Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Saturday Janurary 5, 2007 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis. I forgot to mention in the beginning of this book study that there are 50 chapters in the book. Please read, Genesis 13-15. In todays lesson we will learn more about Abram and Lot. They will separate; Abram moves to Hebron, builds an altar; Lot ris escued; Melchizedek blesses Abram; and God's makes a covenant with Abram.
The testing of Abram's faith began after he and Lot left Ur of the Chaldees on their journey of about 1000 miles to the promised land. "And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD." (Genesis 13:1-4)
Upon arrival, he discovered there was a famine and they traveled south near Sodom where the pastureland was best. Lot also had a large amount of cattle as well, the herdsman of each group began to fight with each other so they decided that it was time to split up into two groups. "And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." (13:5-8). Abram could have taken the best for himself since he was older than his nephew, as well as being the leader. Instead, he graciously said to Lot, "Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." (13:9).
Lot selfishly took advantage of Abram's generous offer and chose all the well-watered plain to the left and to the right. "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly." (13:10-13).
However, It was after this experience that Abram received a promise covenant from the Lord that He would make Abram's the father of many. "And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD." (13:14-18)
Shortly after Lot arrived in Sodom thing began to get really bad for him, resulting in his capture, but when Abrham heard of this he gather people together to save him. "And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people." (14:12-16).
When the two arrived back Hebron Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek. "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." (14:18-20). A life-changing message is found in today's reading! Do you see the blessings increasing as Abram allows Lot to take advantage of him rather than demand his rights? In contrast, Lot decided to be friends with the people of Sodom, who were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Lot was typical of many Christians today who dissapprove of our wicked society, yet still make decisions based on personal and material advantages. Only a few listen seriously to their Savior, Who said, No servant can serve two masters. Satan wants us to doubt that when we obey the Lord, we have chosen the best in life.
Take the time to read chapter fifteen as it is the key in understanding the development of faith. The three covenant promises God makes to Abram, are land, descendants, and blessing and are the very foundation to His plan for bringing salvation to all who obey His Word. Believe that God has the ability to do what He says He will do. God will test our faith. Like Abram, we will be empowered by our faith.
In today's lesson Christ is revealed by the high priest, Melchizedek. Christ is our High Priest today Who is interceding in prayer for us and Who is deserving of our gifts and service to Him.
Todays' Psalm:
"O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer." (31:23).
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not.Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad. Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, my colleagues, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey. Thank you for giving me strength to overcome adversity, to do what's right for the benefit of the greater good, to rise above negativity. Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless,
Chrisitna
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