Category: Genesis

In Genesis 17, God changes Abram's name (meaning "exalted father") to Abraham (meaning father of a multitude) and confirms His promise to Abraham with the covenant of circumcision. Abram had lived in Canaan for 10 years since God's first promise to him of an heir through Sarai (Genesis 16:3) when they sinfully decided to try to … Continue reading Abraham: Father of a Multitude

I have alluded to today's reading a couple of times. I alluded to it when I wrote about Abram's visit to Egypt during the famine - when he pimped out his wife to the Pharaoh in return for favor with him. I also alluded to it when writing about Genesis 15 - when Abram's faith … Continue reading The High Cost of Faithlessness and Impatience

Genesis 15:6 is the key verse in all of Genesis, maybe in all of the Old Testament. It is quoted four times in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, Romans 4:22, Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23). Read the whole chapter for context (only 21 verses). A commonly-asked question goes like this: "So what about the people who lived in Old … Continue reading Abram Justified By Faith Alone

Read Genesis 14. Notice now that Lot is living in Sodom (Genesis 14:12), the city described in the last chapter as one in which the men were "wicked, great sinners against the Lord." Look at the progression with Lot. We believe that his dad (Abram's brother) passed away, so Abram became like a "father figure" to … Continue reading Abram Rescues Lot and Meets A Mysterious King

Check out Genesis 13:5-18. Lot is a selfish freeloader. Abram was supposed to leave his family behind when God called him to leave Haran (Genesis 12:1). The Bible makes a point of telling us that Abram took Lot anyway (Genesis 12:4). You'll see that Lot turns out to be nothing but trouble for Abram and Sarah. … Continue reading Lot, The Ungrateful Freeloader

Yep, you read that subject line right. It's not the title of a Jerry Springer episode. One of the cool things about Scripture is that its "heroes" are flawed men and women who screw up. The Bible tells us things that those involved wouldn't want us to know, not so that we can indulge in … Continue reading Abram Pimps Out Wife to Protect Self

Noah, the only living descendant of Adam after the flood, had three children: Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Genesis 5:32, 6:10) Shem became the father of Asia/Arabia (including the Jewish people through Abraham - the terms "semite" or "semitic" are derived from his name). The line from Shem to Abraham (known as "Abram" at this time) and … Continue reading Promise, Obedience and Trust in Abram’s Call

You can live your life to make much of yourself, or you can live your life to make much of God. (You may think there are a lot more options there, but I would argue that if you are making much of ANYTHING, other than God, you are ultimately doing it to gratify yourself.) So, … Continue reading Man’s Ambition vs. God’s Glory at Babel

God's mercy and God's wrath are both aspects of His divine nature. You see both in the Old Testament, and you see both in the New Testament. Everyone loves to read and hear about God's mercy. No one wants to hear about God's judgment. ...for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way … Continue reading Judgment and Rescue in the Flood

So, what was the one consequence God promised to Adam and Eve if they ate from the forbidden tree? And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the … Continue reading Sin, Death and Eternity