Genesis 13-18
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5:24 AM |
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Keep up the good work. Even if I don't always respond to all of your posts, I'm reading them all and benefiting from your insights.
Becoming Mature Disciples
Author: Unknown |
5:24 AM |
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7 comments:
In Genesis 14, we see that Abram's men were trained for battle (v.14). But it is also clear that God was the one who gave the victory (v. 20). This reinforces the idea seen frequently in the Bible that there is a need for both dependence on God and the need for proper training and preparation.
Many of the Old Testament men of God took more than one wife, and we don't see it condemned, but we do see time after time that the results weren't pretty. Conflict after conflict. In the case of Hagar, we see God promising to bless the offspring of the 2nd wife, but not to accept him as the one whose line was to be the chosen people. We see God's original plan of one man and one woman in Genesis 2. It's a good plan. I'm thankful for it.
Good observation Loren - I agree wholeheartedly. This is one of those places in Scripture where the Bible merely records events that happened without either condoning or prohibiting the practice. I covered this topic in one of my sermons back in 2006:http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/polygamy-and-concubines-pat-damiani-sermon-on-marriage-general-93855.asp
In case anyone would like it for convenience, here's the Biblegateway ESV passage we are reading this week:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen+13-18&version=ESV
I love Abram's attitude. He would not take choice portions (of land or spoils) for himself, but only if God gave it to him in His divine plan. He trusted God as the Possessor of heaven and earth. This is the secret to full contentment, and lets us sacrifice for others without resentment. We look not to visible things like fertile circumstances and beautiful trophies, but to untasted joys of heaven and emerging small buds of virtue in our souls. Grabbing always results in emptiness, but giving it up all to God results in better plans.
Chapter 18 has an interesting juxtaposition of the promise of the heir and the initiation of judgement on Sodom. We see Abraham taking the role of interceding for the sinners as the descendant of the heir would do. We see God's mercy in forwarding the coming of the Messiah and his wrath in the impending judgemnet.
Loren, good observations. This whole conversation that God has with Abraham is obviously for Abraham's benefit. God knows from the beginning what He is going to do but He permits Abraham the privilege of interceding for the people.
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