Journaling Genesis #10

What can I learn by reading Genesis 18?

• The LORD appeared to Abraham. How much time has passed since chapter 17? Not much. Still about a year away from the blessed event.
• Abraham saw three visitors, ran to meet them, bowed to the ground, offered up the best he had. Do not go past your servant. Have water, wash your feet, feast, make yourself comfortable. Both Abraham and Sarah went right to work to prepare for their guests. Abraham served the guests.
• The LORD speaks again and says that Sarah will have a baby in a year. Sarah laughs and denies it.
• Men got up and looked out over Sodom and Abraham was walking with them. God chose to confide in Abraham. Was he testing Abraham to see how he would responds? Did he have a heart after God's? A heart that saw sin and wept? A heart that wanted to save the lost and rescue them? 
• Abraham plead with God to be merciful, yet recognized sin's seriousness and the justice of God's wrath. He stepped forward and ventured to speak with God. First "if 50 be found," then "45," then "40," then "30," then "20," then "10." Abraham is really hoping that Lot and his household number at least ten and that they have stayed faithful to God and will be spared God's wrath.
• Abraham left it with God and trusted him to be just.

What can I learn by reading Genesis 19?

• The three visitors became two angels by the start of chapter 19. The third visitor was the LORD. 
• God takes sin seriously. It is not a little obnoxious, but truly offensive. The people were comfortable with their sin--at least some were--but comfort is not the issue. The issue is never "how much sin am I comfortable with?" God hates all sin regardless of if we love it or hate it or like it or need it or want it.
• God judges sin. God has a wrathful side. This wrath is just. Not out of proportion. Not out of character. 
• God heard the outcry. Could the outcry be from the dead that were slain there? (see Genesis 4) or form the living that were being abused or taken advantage of? 
• God hates injustice. He wants good to prevail--once and for all. For the injustice to be corrected, sin must be punished. When sin is taken lightly, injustice abounds.
• God was merciful to Lot and his two daughters. Not because they were righteous and deserving. Not because they loved him and hated sin. But because God is merciful and gracious. They were enslaved and hesitant. God took them by the hand and got them out. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible