Today's Reading:

Genesis 17
Genesis 18
Genesis 19

 

Abram having been renamed to Abraham (Father of many nations) to show his destiny and that he would be the father/ patriarch of numerous descendants. Abraham had trust in God, he was obedient when he left his hometown of Ur to travel with his family and was tested in his faith. God commanded circumcision as the sign of the covenant, not a random rule. The cutting away of the flesh at the very bodily part that reproduces was symbolic. This was to say it was not human flesh, but God alone would give strength, and He could “cut them off” if they did not keep the oath. In Genesis 15, God made the covenant and swore by Himself that He would give Abraham the land and descendants, now in chapter 17, he expanded and personalized it with a visible sign that they could see each day at potty break. Abraham was justified by faith BEFORE and WITHOUT circumcision. Now this same covenant would be for the future generations and every time they looked at their own body, would remember the mark of the promise where God put His signature on Abraham’s flesh. A sign that they belong to Him. Faith is never safe or painless, it puts the flesh on the altar, and the promise in God’s hands alone.

 

In yesterdays reading we discussed the Christophany of the pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. When God Himself appeared to the people, it was referred to as a Theophany or more general term for the manifestation of God where He can be in visible appearance as fire, clouds, or other signs of His glory. God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him in first person about Sarah being the mother of nations and having a child at the age of 99. What did Abraham do- fell down and laughed with joy and disbelief. Sarah, eavesdropping on their conversation, laughed to herself, but not out loud. Oh, the power of the Lord to hear her private laugh. Like having her hand caught in a cookie jar, Sarah denied the reaction, but God knew and called her out on it. God had different reactions to them both laughing. With Abrahams wonder and joy, God corrected and reassured him when Abraham pleaded for Ishmael. For Sarah, God rebuked her disbelief to gently correct and give healing. How ironic then that God named the child Isaac meaning “he laughs”. God’s humor showed and He gets the last laugh.

Abraham has a role in God’s next plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Since Abraham had a covenant with God, He told him of the plan in order to teach a lesson on righteousness and justice and how God intercedes. Angels of God had reported to Him of the grievous sins that took place. God Himself came down from the heavens to verify the accusations before dealing out punishments. Abraham was aware of the sins in the city and pleaded with God to spare the city thinking of his nephew Lot. Chapter 19 described the wicked city and the men of Sodom. Lot was sitting at the gates of the city when the 2 strangers (angels) arrived. Knowing how dangerous the city was at night, Lot invited them to spend the night at his own house instead of the open city square. The men from Sodom appeared at Lot’s door demanding to interact with the visitors. This was described as a mob of all men from the city in a violent, same sex, gang-rape attempt. The angels struck the men blind due to their lust and greed and were unable to find even 10 righteous in the city. God allowed the intercession of Abraham to save Lot and his family though. Upon fleeing, the angels warned the family not to look back, and Lot’s wife, cherishing the corruption she was leaving behind disobeyed the command. The 10 righteous were

reduced to just 4, but we see Gods omniscience (knowing the course of events) and neither Lot nor his wife, or daughters were righteous. God keeps His promises to people who trust and obey Him- no matter how impossible it looks. When society dives headfirst into sin, celebrating sexual perversion, violence, and cruelty, God will say “enough” and bring about judgement.

Today's Discussion question: 
Both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard that Sarah, at 90, would have a baby—Abraham with joy and wonder, Sarah with a mix of disbelief and nerves. God even named the child Isaac, meaning “he laughs,” like He was joining in the joke. Have you ever “laughed” (inside or out) at something God promised because it felt way too impossible—and then seen Him get the last laugh in the best way?

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