Month: July 2016

“Therefore, return the man’s wife — as a spokesman he will intercede for you — that your life may be saved. If you do not return her, you can be sure that you and all who are yours will certainly die.” —Genesis 20:7 Abraham again passed Sarah off as his sister rather than his wife … Read More

As the Lord was raising up Abraham as the father of a great nation, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their sins. The desperate need for a savior is apparent, however, in the sins of Lot, Lot’s wife, and his daughters. Abraham’s faith in God, in spite of his own imperfection, stands in stark … Read More

“Indeed, I have singled him out that he may direct his sons and his posterity to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord may carry into effect for Abraham the promises He made about him.” —Genesis 18:19 Abraham found it difficult to believe that he … Read More

“This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised.” —Genesis 17:10 Abram was 99 years old and his wife Sarai 90. They were childless. Nevertheless, the Lord had covenanted with Abram to make him the father of a great nation. After the … Read More

“You are now pregnant and shall bear a son; you shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard you, God has answered you.” —Genesis 16:11 Everyone and everything Abram touched was blessed. Since Sarai was barren, she told Abram to have intercourse with her maid Hagar to raise up offspring. Thereby, Hagar conceived Ishmael. … Read More

“It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I give this land.’ ” —Genesis 15:18 As with Noah, the Lord made a covenant with Abram. He would be Abram’s God, make him the father of a great nation, and give him the promised land. As great … Read More

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who delivered your foes into your hand.” —Genesis 14:19-20 Everything Abram did turned out great (see 12:2-3). He rescued Lot from the kings who had captured him. On the way home from this mission, Abram met … Read More

“If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.” —Genesis 13:9 Abram let his grandson Lot take his pick of the land. Of course, Lot chose the golf course and left the desert for Abram. However, Lot’s well-watered land was eventually devastated … Read More

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” —Genesis 12:2 After the Babylonian exile, the chosen people wondered whether they were chosen for greatness or for destruction. They went back to their roots, to Abram, the founding … Read More

“That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that He scattered them all over the earth.” —Genesis 11:9 This chapter ends the introduction to Genesis. The 11-chapter introduction is not primarily about creation but about the origins of the chosen … Read More