SEPTEMBER 26 | GENESIS 14:8-16|

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DAILY READING

Genesis 14:8-16

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REFLECTION

Unlikely Warrior

by Judy Webb

I don’t believe I have ever seen Abram portrayed as a warrior before. Some reference materials I perused while researching suggested the only military action we ever find Abram engaged in is found in this text.

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan…Abram divided his men to attack them and routed them, pursuing them..." (Genesis 14:14-15)

Abram pursued peace but was prepared for war, and he went to war one time. One source declared; peace is maintained only as long as the decent are stronger than the indecent. This caught my attention. Abram was strong because he was prepared with the 318 trained men of his household. He rightfully called up this army to rescue the women and slaves, and his nephew, Lot, who was among the captives.

Lesson: Those who experience a moral lapse bring not only trouble to themselves but to others. Here Abram delivered Lot by the sword. Later he rescues him through intercessory prayer. (Chapters 18, 19)

When we see people in need or in trouble, we are to help them. Galatians 6:10 says: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Another instance of helping others is found in the story of the Good Samaritan.

Sacrificial service is one way of showing the Love of Christ to others. (Matthew 5:16) We are to be salt and light of the earth. Good people must be stronger than bad people, and good nations must be stronger than bad nations. To live in peace a nation must be strong. "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11)

PRAYER

Lord, there is so much to be learned in the Old Testament. The men and women you raised up are examples for us. They teach us how to live, or how not to live. Bring us back to your word in the Old Testament often and guide us as we study these early faithful men and woman. There are lessons to be learned when we read with open minds and hearts. Amen.

September 25 | Genesis 13:14-18 |

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DAILY READING

Genesis 13:14-18

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REFLECTION

When the Lord says, "Go"...

by Beth Voltmann

Oh, to have the faith of Abram, responding to God’s call without question. Turn back for a moment to the beginning of Abram’s story (Genesis 12:1-2) where we read about an extraordinary God reaching down to a very ordinary man, Abram, and telling him to “Go...” to a land the Lord would show him...with the promise that he would receive land, offspring and blessing.

So, ordinary Abram, his ordinary wife, Sarai, and his ordinary nephew, Lot, obediently pulled up their tent pegs and went. I find that astounding! I want to respond to God from such a heart of faith.

Living together as nomads, waiting for God’s direction in a strange land, could not have been easy. Is it any surprise that quarreling arose over the space needed for possessions, flocks and herds? Abram suggested that his nephew divide the land with him. Lot chose what seemed to be the best: well-watered land that looked like the garden of the Lord.

Did Abram feel cheated? Did this ordinary man complain? I don’t think so. Scripture tells us that the two men parted company and Abram lived in the land of Canaan while his nephew pitched his tent near Sodom. (Gen 13:12-13) Sadly, Lot was enticed by what he could see, but not all that glitters is gold. Sodom was a wicked and sinful city.

After Lot departed, God spoke to Abram once again...“I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” (Gen 13:16-17)

God was still with him. He could trust the promise. Abram was not concerned with the why or how. Instead, he chose to be patient and believe. The Lord said, “Go...” and once again, Abram pulled up his tent pegs and responded, moving his tent to a new location near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron (Gen. 13:18), walking by faith and not by sight.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

PRAYER

Lord, please help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Train me to listen for your voice and

respond without question. I know that your Word is true and your promises are eternal.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

(Hebrews 11:1)

September 24 | GENESIS 13:1-13|

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DAILY READING

Genisis 13:1-13

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REFLECTION

TRUTH or CONSEQUENCE

by Judy Webb

Abram has just been cast out of Egypt by Pharaoh for his deception of claiming Sarai to be his sister when in fact she was his wife. (see Genesis 12:19-20)

It is worth noting that God did not forsake Abram because of this lack of integrity, but He did allow Abram to be publicly humbled by the Pharaoh and deported in disgrace. The next portion of this story tells of Abram’s return to Bethel, where he lived earlier. By now Abram and Lot were very wealthy, having many cattle and much gold and silver. One would think this would be a good thing, not something that would drive the men apart. But it did. Perhaps too much of a good thing.

So, Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, for we are close relatives.” (verse 8)

All the livestock needed room, and lots of grazing space. The herdsmen were protective of their respective employers and soon began quarreling. Abram, the peacekeeper, suggested perhaps it was time to split up as it was obvious the land could not support both. Abram told Lot to pick the land he wanted and he would take what was left.

Abram wasn’t being cowardly but loving. He wasn’t worried about losing his wealth, but he did care about maintaining a relationship with his nephew. Hence, he sacrificed his right out of pure generosity; he yielded to Lot out of Love. And he trusted God…this is the main point. Abram learned though his folly, to trust God.

Lot seemed to make poor decisions, and his choice of grazing land was one of them. He had pitched his tents near Sodom. “Now, the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” (v.13)

Sodom was not a good place to live or raise children. The evil influence was powerful. We must always avoid people and places of evil, never allowing the call of riches and prestige to influence decision making. Aren’t there powerful temptations for us even now, to go where the grass seems greener and where opportunity appears bountiful.

“It is good being in good company and going with those whom God is with.” (see Zechariah 8:23) There is a thought that Lot got grass for his cattle, but Abram got grace for his children.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Help us recognize how important it is for our own spiritual being, to be in good company. Questionable behavior of those we hang out with can cause our integrity and motives to come into question too. We need to always remember who to trust and who to allow access to our lives. Come Holy Spirit and give us the wisdom we need every day. Amen.