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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?

GENESIS 17 ABRAHAM’S CIRCUMCISION AT NINETY-NINE

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December 11

GENESIS 17

22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

                                                                    – Genesis 17:22-26

GENESIS 17 ABRAHAM’S CIRCUMCISION AT NINETY-NINE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After God reaffirmed the details of his covenant with Abraham

He didn’t waste any time at all, but immediately followed God

His son Ishmael was thirteen at that time he circumcised him

And Abraham was ninety-nine when he did it to himself

That same day, all the men in his household were also circumcised

This manifests his character and pure submission to God’s promise

Could you imagine yourself doing something that you have never done before in your very old age of ninety-nine? As we grow old, Solomon talks about this in Ecclesiastes 12:3-7 when our bodies no longer serve us well and we can no longer do what we used to be able to do in our youth. Circumcision was never known to Abraham and yet he followed without a doubt or a question. That same day, he wasted no time to obey what God required of him in order for him to be the fulfillment of God’s plan for his offspring to receive their blessings in that covenant.

What a man of integrity Abraham was. Not only he was obedient and faithful, he was also very brave to do something that could have him bled to death. This shows how much faith was given to him by God himself. He completely surrendered to the Lord even though he didn’t know what was going to happen to him. He believed.

REFLECTION

  • Where do you think Abraham’s faith and courage came from since he was a pagan before?

GENESIS 17 SARAI’S NAME CHANGE & PROMISE OF ISAAC

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December 10

GENESIS 17

15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarahshall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will giveyou a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

                                                                         – Genesis 17:15-21

GENESIS 17 SARAI’S NAME CHANGE & PROMISE OF ISAAC

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Sarai was included as part of God’s covenant with Abraham,

So, her name was also changed by God from Sarai to Sarah

Because Abraham was to be the father of many nations

She will also have the title “mother of many nations.”

To fulfill God’s promise to Abraham, Sarah will be blessed with a son

Despite her old age of ninety, she was still going to bear a child

Abraham rejoiced knowing that there’s nothing impossible with God

He fell on his face to praise the Lord whom he knew will proceed with his plan.

In this account, Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah as part of God’s covenant with Abraham. Since he was to be father of many nations, his wife Sarah was to be his partner to bear his offspring. Even though Hagar bore Abraham’s son Ishmael, it was through Sarah’s own child Isaac that God was going to establish his covenant. What is so amazing in this covenant is how God made it possible for her to bear a child at the age of ninety. Abraham rejoiced and laughed knowing that his God can do even the impossible.

REFLECTION

  • How is Abraham’s faith evident in this account?

GENESIS 17 THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT

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December 9

GENESIS 17

9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”- Genesis 17:9-14

GENESIS 17 THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When the Lord reaffirmed to Abraham his covenant with him

He asked Abraham to do something in order to solidify that promise

The Lord required every male among his people to be circumcised

Every male infant must do this when they turn eight days old.

The act of the males cutting off the flesh of their foreskin

Signifies that they will also cut off their sinfulness to stay cleansed

If any of Abraham’s people do not perform this sign of the covenant

They will be cut off because they have breached their vow and broke it.

According to Mcmillen in one of the commentaries, newborn babies are susceptible to bleed more between the second and fifth day of life. He says that it seems an important blood-clotting agent, Vitamin K, is not formed in the normal amount unti the fifth to seventh day of life, making the eight day the safest. God still ensures that the babies are safe to do this.

Some denominations still apply this circumcision but more as a law not as a covenant promise. The sign of the covenant is not really a physical thing but a symbol of the vow that the children of God do not put their trust in their flesh but in the Lord.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think it is important for us to understand what this sign signify?