Monthly Archives: December 2023

GENESIS 20 ABRAHAM LIES AGAIN & GOD SAVES HIM AGAIN

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December 21

GENESIS 20

From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

                                                                    – Genesis 20:1-7

GENESIS 20 ABRAHAM LIES AGAIN & GOD SAVES HIM AGAIN

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As Abraham continued his journey towards Negeb, he stopped in Gerar

Once again, he fell into saying the same lie that Sarah was his sister

Abimelech, the king of Gerar took Sarah to include in his harem

But he was interrupted by God in a dream not to take Sarah.

Even if it was Abraham’s lie that placed them in that predicament

God still rescued Sarah from being touched by Abimelech

When Abimelech reasoned and claimed integrity in taking Sarah

God warned him that he shall die if he took her as his wife.

In this incident, we get another glimpse of the nature of man’s sinfulness. Abraham said the same lie he gave when he went to Egypt. He didn’t learn from that rebuke that the Pharaoh gave him when he lied that Sarah was his sister. He was bent to take matters into his hands again instead of relying and completely trusting God. It is interesting how God, once again saved Sarah from being touched by Abimelech. In Egypt, he plagued Pharaoh, here, God warned Abimelech not to touch her in a dream.

REFLECTION

  • What sins find their way easily in your life that puts your faith in jeopardy?

GENESIS 19 AFTERMATH OF LOT’S DAUGHTERS’ INCEST

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December 20

GENESIS 19

30 Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.34 The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day. – Genesis 19:30-38

GENESIS 19 AFTERMATH OF LOT’S DAUGHTERS’ INCEST

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After losing his wife during Sodom’s destruction

Lot and his daughters went up to Zoar and lived in the hills

Maybe they feared that if they went out, they too would perish

So, they hid and lived in the cave and were isolated from the world.

As time passed by, the two daughters became desperate to have children

They thought that there were no other men except their father

They conceived a plan: to bear their own children so they can repopulate

Since Lot was the only man they saw, they got him drunk & slept with him.

In verses 4-8 in this same chapter, we witness Lot trying to appease the men to lay off their hands on the two guests he had. Lot volunteered his own daughters to be their sexual object instead of his visitors. I thought that didn’t sound right. In these following verses Lot was the one who was sexually abused by his own daughters because of their desire to have their urges met. They became desperate when they were isolated in the cave and targeted their own father to fulfill that need. It is appalling what they did and I think that this is still an offshoot of the curse on the Sodomites, who were all perverts.

REFLECTION

·       What was the result of their incestuous relationships as mentioned in v.37-38?

GENESIS 19 THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM & GOMORRAH

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December 19

GENESIS 19

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace. 29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived. – Genesis 19:23-29

GENESIS 19 THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM & GOMORRAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When Lot had reached Zoar, a neighboring area, and God saw he was safe

The Lord rained sulfur and fire from out of heaven over Sodom & Gomorrah

All that was left in the cities, including all that grew on the ground was wiped out

The Lord God was so angry at the wickedness and evil that lurked there.

Then God remembered Abraham and his nephew Lot, so he pulled him out

He honored his covenant promise with Abraham and saved his beloved Lot

As Lot, his wife and daughters were fleeing those damned cities

His wife looked back at the destruction and turned into a pillar of salt.

It must have been tragic for Lot to witness his wife turned into salt. Even though there were no specific details as with regards to his reaction, I am sure he grieved losing her. She didn’t follow the instruction not to look back and that made her lose her life. There’s always a consequence to disobedience.

In this account, we witness the wrath of God over sin and evil and yet we also see his mercy on those whom he made a covenant promise with. God is faithful to keep his word and to hear Abraham’s request to save the righteous in those wicked cities. The Lord kept his word and snatched Lot and his family out of that place.

REFLECTION

  • Share a time in your life that you suffered the consequence of disobedience.

GENESIS 19 LOT ESCAPES TO ZOAR

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December 18

GENESIS 19

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So, the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” 18 And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. 19 Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one? —and my life will be saved!” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore, the name of the city was called Zoar.

                                                                    – Genesis 19:12-22

GENESIS 19 LOT ESCAPES TO ZOAR

After the Sodomites tried to seize the two guests of Lot who happened to be angelic beings, they asked Lot to save anyone he wanted to bring with him. His future sons-in-law didn’t take him seriously and Lot was stalling too, so, in God’s mercy, the angels grabbed him, his wife and daughters before the city of Sodom was going to go into ruins. They had to wait for Lot to find a place to seek refuge before they were to follow God’s order to destroy this wicked city. Zoar was a nearby city and so Lot chose to go there to seek safety. The angels ensured that the city of Zoar won’t be affected by Sodom’s destruction which was nearby.

We witness another faithful, loving character of God who seized Lot even when he was dilly-dallying to go in haste before God’s wrath was to be poured in Sodom.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think Lot was spared when he also led a compromise life?

GENESIS 19 SHAMELESS ACTS OF THE SODOMITES

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December 17

GENESIS 19

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” 6 Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7 and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 8 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. 11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door

                                                               Genesis 19:1-11

GENESIS 19 SHAMELESS ACTS OF THE SODOMITES

Without Lot’s knowledge, two angels came to Sodom while he was standing by the city gate. These two went ahead of God when the three men visited Abraham to announce the promised offspring. Previous to this event, God confided to Abrahm the destruction that was going to be the fate of Sodom. In this account, we witness the reason why God wanted to destroy this city. The place was infested with homosexuals who wanted to get a piece from the two men who were guests of Lot. There was violence manifested as they panted for lust to have those two guests be the object of their sexual perversions. We also witness Lot’s hospitality with these two strangers and how he is probably the only one left righteous in that place. No wonder God wanted to destroy this wicked place.

REFLECTION

  • What other bible verses mention about homosexuality?

GENESIS 18 THE MERCY AND PATIENCE OF GOD

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December 16

GENESIS 18

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

                                                                      – Genesis 18:27-33

GENESIS 18 THE MERCY AND PATIENCE OF GOD

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

As Abraham continue to intercede for the fate of Sodom

We continue to witness the bond between them in their conversation

Like a child repeatedly bargaining with his parents for a request

Abraham was relentless for God to manifest his mercy.

He wanted to save those righteous people in Sodom

No matter how few they are, he thinks they deserve to be spared

So, God in his great mercy, proved that even ten upright men

Will spare the destruction of this city which thrived in wickedness.

In this account of the conversation of Abraham and God, we witness a very loving and close relationship between father and son. Just like a child persuades a parent from getting their wishes granted, Abraham’s love for the righteous stirred his heart to plead God to spare the destruction of Sodom. And once again, God manifests his mercy and compassion for those who are faithful to him. He would not want those saints to be in the midst of his wrath over those pervert and wicked Sodomites.

REFLECTION

  • How can one develop a childlike relationship with God just like Abraham had?

GENESIS 18 ABRAHAM INTERCEDING FOR SODOM

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December 15

GENESIS 18

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” 26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” – Genesis 18:22-26

GENESIS 18 ABRAHAM INTERCEDING FOR SODOM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When the Lord shared with Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom

He immediately asked the Lord about the welfare of the righteous

He didn’t think it was just for those who are upright to be destroyed

Abraham was trying to intercede for Sodom to see if God will spare them

Abraham asked God if he was to spare their lives if there were fifty upright men

And the Lord said that he will give them mercy and spare those righteous persons.

In this account, we see Abraham’s compassion for those who are righteous in Sodom when the Lord destroys it. We get a glimpse of his justice towards those upright and innocent people who do not need to be punished because of the sins of the wicked ones. We also witness how he is able to ask God questions without fear because he knows that the Lord is a just God.

We also see another character of God here. He was able to share what his plans for Sodom was because he knew that Abraham will need all the knowledge to deal with all these areas and people nearby his promised habitation. God manifests his mercy and patience with these sinful cities. Even if there were only fifty who are righteous, he would spare their lives from the destruction.

REFLECTION

  • What is the importance of intercession prayers for those we pray for?
  • How can Abraham confidently ask the Lord such questions he asked here?

GENESIS 18 GOD’S CONTEMPLATION WHAT TO DO WITH SODOM & GOMORRAH

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December 14

GENESIS 18

16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosenhim, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

                                                                    – Genesis 18:16-21

GENESIS 18 GOD’S CONTEMPLATION WHAT TO DO WITH SODOM & GOMORRAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After the visit of God and the two men at Abraham’s tent

They left proceeding to Sodom and Abraham went with them

While travelling, God contemplated whether to share his plan

He knew that Abraham was to become father of many nations.

The Lord was weighing whether sharing this with him was beneficial

He wants Abraham to know the fate of the surrounding cities

God considers Abraham as a friend who is wise to understand

He generously gave Abraham wisdom so he can rule righteously.

Isn’t it interesting how God was contemplating whether to share with Abraham his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah? Surely, God knows how to deal with these sin cities, but it is another glimpse of God’s character. He shares and communicates his plans with all those who continue to believe and trust in him. He considered Abrahm as a friend who he can be privy to. Besides, these cities were neighboring places of the promised land to Abraham and his descendants. Since Abraham will be father of many nations, he wanted to show him his dominion over these areas and what happens to those who defy the Lord.

REFLECTION

  • Who are God’s friends and why are they considered his friends?
  • How can you develop deep friendship with the Lord himself?

GENESIS 18 SARAH’S LAUGHTER AT HAVING A CHILD

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December 13

GENESIS 18

9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” – Genesis 18:9-15

GENESIS 18 SARAH’S LAUGHTER AT HAVING A CHILD

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When the Lord visited Abraham to announce his coming child

Secretly, Sarah was listening by the tent door and laughed

Abraham and Sarah were in their nineties so she was amused

She couldn’t believe how her old body could still conceive.

Then the Lord confronted why Sarah laughed

Out of fear, Sarah automatically denied she did

The Lord asked her “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”

The promise of the Lord to Abraham was to give him a son through Sarah.

Previously, when announced to have a child at their very old age, Abraham laughed too. His laughter was more of rejoicing because he believed that there was nothing impossible with God. In this account, Sarah’s laughter was not like Abraham’s. It was more of disbelief She couldn’t fathom how her ninety years old body could still get pregnant. It was more of a doubt than rejoicing. When confronted with that unbelief, she automatically denied it. Don’t we do that all? We are automated to defend our doubts when it is exposed and justify and reason out. That is just par of our sinful nature.

REFLECTION

  • Share an occasion of you or someone close who laughed at some impossibilities.

GENESIS 18 WHEN GOD VISITED ABRAHAM

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December 12

GENESIS 18

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaksof Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.  – Genesis 18:1-8

GENESIS 18 WHEN GOD VISITED ABRAHAM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

One hot summer day, God visited and showed himself to Abraham

The Lord was accompanied by two angels in human form

As Abraham sat by his tent’s door, he saw the three men

And as he recognized the Lord, he pleaded him to stay awhile.

Abraham didn’t waste any second and washed their feet at once

He asked them to rest under the tree while he brought them bread

Then he ran inside the tent to instruct Sarah to make cakes

He then went to his herd and took the best calf to feed them.

What would you have done if the Lord himself visited you? Would you recognize him like Abraham did? Would you do what Abraham did, to wash his feet and get the best of his calf to have it prepared? Once again, we witness Abraham’s hospitality and great respect for the Lord. He moved in haste to make sure that no time was wasted to give the Lord his best welcome. He treasured the honor to be visited by his own Lord.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think Abraham recognized his Lord among the three men?