Genesis 18
Three visitors appear to Abrahamverses 1-8
And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre
and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day
And he lifted up his eyes and looked – and lo – three MEN stood by him
and when he saw them – he ran to meet them from the tent door
and bowed himself toward the ground
And said
My Lord – if now I have found favor in YOUR sight
pass not away – I pray YOU – from YOUR servant
let a little water – I pray YOU – be fetched
and wash your feet
and rest YOURSELVES under the tree
and I will fetch a morsel of bread
and comfort you YOUR hearts
after that YOU shall pass on
for therefore are YOU come to YOUR servant
AND they said
So do as you have said
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah – and said
Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal
knead it – and make cakes on the hearth
And Abraham ran to the herd – and fetched a calf tender and good
and gave it to the young man – and he hastened to dress it
and he took butter – milk – calf which he had dressed
and set it before THEM
and he stood by THEM under the tree – and THEY did eat
Sarah hears message of the LORDverses 9-12
And THEY said to him
Where is Sarah – your wife?
And he said
BEHOLD in the tent
And HE said
I will certainly return unto you according to the TIME OF LIFE
and lo Sarah – your wife shall have a son
And Sarah heard it in the tent door – which was behind HIM
now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age
and it CEASED to be with Sarah after the manner of women
THEREFORE Sarah LAUGHED within herself – saying
After I have become old shall I have PLEASURE
my lord being old also?
LORD asks why Sarah laughedverses 13-15
And the LORD said to Abraham
Wherefore did Sarah LAUGH – saying
Shall I of a surety bear a child – who am old?
IS anything TOO HARD for the LORD?
at the time appointed I will return to you
according to the TIME OF LIFE
and Sarah shall have a son
THEN Sarah denied saying
I LAUGHED not – FOR she was afraid
And HE said
Nay – BUT you did LAUGH
LORD tells mission of two angelsverses 16-21
And the men rose up from there and looked toward Sodom
and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way
And the LORD said
Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do
seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great
and mighty nation – and all the nations of the
earth shall be BLESSED in him?
FOR I know him – that he will command his children and
his household after him – and they shall keep the
WAY of the LORD
to do JUSTICE and JUDGMENT
that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which
HE has spoken of him
And the LORD said
BECAUSE the CRY of Sodom and Gomorrah is great
and BECAUSE their SIN is very grievous
I will go down now – and see whether they have done
altogether according to the CRY of it
which is come to ME
and if not – I will know
Abraham pleads for the righteous in the citesverses 22-33
And the men turned their faces from there – and went toward Sodom
BUT Abraham stood yet BEFORE the LORD
And Abraham drew near and said
Will YOU also destroy the RIGHTEOUS with the WICKED?
Peradventure there are FIFTY righteous within the city
Will YOU also destroy and not spare the place for the
FIFTY righteous that are in it?
That be far from YOU to do after this manner
to SLAY the righteous with the wicked
and that the righteous should be as the wicked
that be far from YOU
SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT?
And the LORD said
If I find in Sodom FIFTY righteous within the city
THEN I will spare all the place for their sakes
And Abraham answered and said
BEHOLD now – I have taken on me to speak to the LORD
which am but DUST and ASHES
Peradventure there shall lack FIVE of the FIFTY righteous
will YOU destroy all the city for lack of FIVE?
And HE said
IF I find there FORTY and FIVE – I will not destroy it
And he spoke to HIM yet again and said
Peradventure there shall be FORTY there
And HE said
I will not do it for FORTY’S sake
And he said unto HIM
OH – let not the Lord be angry and I will speak
Peradventure there shall THIRTY be found there
And HE said
I will not do it – IF I find THIRTY there
And he said
BEHOLD now – I have taken on me to speak to the Lord
Peradventure there shall be TWENTY found there
And HE said
I will not destroy it for TWENTY’S sake
And he said
OH – let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once
Peradventure TEN shall be found there
And HE said
I will not destroy it for TEN’S sake
And the LORD went HIS way
as soon as HE had ceased talking with Abraham
and Abraham returned to his place
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and HE sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (7200 “appeared” [ra’ah] means become visible, make one’s appearance, be seen to come, or to show oneself)
DEVOTION: Here we have a theophany again. Remember that this is a visible appearing of Deity in the Old Testament. This is Jesus Christ coming to talk with Abraham regarding the birth of their son Isaac and about the judgment on the five cities next to and including Sodom. Also remember that the name Isaac means laughter. This was done because both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard they were going to have their own son in their old age. Abraham was going to be ninety-nine years old.
So we have Jesus Christ meeting Abraham to have a talk with him. They sat down together to discuss the future of Isaac and the five cities of the plain where Lot lived.
God meets with HIS people on regular occasions in the Old Testament. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit in our life if we are a believer in this age. At the beginning of the church there were visions of God to the people. The visions seem to be less today but are still happening according to some witnesses in other countries.
The Bible is our final authority regarding any communication people say they have had with God today. If what they say contradicts what the Bible teaches then the vision was not from God. Many false religions have been started by people who say they have visits from God today.
Is it possible for God to appear to a believer? NO!! The book of Hebrews seems to imply that God speaks to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the written Word.
Warnings need to be given today because there are many people who seem to come to us saying that they have just had God visit them and here is HIS message. Check out every teaching with the written Word of God and through our prayer life. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment if we ask HIM.
CHALLENGE: Understand that every believer would like to have God come to them in a dream or a visible appearance to tell us what to do next but we do have the Holy Spirit who will communicate this to us through the Bible. Trust in Christ to use the Word of God to train us in truth!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (4150 “appointed” [mow’ed] means place of meeting, assembly point, appointed time, a set time, a point of time, seasons, or a particular or proper time in the future that is specified as the time something will happen)
DEVOTION: Our thinking process is different from the Creator of the Universe. We think in human terms. We think in human limitations. We think to the extent of our knowledge. We don’t have all the facts in any given situation. We deal with the facts we know and then make a decision.
God is different. HE has no limitations to HIS abilities. HE is always thinking outside the box because HE isn’t in the box. HE knows what will help us grow in our relationship with HIM. HE understands our different times of life. HE knows how much we can handle at any given time. HE wants to stretch us in our relationship to HIM.
HE is doing that with Abraham and Sarah. HE told them years ago that they were going to have their own child. Now Abraham is ninety nine years old and Sarah has passed her child bearing years. They were thinking their servant or Ishmael could be the ones who would fulfill the promise the LORD gave. That was not the LORD’S plan. HE was testing their ability to trust HIM.
Now it is thirteen years later when God renews HIS promise to Abraham. Sarah even still thought it would be a pleasure to have a child even in her old age. Remember in those days children were a blessing.
Now when you are told by the LORD through the ministry of the Holy Spirit what you are to do in the future are you listening and believing HE is going to do what HE has told you HE would do?
We shouldn’t laugh at God when HE opens the doors HE wants us to go through. It may seem that HE is not opening in your time frame but HE will always keep HIS promises to us.
CHALLENGE: Trust HIM!!! Then be sure to THANK Him for the open door!!!
: 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And HE said, Nay; but you did laugh. (6711 “laughed” [tsachaq] means mock, sport, jest, to dally with, or to amuse oneself wildly)
DEVOTION: Have you ever been caught in a lie and tried to deny that you had lied? Have you ever told a half-truth because you didn’t want to share all that had happened on an occasion? Lying comes easier than telling the truth for many individuals including some people who say they are believers.
Here we have three men visiting Abraham. The one is God the Son with two angels who will continue their journey later into the town of Sodom. While visiting with Abraham and Sarah they tell them that Saran is going to have a baby in her old age in a year. When Sarah hears that she is going to have a baby she laughs at the thought.
The problem was that when she was confronted by Jesus Christ regarding her laugh she lied to protect herself. She didn’t understand that the visitor was God and she thought she could lie because she was hidden in the tent listening to them.
God knows what is going on all around each one of us. There is nothing hidden from God. HE hears every word we say. HE knows every thought we have in our mind. HE watches our every action. HE even knows the motives behind every action we do.
Don’t try to lie to God. Confess your sin and ask for HIS forgiveness and try with the help of the LORD not to lie again.
CHALLENGE: Telling the truth helps you in the long run because you many times don’t remember who you have told a lie to or about what. It will catch up to you if you are known as a liar.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (6680 “command” [tsavah] means to constitute, direct, enjoin, appoint, to lay charge upon, or put in order)
DEVOTION: The LORD knows the future. HE knew how Abraham would direct his family members. HE knew the heritage he would leave his children. He was going to make sure that his children understood who the LORD was. He would made sure that all males would have the sign of the covenant in their bodies. They would all be circumcised.
In this visitation again we have the LORD appearing as a man. The only person of the Godhead who appears in human form is Jesus Christ. Here we have a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. How can we say that? The use of the personal pronoun in relationship to the LORD. The word “I” is used instead of the LORD has told me to say. This again is called a theophany or a visible appearing of deity in the Old Testament.
The parent’s responsibility is to train their children. It is an awesome responsibility. Children were considered a blessing of the LORD. Sarah talked about having a child as if it was a pleasure. She laughed at the thought of someone her age having this blessing. It was the desire of her heart to have a child.
Today there are many who don’t consider a child to be a blessing of the LORD. Many find out that they are going to have a child and want to have the doctor take it away. Our society has changed since abortion was made legal. We have killed our future generation. Why would we do such a thing? Remember that the two main tracts of those outside of Christ are selfishness and laziness. Caring for children is hard work. Caring for children means that they have to give up some things they like to do to care for their children.
Christians should remember that children are a blessing and a responsibility from the LORD. The Bible gives us many instructions regarding the bringing up of our children to the LORD.
Abraham was going to train his children and household right. They were going to be trained in the WAY of the LORD. They were going to do things in a just manner. They were going to judge people and things rightly. Their choice was to do things God’s way. The followers of God were to put their households in order. There was not to be chaos in the home of those who follow the LORD.
Are we making the same choice with our lives and the household God has given us. Men have the greater responsibility regarding training their household in the ways of the LORD. Men, we need to lead our families in the way of the LORD. Our society doesn’t want to obey the WAY of the LORD, but we have to answer one day to the LORD for how we handled our responsibility in our family. What are we going to say when we meet the LORD?
CHALLENGE: Do the people around us see the WAY of the LORD in our family? Do we understand what that means? If you have any questions please feel free to write. We are praying for all those who are followers of Christ to direct their families in a Biblical manner daily.
:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? (6664 “righteous” [tsedeq] means 1 justice, rightness, righteousness. 1a what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures). 1b righteousness (in government). 1b1 of judges, rulers, kings. 1b2 of law. 1b3 of Davidic king, Messiah. 1b4 of Jerusalem as seat of just government. 1b5 of God’s attribute. 1c righteousness, justice (in case or cause). 1d rightness (in speech). 1e righteousness (as ethically right). 1f righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity. 1f1 of God as covenant-keeping in redemption. 1f2 in name of Messianic king. 1f3 of people enjoying salvation. 1f4 of Cyrus. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: God now appears to Abraham in a theophany and explains His planned judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham begins a series of lengthy negotiations with God about this, based on his concern for his nephew Lot and his family. Abraham must have surely thought that Lot (who himself had been troubled by the morality and activities of Sodom) had an influence on some of the people who lived there.
Unfortunately, nothing could have been further from the truth. When Lot, his wife, and his two daughters were led out of Sodom, there was no one who followed them. All the men of Sodom had given themselves over to homosexuality. They had been hardened in their image of God by virtue of their continued rejection of Him as creator (Romans 1:24-27). Often illicit sex is the means that Satan uses to enslave men.
Abraham, however, was the first man in the Bible to be credited with righteousness (even though we see Noah as being righteous by virtue of his actions in obeying God’s instruction to build the ark and enter it). The fact that Abraham was righteous is repeated again in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, James 2:23). Yet He trusted in the LORD as one who would judge justly, and would not simply treat the righteous and the wicked the same.
CHALLENGE: Are you looking forward to the day of God’s judgment? It will a day when He will judge both the righteous and the wicked, and will give each what they truly deserve. We need to be pleading with people now to turn away from wickedness and toward righteousness. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
LORD and Abraham had fellowshipverses 1-33
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Abraham’s conversation with LORDverses 23-32
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Judge of all the earthverse 25
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 22, 26, 33
LORD appeared (theophany)verse 1
Lord (Adonai)verses 3, 27, 30-32
Is any thing too hard for the LORD?verse 14
I will know personallyverse 21
LORD willing to spare city if 10 righteous foundverse 32
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Two men with LORDverse 2
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Abraham on plain of Mamreverses 1-10
Three men visit:
Jesus and two angels
Provides food and drink
Comfort
Predict Sarah have son
Become a great and mighty nation
Household keep ways of LORD
Do justice and judgment
Pleads with LORD for Sodom & other cities
Sarahverses 6, 9-15
Makes cakes
Old and well stricken in age
Ceased after manner of women
Going to have son
Laughed
Denied laughing
Afraid
Time of lifeverses 10, 14
Manner of womenverse 11
Sodomverses 16, 20
Gomorrahverse 20
Nations of the earth blessed verse 18
Cry because of sinverses 20, 21
Dust and ashesverse 27
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Laugh at God’s promiseverses 12-14
Denying verse 15
Lying to Godverse 15
Afraid verse 15
Sinverse 20
Grievous sinverse 20
Wickedverses 23, 25
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Good hostverse 2
Servantverse 3
Giving of water and food to guestsverses 4-8
Trust in LORD to keep promiseverse 14
Blessedverse 18
Command children after LORDverse 19
Way of the LORDverse 19
Justiceverse 19
Judgmentverse 19
Righteousverses 23-26, 28
Righteous anger of the LORDverses 30, 32
Communicating with the LORDverse 33
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
12–15 The key to the sense of this short passage lies in the Lord’s question to Abraham about Sarah’s laughter. The subtle changes in the wording of Sarah’s thoughts reveal that the Lord was not simply restating her thoughts but was interpreting them as well. First, the Lord restated Sarah’s somewhat ambiguous statement—“After I am worn out, … will I now have this pleasure?” (v.12)—as simply “Will I really have a child?” (haʾap̱ ʾumnām ʾēlēḏ v.13). Then he took Sarah’s statement about her husband—“my master is old” (waʾḏōnî zāqēn v.12)—and reshaped it into a statement about herself: “now that I am old” (waʾanî zāqantî v.13). Finally, he went beyond her actual words to their intent: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (hayippālēʾ v.14a). The underlying issue at stake in the narrative then is brought to the surface in these questions to Abraham. That is, they demonstrate the physical impossibility of the fulfillment of the promise through Sarah.
Once the obstacle of the physical impossibility of Sarah’s giving birth to a son was firmly established, the Lord repeated his promise to Abraham, “I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son” (v.14b). At this point Sarah, who had only been “listening at the entrance to the tent” (v.10), entered the conversation with a terse reply: “I did not laugh” (v.15a). The author then quickly puts her response aside as a lie and goes on to explain that she lied because “she was afraid” (v.15). This brief narrative then concludes with the Lord’s reiteration of what the reader by now certainly knows to be the truth, namely, that Sarah did, in fact, laugh.
In the course of this brief but important narrative, the reader has come to a new level of understanding regarding the promise of a son and its potential fulfillment. The promise was beyond all physical possibility. No one could know this more than Sarah herself, and through the course of the narrative the author has artfully and delicately revealed her most intimate knowledge to the reader. Having made that point, the author immediately brings the narrative to a close and moves on to a new section of the story. (Sailhamer, J. H. (1990). Genesis. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 148). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
18:9–15. After the meal one of the angelic visitors announced that a son would be born to Sarah in a year. This Angel of the Lord was clearly the Lord Himself (cf. 16:7). The thought seemed ludicrous to Sarah and she laughed in her heart. The Lord’s reply rebuked the woman: Is anything too hard (better, “marvelous”) for the Lord?
Basically this account is a call to believe that God can do the impossible. He confirmed His promise by a personal visit—and ate with them—to announce that the time was at hand. It was the annunciation of a humanly impossible birth. When something as incredible as this is declared, the human response is consistent: like Sarah, people are taken off guard, laugh, and then out of fear deny that they laughed (18:15). But God knows human hearts and that Christians often do stagger at what He says He can do.
Is a child from a dead womb too marvelous for the One who called all things into existence? It is no laughing matter. He can do it. Nothing is incredible for those in covenant fellowship with the Lord because nothing is too difficult for Him. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 59). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
He ministered to his wife (Gen 18:9–15). Because Abraham was faithful to the Lord, he became a channel of blessing to his wife and eventually to his family (Gen. 18:19). Sarah had an important role to play in the working out of God’s plan of salvation for the world, and she did her part (Heb. 11:11; 1 Peter 3:1–7; Rom. 4:18–21). Sarah was now eighty-nine years old; yet she was still a desirable woman with charm and beauty (Gen. 20), partly because her husband loved her and treated her like the princess that she was.
The Lord had come all the way from heaven to give Abraham and Sarah an announcement: At that same time next year, Sarah would give birth to the promised son! The news was so incredible that Sarah laughed and questioned whether such a thing could happen to two elderly people. Abraham’s laughter had been born out of joyful faith (17:17); but Sarah’s laughter was marked by unbelief, even though she tried to deny it.
Of course, whenever we doubt God, we are questioning both His veracity and His ability. Does He keep His promises? Does He have the power to do what He says He will do? The answer to both questions is yes! (See Rom. 4:20–21.)
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14) Of course not! If you need proof, then listen to Job (42:2), Jeremiah (32:17 and 27), the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:37), and the Apostle Paul (Eph. 3:20–21). If God makes a promise, you can be sure He has the power to fulfill it; and He will remain faithful even if we are faithless (2 Tim. 2:13). Sarah eventually repented and, with her husband, trusted God; and He gave them the promised son.
The husband who ministers to the Lord will find himself ministering to the members of his own family, especially his wife. He will be a source of blessing in the home. When we study Genesis 19, we will see the contrast in Lot, a worldly man who had no spiritual influence in his own home. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (pp. 76–77). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
18:9–13 Despite a promise clearly reminiscent of God’s words to Abraham, Sarah reacted with similar incredulity as her husband had done (cf. 17:17). She was not thinking of divine miracle but of divine providence working only within the normal course of life, being convinced that, at their age, bearing children was just not naturally possible. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ge 18:9–13). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 12. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, &c.] Not for joy of a son, and as pleased with it, believing so it would be; but as disbelieving it, and perhaps deriding it, and confuting it with a laugh, which, though it did not appear in her countenance, was secretly in her heart: saying, not with her mouth, but in her mind, after I am waxed old, being almost 90 years of age, shall I have pleasure? in conception, or rather in having a son, and in suckling and nursing him, and bringing him up; for in bearing and bringing forth is sorrow: and my Lord being old also; which increased the difficulty and her unbelief: the Apostle Peter seems to have respect to this in 1 Pet. 3:6. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 129). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
2. The Problem (18:11–15)
That of course, brought up the problem. “Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore, Sarah laughed within herself.” When Abraham laughed in the preceding chapter, it was the laughter of faith. But Sarah’s was the laughter of total disbelief. The facts of life were all against any such eventuality. Even though God had entered into covenant relationship with Abraham and Sarah, nothing, seemingly, had changed. So Sarah laughed. “Here, I’ve been married for something like seventy years,” she thought to herself. “I’m old enough to be a great-grandmother now and somebody out there is telling Abraham that, of all women, I am about to have a baby!” It was too funny for words.
Perhaps she took a peek to get another look at the stranger who was saying such amusing things. She may have listened harder than ever to learn what He would say next, but at His next statement her hair stood straight up on end. “Wherefore did Sarah laugh?” Scared out of all caution, Sarah blurted out, “I didn’t laugh,” to which the Lord of glory calmly, simply, understandingly, gently replied (not to Abraham but to Sarah behind the tent wall), “Nay, but thou didst laugh.” It was another proof of His sympathy and love. Sarah had lied to the living God—had lied to the Holy One of Israel. Yet with infinite kindness He simply passed over the outrageous offense as though it had never happened. What an illustration of Psalm 130. “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”
So Abraham was the privileged man, so privileged that the eternal God Himself would come down and talk with him, man to man, and tell him, in an after-dinner chat, that Sarah indeed would have a son. For God took as much interest in that son as Abraham did, or Sarah. He took more interest in it, in fact. All His purposes of grace for a lost and ruined world hinged, for the time being, on the birth of that son, who, in turn, would stand in the direct line to the coming into the world of the Son of God Himself. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Genesis: An Expository Commentary (Ge 18:11–15). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
John Ploughman’s Pictures by C.H. Spurgeon Published by The Bible Institute Colportage Association.
Prejudice shuts up many eyes in total darkness. The man knows already: he is positive and can swear toit, and it’s no use you arguing. He has made up his mind, and it did not take him long, for there’s very little of it, but when he has said a thing he sticks to it like a cobbler’s wax. He is wiser than seven men that can render a reason He is as positive as if he had been on the other side of the curtain and looked into the back yard of the universe. He talks as if he carried all knowledge in his waistcoat pocket, like a peppermint lozenge. Those who like may try to teach him, but I don’t care to hold up a mirror to a mole. (p. 39)
THE REAL REASONS FOR REVIVAL: OUTSIDERS
For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Exodus 33:16
The third reason Moses gives for revival is his concern about the heathen who are outside: “For wherein shall it be known here [in the wilderness, where we are] that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”
We have considered the three motives in praying for revival. For the name and the honor and glory of God and for the sake of the church that is His. Yes, and then for the sake of those people who are outside, who are scoffing, mocking, jeering, laughing, and ridiculing. “Oh, God,” say His people one after another, “arise and silence them. Do something so that we may be able to say to them, ‘Be still, keep silent, give up.’”
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). That is the prayer of the people of God. They have their eye on those who are outside. Moses is praying for these people, that they may be stopped short and apprehended and may develop an interest in which God is leading them and is directing them. This should make us ask, therefore, whether we are concerned at all about these people who are outside. It is a terrible state for the church to be in when she merely consists of a collection of very nice and respectable people who have no concern for the world.
A Thought to Ponder
It is a terrible state for the church to be in when she has no concern for the world.
(From Revival, pp. 193-194, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Till Heaven I’ve Found
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)
As Christians we desire to be with our Lord and see His glory forever. The writer of Hebrews expressed our passion for Him in the text for today. He goes on to tell how “they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16). Our ultimate goal is to reach glory and see our Savior face to face. The final verse of “Higher Ground” agrees.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
We must have our expectation fixated on Him and our eternal home. We must pray for His return to take us there and pray that we can influence many others to join us too. Now we face persecution, trials, and troubles, but these are so temporary. Indeed, we are promised that we “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). Only when we reach that “utmost height” and finally perceive that “glory bright” will we fully understand Him, while our thankfulness continues for eons.
Studying this grand Christian hymn reminds us of the wondrous Christian opportunities before us and the majesty of heaven’s higher ground that awaits us. We have the privilege of living above the sin so prevalent around us and confronting even our enemy with victory. And our ultimate goal is our Savior in heaven. Dear friend, we have a great journey ahead and great joy at the end.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
2 Kings 25
God judges Judah by allowing Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jerusalem.
INSIGHT
Judah has a total of 20 kings after Solomon. Only eight of them give moral and spiritual leadership. And as the king goes, so goes the nation. As a result, God has to bring judgment on Israel. The ghastly succession of horrors promised for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28–and reiterated to Solomon in 1 Kings 9—begins to unfold. “I will cast (Israel) out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples” (1 Kings 9:7). Nebuchadnezzar besieges and captures Jerusalem, transports her main people to Babylonia, robs her treasury, and violates worship in the temple. Sin has a terrible price. (Quiet Walk)
In other words, love is the foundation for character and action. This love is not the emotional giddiness or experiential feelings that often characterize our view of relationships and spirituality today. Instead, this love is a commitment of the will that results in self-sacrifice and the desire to serve others. It is a love that is grounded in obedience rather than emotions.
(p. 104, Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
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