One Year Bible for Thursday, January 6th - Readings and Commentary Lot and Abram Split Up, King Melchizedek, Jesus Teaches on Adultery and Divorce
To listen to the 4 Audio Readings click the link below
To read any of the 4 readings click on the links below:
Old Testament Reading
In the first section of the reading, Lot and Abram split up because they were so wealthy with flocks, the land could not sustain both of them. Their herdsmen starting fighting, which caused all kinds of problems. Abram gave Lot first choice of what land to possess, and he chose the fertle plains of the Jordan Valley.
Guzik says this about Lot,
"There was a great difference between the riches of Abram and the riches of Lot. They both had great wealth, but Lot’s wealth possessed him. Abram had great possessions, but they did not possess him."
Lands of Abraham and Lot (click link that pops up to see)
The only problem with the land was that it was located among the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who were wicked. The text says,
"But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord." Genesis 13:13
While Abram stayed put with his household and possessions, the Lord told him to look around in every direction, as far as the eye could see. This land, he told him, would be he and his descendants forever. This was the affirmation of the promise/covenant made in Genesis 12:1-3. Once again when Abram settled in Hebron, he remebered God's faithfulness by building an altar. Judaism ranks Hebron as the second most important city after Jerusalem.
In chapter 14, we see the many kings, who were arrayed against each other in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah. After varous wars, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah raided Lot's home and took he and possessions because he lived in the land of Sodom. When Abram heard about this, he took 318 of his men and defeated the king, returned to Lot, all his family, and all his possessions.
Then, we meet one of the most curious characters in the bible, King Melchizedek.
"We have no idea of where Melchizedek came from, how he came to be in Canaan, how he came to be a worshipper and priest of the true God, and how Abram came to know about him. We only know he was there. He was the king of Salem, and Salem was the original Jerusalem, and Melchizedek was the priest of God Most High. He was a worshipper and priest of the true God, ruling over Jerusalem even in those ancient times." (Guzik)
Melchizedek's name means, "king of righteousness". He is a foreshadowing of the King of kings, who would one day come from the city of Jerusalem. Abram gave the King of Salem one tenth of all he had acquired. This is the first instance of someone presenting "tithe" from their wealth in the bible. But when the King of Sodom wants to give Abram some of the plunder, he wants nothing to do with it. as He doesn't want this king to take any credit for the victory only GOD could give him.
In Genesis 15, God makes his second covenant promise to Abram. The first six verses contain a foreshadowing what the Protestant Reformers called, "Being justified by faith". You see Abram was the first person to trust God by faith.
God promises Abram to that he will have a grear reward. Abram basically says, "That will be great Lord, but I have no one to pass on my wealth to, I have no children!"
It is then that God tells Abram he will have an heir, a son. God asks Abram to look up into the sky and count the number of stars if that is possible. This, God tells him, will be the number of his descendants.
"Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6.
Another way of saying it is, "Abram was made righteous through faith." Notice is was God WHO MADE him righteous. This is the same faith we have in Christ, who is our righteousness.
But Abram is still looking for assurance that this promise will come true. So God has him offer some of his animals and cut them in two, and lay them side by side. While Abram is in a deep sleep, God appears to him in dream as a smoking pot passing through the middle of the animals, as a confirmation of the covenant he made with Abram that day!
New Testament Reading
Jesus is now into his sermon on the mount. He uses a phrase, he will use quite often in this sermon. (It may not have just been one sermon but a collection of his teachings by Matthew). He says, "You have heard it said." This shows us that he was preaching to a Jewish audience, because he is referring to the oral teaching of the Mosaic law. The Law is also called the "Pentateuch", the first five books of the bible.
Jesus teaches on very practical topics, and makes a distinction between the letter and the Spirit of the Law.
Adultery - The law says not to commit adultery, but I say if you look at a woman lustfully, you have committed adultery in your heart. Note it is not just the act, but the heart condition. This is not saying they are equal offenses, but the spirit which drives them both is wrong.
Divorce - You have said a man can divorce a woman by only giving her divorce papers. But I say if a man divorces his wife, he makes her an adulterer, and anyone who marries her an adulterer. NOTE: This is a statement directed at the men, who could divorce their wife if they found anything not to their liking.
This teaching became so perverted that some rabbi's made this outrageous interpretation.
"Beit Shammai held that a man may only divorce his wife for a serious transgression, but Beit Hillel allowed divorce for even trivial offenses, such as burning a meal." Wikipedia
Vows - The Jewish people sometimes made vows swearing by God, they would fulfill it. Just like when we say glibly, "I swear God", as if using God makes our promise more binding. The bible gives a great verse here to remember about uttering vows, "Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no". Anything beyond this is of the evil one.
Revenge - The people interpreted the law, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth" to justify revenge. But Jesus teaches them if someone takes your coat, give them a second one. If they strike you on one cheek, offer the other. Needless to say this teaching was not only revolutionary in Jesus' day but today as well.
It is at the root of many significant moments of peace in our history. Some would argue Jesus' teaching here as the basis for the philosophy of "pacifism". Others argue this is meant for how we treat each other in community, not how we run our government. I.e. Should a government allow fascist and terrorist groups to kill innocent people. They most poignant example of this is Hitler's Nazi Germany, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer's assination attempt on Hitler. Should he have turned the other cheek, or was he justified in helping rid the world of this madman. I would argue the latter.
Loving One's Enemies - Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. Why? Because it is easy to love those who love you, but the true disciple of Christ loves even those who hate them. Jesus on the cross is the ultimate example of this, as he prayed for those who nailed him to the cross.
Psalms
Once again in today's psalm, David pours his heart out to God in agony for what he is suffering at the hands of his enemies.
Listen to the similarities of this prayer and Jesus' prayer in the garden. Remember Jesus, as a young Jewish boy, would have memorized and read out loud the psalms on a regular basis at the temple. Many of them pointed to him.
David says, "My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? 4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;save me because of your unfailing love."
Literally toward the end of his prayer, he is drenching his bed with tears. But once again David ends his prayer with confidence in God's deliverance, "Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer."
Proverbs
Once again the one who listens to wisdom, will live in great safety. Whereas the one who neglects her advice will reap the fruits of their foolishness.
"What Now" Study Questions:
Does Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount convict you for living by the letter of the law (thou shall not kill) and ignoring the Spirit of the Law (thou shall not hate)? What steps can you take to better embrace the Spirit of the Law?
Consider Abram's honesty with God in Genesis 15, is your relationship with God such that you can honestly share your heart?
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