DAY 030: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – GENESIS 16-19

January 29, 2024

GENESIS 16-19
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DAY 030: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Today, we continue our journey through the book of Genesis. Our journey continues with Abram and his promise of a child. Through both the families of Abraham and Lot, we look at faith and the results when we fail to completely trust in the Lord and follow His direction.

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.

Genesis, the first book of the Jewish Torah and of the Christian Old Testament, was written by Moses as revealed to him by God. As God reveals the beginning to Moses, we are able to understand that God is continually giving second chances; another chance to better ourselves and the world in which we live.

Genesis 16-19: Abram and Sarai were both old – Sarai well past childbearing years at the age of 76 – and failed to trust in the Lord to provide them with a child, instead taking matters into their own hands through the use of Hagar. Abram had a son by Hagar, Ishmael (God Hears), the father of all the Arab nations. 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. The angels then were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for being totally consumed by sin. The angels had to deal with a mob of men who came to Lot’s house to rape them. The two angels told Lot to gather his family to leave Sodom and Gomorrah because the Lord was about to destroy it. Abraham begs the Lord to spare the city. Only Lot and his family, willing to leave and not look back, were spared from the city’s destruction. Lot’s daughters show the influence of growing up in a city where God’s law is not honored. Genesis 16:1-19:38)

Read chapters 16 through 19, and ask yourself these questions: Do you place limits on the Lord? How has the world influenced you? How can you see God’s forgiveness, and willingness to give second chances? Why does God continue to forgive?

Godspeace!