Monday, June 29, Genesis 19
Vv. 4-5 — God also speaks of the sin of homosexuality and its punishment in Rom. 1:26, 27, 32 and I Cor. 6:9-10, Lev. 20:13.
- 14 — The Lord sheds further light on Lot’s positive spiritual life in II Peter 2:6-8.
- 26 — True repentance is turning away from sin, not looking back to it. We need to make a clean break from a sinful way of life. Jesus uses Lot’s wife as a warning for all of us (Luke 17:30-33).
Tuesday, June 30, Genesis 20
Vv. 11-12 — While Abraham is telling the truth about Sarah since she was his half-sister (compare Genesis 11:31), it’s a cover-up for the truth that she is also his wife. What he did was sinful. In spite of his sin, the Lord intervened on his behalf. (Compare Ps. 105:13-22) What an astoundingly merciful God we have! Celebrate that fact by reading Ps. 103:11, 12.
Wednesday, July 1, Genesis21
- 2 — Sarah was 90 years old when she gave birth to Isaac (Gen. 17:17). It demonstrates the truth expressed in the New Testament, “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) As God did the impossible then, so he can do it for us, too. He actually has, in bringing us from spiritual death to a spiritual life. (Col. 2:12, 13)
Vv. 9-10 — Although Sarah’s action seems harsh, she was correct. That can be seen in Gal. 4:29-31. Ishmael’s mocking was actually ridiculing the Savior whom God intended to bring through Isaac. If you read the entire section of Gal. 4:21-31, you see that God uses the example of Isaac’s birth and Ishmael’s birth to describe the difference between the Law and the Gospel. Ishmael represented the Law, Isaac, the Gospel. From Isaac’s descendants God brought the Savior into the world.
Thursday, July 2, Genesis 22
- 1 — Abraham’s great test of faith is described in chapter 22. As Abraham did, we are to love God above everything–and that includes our greatest earthly “treasure.” That he passed the test with flying colors is evident from this chapter and also from Hebrews 11:17-19.
- 2 — Mount Moriah has an interesting history in the Old Testament. This was the property King David had purchased from Araunah, the Jebusite. Read II Sam. 24:18-25. Later, Solomon built the temple on Mount Mariah (II Chron. 3:1).
Friday, July 3, Genesis 23
Vv. 1-4 — Abraham described himself as “an alien and stranger among you.” What did he mean? Read Hebrews 11:8-10. Abraham mourned for Sarah, as Christians mourn at the death of a loved one. But he still had hope. That’s why, although funerals are sad because we feel the separation from someone we love, they are also joyful events because we have the chance to review how Jesus won for us eternal life, and we know our loved ones who believe in Jesus as their Savior, are now in the presence of their Savior in heaven.
Saturday, July 4, Genesis 24
- 3-4 — Abraham was a concerned parent. He wanted to be sure that his son married the right woman. As Abraham did, we will guide and encourage our children to marry someone who shares their Christian values and faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
- 12 — Abraham’s servant used prayer in helping him find Isaac’s mate. That power is also available for Christian parents today! (John 16:23-24)