One Year Bible, January 7

GENESIS 16:1-18:19
One of the reasons I define so many words as I go along is because it increases our understanding if we know what the original writer meant when he wrote.  The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and sometimes the word in the original language does not mean what Websters Dictionary tells us.  I usually refer to Strong's Bible Concordance and Dictionary, or Vine's or several others.  The reason so many words get defined in Genesis is because Bible language is governed by the "Law of First Useage".  The first time a word gets used, sets the meaning and the implications of that meaning, and since Genesis is the first book, it contains many first useages.  This is wonderful because Abraham is the "father of the faith" - and like an older brother, he did a lot of things first, and thus set the "Bible Pathways".  We walk in his footsteps (Rom 4:12). 

We find in Genesis 16 that like Adam before him, Abram listened to his wife, Sarai, and got her handmaid, Hagar, pregnant so he'd have a male heir.  It was a common custom, but not endorsed by God.  It was Sarai's idea.  Once Hagar got pregnant, she waved it in Sarai's face, which was a big mistake.  Sarai abused her for it.  So Hagar fled but God told her to go back and submit.  Meanwhile, God promised Hagar that her son, Ishmael, would also result in multitudes, but would be a "wild man" - a man of the flesh.  Although Ishmael looked like Abram, talked like Abram and walked like Abram, he had an Egyptian heart and was eventually cast out. 

When Abram was 99 years old, God revealed Himself to Abram as "El Shaddai".  That Name is used in Job 31 times, which is fitting when you see how God allows Job's life to be all torn up.  No matter what you have been told about that Name, it comes from the Hebrew word for "to terrify; to manifest in terribleness because of brute strength; as possessing the power to realize His Promises or to destroy; Irresistible".  It refers to potence.  He said to Abram, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" 

And so in chapter 17, God says, "I will" seven times as He described His covenant to Abram.  In return, Abram was to walk by faith and be perfect.  God changed Abram and Sarai's names to reflect their new standing with Himself:  the "Father and Queen of Multitudes".

Then, as Abraham was sitting outside his tent, he "lifts up his eyes" and saw three men coming toward him.  Many commentators believe they were actually Jesus with two angels accompanying Him.  In John 8:50 Jesus said that He had seen Abraham, and so maybe this is when.  Sarah evesdropped on them when Jesus told Abraham that he'd have a son with Sarah by that time next year.  Even though she laughed when she heard it, Hebrews 11:11 says, "By faith, Sarah received power to conceive seed and bore a child when she was past age."  Her laughter was not out of unbelief.  And so, she named her son, "Laughter". 

An interesting verse in the midst of all this is vs 19, where the Lord said, "For I know him (Abraham), 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."  And so the judgment upon Sodom is to be explained to Abraham, that he may train his household to avoid the sins of this doomed city and continue to enjoy the benefits of covenant with God.  What follows reveals even more about the spiritual character of Abraham, as the friend of God.

RESPONSE:  I can't help but notice that Abraham is moving closer and closer to God as time goes on.  That's what I want in my life.  God, let me follow in that path toward You.  I know that there is nothing too difficult for You.  That what you have promised, that will You perform.  If I laugh at that, it is the joy of faith, not unbelief.  Because You sometimes tickle me with what You promise.

MATTHEW 6:1-24
When our public and private lives are inconsistent, we are hypocrites.  In Bible days, a hypocrite was an actor who wore a mask and acted a part.  That pretty much sums it up.  Jesus said that giving, praying and fasting should be done in private, not for appearances. We do all three for the sake of others, which has the result of breaking the hold of selfishness in ourselves.  It comes down to the love for God VS the love for self. 

In the middle of this discourse, Jesus gives us what we call "The Lord's Prayer", not so that we'll pray it word-for-word and often, but as a pattern for how to pray.  What is interesting to me is that vs 14-15 bring the whole discourse on our motives (to be seen?) to down to forgiveness.  When we forgive, we release the other person from indebtedness to us.  They don't even owe us an apology!  We cancel the obligation and debt (assume it on ourselves), release their guilt and blame, give up our resentment, and both of us go free!  Note: forgiveness does not repair the damage; it writes it off!  Forgiveness releases us from living in the past.  Unforgiveness is rooted in self-preservation and is a weapon of the devil.

Verses 19-24 tell us we cannot live for God and for ourselves.  A "treasure" is whatever you find important enough to motivate you.  These things steal our hearts and focus, so make sure that your treasure is something eternal.  There are only two ways to look at anything:  God's way and the wrong way (God or Mammon).  There is no compromise.  I must never indulge in earthly desires at the expense of "treasure in heaven". 

RESPONSE:  I'll admit that I don't always realize when I am deliberately drawing attention to myself for something I've done that I'm proud of.  Why do I think I have to "toot my own horn?"  God, just put Your hand over my mouth.   I know God sees me and takes pleasure when I obey Him.  I can sense it.  So why do I think I need anyone else's approval?  God, help me to be satisfied with pleasing You.  Let my appetite for approval be totally satisfied by knowing and loving You.  You, who know all about me and love me anyway, are truly all I need.

PSALM 7:1-7
Cush could be King Saul, the Benjamite, who was pursuing David unjustly again, in a jealous rage, wanting to kill him.  In this "baptism of fire", David says that if he had done what his enemies are saying that he did, then God can go ahead and judge him and kill him.  But, David believes his integrity is intact and that God must defend and avenge him.  Vs 15-16 show what happens to people who devise evil traps for the righteous.  The trouble comes back on his own head.  It reminds me of the roadrunner cartoons.  Wiley Coyote rolls a stone up the mountain to drop on the roadrunner, but just before he crests the top, he loses his grip and the stone rolls back over his own head. 

PROVERBS 2:1-5
How interesting!  If you read vs 5 first, "Then, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."  The way to understanding the "fear of the Lord" is the first 4 verses.  It takes wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, which all come from God and His Word.  Psalm 86:11 says, "Unite my heart to fear thy name."  So I must give myself to it - no divided loyalties or double-mindedness about it - seek wisdom and understanding like it's hidden treasure.  Understanding is discernment or insight into a thing.  Prov 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."  So it's not enough to be able to function successfully (wisdom), we need insight to help us do that.  

When we truly know God and understand holy things, (Prov 9:10), we will be afraid - the fear of God will come on us.  The way we do that is to read and interact with the Word of God.  Isa 66:2 says God will favor the one who "trembles at My Word."  And so we "serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling."  (Psa 2:11)

RESPONSE:  I can remember a pastor saying once that if we don't serve God out of love, then do it out of fear.  Be grateful for the fear of the Lord.  It will keep you from willfully sinning.  I understand that God is Great, Terrible, earth-shaking, mountain-splitting, stormy, and yet He loves me and is tender toward me.  Awesome!