Without Jesus, we are enslaved to sin.
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34
Whatever we focus on, that is what we are enslaved to.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Even the Commands of the Bible encourages our enslavement by telling us what sin is.
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. Romans 7:7-8
Without the Spirit, we cannot control ourselves.
I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:14-15
Anything we worship or serve outside of God is fundamentally controlled by demons.
I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. I Corinthians 10:20
Satan is the god and master of those outside of Christ.
If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. II Corinthians 4:3-4
We cannot have both God and another master.
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matthew 6:24
God will judge anyone who is rebellious to him.
And they shall go out and look at the dead bodies of the people who have rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. Isaiah 66:24
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Avoiding Sin
To walk into temptation is to walk the path leading to hell.
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42-43
Avoid what causes you to sin at all cost.
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. Mark 9:45
If a believer is in deliberate, continuous sin, they are putting Christ to death again.
For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
Pray that the Lord would deliver you from temptation
Do not lead us into the time of trial and deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
Resist Satan’s temptations and submit to the Holy Spirit.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:7-8
Look for God’s path of escape from temptation.
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42-43
Avoid what causes you to sin at all cost.
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. Mark 9:45
If a believer is in deliberate, continuous sin, they are putting Christ to death again.
For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
Pray that the Lord would deliver you from temptation
Do not lead us into the time of trial and deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
Resist Satan’s temptations and submit to the Holy Spirit.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:7-8
Look for God’s path of escape from temptation.
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13
Receiving Forgiveness
God is forgiving, but he punishes those who rebel against him.
The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty. Exodus 34:6-7
We have sinned against God, and so owe him a debt.
Father, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12
Unless we reconcile with God, we will be thrown into prison for our debt and punished eternally.
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:25-26
Because of our debt, Satan has a contract out on us to kill us.
The wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23
Through his death, Jesus delivered us from the satanic contract of death.
You were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of flesh. He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
We gain forgiveness by becoming unified with Christ.
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11
We maintain forgiveness by confessing our sins.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
We show that we have received forgiveness by loving God Greatly.
I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little. Luke 7:47
The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty. Exodus 34:6-7
We have sinned against God, and so owe him a debt.
Father, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12
Unless we reconcile with God, we will be thrown into prison for our debt and punished eternally.
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:25-26
Because of our debt, Satan has a contract out on us to kill us.
The wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23
Through his death, Jesus delivered us from the satanic contract of death.
You were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of flesh. He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14
We gain forgiveness by becoming unified with Christ.
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11
We maintain forgiveness by confessing our sins.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
We show that we have received forgiveness by loving God Greatly.
I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little. Luke 7:47
Questions about Genesis 25-28
Why was there conflict between Esau and Jacob?
There were three conflicts between the two of them. First of all, they had distinct personalities. Jacob hung around the tents and often assisted the women. Esau was a “man’s man” hunting and leaving for many days at a time. But they also had a conflict as to who would have the best inheritance from their father. And this is complicated by the prophecy that their mother received—that the older—Esau— would serve the younger—Jacob. These conflicts all came to a head when their mother convinced Jacob to sneak off with the blessing their father wanted to give Esau.
How can twins be first or second born?
It all depends which one comes out of the womb first. Being a first born is such a big deal in the ancient world, it had to be determined, even if it’s only a minute apart.
What is the blessing?
The blessing the two boys were both clamoring to get is the blessing of Abraham, passed on from generation to generation. Isaac figured that since Abraham could only give the blessing to one of his sons, and not the others, then Isaac himself could only give the blessing to one of his two sons.
What is the birth right?
The birth right is different from the blessing. It is the extra inheritance that the first born son only receives. In many ancient societies, the first born son would receive twice as much inheritance as his brothers. So, for instance, if a man had three sons, his property and possessions would be split into four parts, and the first son would receive half of his property, the other sons only receiving a quarter. Esau traded half of his inheritance for a bowl of soup.
Why is Esau the bad guy?
This is a good question, because Jacob seems like the heel, here. He’s the one lying and tricking. But Scripture makes it clear that Esau wasn’t as honorable as Jacob, in that he didn’t have as much faith. Jacob would do anything to receive God’s fullness for his future. He would trick and deceive for it, true—and that was not good—but it was his desire for it that was honorable. Esau didn’t care that much. It didn’t matter to him if he received a part of God’s blessing or the whole thing. It didn’t matter if he got part of his inheritance or the whole thing. Jacob wanted all that God could give him, even if he had to suffer to get it.
What is so powerful about the Bethel?
Jacob made a deal with God that would be significant for the rest of his life. He wanted Yahweh to protect him in his journey, and if God did, then Jacob would return and have Yahweh as his only God. However, we will see what happens when Jacob decides to reject this agreement.
There were three conflicts between the two of them. First of all, they had distinct personalities. Jacob hung around the tents and often assisted the women. Esau was a “man’s man” hunting and leaving for many days at a time. But they also had a conflict as to who would have the best inheritance from their father. And this is complicated by the prophecy that their mother received—that the older—Esau— would serve the younger—Jacob. These conflicts all came to a head when their mother convinced Jacob to sneak off with the blessing their father wanted to give Esau.
How can twins be first or second born?
It all depends which one comes out of the womb first. Being a first born is such a big deal in the ancient world, it had to be determined, even if it’s only a minute apart.
What is the blessing?
The blessing the two boys were both clamoring to get is the blessing of Abraham, passed on from generation to generation. Isaac figured that since Abraham could only give the blessing to one of his sons, and not the others, then Isaac himself could only give the blessing to one of his two sons.
What is the birth right?
The birth right is different from the blessing. It is the extra inheritance that the first born son only receives. In many ancient societies, the first born son would receive twice as much inheritance as his brothers. So, for instance, if a man had three sons, his property and possessions would be split into four parts, and the first son would receive half of his property, the other sons only receiving a quarter. Esau traded half of his inheritance for a bowl of soup.
Why is Esau the bad guy?
This is a good question, because Jacob seems like the heel, here. He’s the one lying and tricking. But Scripture makes it clear that Esau wasn’t as honorable as Jacob, in that he didn’t have as much faith. Jacob would do anything to receive God’s fullness for his future. He would trick and deceive for it, true—and that was not good—but it was his desire for it that was honorable. Esau didn’t care that much. It didn’t matter to him if he received a part of God’s blessing or the whole thing. It didn’t matter if he got part of his inheritance or the whole thing. Jacob wanted all that God could give him, even if he had to suffer to get it.
What is so powerful about the Bethel?
Jacob made a deal with God that would be significant for the rest of his life. He wanted Yahweh to protect him in his journey, and if God did, then Jacob would return and have Yahweh as his only God. However, we will see what happens when Jacob decides to reject this agreement.
Isaac, Jacob and Esau-- Genesis 25-28
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Hebrews 12:15-16
Yahweh promised Isaac the same promise he gave to Abraham—that he would have many descendants and would be a blessing to many nations. Abraham had many children, but the promise was only given to Isaac. When Isaac was forty, he married a woman named Rebecca who was from Abraham’s old country. In time, Abraham and Sarah died and Isaac mourned them and buried them properly. Isaac and Rebecca were married for many years, but still did not have children. Isaac prayed for his wife to Yahweh, and then she became pregnant. But the pregnancy was very difficult, and Rebecca was in agony. She cried out to Yahweh, “How can I live this way?” Yahweh replied to her, “The agony you have is because there are two children inside you and these two children are two nations. They are both powerful, but one is stronger than the other—the older will serve the younger.”
Over time, Rebecca was ready to give birth. The first child came out and he was red in color and was hairy, and so he was named Esau, which means “red”. The second came out right after the first, but his hand was holding onto the heel of the first and so he was called Jacob which means “grasper.” Esau, when he was grown, was a great hunter of wild beasts. Jacob, when he was grown was a quiet man, tending the flocks and staying by the tents. Isaac loved the wildness of Esau and his skill at hunting, and he felt that the promise of God should fall upon Esau, his oldest. Rebecca, though, remembered the word of God to her and paid close attention to Jacob, desiring to see him receive the blessing of God.
At one point, Esau went out to hunt, but had no luck. He returned home, without having eaten all day. Jacob was sitting at home, having made a pot of red lentil soup. Esau saw this and said, “Please, I am starving to death, give me some of your soup!” Jacob got a scheme in his mind and said, “Will you sell me your birth position for that soup? Let me be the firstborn, and I will give you some.” Esau replied, “What good is it that I am the firstborn if I die? Just give me something to eat!” So Esau sold part of his inheritance.
Over time, Isaac became blind due to age and felt that he was ready to die. So he called Esau to him and said, “Son, I am preparing to die. Go out, capture a wild animal and fix me my favorite meal. Then I will place upon you God’s blessing.” Esau immediately went out to obey his father. Rebecca heard Isaac and called Jacob to her. “Jacob, your father is about ready to give Esau the blessing. We must hurry!” Jacob said, “Why? If Esau is about to receive God’s blessing, there is nothing I can do about it.” Rebecca said, “Stop chattering and listen to me! I can fix your father’s favorite meal and you can serve it to him and so receive the blessing.” Jacob doubted her and said, “He will know who I am, of course! Esau has so much hair and I have little. How could I possibly fool him? And when he figures it out, he will not bless me, but curse me. ” Rebecca said, “We will put animal skins on your arms—don’t worry about it! It will all work out, I know. Now, go get me two goats.”
So Jacob slaughtered the goats and Rebecca made the food. Then they placed animal skins and Esau’s clothes on Jacob and he went in to his father. Jacob said, “My father, here I am.” Isaac couldn’t see, but he could hear the slight difference in his son’s voices, “Who are you, my son?” Jacob said, “I am Esau, your firstborn. Take your meal and bless me.” Isaac was confused and said, “Come close to me.” Isaac felt his arms and said, “Your voice sounds like Jacob’s, but your arms feel like Esau. Are you really Esau?” Jacob replied, “Yes, I am.”
Isaac ate the food and said, “Come and kiss me, my son.” Jacob kissed his father and Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes. Then Isaac said, “My son smells like the outer land which the Lord has blessed. May God bless you and grant you all the wealth of the land. May your brothers bow down to you and honor you as lord. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed. And may peoples and nations honor you.” Then Jacob quickly left.
Esau then came in his father’s tent and said, “Eat the food, father, and bless me.” Isaac was very confused now. “Who are you?” Esau said, “I am Esau, your son.” Isaac said, “Then who gave me food just now? I have blessed him, whoever it was and he shall surely be blessed.” Esau cried, “What are you saying father? Don’t you have a blessing for me, your firstborn?” Isaac replied, “Your brother took your blessing. There is no blessing left for you, my son. But listen, for you shall have the growth of the land and shall have many children. But your brother will rule over you.”
Esau left the tent in anger and hated his brother from that day on. He began to tell people, “As soon as my father dies, I will kill Jacob.” Rebecca heard him and went to Isaac. “Isaac,” she said, “It is time for Jacob to marry. But I don’t want him to marry one of the women around here. Send him to my home to find a girl there.” Isaac agreed and sent Jacob away, repeating to him the blessing of Abraham.
Jacob, out of fear of Esau, left immediately. His first night out, Jacob slept in front of a rock. That night he had a dream of the spirit world and dreamed that angels were walking up and down, to and from heaven at that place. From heaven, Jacob saw a vision of Yahweh in heaven saying, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham and Isaac. The land you sleep on shall be your children’s. You shall go from this land, but I will go with you and bless you. And I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have given you what I promised.”
Jacob woke up immediately and said, “This place is a powerful place and I didn’t know it.” Jacob set the rock he was sleeping near upright and established it as an altar for Yahweh. Then Jacob made a deal with Yahweh, “Yahweh, if you keep me safe and bless me during my journey and bring me back safely, then I will make you my God and I will return here and worship you at this place.” So Jacob named this place “Bethel”, or “house of God,” and left on his journey.
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Hebrews 12:15-16
Yahweh promised Isaac the same promise he gave to Abraham—that he would have many descendants and would be a blessing to many nations. Abraham had many children, but the promise was only given to Isaac. When Isaac was forty, he married a woman named Rebecca who was from Abraham’s old country. In time, Abraham and Sarah died and Isaac mourned them and buried them properly. Isaac and Rebecca were married for many years, but still did not have children. Isaac prayed for his wife to Yahweh, and then she became pregnant. But the pregnancy was very difficult, and Rebecca was in agony. She cried out to Yahweh, “How can I live this way?” Yahweh replied to her, “The agony you have is because there are two children inside you and these two children are two nations. They are both powerful, but one is stronger than the other—the older will serve the younger.”
Over time, Rebecca was ready to give birth. The first child came out and he was red in color and was hairy, and so he was named Esau, which means “red”. The second came out right after the first, but his hand was holding onto the heel of the first and so he was called Jacob which means “grasper.” Esau, when he was grown, was a great hunter of wild beasts. Jacob, when he was grown was a quiet man, tending the flocks and staying by the tents. Isaac loved the wildness of Esau and his skill at hunting, and he felt that the promise of God should fall upon Esau, his oldest. Rebecca, though, remembered the word of God to her and paid close attention to Jacob, desiring to see him receive the blessing of God.
At one point, Esau went out to hunt, but had no luck. He returned home, without having eaten all day. Jacob was sitting at home, having made a pot of red lentil soup. Esau saw this and said, “Please, I am starving to death, give me some of your soup!” Jacob got a scheme in his mind and said, “Will you sell me your birth position for that soup? Let me be the firstborn, and I will give you some.” Esau replied, “What good is it that I am the firstborn if I die? Just give me something to eat!” So Esau sold part of his inheritance.
Over time, Isaac became blind due to age and felt that he was ready to die. So he called Esau to him and said, “Son, I am preparing to die. Go out, capture a wild animal and fix me my favorite meal. Then I will place upon you God’s blessing.” Esau immediately went out to obey his father. Rebecca heard Isaac and called Jacob to her. “Jacob, your father is about ready to give Esau the blessing. We must hurry!” Jacob said, “Why? If Esau is about to receive God’s blessing, there is nothing I can do about it.” Rebecca said, “Stop chattering and listen to me! I can fix your father’s favorite meal and you can serve it to him and so receive the blessing.” Jacob doubted her and said, “He will know who I am, of course! Esau has so much hair and I have little. How could I possibly fool him? And when he figures it out, he will not bless me, but curse me. ” Rebecca said, “We will put animal skins on your arms—don’t worry about it! It will all work out, I know. Now, go get me two goats.”
So Jacob slaughtered the goats and Rebecca made the food. Then they placed animal skins and Esau’s clothes on Jacob and he went in to his father. Jacob said, “My father, here I am.” Isaac couldn’t see, but he could hear the slight difference in his son’s voices, “Who are you, my son?” Jacob said, “I am Esau, your firstborn. Take your meal and bless me.” Isaac was confused and said, “Come close to me.” Isaac felt his arms and said, “Your voice sounds like Jacob’s, but your arms feel like Esau. Are you really Esau?” Jacob replied, “Yes, I am.”
Isaac ate the food and said, “Come and kiss me, my son.” Jacob kissed his father and Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes. Then Isaac said, “My son smells like the outer land which the Lord has blessed. May God bless you and grant you all the wealth of the land. May your brothers bow down to you and honor you as lord. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed. And may peoples and nations honor you.” Then Jacob quickly left.
Esau then came in his father’s tent and said, “Eat the food, father, and bless me.” Isaac was very confused now. “Who are you?” Esau said, “I am Esau, your son.” Isaac said, “Then who gave me food just now? I have blessed him, whoever it was and he shall surely be blessed.” Esau cried, “What are you saying father? Don’t you have a blessing for me, your firstborn?” Isaac replied, “Your brother took your blessing. There is no blessing left for you, my son. But listen, for you shall have the growth of the land and shall have many children. But your brother will rule over you.”
Esau left the tent in anger and hated his brother from that day on. He began to tell people, “As soon as my father dies, I will kill Jacob.” Rebecca heard him and went to Isaac. “Isaac,” she said, “It is time for Jacob to marry. But I don’t want him to marry one of the women around here. Send him to my home to find a girl there.” Isaac agreed and sent Jacob away, repeating to him the blessing of Abraham.
Jacob, out of fear of Esau, left immediately. His first night out, Jacob slept in front of a rock. That night he had a dream of the spirit world and dreamed that angels were walking up and down, to and from heaven at that place. From heaven, Jacob saw a vision of Yahweh in heaven saying, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham and Isaac. The land you sleep on shall be your children’s. You shall go from this land, but I will go with you and bless you. And I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have given you what I promised.”
Jacob woke up immediately and said, “This place is a powerful place and I didn’t know it.” Jacob set the rock he was sleeping near upright and established it as an altar for Yahweh. Then Jacob made a deal with Yahweh, “Yahweh, if you keep me safe and bless me during my journey and bring me back safely, then I will make you my God and I will return here and worship you at this place.” So Jacob named this place “Bethel”, or “house of God,” and left on his journey.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Questions about Abraham and Isaac
Why was Isaac called “laughter”?
Isaac’s birth was something of a cosmic joke. Humor is often seeing something one might expect in one context in a context that you wouldn’t expect it. So the birth of a baby is wonderful and expected, but a birth to a ninety year old is unexpected and, frankly, funny. So everyone, when they heard of it, laughed at the absurdity of it. So they named him “laughter”—which is what Isaac means—so everyone could enjoy God’s cosmic joke.
Why did God tell Abraham to be rid of Hagar and Ishmael?
To send his slave and son into the desert with only a little food and water was against everything that Abraham stood for. But he did so because God himself said that He would protect them. If it weren’t for that promise, Abraham wouldn’t have done it. God told Abraham to do this, because He didn’t want there to be any question as to who would be in the inheritor of Abraham’s promise—it was only Isaac, no one else. Because only Isaac was the one whom God provided, so he could be the only real choice.
Why did God tell Abraham to kill his own son?
It says in the text that God was testing Abraham—he was seeing if Abraham truly loved God as much as he used to. God already knew the answer, but he was proving it to others, even as God proved to Satan that Job was truly righteous (see Job 1 and 2). It was important, for God was placing the entire salvation of the human race into Abraham’s hands. So God was occasionally testing his people to see where they stood with Him.
Why did God repeat Isaac’s name so often?
God repeated Isaac’s name for clarity, and also because what he was saying was so difficult. It is almost as if God was having a hard time making this request. God was expressing his own love for Isaac, even as he was talking about Abraham’s love for his son.
Does God approve of human sacrifice?
Absolutely not. God rejects human sacrifice again and again in the Scriptures, and condemns those who do it (Leviticus 18:21; Jeremiah 32:35; Exodus 13:13-15). Never has God approved of murder, and he has destroyed many civilizations who approve of it.
Isn’t it wrong for God to tempt Abraham to do evil?
This is kind of complicated. Even though it is wrong before God, there are occasions that God commands his people to do what is wrong before Him. And there are times that people do what is evil before God, but they are approved of despite it (See Judges 11). This is because people are so confused about what is right and wrong—even Abraham—that God often has to focus on people’s motivations rather than their actions. In other words, Abraham was willing to kill Isaac, because of his love of God. Others were willing to do other evil things, because of their care. In the same way, people today are willing to kill others in war, even though it is evil, but their motivations are pure. Does this make the action right? Not exactly. It means their motives are pure. But Jesus leads us not only to right motives, but right actions. He tells us exactly what God wants of us, while the rest of the Bible or humanity might be fuzzy or difficult to understand.
Did God tempt Abraham to evil? Not according to Abraham. And God didn’t allow him to do it anyway—he couldn’t allow his servant to do such evil. God knew that if Abraham loved him enough to obey him in this difficult thing, then he would obey in not doing the difficult thing. Morally, this is difficult to understand. But we must accept that God is pure and holy in all his ways, even if we don’t understand.
Why did Abraham agree to give up on what he was promised?
The book of Hebrews said that Abraham was willing because he believed that God would raise Isaac up from the dead (Heb. 11:19, above). Whatever the case, Abraham had waited 25 years for a son and he knew that God wouldn’t forsake his promise, no matter how difficult the circumstance looked. Abraham’s sacrifice is true, ultimate faith in God.
Isaac’s birth was something of a cosmic joke. Humor is often seeing something one might expect in one context in a context that you wouldn’t expect it. So the birth of a baby is wonderful and expected, but a birth to a ninety year old is unexpected and, frankly, funny. So everyone, when they heard of it, laughed at the absurdity of it. So they named him “laughter”—which is what Isaac means—so everyone could enjoy God’s cosmic joke.
Why did God tell Abraham to be rid of Hagar and Ishmael?
To send his slave and son into the desert with only a little food and water was against everything that Abraham stood for. But he did so because God himself said that He would protect them. If it weren’t for that promise, Abraham wouldn’t have done it. God told Abraham to do this, because He didn’t want there to be any question as to who would be in the inheritor of Abraham’s promise—it was only Isaac, no one else. Because only Isaac was the one whom God provided, so he could be the only real choice.
Why did God tell Abraham to kill his own son?
It says in the text that God was testing Abraham—he was seeing if Abraham truly loved God as much as he used to. God already knew the answer, but he was proving it to others, even as God proved to Satan that Job was truly righteous (see Job 1 and 2). It was important, for God was placing the entire salvation of the human race into Abraham’s hands. So God was occasionally testing his people to see where they stood with Him.
Why did God repeat Isaac’s name so often?
God repeated Isaac’s name for clarity, and also because what he was saying was so difficult. It is almost as if God was having a hard time making this request. God was expressing his own love for Isaac, even as he was talking about Abraham’s love for his son.
Does God approve of human sacrifice?
Absolutely not. God rejects human sacrifice again and again in the Scriptures, and condemns those who do it (Leviticus 18:21; Jeremiah 32:35; Exodus 13:13-15). Never has God approved of murder, and he has destroyed many civilizations who approve of it.
Isn’t it wrong for God to tempt Abraham to do evil?
This is kind of complicated. Even though it is wrong before God, there are occasions that God commands his people to do what is wrong before Him. And there are times that people do what is evil before God, but they are approved of despite it (See Judges 11). This is because people are so confused about what is right and wrong—even Abraham—that God often has to focus on people’s motivations rather than their actions. In other words, Abraham was willing to kill Isaac, because of his love of God. Others were willing to do other evil things, because of their care. In the same way, people today are willing to kill others in war, even though it is evil, but their motivations are pure. Does this make the action right? Not exactly. It means their motives are pure. But Jesus leads us not only to right motives, but right actions. He tells us exactly what God wants of us, while the rest of the Bible or humanity might be fuzzy or difficult to understand.
Did God tempt Abraham to evil? Not according to Abraham. And God didn’t allow him to do it anyway—he couldn’t allow his servant to do such evil. God knew that if Abraham loved him enough to obey him in this difficult thing, then he would obey in not doing the difficult thing. Morally, this is difficult to understand. But we must accept that God is pure and holy in all his ways, even if we don’t understand.
Why did Abraham agree to give up on what he was promised?
The book of Hebrews said that Abraham was willing because he believed that God would raise Isaac up from the dead (Heb. 11:19, above). Whatever the case, Abraham had waited 25 years for a son and he knew that God wouldn’t forsake his promise, no matter how difficult the circumstance looked. Abraham’s sacrifice is true, ultimate faith in God.
Abraham and Isaac
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back. Hebrews 11:17-19
I tell you that many will come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. Galatians 4:22-23
Abraham was 100 years old and his wife was 91. Twenty-five years ago, Yahweh promised them that Sarah would be pregnant and she would have a baby boy. They had both laughed when they heard it—they thought it was foolish for them to have a child. But Yahweh reminded them: “Is anything too hard for God?” And now the impossible had happened—Sarah gave birth to a baby boy. When it finally happened, she laughed with joy, saying, “Who could have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children. Yet now, at ninety years old, I have given him a son. God has made laughter for me. Now everyone who hears my news will laugh with me.” And so they called the child “laughter”—Isaac.
Isaac grew and was cared for by his parents. They protected him and watched carefully as he grew in love and understanding. He watched Abraham’s flocks and learned about the care of animals. He was a good child and Abraham loved him with all of his heart.
Soon the day came that Isaac was weaned—he was about three at the time. A party was held for all of Abraham’s household, and Ishmael, Abraham’s thirteen year old son by a slave woman, Hagar, was also attending. In the midst of the party, Ishmael mocked Isaac, knowing that he was the oldest and so legally he had the right to inherit all of Abraham’s household. While Isaac didn’t understand, Sarah did. “I will not have that slave woman and her brat in my household anymore,” Sarah yelled at Abraham. She proclaimed that she wanted Hagar and Ishmael thrown out to the wilderness.
Abraham hesitated, for he did not want to put Hagar in a life-threatening situation. But God told Abraham, “I will care for them. Go ahead and tell them to go.” So Abraham gave them water and food and sent them on their way. It wasn’t long until the water ran out and Hagar was faced with their death in the desert. “Please, don’t let me see my son die!” Hagar cried. Then God spoke to her, “I will not allow either of you to die. Your son will be the father of many nations and they will rule over great and wild lands.” Water was provided for them, they settled into a community of the wilderness, and Ishmael became a great man among the wandering tribes.
Years after this, Yahweh spoke to Abraham, “Abraham!” Abraham replied, “Yes, here I am.” Yahweh said, “I will say this carefully. Take your son—your only son—take your son whom you love so dearly and go to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain there.” Abraham’s face turned dark, but he said nothing. He thought within himself, “How can God do this to me? He promised me Isaac, and he gave me this son at the end of my life. Now is Yahweh going to take him away from me? Why is he forcing me to give Isaac to him as a gift? The boy is Yahweh’s gift to me! Ah, I know—I will offer Isaac up to Yahweh, and Yahweh will return him to me! I will sacrifice him and Yahweh will resurrect him. Of course, it is all clear to me!”
The next morning, before anyone else was up, Abraham prepared for the trip. He got his son Isaac up and left before anyone could ask him what he was doing. After three days, they had reached the mountain. Abraham took the wood and placed it on Isaac’s back and they left the donkeys behind. The two walked up together. Isaac noticed that they were preparing to offer a sacrifice, but was curious. “Father?” “Yes, here I am.” Abraham answered. “I see that we have wood for a fire. But if we are going to offer a sacrifice, where is the lamb?” Abraham replied, “God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.”
At the top of the mountain, Abraham built an altar and took the wood off of his son’s back and arranged it there. At that point, Abraham turned to his son with rope and tied the boy up tightly, so he couldn’t move. Isaac looked at Abraham with wide eyes as Abraham laid him on top of the wood. Then Abraham pulled out the knife he had hidden and raised it above his son, ready to strike.
“Abraham, stop!” Abraham replied, “Yes, here I am.” An angel revealed himself to Abraham and said, “Do not kill your son. Do nothing to him. You have proven yourself well. You truly fear God and will not hold anything back from Yahweh—not even your son whom you love more than anything else in the world. Now look, and Yahweh will provide a sacrifice for you.” Abraham looked over at some bushes and noticed a ram there, caught in the thicket. Abraham’s shaking hands untied his son, caught the ram and placed it on the altar. And Abraham called that place Yahweh Yaireh—Yahweh will provide.
Yahweh spoke to Abraham again and said, “Your son, your only son you did not keep from me. Because you have demonstrated your love for me, I will bless you greater than any man in the world. Your children will be counted as more than the stars in the sky—like the sand on the seashore. No enemy will overcome them. And in your child all the nations of the earth will be blessed—because you have obeyed my voice. And everyone who loves me as you have, Abraham, will be called a child of Abraham and will inherit the kingdom which I will give to you.”
I tell you that many will come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. Galatians 4:22-23
Abraham was 100 years old and his wife was 91. Twenty-five years ago, Yahweh promised them that Sarah would be pregnant and she would have a baby boy. They had both laughed when they heard it—they thought it was foolish for them to have a child. But Yahweh reminded them: “Is anything too hard for God?” And now the impossible had happened—Sarah gave birth to a baby boy. When it finally happened, she laughed with joy, saying, “Who could have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children. Yet now, at ninety years old, I have given him a son. God has made laughter for me. Now everyone who hears my news will laugh with me.” And so they called the child “laughter”—Isaac.
Isaac grew and was cared for by his parents. They protected him and watched carefully as he grew in love and understanding. He watched Abraham’s flocks and learned about the care of animals. He was a good child and Abraham loved him with all of his heart.
Soon the day came that Isaac was weaned—he was about three at the time. A party was held for all of Abraham’s household, and Ishmael, Abraham’s thirteen year old son by a slave woman, Hagar, was also attending. In the midst of the party, Ishmael mocked Isaac, knowing that he was the oldest and so legally he had the right to inherit all of Abraham’s household. While Isaac didn’t understand, Sarah did. “I will not have that slave woman and her brat in my household anymore,” Sarah yelled at Abraham. She proclaimed that she wanted Hagar and Ishmael thrown out to the wilderness.
Abraham hesitated, for he did not want to put Hagar in a life-threatening situation. But God told Abraham, “I will care for them. Go ahead and tell them to go.” So Abraham gave them water and food and sent them on their way. It wasn’t long until the water ran out and Hagar was faced with their death in the desert. “Please, don’t let me see my son die!” Hagar cried. Then God spoke to her, “I will not allow either of you to die. Your son will be the father of many nations and they will rule over great and wild lands.” Water was provided for them, they settled into a community of the wilderness, and Ishmael became a great man among the wandering tribes.
Years after this, Yahweh spoke to Abraham, “Abraham!” Abraham replied, “Yes, here I am.” Yahweh said, “I will say this carefully. Take your son—your only son—take your son whom you love so dearly and go to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain there.” Abraham’s face turned dark, but he said nothing. He thought within himself, “How can God do this to me? He promised me Isaac, and he gave me this son at the end of my life. Now is Yahweh going to take him away from me? Why is he forcing me to give Isaac to him as a gift? The boy is Yahweh’s gift to me! Ah, I know—I will offer Isaac up to Yahweh, and Yahweh will return him to me! I will sacrifice him and Yahweh will resurrect him. Of course, it is all clear to me!”
The next morning, before anyone else was up, Abraham prepared for the trip. He got his son Isaac up and left before anyone could ask him what he was doing. After three days, they had reached the mountain. Abraham took the wood and placed it on Isaac’s back and they left the donkeys behind. The two walked up together. Isaac noticed that they were preparing to offer a sacrifice, but was curious. “Father?” “Yes, here I am.” Abraham answered. “I see that we have wood for a fire. But if we are going to offer a sacrifice, where is the lamb?” Abraham replied, “God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.”
At the top of the mountain, Abraham built an altar and took the wood off of his son’s back and arranged it there. At that point, Abraham turned to his son with rope and tied the boy up tightly, so he couldn’t move. Isaac looked at Abraham with wide eyes as Abraham laid him on top of the wood. Then Abraham pulled out the knife he had hidden and raised it above his son, ready to strike.
“Abraham, stop!” Abraham replied, “Yes, here I am.” An angel revealed himself to Abraham and said, “Do not kill your son. Do nothing to him. You have proven yourself well. You truly fear God and will not hold anything back from Yahweh—not even your son whom you love more than anything else in the world. Now look, and Yahweh will provide a sacrifice for you.” Abraham looked over at some bushes and noticed a ram there, caught in the thicket. Abraham’s shaking hands untied his son, caught the ram and placed it on the altar. And Abraham called that place Yahweh Yaireh—Yahweh will provide.
Yahweh spoke to Abraham again and said, “Your son, your only son you did not keep from me. Because you have demonstrated your love for me, I will bless you greater than any man in the world. Your children will be counted as more than the stars in the sky—like the sand on the seashore. No enemy will overcome them. And in your child all the nations of the earth will be blessed—because you have obeyed my voice. And everyone who loves me as you have, Abraham, will be called a child of Abraham and will inherit the kingdom which I will give to you.”
Questions on Abraham and Sodom
Is it Abram or Abraham?
Abram means “father of many”, while Abraham means “father of a multitude.” It’s not much of a change, but it is significant when you only have one kid. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham when he promised him that he would be the father of many nations. Abram always was called Abraham from that time on. And God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah—from “princess” to “queen”.
How did Abraham treat God?
Abraham saw three strangers on the road—he didn’t know they were angels. But he treated them like kings, just because they were travelling by and they were clearly in need—they were in the middle of nowhere with no water or food on them. And so Abraham treated them with great honor and a lot of food, even though they didn’t look any more divine than you or I. And this is one of the reasons for Abraham’s reward—because he treated the poor with honor. For this reason, the book of Hebrews in the New Testament says, “Treat strangers with hospitality, for some have welcomed angels without them knowing.”
How could God look like a person?
The text says that God was walking down the road. Some say that it was Jesus, before he was born. But sometimes powerful angels can look like people and represent God. These three were angels, but they were also called “men” here.
How could Sarah have a baby?
Sarah was past menopause—and so it was physically impossible for her to have a baby. Modern skeptics scoff at this. But notice that Sarah (and, in a earlier chapter, Abraham) also scoffed at this idea. It is simply ridiculous to think that a post-menopause woman could have a child. But nothing is so ridiculous that God couldn’t do it.
Why did God destroy Sodom?
Sodom was evil, of that there was no doubt. Part of that evil was homosexuality, as the book of Jude in the New Testament speaks to. But most of the Bible says that the sin of Sodom was oppression of the poor. They would take strangers, who are helpless, and they would rape them and kill them. In this way, they wouldn’t have immigrants coming to their city. This was evil, and many of those oppressed prayed to God and asked for justice. Thus, God was sending two angels to see if this outcry was true, and if so, Sodom would be destroyed.
Why did Abraham defend Sodom?
Abraham defended Sodom partly because Lot lived there. Abraham assumed that Lot wasn’t taken up in Sodom’s sin, and he hated to see Lot destroyed with all these evil people. Then Abraham also thought that there might be more than just one righteous person. In a city the size of Sodom’s (perhaps a thousand), couldn’t there be many good people? So Abraham wanted to see if God would destroy the righteous with the wicked. Of course, God wouldn’t. But God was still determined to destroy Sodom for it’s wickedness, so he pulled the righteous people out.
Why did Sodom do these evil deeds?
Because Sodom was afraid of immigrants, even as Egypt would be in later years. Immigrants brought in new ideas and new languages. They were sometimes thieves and they presented danger. So Sodom was just protecting itself by raping and killing the stranger. Fear often causes people to do the most evil deeds.
Abram means “father of many”, while Abraham means “father of a multitude.” It’s not much of a change, but it is significant when you only have one kid. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham when he promised him that he would be the father of many nations. Abram always was called Abraham from that time on. And God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah—from “princess” to “queen”.
How did Abraham treat God?
Abraham saw three strangers on the road—he didn’t know they were angels. But he treated them like kings, just because they were travelling by and they were clearly in need—they were in the middle of nowhere with no water or food on them. And so Abraham treated them with great honor and a lot of food, even though they didn’t look any more divine than you or I. And this is one of the reasons for Abraham’s reward—because he treated the poor with honor. For this reason, the book of Hebrews in the New Testament says, “Treat strangers with hospitality, for some have welcomed angels without them knowing.”
How could God look like a person?
The text says that God was walking down the road. Some say that it was Jesus, before he was born. But sometimes powerful angels can look like people and represent God. These three were angels, but they were also called “men” here.
How could Sarah have a baby?
Sarah was past menopause—and so it was physically impossible for her to have a baby. Modern skeptics scoff at this. But notice that Sarah (and, in a earlier chapter, Abraham) also scoffed at this idea. It is simply ridiculous to think that a post-menopause woman could have a child. But nothing is so ridiculous that God couldn’t do it.
Why did God destroy Sodom?
Sodom was evil, of that there was no doubt. Part of that evil was homosexuality, as the book of Jude in the New Testament speaks to. But most of the Bible says that the sin of Sodom was oppression of the poor. They would take strangers, who are helpless, and they would rape them and kill them. In this way, they wouldn’t have immigrants coming to their city. This was evil, and many of those oppressed prayed to God and asked for justice. Thus, God was sending two angels to see if this outcry was true, and if so, Sodom would be destroyed.
Why did Abraham defend Sodom?
Abraham defended Sodom partly because Lot lived there. Abraham assumed that Lot wasn’t taken up in Sodom’s sin, and he hated to see Lot destroyed with all these evil people. Then Abraham also thought that there might be more than just one righteous person. In a city the size of Sodom’s (perhaps a thousand), couldn’t there be many good people? So Abraham wanted to see if God would destroy the righteous with the wicked. Of course, God wouldn’t. But God was still determined to destroy Sodom for it’s wickedness, so he pulled the righteous people out.
Why did Sodom do these evil deeds?
Because Sodom was afraid of immigrants, even as Egypt would be in later years. Immigrants brought in new ideas and new languages. They were sometimes thieves and they presented danger. So Sodom was just protecting itself by raping and killing the stranger. Fear often causes people to do the most evil deeds.
Abraham, Lot and Sodom
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it. Ezekiel 36:49-50
It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:28-33
Abram and his wife Sarai had waited 24 years to have a son, which is what God promised them. Now Abram was 99 and Sarah was 90. It was not possible for them to have children. But God promised, and so Abram believed, year after year. But sometimes he doubted in his heart that he would truly have a son.
One day Abram sat in front of his tent, as he often did, in order to solve problems that came up, as they often did. Far off, in the distance, Abram saw strangers travelling down the road. They had few provisions, Abram could see—almost no food and water. They must be hungry and tired from their travels, Abram thought. They need some help. So Abram ran to the three strangers and bowed to the ground in front of them. “Sirs” Abram said, his face almost touching the ground, “please would you come to my little place over here and could I offer you some bread and water.” The travelers were impressed by this humble display of hospitality, so they accepted. Abram got up, walked with them to his tent and then told Sarai, “Sarai, please make up a steak dinner for these gentlemen—as much as they please, holding nothing back!”
When this feast was presented, the men were very impressed with Abram’s gracious hospitality, and determined to reward him. The center man looked at Abram and said, “This time next year your wife will give birth to a son.” At this Sarai laughed within herself, thinking, “How can a ninety year old woman give birth to a child?” Abram, though looked at the man and said, “Who are you?” The man replied, “I am Yahweh, your God. So, why did Sarai laugh? Is anything too hard for God?” Sarah replied, “I did not laugh.” And Yahweh said back to Sarai, “Yes, you did. But know this: Sarai will have a child next year, according to my word. And you, Abram, are not to be called ‘father’, but Abraham, ‘father of multitudes.’ And Sarai shall not be called ‘little princess’, but Sarah, ‘princess’ for she shall be the mother of kings.”
Then Yahweh sent the two angels who had traveled with him away to Sodom, to destroy it. Yahweh spoke before Abraham, “Shall I tell Abraham what I am about to do? He is the teacher of my people, to lead them into doing right—should I tell him?” Abraham waited patiently until Yahweh spoke again, “Abraham, I have heard the cry of the poor against Sodom. It is prayed to me that Sodom is wicked and oppresses the poor and the stranger. I have sent my servants to Sodom. If it is true, I will destroy that city and no one will survive.”
Abraham was nervous, but spoke before Yahweh. “Lord, but what of the righteous that live there in Sodom? Should they be destroyed with the wicked? You are just, surely you will not do such a thing. What if fifty righteous people lived in Sodom—would you destroy it then?” Yahweh replied, “No, I will not destroy it then.” Abraham spoke again, “Forgive me Lord, but I must speak. What if there were only ten righteous people in Sodom? Would you destroy it then?” Yahweh replied, “No, I will not destroy it then.” And Yahweh left Abraham.
The messengers of Yahweh walked into Sodom later that evening. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was waiting by the gate of the city and saw the angels. Thinking they were men, Lot hurriedly invited them to his house. “No,” said the messengers of Yahweh, “we will sleep in the middle of the town. That should be fine, shouldn’t it?” Lot implored them, “Please, sirs. Please stay at my house. It is safer, much safer. Who knows who will attack you at night?” The messengers allowed themselves to be persuaded by Lot. Lot brought them home and offered them dinner.
Just as they were beginning to eat, a knock came on the door. Lot opened the door and saw all of the men of Sodom outside the door with weapons. “Lot,” they said, “we know that you have those two strangers in your house. Be a good man, Lot and let us have them.” Lot replied, “What would you do with them?” The men smiled. “Nothing much. We will just have sex with them all night. They might die, they might not. But they’ll never come back, that’s for sure.” Lot said, “These men are under my protection—I will not allow you to have them.” “All right” said the men, “then we’ll come in and get them. And you will feel yourself, Lot, how we treat strangers here.”
At this time, one of the angels held his hand out the door and a great flash of light blinded all the men. The angels turned to Lot at this time and said, “You need to get out of this town right now. Yahweh has marked this place for destruction. Get out and take all of your family.” Lot went to his family—two daughters, two sons-in-law, and his wife—and told them that they needed to leave immediately. His sons-in-law thought he was joking and went back to sleep. Lot hesitated, saying “Aren’t there others I should take? Shouldn’t I pack? I’m not ready…” The angels grabbed Lot with his wife and daughters and forced them out of the city. “Get out!” they cried. “Don’t stop! And whatever you do, don’t go back, don’t even look back—Sodom will be destroyed in a moment!”
So Lot left Sodom and didn’t look back. Lot’s wife, however, did look back, for she didn’t want to leave her friends and the good life in Sodom. As she turned back, she was turned to a pillar of salt. Lot, however, lived in the wilderness with his daughters for many years. Immediately after the disaster, Lot and his daughters thought the whole world was destroyed. So Lot’s daughters got their father drunk and had sex with him. They each had children who became nations—Ammon and Moab— in later years.
It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:28-33
Abram and his wife Sarai had waited 24 years to have a son, which is what God promised them. Now Abram was 99 and Sarah was 90. It was not possible for them to have children. But God promised, and so Abram believed, year after year. But sometimes he doubted in his heart that he would truly have a son.
One day Abram sat in front of his tent, as he often did, in order to solve problems that came up, as they often did. Far off, in the distance, Abram saw strangers travelling down the road. They had few provisions, Abram could see—almost no food and water. They must be hungry and tired from their travels, Abram thought. They need some help. So Abram ran to the three strangers and bowed to the ground in front of them. “Sirs” Abram said, his face almost touching the ground, “please would you come to my little place over here and could I offer you some bread and water.” The travelers were impressed by this humble display of hospitality, so they accepted. Abram got up, walked with them to his tent and then told Sarai, “Sarai, please make up a steak dinner for these gentlemen—as much as they please, holding nothing back!”
When this feast was presented, the men were very impressed with Abram’s gracious hospitality, and determined to reward him. The center man looked at Abram and said, “This time next year your wife will give birth to a son.” At this Sarai laughed within herself, thinking, “How can a ninety year old woman give birth to a child?” Abram, though looked at the man and said, “Who are you?” The man replied, “I am Yahweh, your God. So, why did Sarai laugh? Is anything too hard for God?” Sarah replied, “I did not laugh.” And Yahweh said back to Sarai, “Yes, you did. But know this: Sarai will have a child next year, according to my word. And you, Abram, are not to be called ‘father’, but Abraham, ‘father of multitudes.’ And Sarai shall not be called ‘little princess’, but Sarah, ‘princess’ for she shall be the mother of kings.”
Then Yahweh sent the two angels who had traveled with him away to Sodom, to destroy it. Yahweh spoke before Abraham, “Shall I tell Abraham what I am about to do? He is the teacher of my people, to lead them into doing right—should I tell him?” Abraham waited patiently until Yahweh spoke again, “Abraham, I have heard the cry of the poor against Sodom. It is prayed to me that Sodom is wicked and oppresses the poor and the stranger. I have sent my servants to Sodom. If it is true, I will destroy that city and no one will survive.”
Abraham was nervous, but spoke before Yahweh. “Lord, but what of the righteous that live there in Sodom? Should they be destroyed with the wicked? You are just, surely you will not do such a thing. What if fifty righteous people lived in Sodom—would you destroy it then?” Yahweh replied, “No, I will not destroy it then.” Abraham spoke again, “Forgive me Lord, but I must speak. What if there were only ten righteous people in Sodom? Would you destroy it then?” Yahweh replied, “No, I will not destroy it then.” And Yahweh left Abraham.
The messengers of Yahweh walked into Sodom later that evening. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was waiting by the gate of the city and saw the angels. Thinking they were men, Lot hurriedly invited them to his house. “No,” said the messengers of Yahweh, “we will sleep in the middle of the town. That should be fine, shouldn’t it?” Lot implored them, “Please, sirs. Please stay at my house. It is safer, much safer. Who knows who will attack you at night?” The messengers allowed themselves to be persuaded by Lot. Lot brought them home and offered them dinner.
Just as they were beginning to eat, a knock came on the door. Lot opened the door and saw all of the men of Sodom outside the door with weapons. “Lot,” they said, “we know that you have those two strangers in your house. Be a good man, Lot and let us have them.” Lot replied, “What would you do with them?” The men smiled. “Nothing much. We will just have sex with them all night. They might die, they might not. But they’ll never come back, that’s for sure.” Lot said, “These men are under my protection—I will not allow you to have them.” “All right” said the men, “then we’ll come in and get them. And you will feel yourself, Lot, how we treat strangers here.”
At this time, one of the angels held his hand out the door and a great flash of light blinded all the men. The angels turned to Lot at this time and said, “You need to get out of this town right now. Yahweh has marked this place for destruction. Get out and take all of your family.” Lot went to his family—two daughters, two sons-in-law, and his wife—and told them that they needed to leave immediately. His sons-in-law thought he was joking and went back to sleep. Lot hesitated, saying “Aren’t there others I should take? Shouldn’t I pack? I’m not ready…” The angels grabbed Lot with his wife and daughters and forced them out of the city. “Get out!” they cried. “Don’t stop! And whatever you do, don’t go back, don’t even look back—Sodom will be destroyed in a moment!”
So Lot left Sodom and didn’t look back. Lot’s wife, however, did look back, for she didn’t want to leave her friends and the good life in Sodom. As she turned back, she was turned to a pillar of salt. Lot, however, lived in the wilderness with his daughters for many years. Immediately after the disaster, Lot and his daughters thought the whole world was destroyed. So Lot’s daughters got their father drunk and had sex with him. They each had children who became nations—Ammon and Moab— in later years.
Expectant Hope
God promised those who follow Jesus a future of wholeness.
For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:8
God promised those who follow Jesus to be raised from the dead.
Christ the first fruits was raised, then at his coming those who belong to Christ will be raised. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. I Corinthians 15:23, 26
We live in expectation that God will give this to us.
We hope for what we do not see—the redemption of our bodies—and we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:23,25
We know that we will receive this because God has given us the Holy Spirit.
When you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
If we suffer for Christ, we rejoice, for we know that we will receive God’s good in the end.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven. Luke 6:22-23
Like the saints of old, we expect this promise to be fulfilled, even if we do not experience it in our lives.
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Hebrews 11:12, 15-16
Those who mock our hope will be judged on the last day.
In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" The present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless. II Peter 3:3,4,7
For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:8
God promised those who follow Jesus to be raised from the dead.
Christ the first fruits was raised, then at his coming those who belong to Christ will be raised. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. I Corinthians 15:23, 26
We live in expectation that God will give this to us.
We hope for what we do not see—the redemption of our bodies—and we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:23,25
We know that we will receive this because God has given us the Holy Spirit.
When you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
If we suffer for Christ, we rejoice, for we know that we will receive God’s good in the end.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven. Luke 6:22-23
Like the saints of old, we expect this promise to be fulfilled, even if we do not experience it in our lives.
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Hebrews 11:12, 15-16
Those who mock our hope will be judged on the last day.
In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" The present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless. II Peter 3:3,4,7
God's Kingship
God gives blessings and promises to his creation.
God saw that his creation was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." Genesis 1:21-22
God will remain faithful to his promises.
Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. II Timothy 2:13
God will continue to provide for his creation.
Matthew 6
God will provide even for those who are unrighteous to him.
Luke 6
God is righteous and demands righteousness of his creation.
For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
Psalm 11:7
God will judge and destroy whatever of his work rebels against him.
if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 1:20
God will forgive the sins of those who remain in him.
Psalm 103
God saw that his creation was good. God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." Genesis 1:21-22
God will remain faithful to his promises.
Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. II Timothy 2:13
God will continue to provide for his creation.
Matthew 6
God will provide even for those who are unrighteous to him.
Luke 6
God is righteous and demands righteousness of his creation.
For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
Psalm 11:7
God will judge and destroy whatever of his work rebels against him.
if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 1:20
God will forgive the sins of those who remain in him.
Psalm 103
God the Creator
God is the creator of heaven and earth.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Because he created, we know that God is the most powerful being.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:28-29
Because he is the Creator, God is the rightful king of all creation
O LORD the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. II Kings 19:15
Because he created we know that God is wiser than we can ever understand.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28
God is the creator of order, not chaos.
Thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited— "I am the LORD, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18
Whoever does not acknowledge God as maker of heaven and earth or thank him for his works will be punished.
Though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity. Rom 1:21, 24
Because God created us, we should not question God’s wisdom or judgment or rebel against him.
Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands? I made the earth, and created humankind upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded their entire host. Isaiah 45:11-12
We should glorify him because he created us.
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Because he created, we know that God is the most powerful being.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:28-29
Because he is the Creator, God is the rightful king of all creation
O LORD the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. II Kings 19:15
Because he created we know that God is wiser than we can ever understand.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28
God is the creator of order, not chaos.
Thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited— "I am the LORD, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18
Whoever does not acknowledge God as maker of heaven and earth or thank him for his works will be punished.
Though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity. Rom 1:21, 24
Because God created us, we should not question God’s wisdom or judgment or rebel against him.
Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands? I made the earth, and created humankind upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded their entire host. Isaiah 45:11-12
We should glorify him because he created us.
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11
Monday, September 08, 2008
Abram and the Promise
Genesis 12-16
Go forth from your country and from your family and from your father's house to the land which I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:1-3
Yahweh looked throughout the earth and saw humanity in rebellion against Him. No one desired to follow Yahweh’s will. No one wanted to submit themselves to Yahweh. Instead, humankind had chosen to honor the national powers and idols made of human hands as king instead of Yahweh himself. But Yahweh remembered that he had promised the humans to rule over the earth. And he remembered his promise to Noah not to judge the earth with the waters. And so Yahweh chose a new plan—a plan to reform humans away from their rebellion and back to himself.
Abram was a man who had everything the world had to give. His father was about to die and grant him a large inheritance and he had a wife and many servants. However, he did not have a son to continue his inheritance. Yahweh spoke to Abraham and cut a deal with him: “Abram, this is Yahweh, the great God of the heavens. I want you to leave your inheritance and leave your family and just go. I will tell you where to stop when you get there, but you need to just leave with all you have. If you do this, I will make you one of the great men on earth. I will give you a great reputation and all of the peoples of the earth will bless you. Should anyone curse you, I will protect you and cause them to fail.” Abram accepted this and left his family and began to wander with his wife and servants and flocks.
Eventually, Abram wandered to Canaan, between the great nations of Egypt and Mesopotamia. At this place, Yahweh told Abram to stay and said that his children will own this land. And Abram worshiped Yahweh in that place, honoring him for his promise.
Abram had also brought his nephew, Lot with him to this land, who also had servants and flocks. Unfortunately, Abram’s servants and Lot’s often quarreled about the resources of the land—the water and grazing land. Abram took Lot to a tall hill and said to him, “Look at all the land there is. Lot, you chose what land you like and I will go somewhere else.” Lot rudely chose the best land for himself, near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. As Lot left, Yahweh spoke to Abram and said, “Abram, you are righteous even in light of unrighteousness. Look all around you. All of this land I will give you and your children—everything you see. Now wander about the land and look at all I will give you.”
As Abram wandered, he heard that a great army had gone and attacked Sodom and his nephew, Lot, and had taken them all away. Abram gathered up his servants and chased the army, attacked them and freed the captives. The king of Sodom insulted Abram and Abram indicated that he would have nothing to do with Sodom. However, the king of Salem (later called Jerusalem) called Melchizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him one tenth of his possessions.
After this, Yahweh spoke to Abram and said, “Don’t be afraid of anything, Abram, for I will protect you.” Abram replied, “This is true—but how are you going to keep your promises to me? You said that my children would receive this land—but I have no children! My head servant will receive my inheritance! All because you have given me no children.” Yahweh answered, “I know that you are old, Abram and that your wife cannot have children. But listen to me, Abram. I will make sure that you have children—so many children that they cannot be counted. I brought you from a distant country in order to gain this land—and so shall your children receive it.”
Abram listened to God and trusted that God’s word was true. Because of Abram’s faith, he was considered righteous before Yahweh and was allowed to approach Yahweh before His throne. In the meantime, Abram waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled for 24 years.
In the midst of this 24 years, both Sarai and Abram became impatient for God’s promise to come true. So Sarai offered a compromise with Abram, “Look, you know that I am much too old to have children. Why don’t we just have a surrogate mother instead? You can just impregnate my slave, Hagar, and then her child will be ours.” Abram thought this idea was fine, so he and Hagar had a child.
Once she was pregnant, however, Hagar no longer acted like a slave, but a proper wife to Abram, and started to treat Sarai with contempt. Sarai was very angry and began to beat Hagar, so Hagar ran away. As she was by herself, wondering what to do next, an angel appeared to her. “Hagar, where are you going?” She replied, “I’m leaving my mistress Sarai—you wouldn’t expect me to live under those kind of conditions do you?” The angel said, “You are carrying Abram’s son, and if you return to live with them—even under such conditions—then God will bless you. You will call your son Ishmael and he will be the father of many generations and nations. And you will be cared for. Just try to endure under the difficulties for now.” Hagar praised God and returned to Sarai. And she gave birth to a son and his name was Ishmael. But Ishmael was not the son God had promised.
Why did God need another plan?
Because even though violence was abated among humans, they were worshipping many gods who did not represent the Most High God at all. People will worshipping their national spiritual guardians and the sun and the moon—but Yahweh was not worshiped or obeyed at all. He needed to set up a new people, devoted to worshiping Yahweh alone and keeping His word.
Why did God chose Abram?
First of all, God chose Abram because he was willing to listen to Yahweh. He was willing to hear what others would not hear—that the Most High God wanted worshippers all to Himself. Abram’s father probably worshipped the moon, but Abram rejected that worship to only worship the Most High God. Secondly, God gave Abram a test. He told Abram to just leave his inheritance to receive God’s inheritance which he was not told what it was. So, in obeying God’s command, Abram, in a sense, also chose himself. Abram was the one who heard God and obeyed Him, even when it didn’t make sense.
Why did Abram make war?
Abram was committed to protecting his nephew, Lot. So he wanted to deliver Lot from slavery. But when Abram made war, he committed to an impossible war—300 men against thousands. Abram knew that he couldn’t win the war on his own. So he was depending on God to win this war for him. This was just another act of faith for Abram.
Why did Abram commit adultery?
The customs of ancient times are different than today. Today, we can have surrogate motherhood not through a sexual union, but through medical procedures. Well, in those days, this procedure—with a woman owned by one’s wife—was completely legal and considered moral. We do not consider it so today, and God was not satisfied with the process. This is why Ishmael was not given Abram’s blessing, but a different one. But what was the real problem is trying to force God’s hand through a human procedure. This isn’t faith, it is manipulating God. When God makes a promise, He will fulfill it himself.
What blessing did Ishmael receive?
Ishmael and his children received a few blessings from God. You can read them in Genesis 16:11-12; 17:20; 21:18; and Isaiah 60:1-7. It says that Ishmael will be many huge nations and that they will, in time, worship Yahweh and offer his people gifts. The sons of Ishmael, today, are the Arabic peoples which are mostly Muslim. They are the inheritors of God’s blessing to Ishmael, and they can receive even the full blessing of God through Jesus.
Go forth from your country and from your family and from your father's house to the land which I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:1-3
Yahweh looked throughout the earth and saw humanity in rebellion against Him. No one desired to follow Yahweh’s will. No one wanted to submit themselves to Yahweh. Instead, humankind had chosen to honor the national powers and idols made of human hands as king instead of Yahweh himself. But Yahweh remembered that he had promised the humans to rule over the earth. And he remembered his promise to Noah not to judge the earth with the waters. And so Yahweh chose a new plan—a plan to reform humans away from their rebellion and back to himself.
Abram was a man who had everything the world had to give. His father was about to die and grant him a large inheritance and he had a wife and many servants. However, he did not have a son to continue his inheritance. Yahweh spoke to Abraham and cut a deal with him: “Abram, this is Yahweh, the great God of the heavens. I want you to leave your inheritance and leave your family and just go. I will tell you where to stop when you get there, but you need to just leave with all you have. If you do this, I will make you one of the great men on earth. I will give you a great reputation and all of the peoples of the earth will bless you. Should anyone curse you, I will protect you and cause them to fail.” Abram accepted this and left his family and began to wander with his wife and servants and flocks.
Eventually, Abram wandered to Canaan, between the great nations of Egypt and Mesopotamia. At this place, Yahweh told Abram to stay and said that his children will own this land. And Abram worshiped Yahweh in that place, honoring him for his promise.
Abram had also brought his nephew, Lot with him to this land, who also had servants and flocks. Unfortunately, Abram’s servants and Lot’s often quarreled about the resources of the land—the water and grazing land. Abram took Lot to a tall hill and said to him, “Look at all the land there is. Lot, you chose what land you like and I will go somewhere else.” Lot rudely chose the best land for himself, near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. As Lot left, Yahweh spoke to Abram and said, “Abram, you are righteous even in light of unrighteousness. Look all around you. All of this land I will give you and your children—everything you see. Now wander about the land and look at all I will give you.”
As Abram wandered, he heard that a great army had gone and attacked Sodom and his nephew, Lot, and had taken them all away. Abram gathered up his servants and chased the army, attacked them and freed the captives. The king of Sodom insulted Abram and Abram indicated that he would have nothing to do with Sodom. However, the king of Salem (later called Jerusalem) called Melchizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him one tenth of his possessions.
After this, Yahweh spoke to Abram and said, “Don’t be afraid of anything, Abram, for I will protect you.” Abram replied, “This is true—but how are you going to keep your promises to me? You said that my children would receive this land—but I have no children! My head servant will receive my inheritance! All because you have given me no children.” Yahweh answered, “I know that you are old, Abram and that your wife cannot have children. But listen to me, Abram. I will make sure that you have children—so many children that they cannot be counted. I brought you from a distant country in order to gain this land—and so shall your children receive it.”
Abram listened to God and trusted that God’s word was true. Because of Abram’s faith, he was considered righteous before Yahweh and was allowed to approach Yahweh before His throne. In the meantime, Abram waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled for 24 years.
In the midst of this 24 years, both Sarai and Abram became impatient for God’s promise to come true. So Sarai offered a compromise with Abram, “Look, you know that I am much too old to have children. Why don’t we just have a surrogate mother instead? You can just impregnate my slave, Hagar, and then her child will be ours.” Abram thought this idea was fine, so he and Hagar had a child.
Once she was pregnant, however, Hagar no longer acted like a slave, but a proper wife to Abram, and started to treat Sarai with contempt. Sarai was very angry and began to beat Hagar, so Hagar ran away. As she was by herself, wondering what to do next, an angel appeared to her. “Hagar, where are you going?” She replied, “I’m leaving my mistress Sarai—you wouldn’t expect me to live under those kind of conditions do you?” The angel said, “You are carrying Abram’s son, and if you return to live with them—even under such conditions—then God will bless you. You will call your son Ishmael and he will be the father of many generations and nations. And you will be cared for. Just try to endure under the difficulties for now.” Hagar praised God and returned to Sarai. And she gave birth to a son and his name was Ishmael. But Ishmael was not the son God had promised.
Why did God need another plan?
Because even though violence was abated among humans, they were worshipping many gods who did not represent the Most High God at all. People will worshipping their national spiritual guardians and the sun and the moon—but Yahweh was not worshiped or obeyed at all. He needed to set up a new people, devoted to worshiping Yahweh alone and keeping His word.
Why did God chose Abram?
First of all, God chose Abram because he was willing to listen to Yahweh. He was willing to hear what others would not hear—that the Most High God wanted worshippers all to Himself. Abram’s father probably worshipped the moon, but Abram rejected that worship to only worship the Most High God. Secondly, God gave Abram a test. He told Abram to just leave his inheritance to receive God’s inheritance which he was not told what it was. So, in obeying God’s command, Abram, in a sense, also chose himself. Abram was the one who heard God and obeyed Him, even when it didn’t make sense.
Why did Abram make war?
Abram was committed to protecting his nephew, Lot. So he wanted to deliver Lot from slavery. But when Abram made war, he committed to an impossible war—300 men against thousands. Abram knew that he couldn’t win the war on his own. So he was depending on God to win this war for him. This was just another act of faith for Abram.
Why did Abram commit adultery?
The customs of ancient times are different than today. Today, we can have surrogate motherhood not through a sexual union, but through medical procedures. Well, in those days, this procedure—with a woman owned by one’s wife—was completely legal and considered moral. We do not consider it so today, and God was not satisfied with the process. This is why Ishmael was not given Abram’s blessing, but a different one. But what was the real problem is trying to force God’s hand through a human procedure. This isn’t faith, it is manipulating God. When God makes a promise, He will fulfill it himself.
What blessing did Ishmael receive?
Ishmael and his children received a few blessings from God. You can read them in Genesis 16:11-12; 17:20; 21:18; and Isaiah 60:1-7. It says that Ishmael will be many huge nations and that they will, in time, worship Yahweh and offer his people gifts. The sons of Ishmael, today, are the Arabic peoples which are mostly Muslim. They are the inheritors of God’s blessing to Ishmael, and they can receive even the full blessing of God through Jesus.
The Destruction of Humanity
Genesis 4-9, Luke 17:26-27
Just as it happened in the days of Noah, so also it will be in the days of the Son of Man-- they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage— until the day Noah entered the boat and the flood came and destroyed everything. Luke 17:26-27
Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in the image of God.
Genesis 9:1-6
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of men, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. Deuteronomy 32:8
Chaos Theory
The first man and woman had children—many, many of them. These children had children and humans spread out to rule over the land as far as they could. Thus, humans ruled over the earth, but not in justice. They killed each other and killed whatever they saw, without reason. They drank the blood of animals in order to gain strength. The first son, Cain, killed his brother, Abel, because God refused his shoddy offering. God punished him, yet another rose in his place, Nimrod who killed a man for lightly offending him. Warriors arose in those days, beginning wars and increasing the violence on the earth. Murder was commonplace.
Erase the Board
Yahweh looked at the earth and sorrow filled his heart. He said, “I deeply regret ever making humans. I will destroy them. I will destroy them all—all men and all the creatures that they rule over.” But Yahweh looked down again and saw a man without violence, a man who desired to do only what Yahweh told him. And Yahweh was pleased with him. So Yahweh spoke to Noah and said, “Noah, I am about to destroy everything living. I will cause the waters of heaven to come down and they will flood the earth and all flesh will die. But as for you, I want you to build a boat. It will be huge—enough for you and two of every kind of animal in the world. Do it quickly, for I will destroy the world soon.” Noah listened to Yahweh and obeyed him.
Lifetime Hobby
Noah finished the boat after 120 years. He sometimes told his neighbors about the coming flood, but no one listened to him. They were too busy with their daily lives to give any attention to his message that their world would be destroyed soon. But that didn’t stop Noah—he still worked, faithfully, as God desired. After the boat was finished, the animals were collected. Noah and his family were ready—and so was Yahweh.
Using Bad Guys Against Bad Guys
Yahweh used waters from heaven to judge the people. These waters fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, and so flooded all the inhabited earth. The waters were given control over the earth for one hundred and fifty days. But Yahweh remembered his promise to humankind that they would rule the earth. So as the waters went back to the heavens, Yahweh returned control of the earth to Noah and his family.
A Promise is a Promise
Yahweh promised Noah—and through him all humankind—that He would never again destroy the earth by the waters and that the normal times and seasons of the earth would continue until the final time of the earth. Yahweh also gave some laws by which all humans must abide, even if they are in rebellion. Humans must fill the whole earth in order to take control of it. Humans may eat the meat of animals, but they must never drink blood. And no one—no human or animal—must murder another human. If anyone kills a human, then they will be destroyed by humans.
The Beginning of the World
Noah’s sons had many children and they spread out throughout the earth, developing peoples, nations and languages. As humankind separated themselves into nations, Yahweh placed a heavenly power over each nation in order to keep the rebellious humans in check.
Q&A
Why did Cain kill his brother?
The first murder occurred because God liked Abel better than Cain. We don’t know why God liked Abel better, but he did. And Cain was intensely jealous of Abel and angry at God. So he killed his brother. Perhaps that seems petty, but that’s how violence starts—about something petty. And it grew not only in Cain, but from generation to generation until the world became a murderous mess.
Why did God destroy humanity?
Because humanity’s violence was getting out of control. Everyone was a murderer, thinking of how they can get violent revenge on each other. It was a terrible place to live, and just the opposite of God’s intentions for the world.
Why did God chose someone to survive?
Why didn’t he just choose to wipe them all out? Because God had made a promise. He promised humanity to rule the earth. So he couldn’t destroy them all. And also because Noah didn’t sin like his fellow citizens did. So God chose him out of everyone to survive the terrible trial he was putting the earth through.
Is it important that God used water to kill?
Yes. You see, God was re-creating the situation the earth was like before he started creating—Genesis 1:2. The water rebelled against God and God punished the water by separating it. This time, God is using the water to do what it originally did in rebellion—to cover the earth. So the Sea—one of the original bad guys—was tamed by God to do His work.
Could God destroy the earth some other way?
Technically, he could. The earth, it is said, will be covered with fire, it says in II Peter. But even with that, God will re-create the world through his Son first. God will change the governments and allow his son to rule before he makes the big change and everything begins from scratch again.
Why did God give rules to Noah?
In order to keep humanity from becoming as violent as they had before. God set up a system of vengeance in order to prevent people from murdering. While it worked generally, there are still vicious murderers in the land. So God needed a new system. And he chose Jesus as the better way of transforming humanity. Noah was just a stop-gap.
Just as it happened in the days of Noah, so also it will be in the days of the Son of Man-- they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage— until the day Noah entered the boat and the flood came and destroyed everything. Luke 17:26-27
Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in the image of God.
Genesis 9:1-6
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of men, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. Deuteronomy 32:8
Chaos Theory
The first man and woman had children—many, many of them. These children had children and humans spread out to rule over the land as far as they could. Thus, humans ruled over the earth, but not in justice. They killed each other and killed whatever they saw, without reason. They drank the blood of animals in order to gain strength. The first son, Cain, killed his brother, Abel, because God refused his shoddy offering. God punished him, yet another rose in his place, Nimrod who killed a man for lightly offending him. Warriors arose in those days, beginning wars and increasing the violence on the earth. Murder was commonplace.
Erase the Board
Yahweh looked at the earth and sorrow filled his heart. He said, “I deeply regret ever making humans. I will destroy them. I will destroy them all—all men and all the creatures that they rule over.” But Yahweh looked down again and saw a man without violence, a man who desired to do only what Yahweh told him. And Yahweh was pleased with him. So Yahweh spoke to Noah and said, “Noah, I am about to destroy everything living. I will cause the waters of heaven to come down and they will flood the earth and all flesh will die. But as for you, I want you to build a boat. It will be huge—enough for you and two of every kind of animal in the world. Do it quickly, for I will destroy the world soon.” Noah listened to Yahweh and obeyed him.
Lifetime Hobby
Noah finished the boat after 120 years. He sometimes told his neighbors about the coming flood, but no one listened to him. They were too busy with their daily lives to give any attention to his message that their world would be destroyed soon. But that didn’t stop Noah—he still worked, faithfully, as God desired. After the boat was finished, the animals were collected. Noah and his family were ready—and so was Yahweh.
Using Bad Guys Against Bad Guys
Yahweh used waters from heaven to judge the people. These waters fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, and so flooded all the inhabited earth. The waters were given control over the earth for one hundred and fifty days. But Yahweh remembered his promise to humankind that they would rule the earth. So as the waters went back to the heavens, Yahweh returned control of the earth to Noah and his family.
A Promise is a Promise
Yahweh promised Noah—and through him all humankind—that He would never again destroy the earth by the waters and that the normal times and seasons of the earth would continue until the final time of the earth. Yahweh also gave some laws by which all humans must abide, even if they are in rebellion. Humans must fill the whole earth in order to take control of it. Humans may eat the meat of animals, but they must never drink blood. And no one—no human or animal—must murder another human. If anyone kills a human, then they will be destroyed by humans.
The Beginning of the World
Noah’s sons had many children and they spread out throughout the earth, developing peoples, nations and languages. As humankind separated themselves into nations, Yahweh placed a heavenly power over each nation in order to keep the rebellious humans in check.
Q&A
Why did Cain kill his brother?
The first murder occurred because God liked Abel better than Cain. We don’t know why God liked Abel better, but he did. And Cain was intensely jealous of Abel and angry at God. So he killed his brother. Perhaps that seems petty, but that’s how violence starts—about something petty. And it grew not only in Cain, but from generation to generation until the world became a murderous mess.
Why did God destroy humanity?
Because humanity’s violence was getting out of control. Everyone was a murderer, thinking of how they can get violent revenge on each other. It was a terrible place to live, and just the opposite of God’s intentions for the world.
Why did God chose someone to survive?
Why didn’t he just choose to wipe them all out? Because God had made a promise. He promised humanity to rule the earth. So he couldn’t destroy them all. And also because Noah didn’t sin like his fellow citizens did. So God chose him out of everyone to survive the terrible trial he was putting the earth through.
Is it important that God used water to kill?
Yes. You see, God was re-creating the situation the earth was like before he started creating—Genesis 1:2. The water rebelled against God and God punished the water by separating it. This time, God is using the water to do what it originally did in rebellion—to cover the earth. So the Sea—one of the original bad guys—was tamed by God to do His work.
Could God destroy the earth some other way?
Technically, he could. The earth, it is said, will be covered with fire, it says in II Peter. But even with that, God will re-create the world through his Son first. God will change the governments and allow his son to rule before he makes the big change and everything begins from scratch again.
Why did God give rules to Noah?
In order to keep humanity from becoming as violent as they had before. God set up a system of vengeance in order to prevent people from murdering. While it worked generally, there are still vicious murderers in the land. So God needed a new system. And he chose Jesus as the better way of transforming humanity. Noah was just a stop-gap.
Loving Your Neighbor 2
We should love others as we care for ourselves.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:15
We all have a basic level of care for ourselves, which we should share with others.
For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:29-30
We should do to others as we would want them to do to us.
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
We need to show more interest in other’s needs than in our own.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
We are to have mercy on everyone we meet in need.
Jesus asked, “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The scribe said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37
Be merciful, do not judge, do not condemn, forgive, and give freely, and God will give us according to what we have given.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. Luke 6:36-38
You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:15
We all have a basic level of care for ourselves, which we should share with others.
For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:29-30
We should do to others as we would want them to do to us.
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
We need to show more interest in other’s needs than in our own.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
We are to have mercy on everyone we meet in need.
Jesus asked, “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The scribe said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37
Be merciful, do not judge, do not condemn, forgive, and give freely, and God will give us according to what we have given.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. Luke 6:36-38
Loving Your Neighbor 1
We owe love to everyone.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
If we fail to love, we do not have God’s love in us.
Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. I John 4:20
Everyone will know that we are a disciple of Jesus if we love.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
We are to do good to everyone.
Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10
Everything we do should be done in love.
Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14
If we fail in love, we have failed no matter what other good we do.
If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:2-3
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
If we fail to love, we do not have God’s love in us.
Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. I John 4:20
Everyone will know that we are a disciple of Jesus if we love.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
We are to do good to everyone.
Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10
Everything we do should be done in love.
Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14
If we fail in love, we have failed no matter what other good we do.
If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:2-3
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Rebellion of Humanity-- Genesis 2-3
For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
The serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness. II Corinthians 11:3
Big, Big House
Yahweh made a beautiful garden in the East and named it Eden. The garden rested between four rivers and had all kinds of trees and vegetation growing throughout it. Yahweh made all kinds of animals and placed them in the garden as well. Then Yahweh stood on the ground and picked up some soil, making it into a man and Yahweh breathed life into him. Yahweh put the man into Eden and told him to care for it and rule it.
“Eat whatever you want out of the garden,” Yahweh told him, “Any tree and fruit you want. All except one. Promise me that you will never eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” The man promised. Yahweh explained, “You see, if you eat of that tree, you are seeking to have knowledge of good and evil within yourself. I am your knowledge of good and evil—you need no tree. And if you eat of that tree, on that day I will have to hand you over to the power of death. I don’t want that. I want you to live with me. So don’t eat it.” The man listened and obeyed.
Man Gave Names To All The Animals
The man set himself to the task of naming all the animals, so he could rule them better. He looked at every one, and named each one. But in the end, he realized, he was alone. There was no one to rule with him, no one to help him, no one for him to help. Yahweh looked at the man and said, “The man shouldn’t be alone. I will make a partner for him.” Yahweh put the man asleep and took out a bone, and from that bone he made a woman. The man awoke and said, “This is bone of my bone—this is one just like me! I will name her woman, for she came out of the man.” And they were together without clothes and they didn’t care.
Lies and Consequences
However, in the garden dwelt Leviathan, the dragon. Although defeated, he still sought to rebel against Yahweh and defeat the new appointed rulers, the humans. As the woman was near the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the evil one said, “Did God really tell you that you couldn’t eat any fruit off of this tree?” The woman said, “That’s right. We can eat all of the fruit in the garden, but this tree we can’t eat off of or touch it—or else we’re dead.” The liar said, “You won’t die! God knows that if you eat this tree, you yourself will be a god. You will have the knowledge of good and evil within yourself. You will never have to depend on God again!”
The woman thought to herself, “Actually, that fruit doesn’t look dangerous. And I bet it would make me smart—as smart as God himself, maybe! And really, it looks quite good. And I am so hungry…” so she convinced herself to eat the fruit. Then she handed it to the man. He saw the fruit and knew where it was from. The woman wasn’t harmed by it. And he wanted to be as smart as God. So he ate the fruit as well. Then they looked at each other and said, “Why are you naked? That is horrible! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” So they ran off and hid.
Here Comes the Judge
That evening, Yahweh was walking in the garden to spend time with the man. However, he couldn’t find him. “Man, where are you?” he called. The man responded, “Over here.” Yahweh said, “Why are you hiding?” The man said, “I’m naked—please don’t look at me!” Yahweh said, “Who told you that you were naked?… Did you eat the fruit I forbade you?” The man blamed the woman. The woman blamed the dragon. And Yahweh was angry.
“Leviathan, I’ve had it with you. You shall not walk—you will crawl from now on and eat dirt. And do you see this woman? She will have babies soon. One of those babies will grow. While you may bite the child’s heel, he will crush you and you will be destroyed forever.”
Then Yahweh looked at the humans. “I am very sorry. I never wanted this to happen.” He sighed. “Woman, because you listened to this liar, with every baby you have you will also have great suffering. And you will always desire your husband—but he will just be your ruler.” Then he turned to the man. “Man, because you did what the woman told you, with your work will come great suffering. Your food will only be gained with weeds and thorns. You will suffer all the days of your life and then you will die and become soil again.” He turned away from them, but still spoke. “Because you have rebelled against me, you will have to leave the land I prepared for you. You are exiled. Live under the rule of death. I will never see you face to face again.”
Then the humans were given clothes and cast out of Eden. Two cherubim stood by the entrance of the garden with flaming swords to be sure that no human entered it.
Questions:
Where is Eden?
The garden of Eden doesn’t exist today. It was a place of the earth, and in the Biblical story, it was destroyed in the flood. Originally, Eden was huge, taking up space from modern Iraq to modern Ethiopia.
Who is the man?
In most translations, he is called “Adam”—but adam is simply the Hebrew word for “human”. In other words, adam is the first and the prototypical human, and we are all examples of him, as humans. “Adam” is not the name for a male human specifically, but male and female in general.
Why did the man name animals?
To name something shows one’s rulership over it and care for it. You don’t name something you have no interest in speaking about again.
Why are there two sexes?
God made humanity in two sexes in order to provide companionship, love and to have more complete authority. In other words, to be more like God. It is not the male human who was made in God’s image, but both men and women. It is only humanity in two sexes that has the potential of naturally displaying the love and authority that reflects God. One kind of human is incomplete. This does not mean that an unmarried person cannot reflect God’s image—far from it. But whether married or unmarried, only a union with the Holy Spirit in Jesus can any person be whole enough to be in God’s true, complete image.
What is the tree of knowledge?
The tree of knowledge has nothing to do with sexuality or with simply knowing information. It is having the source of morality within oneself. In other words, it is the ability to discern personally what is right and wrong—ethical discernment. While this sounds like a good thing on the surface, God forbade them that tree because He wanted to reserve the right of determining good and evil himself. This continues to this day. So what the man and woman did is to say that they wanted to determine what was right and wrong themselves, without having to depend on God to make such decisions. Essentially, this is rebellion against the authority of God.
Why did God test them?
In a sense, God’s command wasn’t a test. He was looking out for their best interests, like a mother telling her toddler not to touch the hot stove. Also, God told them not to touch only one tree out of a hundred thousand acres of trees. It wasn’t as if there weren’t other choices. On the other hand, God gave this command to see if humans would continue under his authority. If they ever touched that particular tree, it was the major indicator that they were rejecting God’s rule. Thus, God would have to treat them accordingly.
Why does the story say it was Leviathan? I thought it was Satan.
Yes, it is Satan. Satan, according to Revelation 12 is the “dragon in the garden”. Yahweh had to defeat the dragon, Leviathan, for his rebellion, and now that same dragon, AKA Satan, appears again, trying to get humanity to rebel against God the way he did.
Why did the people take the fruit?
Because they were tired of living under God’s rule. They wanted to make their own decisions about their own lives. They also found the fruit to be good to eat—so they focused on the one thing they couldn’t have, rather than the millions of things they could have. And they did it because they thought that they would be equal with the Most High.
How did they know they were naked?
This was not a standard God placed on them—that nakedness was shameful, but being clothed was good. This is a standard they made up themselves, given their new status as people who make their own decisions of right and wrong. And so they were ashamed, not because of anything God told them, but because of their own personal ethics.
What is death?
In the Genesis story, death is not simply the cessation of life. Death is an angelic power that has ultimate rulership over everything that dies. So when God told the humans that they would “die”, it didn’t mean that they would stop living on that day, but that He would hand them over to be under the authority of the power of Death, and they would no longer have the opportunity to live eternally. Also, it just so happens that the power of Death is under the authority of Satan—so humans become subject to Satan through Death. (see Hebrews 2:14).
Why did God punish them so severely just for eating a fruit?
He didn’t punish them for eating food. God, first of all, was speaking of the natural consequences of their action. He was telling them about the life they would have to live because of their decision. They could no longer live in the garden, because God had to separate them from eternal life. God could not have frail, stupid humans, who think they can decide right and wrong themselves, living forever. If that was so, they would turn the universe upside-down. But if they couldn’t live in the garden, they would not be able to live the high life anymore. They would have to work for their food, not just pluck it from trees. They would have pain in childbirth and raising children because their children would have their own ideas of how to live and rebel against their parents. As far as Satan—the serpent—he did receive a punishment for his part in the rebellion (no more legs—ouch!). But there is also a natural consequence. Although Satan succeeded in gaining authority over mankind, humanity would eventually rise up and destroy him.
The serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness. II Corinthians 11:3
Big, Big House
Yahweh made a beautiful garden in the East and named it Eden. The garden rested between four rivers and had all kinds of trees and vegetation growing throughout it. Yahweh made all kinds of animals and placed them in the garden as well. Then Yahweh stood on the ground and picked up some soil, making it into a man and Yahweh breathed life into him. Yahweh put the man into Eden and told him to care for it and rule it.
“Eat whatever you want out of the garden,” Yahweh told him, “Any tree and fruit you want. All except one. Promise me that you will never eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” The man promised. Yahweh explained, “You see, if you eat of that tree, you are seeking to have knowledge of good and evil within yourself. I am your knowledge of good and evil—you need no tree. And if you eat of that tree, on that day I will have to hand you over to the power of death. I don’t want that. I want you to live with me. So don’t eat it.” The man listened and obeyed.
Man Gave Names To All The Animals
The man set himself to the task of naming all the animals, so he could rule them better. He looked at every one, and named each one. But in the end, he realized, he was alone. There was no one to rule with him, no one to help him, no one for him to help. Yahweh looked at the man and said, “The man shouldn’t be alone. I will make a partner for him.” Yahweh put the man asleep and took out a bone, and from that bone he made a woman. The man awoke and said, “This is bone of my bone—this is one just like me! I will name her woman, for she came out of the man.” And they were together without clothes and they didn’t care.
Lies and Consequences
However, in the garden dwelt Leviathan, the dragon. Although defeated, he still sought to rebel against Yahweh and defeat the new appointed rulers, the humans. As the woman was near the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the evil one said, “Did God really tell you that you couldn’t eat any fruit off of this tree?” The woman said, “That’s right. We can eat all of the fruit in the garden, but this tree we can’t eat off of or touch it—or else we’re dead.” The liar said, “You won’t die! God knows that if you eat this tree, you yourself will be a god. You will have the knowledge of good and evil within yourself. You will never have to depend on God again!”
The woman thought to herself, “Actually, that fruit doesn’t look dangerous. And I bet it would make me smart—as smart as God himself, maybe! And really, it looks quite good. And I am so hungry…” so she convinced herself to eat the fruit. Then she handed it to the man. He saw the fruit and knew where it was from. The woman wasn’t harmed by it. And he wanted to be as smart as God. So he ate the fruit as well. Then they looked at each other and said, “Why are you naked? That is horrible! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” So they ran off and hid.
Here Comes the Judge
That evening, Yahweh was walking in the garden to spend time with the man. However, he couldn’t find him. “Man, where are you?” he called. The man responded, “Over here.” Yahweh said, “Why are you hiding?” The man said, “I’m naked—please don’t look at me!” Yahweh said, “Who told you that you were naked?… Did you eat the fruit I forbade you?” The man blamed the woman. The woman blamed the dragon. And Yahweh was angry.
“Leviathan, I’ve had it with you. You shall not walk—you will crawl from now on and eat dirt. And do you see this woman? She will have babies soon. One of those babies will grow. While you may bite the child’s heel, he will crush you and you will be destroyed forever.”
Then Yahweh looked at the humans. “I am very sorry. I never wanted this to happen.” He sighed. “Woman, because you listened to this liar, with every baby you have you will also have great suffering. And you will always desire your husband—but he will just be your ruler.” Then he turned to the man. “Man, because you did what the woman told you, with your work will come great suffering. Your food will only be gained with weeds and thorns. You will suffer all the days of your life and then you will die and become soil again.” He turned away from them, but still spoke. “Because you have rebelled against me, you will have to leave the land I prepared for you. You are exiled. Live under the rule of death. I will never see you face to face again.”
Then the humans were given clothes and cast out of Eden. Two cherubim stood by the entrance of the garden with flaming swords to be sure that no human entered it.
Questions:
Where is Eden?
The garden of Eden doesn’t exist today. It was a place of the earth, and in the Biblical story, it was destroyed in the flood. Originally, Eden was huge, taking up space from modern Iraq to modern Ethiopia.
Who is the man?
In most translations, he is called “Adam”—but adam is simply the Hebrew word for “human”. In other words, adam is the first and the prototypical human, and we are all examples of him, as humans. “Adam” is not the name for a male human specifically, but male and female in general.
Why did the man name animals?
To name something shows one’s rulership over it and care for it. You don’t name something you have no interest in speaking about again.
Why are there two sexes?
God made humanity in two sexes in order to provide companionship, love and to have more complete authority. In other words, to be more like God. It is not the male human who was made in God’s image, but both men and women. It is only humanity in two sexes that has the potential of naturally displaying the love and authority that reflects God. One kind of human is incomplete. This does not mean that an unmarried person cannot reflect God’s image—far from it. But whether married or unmarried, only a union with the Holy Spirit in Jesus can any person be whole enough to be in God’s true, complete image.
What is the tree of knowledge?
The tree of knowledge has nothing to do with sexuality or with simply knowing information. It is having the source of morality within oneself. In other words, it is the ability to discern personally what is right and wrong—ethical discernment. While this sounds like a good thing on the surface, God forbade them that tree because He wanted to reserve the right of determining good and evil himself. This continues to this day. So what the man and woman did is to say that they wanted to determine what was right and wrong themselves, without having to depend on God to make such decisions. Essentially, this is rebellion against the authority of God.
Why did God test them?
In a sense, God’s command wasn’t a test. He was looking out for their best interests, like a mother telling her toddler not to touch the hot stove. Also, God told them not to touch only one tree out of a hundred thousand acres of trees. It wasn’t as if there weren’t other choices. On the other hand, God gave this command to see if humans would continue under his authority. If they ever touched that particular tree, it was the major indicator that they were rejecting God’s rule. Thus, God would have to treat them accordingly.
Why does the story say it was Leviathan? I thought it was Satan.
Yes, it is Satan. Satan, according to Revelation 12 is the “dragon in the garden”. Yahweh had to defeat the dragon, Leviathan, for his rebellion, and now that same dragon, AKA Satan, appears again, trying to get humanity to rebel against God the way he did.
Why did the people take the fruit?
Because they were tired of living under God’s rule. They wanted to make their own decisions about their own lives. They also found the fruit to be good to eat—so they focused on the one thing they couldn’t have, rather than the millions of things they could have. And they did it because they thought that they would be equal with the Most High.
How did they know they were naked?
This was not a standard God placed on them—that nakedness was shameful, but being clothed was good. This is a standard they made up themselves, given their new status as people who make their own decisions of right and wrong. And so they were ashamed, not because of anything God told them, but because of their own personal ethics.
What is death?
In the Genesis story, death is not simply the cessation of life. Death is an angelic power that has ultimate rulership over everything that dies. So when God told the humans that they would “die”, it didn’t mean that they would stop living on that day, but that He would hand them over to be under the authority of the power of Death, and they would no longer have the opportunity to live eternally. Also, it just so happens that the power of Death is under the authority of Satan—so humans become subject to Satan through Death. (see Hebrews 2:14).
Why did God punish them so severely just for eating a fruit?
He didn’t punish them for eating food. God, first of all, was speaking of the natural consequences of their action. He was telling them about the life they would have to live because of their decision. They could no longer live in the garden, because God had to separate them from eternal life. God could not have frail, stupid humans, who think they can decide right and wrong themselves, living forever. If that was so, they would turn the universe upside-down. But if they couldn’t live in the garden, they would not be able to live the high life anymore. They would have to work for their food, not just pluck it from trees. They would have pain in childbirth and raising children because their children would have their own ideas of how to live and rebel against their parents. As far as Satan—the serpent—he did receive a punishment for his part in the rebellion (no more legs—ouch!). But there is also a natural consequence. Although Satan succeeded in gaining authority over mankind, humanity would eventually rise up and destroy him.
Loving God
We are to love God with everything we are and have.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
We love God because he loved us.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. I John 4:10
To love God is to obey God.
Whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. I John 2:5
To love God is to fear, serve and obey Him.
So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12
To love God is to worship Him.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Psalm 100:1-2
To love God is to love those whom God loves.
Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. I John 4:20
God tests us to see if we will love Him.
The LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you indeed love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 13:3
If we love God, God will do good to us.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God will give the kingdom to those who love him.
God promised the kingdom to those who loved him. James 2:5
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
We love God because he loved us.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. I John 4:10
To love God is to obey God.
Whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. I John 2:5
To love God is to fear, serve and obey Him.
So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12
To love God is to worship Him.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Psalm 100:1-2
To love God is to love those whom God loves.
Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. I John 4:20
God tests us to see if we will love Him.
The LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you indeed love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 13:3
If we love God, God will do good to us.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God will give the kingdom to those who love him.
God promised the kingdom to those who loved him. James 2:5
Ya Gotta Serve Somebody
Without Jesus, we are enslaved to sin.
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34
Whatever we focus on, that is what we are enslaved to.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Even the Commands of the Bible encourages our enslavement by telling us what sin is.
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. Romans 7:7-8
Without the Spirit, we cannot control ourselves.
I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:14-15
Anything we worship or serve outside of God is fundamentally controlled by demons.
I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. I Corinthians 10:20
Satan is the god and master of those outside of Christ.
If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. II Corinthians 4:3-4
We cannot have both God and another master.
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matthew 6:24
God will judge anyone who is rebellious to him.
And they shall go out and look at the dead bodies of the people who have rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. Isaiah 66:24
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34
Whatever we focus on, that is what we are enslaved to.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Even the Commands of the Bible encourages our enslavement by telling us what sin is.
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. Romans 7:7-8
Without the Spirit, we cannot control ourselves.
I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:14-15
Anything we worship or serve outside of God is fundamentally controlled by demons.
I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. I Corinthians 10:20
Satan is the god and master of those outside of Christ.
If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. II Corinthians 4:3-4
We cannot have both God and another master.
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. Matthew 6:24
God will judge anyone who is rebellious to him.
And they shall go out and look at the dead bodies of the people who have rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. Isaiah 66:24
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Relationship Blocker
Sin is rebellion against God, which inevitably hurts others.
I Samuel 12:14—“If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as he was against your fathers.”
We all suffer because of bondage to sin
John 8:34—“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
Sin keeps us from the perfect life God has in store for us
Now the deeds of humanity are clearly seen, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, occultism, creating enemies, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, creating sects, envying, drunkenness, extreme partying, and things like these, of which I forewarn you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Jesus died to deliver us from bondage to sin
Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we commit ourselves to Jesus, we are free from the punishment of sin
Hebrews 2:14-15—“Through his death He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and he freed those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
We can commit ourselves to Jesus if we have faith in his resurrection and confess him as Lord.
Romans 10:9—“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
In order to commit to Jesus, we need to be baptized and to repent from our sins—then we receive God’s Spirit
Acts 2:38—“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
It is never too late to repent of our sins through God’s Spirit“Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts against God.’ “
If we commit ourselves to Jesus, we love God and are obedient
to him
Romans 6:17-18—“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Our Lord Jesus commands us to love others by power of the Spirit.
James 2:8—“If you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
In that love, we will do good to everyone—especially to those in need, especially to those who are committed to Jesus.
Galatians 6:10—“We are to do good to everyone, especially to those of the household of faith.”
Be a part of God’s community, who will assist you in living out the love of God
Hebrews 10:24-25—“Let us consider how to stimulate each other to love and good deeds, not forsaking the gathering of yourselves together, but encouraging one another.
“In Christ Jesus, nothing matters except faith working itself out through love.” Galatians 5:6
I Samuel 12:14—“If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as he was against your fathers.”
We all suffer because of bondage to sin
John 8:34—“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
Sin keeps us from the perfect life God has in store for us
Now the deeds of humanity are clearly seen, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, occultism, creating enemies, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, creating sects, envying, drunkenness, extreme partying, and things like these, of which I forewarn you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
Jesus died to deliver us from bondage to sin
Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If we commit ourselves to Jesus, we are free from the punishment of sin
Hebrews 2:14-15—“Through his death He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and he freed those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
We can commit ourselves to Jesus if we have faith in his resurrection and confess him as Lord.
Romans 10:9—“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
In order to commit to Jesus, we need to be baptized and to repent from our sins—then we receive God’s Spirit
Acts 2:38—“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
It is never too late to repent of our sins through God’s Spirit“Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts against God.’ “
If we commit ourselves to Jesus, we love God and are obedient
to him
Romans 6:17-18—“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Our Lord Jesus commands us to love others by power of the Spirit.
James 2:8—“If you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
In that love, we will do good to everyone—especially to those in need, especially to those who are committed to Jesus.
Galatians 6:10—“We are to do good to everyone, especially to those of the household of faith.”
Be a part of God’s community, who will assist you in living out the love of God
Hebrews 10:24-25—“Let us consider how to stimulate each other to love and good deeds, not forsaking the gathering of yourselves together, but encouraging one another.
“In Christ Jesus, nothing matters except faith working itself out through love.” Galatians 5:6
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Yahweh Re-Orders Creation
Genesis 1; Psalm 8; Psalm 74:12-17
Yahweh, our Lord—your name is ruling throughout the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens!
Even from toddlers and infants you have established strength,
Due to your enemies— for in this way you silence the Enemy who desires to take revenge.
I give thought to the heavens—your handiwork; and the sun and moon—your creation.
How little humans are—why do you pay attention to them?
Yet you placed humans just under the gods and gave him your glory and ruling power!
You established humans to rule over your creatures and everything is under their feet—
The living creatures, the animals, the swimming things and the flying things.
Yahweh, our Lord—Your name is ruling throughout the earth!
Psalm 8
The King of Rock
Yahweh God is the creator of all things. Before anything else existed, Yahweh God created the heavens, where he lived, and the earth. He created powerful beings to live and rule in heaven—dragons and cherebim and angels—and they ruled heaven and earth with Yahweh God. He ruled over everything in heaven and his powers ruled over the sea and over the air. We don’t know how they ruled or what they ruled, but long before mankind the earth existed with water over all the surface.
The Emperor Strikes Back
Among the powers that ruled over the earth was Leviathan, the dragon. But this dragon was wicked and decided to rebel against Yahweh. He called up his whole realm—the waters and seas—to lift themselves up against Yahweh and to take his place as ruler of the universe. The waters covered the earth and destroyed everything that existed, making everything Chaos. And Leviathan roared in heaven and claimed his authority to rule over all, taking out all the light in the air and bringing darkness. Thus the powers were called darkness. Yahweh was angry that these upstarts that he himself created would try to take his place as ruler and so he fought against them. In great power, Yahweh fought Leviathan and conquered him—although he was not killed.
The Light Stuff
Yahweh then determined to punish the powers that he had established over the earth and he replaced them. First of all, he determined to judge Leviathan and the powers of Darkness. So Yahweh spoke with the word, “Light—be!” and Light separated the powers of darkness. God looked at the expanse and spoke with the word, “Lights—be!” and the heavenly powers of the sun and the moon lived in the expanse. Now, instead of just the kingdom of darkness that ruled over the earth, there was a time of light, ruled by the power of the sun and a time of darkness, ruled by the moon—day and night. No longer was Leviathan in power over the lower heavens.
Separation of Water and State
Yahweh then punished the waters. Yahweh spoke with the word, “Expanse—be!” and an expanse appeared above the waters. He spoke with the word “Divide—be!” and the waters were divided—some on the earth and some in Heaven. Yahweh then spoke with the word “Gather” and the waters were gathered together. Yahweh spoke the word “Dry-land—be!” and dry land appeared where the waters were not. Yahweh spoke with the word, “Sprout” and vegetation came out all over the land. Thus the earth was divided into two kingdoms—the kingdom of land and the kingdom of water.
Filling Up
Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Waters, swim with swimming things.” And various kinds of creatures appeared in the water, so the waters were no longer free to rise up. Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Expanse, be flown in with flying things.” And various kinds of flying creatures appeared in the lower heaven. Yahweh spoke with the word to the swimming and flying things, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters and fill the air.” Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Land, live with living creatures,” and various kinds of animals appeared on the land.
“Fish are food, not friends”
Then Yahweh spoke with the word to all the powers, “Humans are made in our image, so they will rule as a power over the air, over the water and over the land.” And so Yahweh created Humans in the image of the gods in the higher heavens in two forms—male and female. And Yahweh said with the word to the humans, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the land and keep it in line. You are in charge over all the flying creatures, all the swimming creatures and all the living creatures on the land. Rule well.”
The End of the Beginning
In this way, Yahweh conquered his enemies and established Humans as rulers over the earth.
What is “Yahweh”?“Yahweh” is God’s name in the Bible. His name is not “God” or “Lord”—those are just descriptions of who he is. God’s name is his personal identity, and it differentiates him from any other god or lord on earth or in heaven. Yahweh is the God over all other gods—angels, demons or whatever.
What is a “cherebim”?
These are angels that are closest to God. They have six wings and Yahweh symbolically sits on their back as his throne. They fly wherever Yahweh wants them to and everywhere they go, they call “holy, holy, holy” which in Hebrew means “The Holiest”.
Dragons? What kind of dragons?
We know in Scripture that God made a number of dragons. One is called Leviathan—who is a sea-dragon—, another Rahab, and Satan himself is a dragon. They are powerful spiritual beings, giving Yahweh counsel when he asks for it. They may not be literal dragons, but metaphorical ones that indicate powerful beings who live in heaven.
Why does Yahweh rule the earth?
Two reasons: He made it, and he conquered it. It is a basic principle that the creator owns the creation and can do with it whatever he wants. But the creation was stolen by God’s underlings—Leviathan and other spiritual powers. And so God had to get it back. He did this by using great powers, showing that he is the most powerful warrior that has ever existed. Other ancient stories have this tale backwards—the Father God was conquered by his underling
Why have I never heard about this war between God and Leviathan before?
It isn’t clearly spoken of in the Bible. In Genesis 1, there are only hints that it took place. But it is articulated in Psalm 74, right in the middle of the psalm. All throughout the Psalm the writer is begging God to get rid of Israel’s enemies. In the midst, he is reminding Yahweh that Yahweh already conquered much greater enemies than pesky human armies. And so he describes Yahweh’s battle with Leviathan and than describes God’s re-creation of the world in language that is supposed to remind us of Genesis 1. Not many Sunday School teachers have found this text, and some scholars want to make it say something else to fit their theology. But the clearest way to understand Psalm 74 is that the Psalmist is reminded of a battle that takes place before creation.
Did Yahweh make the earth in six days?
Yes and no. First of all, the earth already existed before the six days. We see this in the Genesis account, where the “earth is formless” with “water covering” the earth, before the first day begins. Thus there is already earth and ocean. Also, God lives in heaven. But the six day event is a re-creation of the earth and heavens. Instead of one heaven, there is now three—where God lives, the water where Leviathan lives and the expanse where the stars dwell. Instead of a water-covered earth, there is an earth of both water and land, and everything is full of life everywhere.
Does this account go against science?Some parts do, some parts don’t. Certainly, the timing of everything is different than the fossil record indicates. Having vegetation on the world before there is a sun doesn’t make any sense to science. It is possible that the particular order of creation isn’t important to the writer of Genesis, since Genesis 2:4 indicates that vegetation wasn’t created until after humanity. But the idea that there was a devastating event that destroyed almost all large life on earth and then a quick resurgence of life afterwards certainly agrees with what science has found in the fossil record. The only question science cannot answer: how did life spring up so quickly? Genesis does answer it.
Why did God make so much life in all three realms (water, land, air)?
We don’t really know. Perhaps he wanted to fill the earth with so much life that the spiritual powers would have difficulty taking over the earth again. Perhaps he created life so the humans would have something to rule. Perhaps he just likes lots of life.
Why are humans so important?
Because God gave them authority over the earth. All other creatures—even spiritual ones—are under human control on the earth, unless they give that authority to someone else (More about that next time)
Yahweh, our Lord—your name is ruling throughout the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens!
Even from toddlers and infants you have established strength,
Due to your enemies— for in this way you silence the Enemy who desires to take revenge.
I give thought to the heavens—your handiwork; and the sun and moon—your creation.
How little humans are—why do you pay attention to them?
Yet you placed humans just under the gods and gave him your glory and ruling power!
You established humans to rule over your creatures and everything is under their feet—
The living creatures, the animals, the swimming things and the flying things.
Yahweh, our Lord—Your name is ruling throughout the earth!
Psalm 8
The King of Rock
Yahweh God is the creator of all things. Before anything else existed, Yahweh God created the heavens, where he lived, and the earth. He created powerful beings to live and rule in heaven—dragons and cherebim and angels—and they ruled heaven and earth with Yahweh God. He ruled over everything in heaven and his powers ruled over the sea and over the air. We don’t know how they ruled or what they ruled, but long before mankind the earth existed with water over all the surface.
The Emperor Strikes Back
Among the powers that ruled over the earth was Leviathan, the dragon. But this dragon was wicked and decided to rebel against Yahweh. He called up his whole realm—the waters and seas—to lift themselves up against Yahweh and to take his place as ruler of the universe. The waters covered the earth and destroyed everything that existed, making everything Chaos. And Leviathan roared in heaven and claimed his authority to rule over all, taking out all the light in the air and bringing darkness. Thus the powers were called darkness. Yahweh was angry that these upstarts that he himself created would try to take his place as ruler and so he fought against them. In great power, Yahweh fought Leviathan and conquered him—although he was not killed.
The Light Stuff
Yahweh then determined to punish the powers that he had established over the earth and he replaced them. First of all, he determined to judge Leviathan and the powers of Darkness. So Yahweh spoke with the word, “Light—be!” and Light separated the powers of darkness. God looked at the expanse and spoke with the word, “Lights—be!” and the heavenly powers of the sun and the moon lived in the expanse. Now, instead of just the kingdom of darkness that ruled over the earth, there was a time of light, ruled by the power of the sun and a time of darkness, ruled by the moon—day and night. No longer was Leviathan in power over the lower heavens.
Separation of Water and State
Yahweh then punished the waters. Yahweh spoke with the word, “Expanse—be!” and an expanse appeared above the waters. He spoke with the word “Divide—be!” and the waters were divided—some on the earth and some in Heaven. Yahweh then spoke with the word “Gather” and the waters were gathered together. Yahweh spoke the word “Dry-land—be!” and dry land appeared where the waters were not. Yahweh spoke with the word, “Sprout” and vegetation came out all over the land. Thus the earth was divided into two kingdoms—the kingdom of land and the kingdom of water.
Filling Up
Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Waters, swim with swimming things.” And various kinds of creatures appeared in the water, so the waters were no longer free to rise up. Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Expanse, be flown in with flying things.” And various kinds of flying creatures appeared in the lower heaven. Yahweh spoke with the word to the swimming and flying things, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters and fill the air.” Then Yahweh spoke with the word, “Land, live with living creatures,” and various kinds of animals appeared on the land.
“Fish are food, not friends”
Then Yahweh spoke with the word to all the powers, “Humans are made in our image, so they will rule as a power over the air, over the water and over the land.” And so Yahweh created Humans in the image of the gods in the higher heavens in two forms—male and female. And Yahweh said with the word to the humans, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the land and keep it in line. You are in charge over all the flying creatures, all the swimming creatures and all the living creatures on the land. Rule well.”
The End of the Beginning
In this way, Yahweh conquered his enemies and established Humans as rulers over the earth.
What is “Yahweh”?“Yahweh” is God’s name in the Bible. His name is not “God” or “Lord”—those are just descriptions of who he is. God’s name is his personal identity, and it differentiates him from any other god or lord on earth or in heaven. Yahweh is the God over all other gods—angels, demons or whatever.
What is a “cherebim”?
These are angels that are closest to God. They have six wings and Yahweh symbolically sits on their back as his throne. They fly wherever Yahweh wants them to and everywhere they go, they call “holy, holy, holy” which in Hebrew means “The Holiest”.
Dragons? What kind of dragons?
We know in Scripture that God made a number of dragons. One is called Leviathan—who is a sea-dragon—, another Rahab, and Satan himself is a dragon. They are powerful spiritual beings, giving Yahweh counsel when he asks for it. They may not be literal dragons, but metaphorical ones that indicate powerful beings who live in heaven.
Why does Yahweh rule the earth?
Two reasons: He made it, and he conquered it. It is a basic principle that the creator owns the creation and can do with it whatever he wants. But the creation was stolen by God’s underlings—Leviathan and other spiritual powers. And so God had to get it back. He did this by using great powers, showing that he is the most powerful warrior that has ever existed. Other ancient stories have this tale backwards—the Father God was conquered by his underling
Why have I never heard about this war between God and Leviathan before?
It isn’t clearly spoken of in the Bible. In Genesis 1, there are only hints that it took place. But it is articulated in Psalm 74, right in the middle of the psalm. All throughout the Psalm the writer is begging God to get rid of Israel’s enemies. In the midst, he is reminding Yahweh that Yahweh already conquered much greater enemies than pesky human armies. And so he describes Yahweh’s battle with Leviathan and than describes God’s re-creation of the world in language that is supposed to remind us of Genesis 1. Not many Sunday School teachers have found this text, and some scholars want to make it say something else to fit their theology. But the clearest way to understand Psalm 74 is that the Psalmist is reminded of a battle that takes place before creation.
Did Yahweh make the earth in six days?
Yes and no. First of all, the earth already existed before the six days. We see this in the Genesis account, where the “earth is formless” with “water covering” the earth, before the first day begins. Thus there is already earth and ocean. Also, God lives in heaven. But the six day event is a re-creation of the earth and heavens. Instead of one heaven, there is now three—where God lives, the water where Leviathan lives and the expanse where the stars dwell. Instead of a water-covered earth, there is an earth of both water and land, and everything is full of life everywhere.
Does this account go against science?Some parts do, some parts don’t. Certainly, the timing of everything is different than the fossil record indicates. Having vegetation on the world before there is a sun doesn’t make any sense to science. It is possible that the particular order of creation isn’t important to the writer of Genesis, since Genesis 2:4 indicates that vegetation wasn’t created until after humanity. But the idea that there was a devastating event that destroyed almost all large life on earth and then a quick resurgence of life afterwards certainly agrees with what science has found in the fossil record. The only question science cannot answer: how did life spring up so quickly? Genesis does answer it.
Why did God make so much life in all three realms (water, land, air)?
We don’t really know. Perhaps he wanted to fill the earth with so much life that the spiritual powers would have difficulty taking over the earth again. Perhaps he created life so the humans would have something to rule. Perhaps he just likes lots of life.
Why are humans so important?
Because God gave them authority over the earth. All other creatures—even spiritual ones—are under human control on the earth, unless they give that authority to someone else (More about that next time)
A Guide to Reading the Old Testament
A sh**ton of screwed up people listening to God
Genesis
Beginnings—Latin. Beginnings of humanity and the people of God— Adam through Joseph.
When you ask people if they've read the Bible, this is actually the part they read. Well, at least a few chapters.
Exodus
Going out—Greek. The deliverance of God’s people from slavery in Egypt, the first commands and the building of the Tabernacle.
Great story... until you get past the ten commandments. The second half of the book is all laws and a detailed description of the tabernacle. Really? Really?
Leviticus
Book of the Levites—Latin. Commands of the temple cult: sacrifices, priests, basic laws for all ethnic groups in God’s people.
It begins with butchering animals. It's only downhill from there. Wait till you get to chapter 18.
Numbers
Census—English. Stories of the wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years and sundry laws.
Look, just skip the counting of the tribes, unless you like reading lists of names that mean nothing to you. The good stuff begins at chapter 11. Start there.
Deuteronomy
Second law—Greek. The lectures of Moses to the children of Israel before they entered the promised land.
Moses whines like a old guy at McDonalds.
 |
| Moses in the book of Deuteronomy |
Joshua
Yahweh is salvation—Hebrew. Stories of the conquering of the promised land.
Gotta just love that genocide.
Judges
God’s chosen leaders—English. Stories of the rebellion of God’s people and God’s salvation of his people through heroes.
I can't wait until someone does a movie on this book. NC-17 for sure.
Ruth
Friend—Hebrew. A story woman’s obstinate choice of Israel and Yahweh, an ancestor of David.
You really want to win your man? Sleep with him. He'll get the hint.
I Samuel
Listen to God—Hebrew. Stories of God’s choices of Samuel, Saul and David to lead his people, to the death of Saul.
This book wants to be treated like it's own thing. But it's really just the first half of the book of Samuel-- who dies a quarter through this book! Who is naming these books, anyway?
II Samuel
Listen to God—Hebrew. Stories of the reign of David over God’s people.
David was awesome in the first half of the story-- you know, I Samuel. Now he screws up. Don't you love happy endings?
I Kings
English. Stories of God’s call to his kings over his people, from Solomon to Elijah and the death of Ahab.
It's a bunch of sucky leaders until Elijah. Elijah is the best, though. He even gets suicidal. Elijah rocks.
II Kings
English. Stories of God’s call to his kings over his people, from the death of Elijah to the exile of Judah.
Elisha, the sequel to Elijah. You know he won't be as good.
I Chronicles
English. A summary of God’s history, from Adam and focusing on the rule of David.
Wait.... Eleven chapters of names and then a story we already read? What is this book even doing here?
II Chronicles
English. A summary of God’s history, from the death of David to the end of Judah’s exile.
This book seems really familiar... oh yeah! We already read it in Kings.
 |
| "Have you heard of this before?" "Seems familiar" |
Ezra
Helper—Hebrew. Stories of the return from exile: rebuilding of the temple and the re-establishment of the Law.
Nothing like a Bible scholar to break up marriages.
Nehemiah
Sorrow of Yahweh—Hebrew. Stories of the Emperor’s cup-bearer building the walls of Jerusalem through turmoil.
The emperor's right hand man goes to his hometown to take over.
Esther
Star—Persian. The story of the salvation of the Jews in exile.
She sleeps to the top and then topples a corrupt government. Gotta love Jewish heroines.
Job
Enemy—Hebrew. An epic poem of a man in severe trial learning to trust in God’s justice.
The most depressed man in the Bible arguing with his stupid friends in Shakespearian.
Psalms
Songs of praise—Greek. Songs to God.
Wow, that's long. I mean, really long. Do we have to read it all? Like reading the lyrics of Dylan.
I've only got thirty years to go...
Proverbs
English. Wise epigrams, mostly by Solomon.
I think Solomon would be wiser with a few guitar riffs thrown in there.
Ecclesiastes
Sermons—Latin. Essays of wisdom, on the worthlessness of the world and of confidence in God.
Whenever I start feeling hopeful or happy about the state of the world, I go here. Straightens me out immediately. Like, by the first word.
Song of Solomon
or, Song of Songs—English. A love poem.
The Bible to watch porn by.
Isaiah
Yahweh will deliver—Hebrew. Prophecies, sermons and stories about the salvation of God, in two parts: a. God’s salvation during the time of Hezekiah (ch 1-39). B. God’s salvation after the time of exile (ch. 40-66)
Hey, I think I know a few of these! I really got a Handel on Isaiah!
Jeremiah
Yahweh is on high—Hebrew. Prophecies and sermons and stories about God’s judgement of God’s people during the war and fall of Jerusalem and the restoration of God’s people.
Gotta appreciate a guy who stands face to face with God and says, "You're just wrong."
Lamentations
Statements of lament—English. Jeremiah’s poems of sorrow at the fall of Jerusalem.
Okay, so you lost your hometown. Saw it burn in front of you. Watched women eat babies. First world problems.
Ezekiel
God is strong—Hebrew. Visions of a wild prophet among the captives of Babylon during the siege of Jerusalem.
Whatever this guy is on, give me some so I can throw it in the toilet.
Daniel
God is my judge—Hebrew. Stories and visions of faith and the judgment of the nations by Daniel, a man in exile.
Chapters 1-6:Whoa, some really excellent stories.
Chapters 7-12: WTF?????
Hosea
Deliverance—Hebrew. Prophecies about God’s betrayal by his wife, Israel, and his plans to restore her.
And I thought Ezekiel had it bad. God is never naming my kids.
Joel
Yahweh is his God—Hebrew. Prophecies about the events of the Day of the Lord.
General gloom and doom. Just another day for a prophet.
Amos
A burden—Hebrew. Prophecies about injustice in the land of Judah.
Gotta appreciate a guy who stands before a king, talks about how all the enemy nations suck-- "But you know what? You suck worse and let me tell you how."
Obadiah
Servant of Yahweh—Hebrew. A prophecy about God’s judgment of Edom.
I love this book. It's shorter than Danny DeVito.
Jonah
Dove—Hebrew. A story about a prophet rebelling against the mercy of God against evil nations.
The only minor prophet anyone really reads.
Micah
Who is like Yahweh?—Hebrew. Prophecies about the salvation of God.
The cliff notes of Isaiah.
Nahum
Consolation—Hebrew. A prophecy about the judgment of Nineveh.
Another book about Nineveh? I'm never visiting that town. All punishment and repentance.
Habakkuk
Embrace—Hebrew. Prophecies and a poem about the judgment of Israel and the judgment of Babylon and the faith of the prophet.
"God, your people suck!" "Yeah, well, I'm going to punish them with Babylon." "God, wait! Babylon sucks worse!"
Zephaniah
Yahweh of darkness—Hebrew. Prophecies about the judgment of God on Judah for idolatry.
I know I read this book, like, five times, but I can't remember a thing about it.
 |
| I'm afflicted with CRS: Can't Remember Sh** |
Haggai
Festive—Hebrew. Prophecies about the rebuilding the temple after exile.
Haggai, you're boring. Just dull. Please, talk to your friend Zechariah. He'll give you a few tips.
Zechariah
Yahweh is remembered—Hebrew. Prophecies and visions of the present and future after the return from exile.
Zechariah, you are effed up in the head. You need to chill. Take a few tips from Haggai.
Malachi
Messenger—Hebrew. Prophecies about the restoration of God’s justice through the Law.
A prophet who actually makes sense and says it like it is! No poetry, no mysticism, just "I hate divorce! Where's my money!" I get it.
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