Today's reading starts off with the most amazing event - the Lord appeared to Abraham! Can you imagine?! Seeing the Lord (and two angels too mind you!), and serving them food and engaging them in actual conversation. What an incredible priviledge! The Lord actually came in person to reassure Abraham of His promise to Him.
One thing that I noticed is that this appearance occurs after we are told of Abraham's obedience to God in ensuring that he, Ishmael and every male in Abraham's household were circumcised as God had commanded. I'd say he was blessed for his obedience indeed!
I am curious if Sarah knew who Abraham was entertaining. I'm assuming that she did not know, because she laughed at the Lord's promise!
I was also struck by Abraham's continued loyalty to Lot and his compassion for people. Abraham had previously risked his neck to rescue Lot and other prisoners of war in the previous chapters, and now he pleads with God to spare their lives and not destroy the city they were living in.
It may appear, at surface reading, that Abraham is changing God's mind about destroying Sodom and Gomorrah - however, this is not the case. God is all-knowing and He knew that there were not even 10 righteous people in the city. How's that for a staggering statistic?! Not even 10 righteous people in the entire city!
Chapter 19 contains one of the more disturbing passages in the Bible, and shows the depth of depravity humanity needed to be rescued from. So thankful that God loves us with this love that truly passes understanding.
What I find mind-boggling about this passage, isn't even so much the men's intent to harm the angels (though obviously that is evil as well), but that Lot's solution to this problem was to offer up his virgin daughters to these evil monsters. I realize that women were not exactly high up in importance back in those days, but this was unacceptable. And yet, is it that much different than what Abraham was willing to do with Sarah - giving her away to two different men to spare his own skin?
Lot then goes on to drink so much wine he's not even aware that he is sleeping with his own daughters. I can't even imagine how drunk you'd have to be to do that. Once again, Lot's daughters are taking matters into their own hands and doing what they think is the best course of action. And the result of this sin is the Moabites and the Ammonites - two nations that were to be a plague to Israel.
Here is a quote from an excellent article that discusses this chapter in greater detail.
Lot, at best, was halfhearted in his relationship with God. Abraham had a growing intimacy, evidenced by his intercession for Lot. Lot cared mostly for himself, even to the point of sacrificing his daughters. Abraham cared more for others, evidenced by his generosity in giving Lot the choice of the land and in interceding with God for Lot’s deliverance. Lot was a man who failed to learn from divine discipline. When he moved to Sodom and then was kidnapped, he returned to the same place without any apparent change in action or attitude. Abraham made many mistakes (sins), but he learned from them. Lot was a man who lived only for the present, while Abraham was a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. He chose to do without many earthly pleasures for the joys of greater and more lasting blessings from God.
In Chapter 20 we see Abraham and Sarah deceiving Abimelech exactly the same way they had deceived Pharaoh. Here is a quote from another great article.
About twenty years later he did exactly the same thing with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Gen. 20:1-8). This shows how weak and faithless the faithful can be. There are probably some sins we think we will never commit again, but we must ever be watchful, for that is exactly where Satan will attack us.
We must never be proud when it comes to sin. No one is invincible, everyone is vulnerable - if we are not focused on Jesus and seeking His will.
Abraham, at the moment, didn't believe that God would protect him and Sarah, and again, did things the way he thought would work best. God intervenes again. I am so thankful that God's faithfulness does not depend on our faithfulness. Don't mistake me - we cannot count on God bailing us out when we make foolish decisions. But in this case, God's plan would not be thwarted. Abimelech could hardly make Sarah his wife, if God had promised to provide Abraham an heir through her.
Today's readings end with the miraculous fulfillment of God's promise, as Sarah delivers a son, Isaac. Despite Abraham's mistakes, he continued to seek God. And God was faithful to the promise He made Abraham.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness despite our many failings!
Tomorrow's reading is Genesis 21:8-23:20, 11:32, 24:1-67. Click here to read it online.
21 comments:
Tammy you touched on all the things that spoke to me. I love how Abraham kept questioning God, not to be a nuisance but for the sake of his family. He really did care for others.
I too was appalled at Lot!! Willing to prostitute his daughters who were already betrothed to others too. Tut Tut Lot! I thought it was sad that Lot's wife turned to a pillar of salt for looking back. But there are consequences for our disobedience aren't there?
I was also amazed that Abraham decided AGAIN to use the "she's my sister" line. I mean, didn't he learn the first time? But God is a gracious and forgiving God.
I love in 21:2 where it says AT THE VERY TIME. Not before, or a moment later, but at the VERY time God said Isaac would be born he was born. God is faithful all the time!
Hmmm I am nervous about posting tomorrow's readings, its not going to be anything as wonderful as the last ones, but you have to forgive me right? LOL
(sorry, I found a typo and couldn't leave it!!)
Nicole, your post will be wonderful, too! If you have a thirst for God and you do more than just skim the passages, you'll have some thoughts and observations to share with the rest of us!!
I think I've always kinda been struck by the same things you mention, Tammy. Lot's depraved hide-saving efforts, his daughters' depraved line-saving efforts, Abraham's silly line-saving efforts.... But I always have to remind myself that I have the benefit of looking back and reading the bigger historical picture ~ they didn't! And though I've never committed exactly the same sins they did, I know I've often "helped" God out when I figured He wasn't doing anything or couldn't see what was going on, which makes me no better. Patience is NOT one of my virtues!! Waiting on God is hard, especially in our culture of instant gratification.
I like that one quote's comparison between Lot and Abraham's spiritual life ~ that while Lot's relationship with God is half-hearted and seems to only be important when he's in trouble, Abraham's is constantly growing more intimate despite his mistakes. Attitude is so important!!
One thing I noticed today that I don't think I have ever before is nature's testimony regarding humanity. Earlier, we read passages about Abel's blood crying out from the ground, and that even animals will have to give an account for human life. Now we read about the "outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah."
I don't know where the outcry is coming from, but it's so bad, it seems, that God Himself can hardly believe it and says to Abraham, "I'm gonna head down there now and check it out to see this for Myself."
I wonder what the "outcry" is about our communities today...
Nicole-Don't be nervous, just pray and ask the Lord to give you the words He wants you to share with us. Just one idea that touches you, can touch someone else!:)
Every time I've read this passage in the past, I too focused on the repeat sin of Abraham, but this time it was different. I mean, not only do we have the hindsight thing, but we also forget just how much time has passed between the first sister deception and this one. It's so easy to forget about God's provision and protection for a certain circumstance when years have passes inbetween. I can forget and repeat a lie in a day! Oh, how easy it is.
I also view Lot's situation a little different too. Don't get me wrong, I cringe at the thought of someone allowing their daughters to be...well you know...but He was trying to protect God's angels here. I mean they were in his house, angels, and he felt it was his duty to protect them from these purely evil men. Obviously, he felt the only thing that might keep these men from sexualy assaulting God's angels was to offer up his virgin daughters. He was very backslidden at the time, and obviously not in a place to know or trust that God will take care of His own angels. I love this passage, amongst all of its evil, because it is the strongest example in the old testament where we see scripture to support the eternal security for believers. Lot was so backslidden and in a bad place, where horrible people were doing horrible things. But God spared his life for being the only "Just" man there. 2 Peter 2:7,8 assures us that Lot was saved and that he was grieved on a daily basis for what was going on around him. I am so thankful that I'm not counting on my good deeds and works to get me to Heaven, but I'm trusting in my faith and my salvation through Christ Jesus. And this passage shows that my human nature and sins won't take that away. It's secured for eternity!
Kristi - I agree about the repeat sin. There were years in between these occurences. It still seems so obvious to us, but so would our sins if they were put in a book for everyone to read!
I get the point the Lot felt he was choosing the "lesser" of two evils, but the problem with his choice is that he was removing God from the equation. He was not relying on God's protection. He was trying to come up with his own solution and it was not a good one! Also, I'm not so sure he knew they were angels at that time. That is not clear from this passage. He took them is as guests - knowing what would happen to them if they spent the night on the streets of Sodom (though we know of course that God would not have allowed that), which is noble, and he wanted to protect his guests, which is also noble - but he did not trust God.
Here's a quote from the same site I referenced above...
"Lot’s response is typical of his spiritual state; it is a strange blend of courage and compromise, of strength of character and situationalism. The crowd demanded that Lot turn over his guests, an unthinkable violation of the protection guaranteed one who comes under the roof of your house. Lot stepped outside, closing the door behind him, hoping to defuse the situation. He pleaded with them not to act wickedly, and, just as we are about to applaud his courage, he offers to surrender his two daughters to the appetites of these depraved degenerates. How unthinkable! Lot’s virtue (his concern for his guests) has become a vice (a willingness to substitute his own daughters for strangers). We may breathe a sigh of relief that the crowd refused Lot’s offer, but I must tell you that the consequences for this compromise are yet to be seen."
Here's another quote that brings up something else we can take from this passage....
"And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-low, who were to marry his daughters, and said, ‘Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will destroy the city.’ But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting (Genesis 19:14).
Why? Why would they not take Lot seriously? Notice that we are not told that they refused to believe Lot so much as they did not even take him seriously. There seems to be only one possible explanation: Lot had never mentioned his faith before. His words were not a repetition of his life-long warnings of sin and Judgment—they are something totally new and novel. What a rebuke to the witness of Lot. It is one thing to warn men and have them reject our message. It is far worse for them not even to consider our words as spoken seriously."
I naturally asume that Lot knew they were angels, because Abraham knew they were without being told. Almost all Angels everywhere in the scriptures were automatically known to be so by those who encountered, or were visited by them. And I did note that he wasn't in the state spiritually where he should be, to trust in God to protect.
I also agree that Lot was not living as he should and didn't have a testimony to speak of, since his sons-in-law took his warning as a joke. That's what I love about the account, is he was only saved, and nothing more, not living for God, and God spared him his life, his family's life, (if the wife would have listened) and the city of Bela, because of his prayer.
God is so merciful.
I assumed Lot did not know they were angels, because if he had known they were angels, he would've known they didn't need protecting.
I found another great article about this passage here
Here's a quote from the article...
"In 19:27-29, Moses provides a parenthetical comment for us. “Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.”
The substitution of Abraham for Lot in the phrase: “God remembered Abraham,” (19:29; cf. 8:1) makes an important theological point. Lot was not saved on his own merits but through Abraham’s intercession.36 This is the second time Lot owes his life to his uncle (cf. 14:12-14). Previously, he was delivered from capture and now from death. Abraham prays and then trusts the Lord with the results. God hears and answers prayers."
We do indeed serve a merciful and compassionate God!
You ladies have covered much ground here!
I am not sure if Lot knew he had taken angels under his roof either. His solution of offering is daughters is appalling whether he knew them to be angels or not. As is his daughters solution to continue their line! Just so wrong, yet Lot was seen by God a righteous.
Here is a question that just occured to me:
If God cannot look upon sin and these old testament people were sinning over and over again, where is the explanation of their redemption before the blood of Jesus?
I am not questioning that they were counted as saved, but how? Where can I read that?
All old testament saints were saved by looking forward to the cross, just as we are saved by looking back upon the cross. They were saved by their faith in believing that the Messiah would come and die for our sins, while we are saved believing that He did. If I have time to find the refrences for you, I will.
Another note, their sins weren't completely overlooked by God. That's why they had to sacrifice the lambs, once a year, so that the lambs blood (resemblence of Jesus) would pay, or cover their sins for a year. Once Jesus died, and shed his blood, as the eternal payment for sin, the sacrificing of the lambs was no longer needed.
I'm sorry Tammy, I'm obviously not getting my point accross right. I'm just not wording it well enough. I meant that the city lot fled to was spared because of Lot's prayer. I know Lot's life was spared by Abraham's prayer. Lot was told to go to the mountain, and he prayed that he may be able to go to the nearby city instead, so that he would not die in the mountain. That whole city was then spared, because Lot was allowed to go there, and if the city was destroyed, Lot would have been too. I was just trying to show that this section of scripture is one reffrence that backs up the doctrine of eternal security for the backslidden believer.
Gotcha! Yes, that makes sense to me and I agree!
Here's another quote from one of those articles (sorry to be quoting so much, but they say it better than I!)
"At this point, it is natural to ask: Is Lot a saint or an “ain’t?” (I know this isn’t proper.) The answer is: he is a “tainted saint.” In 2 Pet 2:7-8, the apostle Peter calls Lot “righteous” three times in two verses. If he had not emphasized this fact, no one would believe Lot was saved. While Lot was righteous, there is very little or no fruit evident in his life. This is an example of a believer that will be saved yet as through fire (1 Cor 3:15)—he will be saved but singed. The life of Lot shows us that it is possible to have a saved soul and a wasted life.
How many of us are like Lot? We’re Christians, yes. But we also want to have our part of the world. We must have our slice of the action. We feel that we can’t possibly give it up completely; that would be simply too great a cost to bear. So, like Lot, we seek instead to do our best in a hopelessly compromised situation, trying to maintain dual citizenship in the world and in heaven."
Jen - here is an article about how Old Testament Saints were saved. Kristi summarized it perfectly thought I think!
I always feel sorry for Lot's wife. It seemed (at least in this NIV translation) that the warning to not look back was more for the sake of their safety; to not waste time getting out of there. Were they actually all properly warned what the consequences would be if they did look back?
Years ago, I attended a young woman's bible study where we studied the book "Bad Girls of the Bible" and Lot's wife was given a chapter in that book. It seemed sort of harsh to me that she would be grouped in with 'bad girls of the Bible' simply for looking back. I sort of compare it to driving by the scene of a bad accident. Who doesn't have the urge to turn their heads around to take a glance? However, if I knew I would turn into a pillar of salt for doing it, my resolve would be stronger. I just wonder if she was given fair warning...?
Boy, today's a post for the ages, huh?
I just noticed something as I went back through to go over some of the stuff we've been talking about. I don't know what the NIV says, as I only use King James (I guess I could use the link and read it though) anyhow, in verse 1 and 2 of chpt 19, it reads "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the get of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, nad go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night."
This shows to me that he knew they were angels.
1)He rose up to meet them when he saw them
2)He bowed before them
3)He calls them my lords
4)He beggs them to stay with him, because he knows what may happen to them if they don't.
Knowing the people that lived there, would he worry about a what might happen to a stranger? If he didn't know they were angels they could have been someone just as bad, or worse as the city people. And would he rise to meet men and bow to them if they may be one of the very people that 2 Peter tells us vexed Lot with their unlawful deeds? Plus, he called them "my lords". I truly think he knew who they were.
I love the article you just quoted Tammy, I think it states what I believe to be true about Lot so well. And I know there will be many who get to Heaven since they called upon the name of the Lord, but will have nothing to place at His feet, because they waisted their life here. I do not want to be one of those people!
Andrea-My King James doesn't say that she knew her exact consequences either. Just that they were to "Escape for thy life; look not behing thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." I feel bad that she has been looked at upon so negatively too. It's an example though, that we aren't to question God's reasoning or look for the consequences first, before obeying. We are to just do. I also thought it was harsh, that after all Moses did, he would not be able to live in the promised land, just because he struck the rock twice. But, it's another example just like this. We are to obey, plain and simply. Moses didn't get to know what his consequence would be either, or I'm sure he wouldn't have done it as well. I'm so bad about just obeying no matter what, and not thinking it through in my own reasoning first. I sure can't judge Lot's wife!
Genesis 19:17 is where the angels command them...
As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!"
Apparently the Hebrew word here meant much more than just a quick glance back. It meant to look intently, an intense gaze.
She disobeyed a clear command and paid a very high price for her disobedience.
Consider Jesus' words in Luke 17:31-32 On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife!
It appears that the looking back wasn't just a quick glace. My take on it was that she was longing for her life back there, she wanted to go back, she didn't want to be rescued.
I'm with you both on thinking it was harsh judgement. Especially with Moses as he lived a very righteous life, obviously much more so than Lot's wife.
You are right that we need to be willing to obey without knowing the consequences. The fact that God commands it needs to be enough on it's own.
Kristi - obviously we can't know for sure about the angels.
My thoughts are that Lot called them Lords out of respect. The fact that he is so intent on protecting them is what makes me think he didn't know there were angels. If humans know they are in the presence of angels they are normally terrified and more worried about being protected from them rather than in providing them with protection.
The article I linked to also concludes they were disguised as men.
I guess we have no way of knowing for sure though either way! I suppose it's a bit of a moot point because, as Jen said, angels or not, his solution was appalling.
The angels thing, it was sort of custom and common to to serve people of importance, to bow down etc, it just showed their humility. So we can't be sure he knew they were angels, for all we know he just thought there was something special and different about these men and wanted to serve them and protect them?
Oh, how much wiser we will be when we get to Heaven! All our questions will be answered!
Great discussion here and so many things I had never thought of before. Andrea-the same thing always gets me too about Lot's wife...she just looked back! Tammy, I had never considered her looking back as longing, only curiosity. I guess that is part of the problem, where is the line? God says do this and we try to find the loopholes (just a peek back, just a glance, etc.) when we should just obey.
One of the things that also stuck out for me was the role of parental influence on their children. We see where Lot's life has brought him (and how his lifestyle did not even cause his future son-in-laws to believe him) and then we see what kind of faulty logic it passed on to his daughters. It reminds me of the huge influence I have on my own children and the chance to teach them in the way they should go. Proverbs 22:6
I always interpreted her backward gaze as one of disbelief and regret ~ disbelief that God was actually serious about destroying her city, and regret that she had to leave the life and home she'd cultivated and loved. I always get the feeling that she didn't actually WANT to leave, which makes her punishment seem more understandable.
Of course, the Bible doesn't say WHY she looked back, but it's interesting all the different takes we have on it!
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