Punishment for Immoral Values.

Punishment for Immoral Values. Exodus 22:16-21.

The Apostle Paul taught Timothy, his student, in the last day’s people would be lovers of themselves.

Paul wrote, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5(NKJV)

What Paul saw was a decline in morals caused by the rise in population. As populations increased, ungodly behavior was being accepted. Paul was able to look forward because Paul studied the past and passages as the one we are looking at.

The passages we read are moral laws that God wanted people to enforce. They were laws that would help the people live holy, stopping conflicts and detouring crime.

It is respect to God’s law which gives a society respect for itself and without respect the Children of Israel would be like other societies of their time where only the strongest survive.

However, it is also these moral laws which caused societies to hunt witches and indiscriminatingly kill the innocent. Thinking themselves to be wise, godly people, crimes have been committed which include the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as we review these review these laws we must remember our society is not their society; it has changed because of perilous times. However, God has not forgotten those who offend His’ laws.

“If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins. Exodus 22:16-17(NKJV)

Evidently they had a problem with guys who seduced women; tempting the women to disobey their fathers. The principle of honoring your Father and Mother was in tack and this showed great disrespect to the woman involved and to her family. Thus if he was going to treat the daughter as a whore and the daughter was going to act like a whore, the man who did such a thing was going to pay great money to the family.

The paying of a penalty did not erase the crime; it did however, make a statement to daughter and the man saying, “This is not acceptable.” Often times this fee caused the men significant hardship and they would know life as a servant losing their freedom.

“You shall not permit a sorceress to live. Exodus 22:18(NKJV)

Sorcery is a direct rejection of God and a worshipful bow to Lucifer. Though it gets painted as a mystical, magical practice; sorcery is evil to the extreme.

Sorcery opens the doors to demonic influence and possession; making God’s people vulnerable to spiritual attack.

Even the acceptance of the sorcerer or “witch” opens the door for Satan to work from within their society to corrupt it. Therefore, the opportunity to purge sorcery was a reasonable option; for evil will be destroyed in the end anyways. Why wait for it to destroy their society?

To balance our performance of eradicating sorcery, we have to look to the scriptures. The Apostles encountered sorcerers in their time and never did they take steps to kill the sorcerer.

In the Apostles time, sorcery was larger than one person; there were hundreds of sorcerers and to enforce every penalty for every law would skew the message of the gospel.

In fact, the message of the gospel is a message of forgiveness of sin, no matter the sin. Therefore, the punishment for breaking the law was for the time of the Children of Israel, and in our time grace is rendered.

In no way is this acceptance of sorcery; sorcery is still a devilish worship and if they do not repent, God will hold them accountable on the Day of Judgment.

“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. Exodus 22:19(NKJV)

Bestiality is naturally wrong. God made men and women to mate with in their own species. Any twisting of the natural state of intercourse between a man and a woman is punishable.

Again, enforcing punishment was for their time, and in our time grace is offered. To turn down grace and forgiveness of sin will be handled on the Day of Judgment.

“He who sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. Exodus 22:20(NKJV)

The truth of destruction never changes; weather punishment is rendered on the spot or on the Day of Judgment, God will enforce these moral laws upon society. These laws will judge all societies; but, hopefully they will lead some to repentance while grace is offered.

“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21(NKJV)

Among all the punishments for crime rendered, along comes this statement of mistreating strangers. As we go back through history, it becomes apparent people have misdirected accusations towards people expected of a crime, having judged them before they even knew them.

God does not tolerate this either. To take advantage of a person’s ignorance will not be tolerated. Therefore, the judicial system of the Children of Israel was for those who lived among them and were familiar with the guidelines and punishments.

God is a forgiving God; though many point at the punishments here as brutal, God sent His only son to innocently suffer death. God allows the spilled blood of Jesus to be a covering for sin. Therefore, Christians will say, “Jesus died for our sins.”

No matter what sin or practice you have involved yourself in God is willing to forgive you of that sin and cleanse you from acting unrighteous.

Where you might have been a stranger, no longer are you stranger to the love of God. Today if you would like God to forgive you of your sins, you can ask Him right where you are now.

The laws of God are good. Their intent to keep order in our societies is good. Though the punishment has been deferred to the Day of Judgment, the order of holiness in God’s kingdom has not. Therefore, let us embrace the principles of God’s laws in grace and truth.

Are you a Savant to Another?

Are you a Savant to Another? Exodus 21:1-11.

They had received Ten Commandments from God; however, God needed to erase much of what they learned from being slaves in Egypt. Therefore, through Moses, God reveals to Israel how He wants them to treat the situations that would occur in their life.

Much like those who come to the Lord for the forgiveness of their sin, there is a new way of life waiting and the old way of life is to become just that, old.

God has delivered a person from sin and God wants them to walk in newness of life. The ways of the world, they acquired growing up, are to fade away through teaching from God’s word; so a person might live righteous before God.

This is not to say that every Christian or groups of Christians have correctly understood how they should live before God.

There are many people who have become separatists and invent rituals. Their actions are intended to make themselves appear religious; however, God wants to change the heart.

As Christians we are to dismantle our lives and rebuild them the way God would have us to live. This is what God was doing with Israel and it starts with how a person is to treat another who owes them debt.

“Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. Exodus 21:1-2(NKJV)

Having been Egyptian slaves, the only way they knew to treat a slave was the Egyptian way. In the Egyptian way, no one goes free. Yet in God’s way, debt can be repaid and finalized.

People become indebt to others in many different ways. A person might be forced to serve because of a crime committed.

Poor parents would offer their children as servants so a master would take them in and give them a home. In return the children would work for the home.

Then there was the working class who would enter in to domestic or non domestic contracts and work for another as their servant.

In this, God wanted an ending point. After six years, the person’s service was over. All servants would be granted freedom from their debt and start their life new.

Not only is this kind, it would shape the Israelite culture to be forgiving. This was a concept unknown in Egypt and would turn the Israelite society into a society of commerce. Heads of houses would look to hire servants and people could find paying jobs.

If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever. Exodus 21:3-6(NKJV)

Before this was ever instilled into the society, God knew that it would soften their heart and bring situations where some servants would like to continue working for their master.

The kindness of the master of the house would seep into the heart and life of the servant so they would never want to leave.

Therefore, the servants had to make a public showing that they were willing to stay and serve, proclaiming the goodness of their master.

God is the ultimate example of this principle. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. He paid the penalty of death which we deserved. When we were in bondage, serving sin, God paid to have us set free.

In loyalty Christians give their lives over to serve God as willing servants. We reciprocate by making a public acknowledgment that we are willing servants who work God.

“And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money. Exodus 21:7-11(NKJV)

No matter the situation, no matter if your male or female, God willingly takes us to Himself and treats us as His own children. Though we were servants, bought with a price, we are released and considered adopted children.

In this principle, of how to treat servants, God shows us how to be a society that loves. We still must work and pay our debts; yet we are to be willing worker, knowing that one day our debt will be paid and we will have freedom.

Therefore, strive to own no man and let freedom come to your life. When you are free, let your love spill on others as you give them the same respect you would desire to be rendered to yourself.

Passover or Communion?

Passover or Communion? 1Exodus 12:43-51.

The road to Succoth was packed with travelers escaping the slavery of Rameses. God told them to go and changed the heart of the Pharaoh to release them.

These people obeyed God and were faithful to their instruction; but they knew nothing about where they were going. They were leaving their birthplace of Egypt and traveling to a new land. They were like teenagers heading out to face the world that they had only heard stories of.

Prior to the first plague their knowledge of God was passed down to them in the stories of their ancestors Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel.

If the Children of Israel were to survive they must have faith in God which is belief in the unseen. Generation after generation spoke of the great faith of the patriarchs and they proclaimed God’s deliverance; but many died before seeing the mighty hand of God.

From the time God made the promise to Abraham, that his family would be a great nation, it had been four hundred thirty years. It was this generation that would see the power of God as God would strike that land of Egypt with the terrible plagues leading up to the release of the Children of Israel from slavery.

This generation would learn to know the power of God and learn how to respect God as God. They would enter a new world, a world of great blessing for the faithful and terrible consequences to the unbeliever.

How to live godly lives had to come from instruction and the first instruction was how to prepare the Passover meal. Though they received the instruction once, while in Egypt; now they would receive it again, having escaped Egypt. As we study we must remember only the faithful would benefit from the observance of Passover.

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. Exodus 12:43-47(NKJV)

The Passover was to be an annual event. It was to remember the importance of keeping the ordinances of God; which brought life to those who obeyed and death to those who did not.

Most important to God was that the Passover was not to become a social event that unbelievers were invited to. It was first for the Hebrew people and second it was for those who converted to their belief and dedicated their life to God by being circumcised; a symbol of obedience to God.

This was to be strictly adhered to; even the meat was to stay inside their house so they would not be tempted to share it, for to let an unworthy person eat it would be disrespectful to God.

In addition, the lamb had to be prepared and ate in such a manor not a single bone was to break. This fact draws us to another story in the Bible taught to Christians by Jesus Christ Himself.

John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God; Jesus was unblemished by sin and chosen by God to be a sacrifice for many.

Later we read that Jesus was crucified and our sin placed upon Him by God; He was the sacrificial lamb and His blood spilled for us. We are also told that not a bone on His body was broken.

On the Passover, Jesus met for the last supper with His disciples and instituted a new ordinance which is a completion and perfection of the Passover feast.

Jesus took bread and broke it, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took a challis of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Which caused the disciples to question why is He doing this?

They too were like young adults being introduced to a new world. He also told them that He would not do this again with them until they joined Him in His kingdom.

This ritual was instituted by Jesus to ensure that they church would observe more than one Passover a year; but that it might continue in churches as a regular observance of the significance of His death.

Inviting Jesus into your heart covers the threshold of your heart with His blood, protecting you from the Angel of Death and the bread is symbolic of the unleavened bread for our lives are to be swept clean of sin.

And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.” Exodus 12:48-49(NKJV)

Like the Passover, to partake of the elements of communion is for only those who have committed their lives to God and have had their hearts circumcised. To take communion unworthily is to eat and drink damnation to your soul.

It began with the Passover in Egypt and was to be kept through all generations so they may recognize the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Now it exists as communion for all who believe.

As with the Children of Israel, Christians are to follow the ordinances of God with accuracy; taking their role in life and the performance of their obligations to God serious.

We need forgiveness, we need a covering for our sin, and we need to respect the God who brought that to us.

Thus all the children of Israel did; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies. Exodus 12:50-51(NKJV)

No longer were they slaves, they became the people of God who would enter into a new land and become not only the people of God, but an army to fight for what is right.

The same continues today if you have made Christ your savior. As Christians we keep ourselves according to God’s instructions. We do those things we are instructed to do and we gladly allow those who would join themselves to us, into our congregations.

We partake of communion in remembrance of what the perfect sacrifice means for our life and we await entering the new land, the land of promise which is heaven; the place where we can dwell with God in perfection for eternity.

Escaping Death.

Escaping Death. Exodus 12:21-28.

The time of servitude in Egypt was over and would be announced by a great feast and a terrible plague.

Each family of the Children of Israel was given instruction on how to prepare their feast, how they were to eat the feast, and how they were to stay safe; for if the instructions were not met with accuracy, the death angel, coming to take every firstborn male, would enter their house.

Egypt would soon be faced with extreme sorrow and crying would be heard throughout the land; for the Pharaoh had refused to let the Israelites worship God and held them captive as slaves.

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. Exodus 12:21-23(NKJV)

It seems extreme to slaughter lambs and spread the blood over the entrance and on the sides of the door post to their houses. One could ask, “Does not God know His own people?” “Does He not know their hearts?”

The answer is, “Yes!” God knows each and every one of His people; however, a lesson was being taught that all people need to understand; especially God’s people.

Adam and Eve both hid from God because they sinned in the garden and God had to cover their nakedness, so they might be able to stand before Him. God had to shed the innocent blood of animals to provide covering for their nakedness.

God asked them, “Why are you hiding from me?” To which they answered, “Because we are naked” for they were both ashamed.

The covings God gave them were skins from innocent animals and though the animals death would not atone for their sin, it gave them ability to cover their, now known, shame.

That was the first sacrifice and the practice of sacrifice would be continued as a reminder to people of their sin.

The Israelites were not sinless people and this sacrifice was going to enable them to stand close to the presence of the Lord as He led them out of Egypt.

Passover was also a type, or example, of the perfect sacrifice that they were to look for. All Jews are raised to look for a perfect sacrifice; a Messiah.

Christians recognize Him as Jesus; for He was the Lamb of God come to earth and innocently killed.

His blood can cove the door posts of our heart and we are to apply it so we may come closer to God and be safe from the destroyer who will one day, again, gather souls.

And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. Exodus 12:24(NKJV)

The covering for our sin is essential to evading the destroyer of souls and for escaping our world of sin.

When you think of their escape from Egypt, our escape from this world and the grasp of sin is all the same. In Jesus we continue this Passover ordinance forever.

It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. Exodus 12:25-28(NKJV)

There was no Messiah at this time; however, it was a sign for something to look forward to. Passover was designed to ready Israel’s hearts for the coming of the Lord Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

All the elements involved, the choosing of an unblemished lamb, the spilling of the blood without breaking the bones, and the worship of God, was all designed to help them recognize their Messiah.

Yet, the religious leaders of that day did not recognize Jesus, nor did they keep the ordinance in the fashion it should be kept.

In our day, sacrifice is not practiced at all. The Jews that reject Christ continue in the ever changing of ordinances to fit their lifestyles. It is displeasing to God and their lives are filthy as well.

People can act holy, but miss the mark of God. Holiness does not come from a great architectural structure or through a ritual. It comes through obedience to God and all should realize the past as pointing to the future.

The penalty for sin is the spilling of innocent blood. Animal’s blood can only cover your sin until you sin again. It is imperfect and cannot help you past the day of judgment, where God will judge your soul.

That is why God had to send His own son to die the death that we deserve. If we accept his death and allow him into the door of our hearts, His blood will be the covering on the door and a sign to the destroyer to pass over your soul.

You can pay the penalty for sin by your own blood and loss of your soul or you can let Christ Jesus pay the penalty for your sin. It’s up to you to select; obedience is your choice.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” – Jesus. Revelation 3:20-22 (NKJV)

Keeping God’s Ordinances.

Keeping God’s Ordinances. Exodus 12: 14-20.

So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Exodus 12: 14(NKJV)

In a world where we celebrate Hanukah, Christmas and Easter, how come this day of Passover is not one of our major celebrations? The answer is because most people are not Jewish. However, even in Jewish families, the Passover is not celebrated much like the original.

God called it a memorial or a time to remember exactly what occurred and to apply the meanings to their lives. This was to be an everlasting ordinance or reenactment in their lives to remind them of the principles represented for salvation.

Bread was an essential food in the Israelites lives. As the mainstay of life, bread came to be a primary metaphor for life and sustenance. In the Passover, all yeast and yeast products had to be removed and whole houses had to be swept clean to ensure no yeast was even close to their bread. This application should be applied to every aspect of their life.

Throughout the Bible sin is referred to as leaven. We are warned that a little leaven can cause a whole lump of bread to rise. Thus the sweeping of the house is a reminder that our hearts and minds must be swept free of sin and our obedience to God to be kept single.

Today, unleavened bread comes from a factory and little to no effort or thought goes into the eating of unleavened bread. Families buy the unleavened bread and the sweeping is all but gone.

Jesus attitude towards deemphasizing the meaning and focusing on the components of the feast was propagated by the religious leaders of his day. He said to beware their leaven for they kept ordinances, but the ordinances had no spiritual impression that changed people’s lives.

Jesus also called Himself the bread of life; therefore, Christians are to keep their hearts swept so that Christ may dwell in their heart realizing that letting sin in ruins the integrity of the space.

Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. Exodus 12:15(NKJV)

Look at the strong wording of this passage. The person who eats leavened bread shall be cut off. They were ones who did not take the warning serious and to become this dead to the ordinance of God, a person can leave the favor of God.

Yet most people never get pushed off of their beliefs. To cause a person to walk away from their belief it takes a gradual decent as a person allows themselves to become less involved. As they do less, their conscious is being seared and their life is changing.

The leaven they allowed into their diet becomes acceptable and soon all the bread in the house will be raising; for leaven causes bread to change.

On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. Exodus 12:16-17(NKJV)

The measure of a person is not that they begin going in the right direction, it is that they finish the task at hand.

The seven days of unleavened bread would start by recognizing the goal and it would end with a celebration that a person made it to their goal. Nothing less than completion was acceptable and this was to extend to every generation for all of time.

In completing the seventh day, a person would reflect back on the significance of the unleavened bread and the work of God in their life.

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’” Exodus 12:18-20(NKJV)

This was to become pretty serious business and those who took it any other way were cut off. The scriptures do not say if there were those who refused. I would like to believe that all complied; however, in imperfect world not all people will comply.

It is easy to sin, which means to miss the mark that God set for a person. Because it is easy to sin, many give up on holiness. This was mere bread with leaven and still it became a medifore on how we should live our lives.

We should have our hearts swept clean of leaven so that Jesus, the bread of life, can dwell in it with no compromise. However, it was a command to Israel to keep this feast forever.

Do not Discriminate.

Do not Discriminate. Genesis 46:28-34.

Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Genesis 46:28-29(NKJV)

The land of Goshen was located just beyond the border of Canaan. It was important for Joseph to head off his family in order to pave the way for their acceptance by the Pharaoh. The Egyptians culture was not accepting of shepherds; the idea of shepherds was an abomination to them.

Have you ever been looked down on due to race, occupation, and other discriminatory profiling? It is a terrible thing to face. However, Joseph was about to proudly accept his family for who they were and make a way for them to dwell in the land peaceably.

It had been many years since Joseph had seen his father and the sight of him caused Joseph to break down in tears and fold into his father’s out stretched arms. Joseph had to live like he had no father and suppress the longing for his father; however, now that separation came to an end.

No matter if a person is dead or alive, parting is sorrowful. That is the way God intended it to be. God desires us to dwell in love and unity; however, the sting of sin and death has ravaged our lives.

And Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.” Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:30-34

Israel, whose name was first Jacob, felt that seeing his “supposed dead” son was more than what life could hold for him and now he could pass to the grave happy. Not all people get this opportunity; death has a cold parting swallow and the grave has a never ending hold on mortality.

Thank God that He forgives sin and provided His own son as a sacrifice for our sin. In this there is hope beyond the grave and the sting of death is only a moment of separation; however, parting is never sweet sorrow.

Joseph was ready to face the truth of his existence; He was the son of a shepherd and his family tended flocks. This would make for a tense situation; for the Pharaoh had trusted Joseph to manage his countries affairs; and soon all of Egypt would know Joseph was a shepherd’s son. Most leaders will not take an unpopular stance before their people; however, Joseph was willing to risk all in honor of truth.

Then Joseph went and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, their flocks and their herds and all that they possess, have come from the land of Canaan; and indeed they are in the land of Goshen.” And he took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers.” And they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.” Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.”Genesis 47:1-6(NKJV)

We must understand that we are not to be afraid of who we are or how people will judge us. If we be righteous before the Lord, even our enemies will be at peace with us.

Because people are self righteous, they will judge you greater than they will judge themselves. Trying to trap Jesus, one day the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery before Him. They accused her of her sin and through it was true, Jesus turned to them and told them to stone her if they, themselves, had no sin.

With that understood, let us be as the Pharaoh and make a way to include others who need our help. Let discrimination be stricken from our hearts and our acceptance presented with boldness.

The Pharaoh was not intimidated by what other thought. He was only commanded by his ability to do good to this faithful servant and the family. Pharaoh did not let discrimination rule his life; he let goodness flow.

Pharaoh not only did he allow their passage, he gave them the best part of the land, which honored Joseph and Jacob.

Do you realize that God one day will allow people to dwell in the fullness of His kingdom? Like Pharaoh, He will accept people for who they are and not hold their position in life or race against them.

God will take the lowliest of men and raise them to a position of greatness. No matter the sin committed, God will forgive those who have humbled themselves before Him and believed in His wonderful savior.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for all; therefore, we are to respect others and no matter their sin, accept them for who they are and support them.

Driven by Circumstance.

Written in Memory of Michael Jackson. 1958-2009

Driven by Circumstance. Genesis 46:1-27.

So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.” So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.” Genesis 46:1-4(NKJV)

What a great promise from God. Though driven by circumstance, Jacob is given a promise of protection and honoring God he took it.

Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt. Genesis 46:5-7(NKJV)

The names of the children of Israel are contained in verses 8 through 25 and will be omitted due to space. However, the blessings upon Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, shows the work of God to build this great nation.

As we have studied, Jacob was not always the best father; neither was his father, Isaac. Because of this Jacob raised his own son’s to know of God, yet many strayed away from godliness. Their sins were terrible and at times tragic. Yet God chose to use these men to build the nation Israel.

Let it be a comforting thought; no matter the sin you have committed, God is willing to continue to work in your life for good.

There are those who were raised by parents who sinned against them. These children were mistreated and grow with character flaws which follow them throughout their life. The pain caused by a parent has a ripple effect that transcends generations and some lose their dignity, feeling less than adequate.

Some children grow to make friends with others who sin against themselves. Selecting to change the course of their own life, they follow others into depravity. Still God loves them and is willing to forgive their sin and restore them.

God has His hand in all situations; whether it is tragedy or trauma, God is able to use those events for good. In our passage there is a famine; however, God made a way to escape. In that escape, God continued His work to build the nation of Israel; a nation that would be His people, a nation that would bring forth a Messiah to save the world from sin.

All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy. Genesis 46:26-27(NKJV)

The promise came from God to one man, Abraham. In faith, Abraham declared to his own son that he would be used by God to build this nation. Abraham’s son, Isaac, told his son, Jacob, the same. Jacob could continue to tell His sons of the great work that the Lord was going to do and the message had to be bathed in faith.

Why would God use sinners to build a nation? That is a question that we must bring to our own selves. Why would God want us to be a part of His kingdom? Why would God consider sinners for such a prominent position as to be heirs to eternal inheritance? What have we done to deserve this?

The answer is that we have done nothing. For God so loved the world that He made the plan and built the nation that would bring His only son, Jesus Christ alive to walk among those who would despitefully treat Him and kill Him on a cross.

God knew that people sin. He knew that they would kill Jesus and He knew every sin that you and I would commit. Yet God loved them and God loves us.

These seventy people who entered into Egypt were not perfect, they were not traveling under their own will; they were forced by famine to leave their homeland. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Daily we experience the sins of others encroaching into our lives. There is violence in our cities, in our schools, and in our homes. The world is far from perfect, but God seeks these to build His kingdom.

Tragedy, loss, pain, and suffering grip our societies and yet God is faithful to place a light before us so that we might see His work and join our lives to it.

For those lives we have studied in this book of Genesis there are many people who have honored God and would walk into Egypt with praise on their lips and faith in their hearts. Their entry would be a wonderful new beginning as they trusted God with the outcome.

However, there were others that entered scarred from their past, hiding the truth, and fearful of God. It is the position of their heart, the choice of their life, and a tough, rocky road they travel.

The same occurs today and to that I must ask, “How are you today? Are you enjoying the road you walk as you enter in to the place God is taking you by circumstance?”

If today you walk through life allowing emotional scars, the encroachment of sin, and hardness towards God to be the road you walk, then it is your choice.

Jesus Christ came to forgive our sins, repair our lives, and help our emotions to heal. You can be free from sin and the scars of the past if you will turn your life towards God and pray, “God forgive me, a sinner. Come into my life and help me to honor you.” This is the first step down the right road and Jesus will come into your heart and lighten your load. It is your choice; make it a good one.

God uses Trials.

God uses Trials. Genesis 26:1-11.

There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Genesis 26:1(NKJV)

It had been many years since the famine God used in Abraham’s life; in fact, it was the first famine that Isaac had seen. Yet it was used by God for Isaac’s good to test him. This trail was used to help him become the man he should be. God uses trial in our life to make us better.

There are times in our life that God wants to begin new works. When being guided by the winds of trial, many new situations come our way. For Isaac, he now was to meet the Philistines and learn about faith in God.

He knew of the Philistines and at some point met a few who journeyed through his area; yet what he saw of them caused him to think cautiously.

Because of the famine, Isaac traveled to the place of his birth, Gerar. It was here that the Philistines centralized and it was here he met Abimelech.

Abimelech was not the same Abimelech as his father encountered in his time of trial. The name Abimelech was a common name to call a Philistine leader; much like the Caesars of Rome.

Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Genesis 26:2-5

Now with any trial, it is important to know that the Lord is behind us. To know His control of the situation and the power of His might will bring ease to any person who is in trial.

Many Christians pray waiting to have God appear or see a sign that shows God’s commitment; yet in our day there are large differences in our need to have God appear to us. The difference is the Bible.

We had the Lord appear to us and He came that we might be delivered from sin. He walked with men and talked with men, teaching them the essentials that all men will need and it was recorded to guide all men until the end of the world.

These words were written for our instruction, our comfort, and for our wisdom. From the scriptures God can lead any man without having to appear or speak. We must remember that God is not a sideshow who appears as a magician to make things better. He is a God that wants us to have faith and believe.

As Isaac, God wants to bless us and help us care for our families; for one day we will be with Him in heaven, live for eternity, and be co-heirs with His son Jesus Christ. So why should we expect to have more than faith? We are a gifted prosperous people who need to live as such.

So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.” Genesis 26:6-7(NKJV)

Talk about the apple falling not too far from the tree. Isaac had like fears and concerns when it came to his own beautiful wife, Rebekah. Seeing the way Philistines acted, fought and lived in their barbaric habitats, brought fear to Isaac.

This story, enacted again and recorded for us to read has much significance for us. It communicates that while we are trusting and following God, at times we will fail. Yet as you will see, the reproof again comes from an Abimelech and not from God. The reproof of the world was enough for God.

Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife. Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.” And Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us.” So Abimelech charged all his people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” Genesis 26:8-11(NKJV)

It is amazing how the unbelieving world can exhibit a high concern for what is decent and right when some Christians do not. Then to see them grant grace and forgive is as salt on a wound.

Christians are to be above board in their dealings with the world and with each other. Never should fear cause us to lie, cheat, or steal. Isaac was wrong in what he did; however, there is the fact that Abimelech had to put out a strong warning to his people, for without a strong warning his people would have not respected Isaac.

Yet, it all worked together for good. Isaac and his wife were protected while they stayed and God had grace towards them.

Our Bibles are the most important words we can read and if we want to know God and His will for our life, we must read them.

Through the Bible we can find comfort in our trials, understand our situations, and give God glory for the hardships we face. Yes, we can find good in the hardships we face. We need only look.

The Wedding.

The Wedding. Genesis 24:54-66.

And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.” Genesis 24:54-55 (NKJV)

Life is full of uniting and separation and there is something about us that wants to hang on to people for every last second of being with them; but that does not make distance any better. It was time for Rachel to leave her family, and cleave to her new husband. Eastern marriages were often arranged.

It’s sad to say good bye to someone and leave a familiar place; it is even tougher to have it pried away from you. It is like the experience of death; when a person is pried away from us we grieve, and some, when leaving, grieve also. They do not want to leave the place that comforts them and such is the experience of death.

However, there is another experience that we must look at for in the context of our passage, Isaac is a type of Christ, and Eliezer was a type of the Holy Spirit bringing a bride to Jesus. This will one day take place and Christians around the world will be taken from the earth to meet with their groom, Jesus Christ.

As Christians we are told to be ready and along with being ready we must be willing, as was Rachel.

And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.” Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:  ”Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them.” Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. Genesis 24:56-61(NKJV)

Jesus gave a warning about that day when believers will be taken, Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Mathew 24:40-42(NKJV)

To cling tightly to this world is to lose the opportunity of your life. We must think of ourselves as sojourners in a foreign land; this world is not our home. In addition, we are to glory when those we know who are believers, pass from this life into the arms of God.

This does not mean separation is a happy time, grieving always comes from separation. Yet Rachel made the right decision, she chose to go with Eliezer to be united to Isaac in marriage.

Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself. Genesis 24:62-65

Isaac was meditating in a field; a time of reflection and prayer were part of his godly routine. Separating himself from all others Isaac took his needs to God. The anticipating groom was taking care of business readying him for marriage. This is much like Christ intercedes for the church anticipating the day it will be united to Him.

Oh how wonderful it is when God answers prayers. Isaac looked up and with twinkle in his eye he saw his bride; Eliezer was back and the mission was complete. Now the wedding ritual would begin and Rachel veiled herself, as was the custom of that day.

Are you ready for that day when the Holy Spirit will whisk us away to be with Jesus in heaven? John gives us an idea of what that time will be like and wrote, Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:2-5(NKJV)

No more pain, no more separation, and the tears we have for regrets of earth’s hardships will be wiped from our eyes. Death will no longer be able to separate us and we will forever live with our Lord God.

And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:66(NKJV)

The story of the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is a beautiful story; yet told in a few words. The actual details would make us marvel to see the happiness and joy that it brought. Yet, one day we will understand as we are united with Christ and He will take us into His kingdom where we will be treated as royalty.

A Godly Example.

A Godly Example. Genesis 22:19-24.

Abraham was astonished at God’s message delivered to them this day. The sacrificing of his own son was acted out to show that God will provide salvation from sin and it is something God must do Himself. On top of Mount Moriah God provided the sacrifice and there Abraham built an alter calling it Jehovah-jireh which means, the Lord will provide.

“Jehovah-jireh my provider His grace is sufficient for me. My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. He gave His angels charge me; Jehovah-jireh cares for me.”

There is nothing we can do to bridge our distance from God. Sin has separated man from God and no good work, no kind deed, and no words can change the fact that sin has brought us down to the pit of destruction.

However, there is grace for the sinner and salvation for all. Salvation is provided by God through the giving of His only son to die as a sacrifice for our sin. Jehovah-jireh cares for me; Jehovah-jireh cares for you.

So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah. Genesis 22:19-24(NKJV)

Though Abraham was a chosen man and his family was blessed by God, he was not a person to isolate himself from others. Not everyone had experiences with God that he had and just as God showed grace to him, Abraham found grace for others.

It is easy to think of Christianity as being a game. Once they have confessed their sin, people pick up the ball and run down the field, each reacting different; some running well and others run all over the place.

There are Christians who become involved in missions, others help to serve in their church; but some get the idea that they are an elite people and they look down on those that have yet to be saved. They isolate themselves from non-Christians.

Abraham was not that type of person, he mixed well with others and through his life he changed the lives of others. Abraham was good role model to encourage others to be godly people.

In this genealogy of his brother Nahor, would come the wife for Isaac. Therefore by being accepting of them, Abraham was blessed. This too becomes a lesson for us to learn. We never know how others are going to influence our lives and if we were to exclude them, we might miss out on great blessings.

You may not always agree with the way people behave; yet we must exhibit patients so that our godly lives might influence them to good.

At a dinner with the neighbor, you may be asked to have a nice cold intoxicating beverage. Their conversation might include cursing and tones of disrespect towards others. Your reaction to all of this can teach them, repel them, or isolate yourself from them. To kindly decline to partake or comment on their indiscretion, showing them that you still accept them, could change their life completely.

Christians are to be a light unto the world and as salt, which flavors and preserves meat. We are to light their path and bring to them flavor that they like, so we might preserve their soul. This cannot be done by harsh words of rebuke, or by belittling them with words or actions.

Abraham had one role; he was to be the godly father of Isaac. When that role was being fulfilled, Abraham was to be an ambassador for God. Sharing the goodness of God, teaching others His ways, loving them unconditionally, and being an example of righteousness; Abraham was much like us.

Christians should celebrate the life events of others. Christians should be there when others are sick. Christians can provide encouraging words for life’s dilemmas and share the hope there is in having a relationship with God.

Jesus said that on the day that He separates the sheep from the goats the criteria will be, if a person went to others when they were sick or in prison and if they fed others when they were hungry and clothed them when they were naked.

On that day some will enter in to his rest and others will depart into damnation prepared for the devil and his angels. Oh how unnecessary this is when we have examples in the scripture to learn from. Let us learn from them, be like them, and love others just as God has loved us.

This passage marks a milestone in Abraham’s life where he endured much testing. As we turn the page his life goes on, yet he will experience the death of his life’s partner, Sarah.

Life has times of birth and times of death. It has times of joy and times of sorrow. With this, let us also see that life has times of service and times of friendship. In these times, let us make the most of them; for these are the times that make up our life.

Tested by God.

Tested by God. Genesis 22:1-19.

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 22:1(NKJV)

When reading Genesis, the highlights of Abraham’s life are showcased that we might see the wonderful works of God. However, the in between story of Abraham’s life is hidden from our eyes. In this test, that God brought upon Abraham, we learn that he had such a deep relationship with God that he knew to trust God for the future.

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Genesis 22:2-3(NKJV)

Can you imagine the thoughts that went through Abraham’s mind? God allowed Abraham and his wife to have a baby in their old age and then God tells Abraham to sacrifice the baby on an alter? That is what the pagan do in worship; yet Abraham did not flutter. It did not bother his sleep and the next morning he woke up, got ready, and headed off to do just what the Lord asked him to do.

Abraham was over 100 years old and Isaac was around eleven. He took two younger men to help him, for to climb a mountain with supplies was going to be physically taxing. No matter how taxing this would be on him, as a 100 year old man, Abraham did not question God with doubt; he only obeyed.

There are many young Christians going through lesser trials and they are questioning God. Abraham became steady through experiences with God. The trials of Abraham’s life readied him for this test and that is why we must count our trials as precious. Christians must learn not to question God.

Whatever you are going through, God uses trials for our good. He prepares us for the life ahead and if we want to be counted as faithful, we must come through our trials with faith.

Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. Genesis 22:4-8 (NKJV)

On the three day journey, Abraham lived with the thought that God had told him to sacrifice Isaac. Yet Abraham knew this was not like God; God does not go back on His promises. God promised to make a great nation, whose offspring would be more numerable than the stars. To sacrifice Isaac would mean an end to all that God valued in Abraham. Therefore, Abraham kept his thoughts to himself.

This is another sign of maturity; Abraham kept the trial within and did not speak to everyone about it. Sometimes God would have is to do that. We are quick to talk about the things that happen to us; we want others to comfort us with their words, but God would have us trust in Him.

In between God’s great works in his life, Abraham was a man that took time to know God. He prayed, he worshiped, and remembered the works that God did in his life. Abraham was so confident in his relationship with God that when he leaves the two men behind, he tells them, “We will be back.”

This was a statement of confidence. Though Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, he knew that he would come off the mountain with Isaac.

As Isaac carried the wood, he started to put things together. There was wood, and fire, but no sacrifice and he asked, “Where is the sacrifice?” To which Abraham responded “God will provide himself a lamb.”

Notice that he did not say, “you are the sacrifice?” He said, God will provide the sacrifice and even more important, God will provide “Himself” a lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham knew that Isaac was an innocent sacrifice that could make a covering for sin, but the task of restoring man to God belongs to God.

Abraham knew that God was a responsible God and if God created mankind, God had a responsibility to save mankind from their sin. Just as God made Abraham to be responsible, God too would be responsible.

Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:9-14 (NKJV)

The place was Mount Moriah; the name means, “Chosen by Jehovah.” This mountain is a most pivotal area of Jerusalem. Moriah was not only the place of the binding of Isaac, but it was the place where God would send His own son to be the sacrifice for all of mankind.

Abraham was acting out a future event and this story would stand for all godly men to read. The significance for those who lived before Christ death on the cross was that God would provide a way to restore them, even if they were to die. They would look forward for total and complete salvation from their sins.

After Christ the story stands as a significance foreshadowing of the Messiah that we would choose to be our savior. Jesus became that perfect sacrifice and our God, who provided himself as the sacrifice.

Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, God blessed the entire world. Abraham’s bloodline would be vast; as he would be the ancestral father of all Jews. Through his bloodline would be born Jesus, God’s own son. Thus this story of Abraham, Isaac, and the sacrifice, was a type, or an enactment, of God sending his only son to die for the sins of the world. From Abraham’s seed the whole world was blessed.

There are times in our life where God tests us. He wants us to be faithful to Him that He might pour out blessings upon us. This is why we must listen to our hearts, answer to what is righteous, and avoid temptation.

Though we are saved through faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we are tested in order that God may show us ready to serve Him. Let us be faithful that we might be used of God.

A Sure Judgment.

A Sure Judgment. Genesis 19:16-33.

And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. Genesis 19:16(NKJV)

There is no indication in the scriptures of any reaction to Sarah’s lie; she laughed at the Lord when He told her she would bear a son at 91. She found humor in the notion that at her age she could conceive and the Lord confronted both Abraham and Sarah. “Why does she laugh? Is there anything to hard for the Lord?” To this Sarah denied laughing.

When Abraham first saw these three, he knew that one was Joshua (Jesus). He knew the visitation was of a certain nature as they portrayed a serious demeanor. After detouring them into his tent, for food and conversation, they rose up to go on their way.

Abraham rose with them and walked them out to the path when they turned to Sodom. The light smile and eagerness left him as Abraham realized that these three had business in Sodom, for Sodom was wicked and his own nephew, Lot, had dwelled there.

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. Genesis 18:17-22(NKJV)

May you never forget and always remind your family that the Lord watches. He examines your heart and knows your thoughts. He determines whether you will follow in righteousness or succumb to wickedness and your actions are what tell Him.

Are you a person who does commit good judgment and does what is just? This very knowledge about you is a measuring stick. Every person has their day of reckoning and when you have yours, will you be found faithful to God?

Judgment has nothing to do with your insecurities or fears; however it has everything to do with how you act; for it is the heart that steers our actions. Abraham had insecurities and did things that upset the Lord; however, when it came to judgment Abraham was not in concern.

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 19:23-25(NKJV)

Abraham was worried for his nephew Lot. Lot chose to settle in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah and the scriptures say that he pitched his tent towards Sodom. It was Sodom that would buy much of his meat and they became a good income to Lot.

The more financial dealings he had with the men of Sodom, the more he became friends. In friendship, Lot became respected by the men and eventually would move into the city and live by the gate of the city.

Abraham knew that Lot was sliding towards wickedness. The men and women of Sodom were very wicked; they practiced immoral _sexual preferences of sodomy, effeminacy, _lesbianism, and _pedophilia. They worshipped false Gods and their hearts were wicked.

Lot only wanted to do business with them and then found that they had interesting stories and backgrounds. As they mingled, Lot started to have respect for them and he ignored their lascivious actions. Yet as he drew near to them, Lot was sliding in moral convictions.

And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. Genesis 18:23-33(NKJV)

Abraham was worried, for Lot had had children and many of those that were with Lot, Abraham cared for; therefore, Abraham bartered with God to try to spare the city which would guarantee the safety of Lot.

Are you one who prays for the salvation of people? In reading the questions of Abraham to God, it shows the patience of God with us. In our heart we want all people to be saved and God hears. Though Abraham had so many questions, God never grew tired of hearing him.

As Abraham responded to God’s answers, he realized that he was nothing but dust and ashes. Mankind is nothing more than a living organism and God is an all powerful, omnipotent, all knowing, God. What are we to command the considerations of God? Abraham knew that he was treading on holy ground; but what he failed to realize is that God loves us with a love that never grows weary.

Do you not pray for things because you worry about them becoming vain repetition? With God there is no growing tired of hearing the prayers of His children. He forever listens and is eager to hear from all of us.

Abraham’s concern was God’s concern and never will He destroy the righteous. The key to survival is being righteous.

Have Faith, not Fear

Have Faith, not Fear. Genesis 18:1-16.

And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, Genesis 18:1-2 (NKJV)

Will you recognize the Lord when you are face to face with Him? Oh how terrible to pass on, wake, and stare blankly into His face asking, “Who are you?”

At first glance Abraham knew that this visitation was of a different nature. He recognized that the visitors were sent from God and he quickly ran to bow and worship in reverence.

Abraham had the correct attitude. Many people tread on holiness, they disrespect the messengers of God. They walk past churches and church people, the people who are calling them to come and reverence the Lord. The outreaching hand of God they acknowledge, but they do not commit themselves.

The general public has a belief in God, but they disrespect God and their belief is nothing more than a recognition that He exists. Often, their belief is mistaken as faith; yet it is not faith unless there is respect and worship of God. Abraham reverenced God and his actions proved it.

Here was Jesus accompanied by two angels and Abraham calls him “Lord,” which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish displays of reverence.

And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. Genesis 28:3-5(NKJV)

God is to be honored with our service; mere words are not enough. If a person believes in God, they will become involved, meeting God’s needs as they see them. Abraham offered to wash His feet, feed Him, and provide comforting care to the three men. It was the work of a servant and Abraham, whose name means “exalted father,” humbled himself before the Most High God.

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. Genesis 18:6-8(NLKV)

Abram was sitting at the door of his tent on a warm day. On days like this life can seem to stand still. Your desires are not going forward and thoughts of productive days meander their way through your mind as your eyes stare at nothing.

Yet that day was going to be completely different from the rest; it would be a day that could change Abraham’s life and to do it, Abraham needed to be involved; therefore, Abraham served.

As they waited, Abraham hurried to dine with his visitors. He orchestrated the preparation of the meal to make sure that a culinary treat would be to their liking. He set a table before them as a servant; however, Abraham wanted more. Abraham could tell these three came on a mission of serious matters. This was not a common visit.

The meal was not necessary, it was customary. Dinning can be a most pleasurable time and a great way to share commonalities with others. By sharing a meal the dinners can align their thoughts, share direction, and open opportunity to join intentions.

And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Genesis 18:9-13(NKJV)

In Sarah’s reply, the Lord became upset with Abraham. The very plan for a baby was told to Abraham one year prior. The Lord looked to Abraham and asked, “Why does she laugh?” with the implications that Abraham failed in talking to his wife and did not explain the work that God would do in their lives. Could the reason for not telling Sarah have been fear and unbelief?

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. Genesis 18:14-16(NKJV)

If God is not forgiving how could He allow Abraham and Sarah to stand in His sight? When God was doing such a wonderful thing, Abraham did not share it with Sarah. Abraham held back information from his wife; something within him caused Abraham not to tell her.

To make things worse, Sarah laughed at the thought of having children and when reproved by the Lord, she deigned laughing. Yet, through all of this, the Lord did not waver in His kindness towards them. The plan for God’s people would continue in their lives; however, He exhibited his displeasure towards them.

We do fail God when we have a lapse of faith. Trials press down around us and our instinct is to think the worst. As if all the promises of God are null and void, Christians grab hold of worry and fear, doubting that God is greater than their problems.

The Apostle Paul was adamant about the importance of gaining control of misguided thoughts and wrote, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Galatians 1:5 (NKJV)

We, like Paul, must cast down vain imaginations and every thought that exalts itself above the power of God. Our faith is important; for if we do not allow God to perform His mighty work in our lives, how we will recognize Him on the day we stand before Him?

There is a day of visitation awaiting all of us, will we be ready?

The Horror of Darkness.

The Horror of Darkness. Genesis 15:7-21.

And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. Genesis 15:10-15(NKJV)

Abram questioned God on how it was possible for him to have a family and how he was going to inherit the land, for there were many people that occupied that land. Abrams’ questions were valid and it was time for Abram to know about God’s plan.

Does not everyone want to know more about their circumstances? Would it not be great to know more about your future and what God was going to do in your life? We all would like to know and the Apostle James wrote that if we ask God for wisdom, He will give it liberally. Wisdom may not be knowing the future, but it is knowing how to face the future.

In order for a holy God to draw close to the fallen nature of man, the spilling of blood was necessary. The penalty for sin is death and to spare the man, animals were used for sacrifice. However, it was an imperfect sacrifice unable to unite God and man forever. Thousands of years later, God would send his own son, to be a perfect sacrifice and forever make away for men to draw close to God.

What is interesting about the sacrifice is that birds came to feast on the carcasses. Abram chasseing away the birds is a picture of any person trying to keep outside influences from ruining their closeness to God. As Christians, we too, must chase away our birds to keep our closeness to God.

No man can stand in the presence of God. Though God was going to draw close to Abram, God would still have to keep a distance. The same applies today. Jesus Christ becomes our mediator; He is able to be in the presence of God and He intercedes in our behalf and that brings us a lot closer than Abram came.

When Abram wanted a light for his path, he found a terrifying darkness. For sinful man, there is a horror of darkness in the presence of the Lord. He can take you to the edge of the universe, hold you on the edge of eternity, and God can be your worst nightmare. Wanting to know the future, Abram went there with God.

In the darkness, Abram saw his own future. The generations of his children would go through 400 years of bondage as slaves in Egypt, to which they would return with great substance. Abraham’s thoughts of a granulose nation with prosperity and strength came dashing to the ground. Instead of grandeur, they would face slavery and have enemies flourish in their land. Because of their sinful nature, the trials they would face were not glorious but of pain and sadness.

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. Genesis 15:16-21(NKJV)

After showing the future, the trials, the slavery, the land, and the enemies, Abram’s sacrifice is consumed by a burning lamp. This signified to Abram that his sacrifice was accepted and the revelation was complete. Abram entered the presence of God and lived.

Faith in the future and faith in God was instilled in Abram. However, God showed to Abram what sin would do to his people. God would be there to lead them, but, at times, they would reject God.

The Book of Genesis is more than as account of the creation of man; it is an account of the life of Abraham and the children he sired. At the end of the book, we read about his grandsons as they enter Egypt where they would be slaves for 400 years. Therefore, what Abraham saw of his future, he knew that God would have to send a savior and do miracles to save them.

The family of Abram is not too much different from our families today. Each day holds a choice of clinging to God or a choice to live your life without God. Because of sinful natures, the choices people make often lead to troubles, resulting in trials. Like Abram, we can trust in God to reach out and save those dear people of our lives.

Perhaps today your land is overrun by your enemies and sin has caused you to become enslaved. Rejoice that repentance is one prayer away and that the Savior, Jesus Christ, is here to save you. Give your life to Jesus today.

King of Kings.

King of Kings. Genesis 14:18-24.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.  Genesis 14:18-20(NKJV)

After waging war against attackers, Abram brings back the possessions and people from all the great cities in his area that were attacked. Their Kings did bow in reverence to such a great feat and Abram became a supreme leader. However, the great Abram saw a king whose name was Melchizedek and he recognized Him as a priest of the Most High God.

Melchizedek was the only king that Abram would respect. All of the other kings watched as Abram bent his knee in reverence to this king. In this gesture Abram submits himself to Melchizedek, signifying a superiority and lordship over Abram.

In Psalms 110, King David writes about this priest and acknowledges a hierarchy. There is the Lord God supreme over the entire universe; then there is a Lord over kings, a king of kings. David speaks how he answered to this king of kings and this king of kings is a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek and Jesus have many commonalities. Melchizedek was not ordained by men, but by God. The main complaint of the Jewish leadership was they did not ordain Jesus.

This King of Salem has no genealogy. No mention of mother or father and therefore gives the impression that he lives forever. He is much like the Son of God and remains a priest continually.

King Melchizedek, brought bread and wine and communed with Abram. Much like Christ used bread and wine, at the Last Supper. This communion is an earmark trait of this high priest.

Isaiah said that the Messiah would be a wonderful counselor and the Price of Peace. Melchizedek King of Salem translates to mean the King of “Peace.” His mission was to inspire peace and to communicate the message; God fights our battles and delivers our enemies into our hands.

Melchizedek forever remains a Priest of the Most High God and Jesus ascended into heaven, to sit at the right hand of the throne of God and be our High Priest forever. Jesus intercede our prayers to God. Not just our prayers, but the prayers of Kings, rulers, and leaders. Jesus knows that God fights our battles.

Judaism has to recognize Melchizedek, but refuses to recognize Jesus. To this we must ask, “If there exists a priest, who comes from the Most High God, could not the Melchizedek Priest hood exist beyond the confines of the Mosaic Law?”

Before Levi, Aaron, and Moses, was Abram. Abram is the father of the entire Jewish nation and here in our passage Abram recognized another priesthood, worshiped Him, and tithed part of his possessions. Could Jesus be a Priest after the order of Melchizedek or could Jesus be Melchizedek too?

Melchizedek blessed Abram saying, “Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth” The word blessed means, to kneel, to bless one’s self, to praise or salute. Melchizedek was stating that Abram’s heart was in the right place. Abram revered God. He treated God with the proper respect and his actions to fight against injustice were honored by God. In this visit God honored Abram back.

Melchizedek placed emphasis that God is the most high. God possesses both Heaven and Earth and it was God that delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand.

It was a timely message; for approaching Abram were other Kings, rulers, and leaders that were going to praise Abram. This time of reflection on perspective would keep Abram humble.

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.  Genesis 14:21-24

Abram was not being proud when turning down the spoils. He was placing himself in a situation to where only God could be given the credit for making Abram great.

What a reality Abram lived in. He was promised to be the father of a great nation. He was surrounded by enemies and had to make decision to fight. In fighting, he had to fight for what was right, keeping honor in perspective. In all of this he had to deal with his carnal nephew.

In all reality, you and I are not much different from Abram. We are called to build a kingdom. We are promised great promises and we must fight the enemy, maintaining our respect towards God as people are watching.

The greatest thing we must take away from this passage is that like Abram, we are blessed by the most high God who rules heaven and earth. In reverence let us live our life with respect; even if we must turn down the goods of the world. Our purpose should be to let God make us to be a people of honor and respect.