Genesis 16-19: Day 030: Journey Through the Bible in a Year

January 31, 2022

Genesis 16-19
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Day 030: Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Focus Verses for Today: Genesis 19:15-29

Before we begin our journey today pray for God’s understanding of Genesis 16-19. Read Genesis 16-19. Pray and reflect on what is happening.

Commentary: Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham…and it all begins with Hagar and Ishmael! Through this story, we see the results of not relying on God’s timing and taking matters into our own hands to speed up the process. Abram and Sara were old and Sara was well past childbearing years. Instead of relying upon the Lord, they turned to Hagar in an attempt to force God’s plan. Abram fathers Ishmael with Hagar.

God reaffirms His covenant with Abram and seals it with the requirement of circumcision. God also changes the name of Abram to Abraham. Abram means “exalted father”. Abram was considered a pagan name. Abraham means “father of many.” Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah. Both names mean princess. Sarah laughs at the angels’ promise that she will have a child within a year. Angels were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, where Abraham’s brother, Lot, resided. Abraham may appear to be bargaining with the Lord to spare the cities, but he was not bargaining with the Lord as we bargain at a yard sale. Rather, the Lord showed Abraham that He is just and will not destroy the righteous along with the wicked. It also shows that one righteous person can make a difference in the world.

Focus Verses: Genesis 19:15-29 Remembering his bargain with Abraham, God spares those who are righteous in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah: Lot and his family. They are given one condition: don’t look back. Translations can be tricky to interpret. The instruction to not look back may not have meant, or only meant, physically look back, but also not to look back, or wish for the days of past in your heart. Why were they instructed to not look back? How could looking back affect their future? Are there times in your life that you look back to that you should not? What can you do to counter those emotions and feelings?

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