael being born, God's talking to Abram about Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram's pleading for sparing the cities, and more.
There are almost too many things that struck me in these chapters to list - but just a few are; 1. Sara taking matters (of God) into her own hands after being childless, and even offering Hagar to her husband. She had already seen how this worked out when her husband (took matters into his hands and) tried to pass her off as his sister. We are slow to learn that God is the blessed controller of all things. 2. When Hagar and Ishmael leave and are on their own in the wilderness, the Angel of the Lord comes to minister to them. God is merciful and always, always loving. 3. Tucked in Genesis 18:14, God says to Abram, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Rhetorical question to Abram (and us) - Answer that we all forget many times is, "No!" God can do anything. 4. Sodom - how Abram pleaded that God would spare them. Abram knew his family (Lot) was there, correct? Was he showing mercy as God does to us - hating sin but having mercy on the sinner? (This is different than hating sin and endorsing sinners - another concept believers struggle with.)
There is lots more in these chapters - I just caught these four points loud and clear. What do you think, friends?
Susie so many time we laugh and say yeah right and forget that God can really do ANYTHING! God is so unfathomable. Hagar... Well Ishmael is where we get the Muslims and this line is "blessed in number" but cursed."He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him.." (correct me if I'm wrong)reminds me that there is consequence to sin. I am wondering if the conversation with God and Abraham can be looked at with end times? Will God pull us out before His wrath is pored out.. Has he spared us for as long as He has because of the few? I still want to keep on reading and I am just loving this. God is so powerful! and so in control. I have learned from Job and Gen. that we really should not worry at all really... God already has things worked out... what peace that brings. Now for me to obey! Don't for get to pray for each other :-)
You girls do such a good job, that it leaves little for me to add. I agree with both of you at the points that "jump out". What I am noticing and putting a cross notation when I find them, is that Christ is very active in the Old Testament. He is spoken about, but also, He appears often. The angel of the Lord is Christ. A Theophany. Wow! This just keeps getting better! We need some input from some of you others who are reading along. Look forward to hearing from you. I can't believe no one has posted any questions.
Today's reading is packed (again) with many often-repeated and important pieces of biblical history: Sarai giving her maid, Hagar, to her husband. Ishmael being born, God's talking to Abram about Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram's pleading for sparing the cities, and more.
ReplyDeleteThere are almost too many things that struck me in these chapters to list - but just a few are;
1. Sara taking matters (of God) into her own hands after being childless, and even offering Hagar to her husband. She had already seen how this worked out when her husband (took matters into his hands and) tried to pass her off as his sister. We are slow to learn that God is the blessed controller of all things.
2. When Hagar and Ishmael leave and are on their own in the wilderness, the Angel of the Lord comes to minister to them. God is merciful and always, always loving.
3. Tucked in Genesis 18:14, God says to Abram, "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Rhetorical question to Abram (and us) - Answer that we all forget many times is, "No!" God can do anything.
4. Sodom - how Abram pleaded that God would spare them. Abram knew his family (Lot) was there, correct? Was he showing mercy as God does to us - hating sin but having mercy on the sinner? (This is different than hating sin and endorsing sinners - another concept believers struggle with.)
There is lots more in these chapters - I just caught these four points loud and clear. What do you think, friends?
Susie so many time we laugh and say yeah right and forget that God can really do ANYTHING! God is so unfathomable.
ReplyDeleteHagar... Well Ishmael is where we get the Muslims and this line is "blessed in number" but cursed."He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him.." (correct me if I'm wrong)reminds me that there is consequence to sin.
I am wondering if the conversation with God and Abraham can be looked at with end times? Will God pull us out before His wrath is pored out.. Has he spared us for as long as He has because of the few? I still want to keep on reading and I am just loving this. God is so powerful! and so in control. I have learned from Job and Gen. that we really should not worry at all really... God already has things worked out... what peace that brings. Now for me to obey! Don't for get to pray for each other :-)
You girls do such a good job, that it leaves little for me to add. I agree with both of you at the points that "jump out". What I am noticing and putting a cross notation when I find them, is that Christ is very active in the Old Testament. He is spoken about, but also, He appears often. The angel of the Lord is Christ. A Theophany. Wow! This just keeps getting better! We need some input from some of you others who are reading along. Look forward to hearing from you. I can't believe no one has posted any questions.
ReplyDelete