Jan.5 - Genesis 13 - 15

Genesis 13 begins a remarkable change in how we view God! Up until this time, God seemed to be lofty, impersonal, and in some ways a casual bystander to men's lives. The problem has been, however, hardly anyone was interested in God - thus the Flood, the development of languages, and a dispersing of people due to the Tower of Babel incident. Now, God is going to show Himself to be a personal God who desires to have a close relationship with man - you see this in this chapter and the ensuing chapters as they relate to Abram!

What we can learn from what we've read:

1) When we have continual exposure to sinful people it can really numb our spiritual senses! In Genesis 13, Lot is given the opportunity to choose the land he wants in order to grow his livestock business. He looks toward the south and sees the plains on the south end of the Dead Sea - it's PERFECT! In fact, the Bible describes it as being nearly as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. But, that area had a testimony (Genesis 13:13) - "the people of this area were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the Lord." Apparently, Lot didn't think this would be an issue...but it becomes a HUGE STUMBLINGBLOCK to both him and his family!! Look at the progression of what happens:
- "Lot moved his tents to a place NEAR Sodom" - (13:12)
- Lot and his family "LIVED IN Sodom" and were captured by King Kedorlaomer (14:12)!
- Lot sits at the gate of Sodom with the leaders of the city! (19:1)
- Lot calls the rioting mob who desires sex with the angels "my brothers" or "my friends."
- Lot offers this rioting mob his two daughters for their sexual pleasure! (19:8)
- Lot is not believed by his future son-in-laws about God and his vengeance on Sodom! (19:14)
- Lot hesitates to leave Sodom even though God wants to destroy it! (19:16)
- Lot doesn't want to flee far! He's too accustomed to that city! (19:20)
- Lot's wife, despite the stern warnings of the angels to "do not look back", looks back and turns into a pillar of salt!
- Lot's two daughters have sex with him in order to have children!

Wow! Look what exposure to sinful people and habits can do to a former God-worshipper!

2) God shows His personal nature with Abram! God offers a 3-fold covenant with Abram!
a) To give him the land of the Canaanites and to extend that from Egypt to current day Baghdad! This will be realized during the Millenial Reign of Jesus Christ!
b) To give the land as a "permanent posession." Also fulfilled during the Millenial Reign!
c) To give him an innumerable number of descendants - even though he's old and has NO CHILDREN!

3) Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ! Note the following:
- His name means "King of Righteousness." That's who Jesus is!
- He's the king of "Salem" - later renamed Jerusalem! Jesus will be king there someday soon!
- He's the "priest of the most High God." So is Jesus!
- He "blesses" Abram, showing his position of superiority!
- He offer bread and wine to the hungry party. Jesus is the "bread of life" to all who are hungry!"

4) God offers Abram 3 incredible things in Genesis 15:
- A son in his old age!
- The future glimpse of how his descendants will be slaves in Egypt!
- All the land from Egypt to Baghdad, Iraq as a future possession!

While so much more could be said...I've got to go! God bless, and have a God-enriched day!