Genesis 16-19
Husbands – don’t always listen to your wife – she doesn’t always know. Younger sisters – don’t always listen to your big sister – she doesn’t always know. What trouble we can get into when we follow the advice and direction of those who are trying to solve matters on their own without patiently relying on God’s perfect way and timing. Our reading today of Genesis 16-19 both opens and closes with women deciding how to take matters into their own hands (or into their maidservant’s hands) when they felt there were no other options available to get what they wanted – a child to carry on the family line and receive the family inheritance. Perhaps Sarai figured God needed her help to fulfill the promise God made that Abram would have a son. Maybe she thought she was wiser and knew the best way to get to the desired end result on her timetable. I don’t even want to guess about Lot’s daughters.
At the same time, I realize I am sometimes quick to judge and point fingers, when I sometimes don’t know the whole story and I am not chosen by God to be the judge and jury. For example, Lot’s willingness to offer up his virgin daughters to the lewd and dangerous mob at the door has always bothered me greatly. And maybe it should. And yet…in his second letter Peter writes that God, “rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard)” (2 Peter 2:7.8). Peter is giving Lot a bit (or a lot) more credit than I would have. And then I just read a study note in my ESV Archaeology Study Bible that “Lot may have been attempting to bring down the law on the heads of the culprits” (p39) as in many cultures of that day the punishment was death for a man caught lying with a betrothed virgin. I certainly hadn’t considered that possibility before.
Perhaps sometimes I am not as smart as I thought I was. Perhaps sometimes I work a little too hard to find a bad guy in the story? And yet, I DO need to try to be discerning. I do need to read God’s word to know more and more about who God is and who He wants me to be. So, what are some take aways that can help me know God and who He wants me to be?
Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed as an example of what happens to the ungodly. (Peter says that, too, in 2 Peter 2). Don’t be Ungodly. There is a right way and a wrong way to live and there are consequences for both which God will bring about in His time and His way.
Humble Hospitality is Huge. Old man Abram is running to get dinner prepared with the finest ingredients for the visitors and then stands while they eat (your guests might think that part is weird – you can sit). Lot won’t take no for an answer and brings the visitors to his home to spend the night and is prepared to protect them with all he’s got. How can you practice some humble hospitality?
Our God is a God who sees. Hagar is right. God not only sees her and hears her but He speaks to her, He encourages her and He shows mercy and care for her AND for her unborn child. I do find it interesting it is not recorded that He tells Sarai what she did wrong (like I did) but there are several verses here devoted to making sure we know that God saw, heard, encouraged, directed and cared for Hagar and her child. Maybe the lesson for myself is don’t be so busy finding the wrong that you don’t do the right. Who does God want me to see so I can encourage, care for and point them in the right direction?
God’s promise to Abram which we talked about yesterday continues to grow – now it is added that from Abram will come nations and kings, and even better, God will be their God and also Sarah (notice the little name change) will be blessed and from her will come her very own son and nations and kings. There is also that part about circumcision and Abraham walking faithfully, and being blameless and chosen to command his children and household to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice. These are tied to God’s promises to His people. What does God want you to do to show that you are His?
Perhaps MOST importantly in these chapters and in our lives is the realization and understanding that there is NOTHING too hard for the Lord! In this case they are talking about 90 year old Sarah having a child with 100 year old Abraham. It seems impossible, because normally it is, but our God is not a human, He is not normal. He specializes in the impossible! Your needs are not too big for Him. Your case is also not too insignificant for Him. He is the God who sees and the God who has never and will never run into a project too hard for Him.
– Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
- When have you felt seen by God? When did He show that nothing is too hard for Him? What problems are created when we don’t believe God sees or God can?
- What does God want you to do to show that you are His? What does He promise to do for you?
- Who does God want me to see so I can encourage, care for and point them in the right direction?
Seek Grow Love 