Read Genesis 10 -- 12
In Today's Reading:
What a time to be alive! After annihilating all of the Human Race except Noah's family, God introduces the Hebrew Race beginning with Abram. Read where the Lord came down and what He had to say about the Tower of Babel. Notice that Abraham had weaknesses, just as we do -- how he learned firsthand it's always safe to trust the Lord, whether in times of famine or feasting, blessing or bondage.
Verse for Today:
Say, I pray you, you are my sister: that it may be well with me for your sake; and my soul shall live because of you (Genesis 12:13).
Highlights:
Descendants of Noah's sons; Tower of Babel; origin of languages; ancestry of Abram; God's call and Covenant with Abram; his journeys to Canaan and to Egypt.
Now the Lord had said to Abram; Get out of your country, and from your kindred . . . to a land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1). Undoubtedly, when he arrived, Abram expected blessings in the Promised Land to exceed those in the heathen land of Ur of the Chaldees (11:31). Instead, he faced severe famine. Abram decided to go down to Egypt in search of provisions rather than remain faithful to the call of God.
In Egypt, the weakness of Abram's faith was once again exposed through his suggestion of deception to Sarai. Fearing that someone might kill him in order to have his beautiful wife, Abram and Sarai agreed before they entered Egypt that if anyone asked who she was, she would say she was his sister, which was only a half-truth since Sarai was his half-sister (11:27-29; 12:10-13; 20:12).
Abram's selfish reasoning with Sarai, that my life will be spared because of you, revealed his lack of faith in the ability of God to protect him. It also exposed his selfish concern for his own well-being, disregarding any consideration for Sarai's chastity and welfare.
Surely Abram must have felt that he had dishonored God when he was rebuked by the idol-worshiping Pharaoh for his deception.
Abram's fear for his safety, a foolish reliance on human wisdom, and his plan to protect himself at the expense of his wife's well-being, were weaknesses that he had yet to overcome, but these testings were necessary to perfect his faith.
We should learn from the experience of Abram to take God at His Word and, by faith, depend wholly upon Him, regardless of situations that appear to be hindrances to our Christian life.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote: O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).
Jesus made the difference unmistakably clear between the true Christian and the many who merely make a profession when He said: He that takes not his cross, and follows after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for My sake shall find it (Matthew 10:38-39).
A Thought from Proverbs: For the Lord gives wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a Buckler (Shield) to them that walk upright (2:6-7).
Christ Revealed:
As the Promised Seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Galatians 3:16). Abraham was a type of Christ who leads the way to a far better Promised Land (John 14:2-4; Hebrews 11:8-10).
Word Studies:
10:25 earth divided = people became separated; 11:3 go to = come; 11:28 nativity = birth; 12:7 seed = descendants; 12:10 sojourn = live temporarily; 12:16 he had = gave him.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for one another · Country: Mongolia (3 million) in east-central Asia · Major language: Khalkha Mongol · As a 70-year era of communism wanes, Bibles are now on sale in the capital, Ulaanbaatar · 29% Shamanist; 2% Buddhist; 2% Muslim; .2% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Begin each morning with prayer (Psalms 5:3).
Optional Reading: Matthew 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 1:23