One Year Bible Reading and Commentary for Friday, January 7th! One Week Down Woo Hoo!!! Birth of Ishmael, God's Covenant with Abraham, A Son is Promised to Sarah, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
The Birth of Ishmael
Ten years later, Abram and Sarai are childless, after being promised many descendants. They are understandly wondering how this promise is going to be fulfilled. Sarai is the first to suggest that they use an alternate route, her servant Hagar. She feels responsible for not bearing a child, which in that culture was a big part of a woman's identity and worth. She also thought it was the Lord that had prevented her from having children. So she suggests Abram go and sleep with Hagar. Notice Abram did not stand up and say, "Wait a minute honey, the Lord has promised us children, it's not your fault. Let's wait on God!"
Sure enough Abram has sexual relations with Hagar and she becomes pregnant. Rather than being pleased with the situation, Sarai resents Hagar as she is a constant reminder of her inability to provide Abram with a son. So she begnis to mistreat Hagar and blame Abram even though it was her idea. Abram once again fails to take responsibility for his role in this and simply says, "Do with her what you wish". Hagar is sent out, though she did really nothing wrong other to yield to Abram. But the angel of the Lord meets her by a stream of water and tells her not to worry. The Lord would bless her and give her many childrern. He then asks her to go back to Abram and Sarai. This would not have been an easy decision for her to make. The is the first time an angel appeared to someone in the bible.
Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, whose name meant, "God will hear". We now know that Ishmael is the father of the Arabs who have unsuccessfully try to co-habitate with Israel for hundreds of years now. It is interesting to think this enmity started back with Abram and Sarai's decision to have a baby before the Lord's provision of a son.
Abram Is Named Abraham
Another 13 years has passed since Ishmael was born, and a 25 years since God's original covenant with Abram, God repeats the promise of the covenant he had given Abram. Not only would Abram and Sarai have children, but countless children. Not only their own children, but he would be a father of many nations. After 25 years, I would have needed a reminder as well.
Abram's name was changed from "Abram" to "Abraham", which means, "the father of many nations". Any time a person's name is changed in the bible, it is highly significant moment in their life. They will never be the same. In Christ, we have all had our name changed. We are a new creation in Christ. I imagine Abraham might have had some mixed emotions. After all how could he be the father of nations, when he had not even one son yet.
The Mark of the Covenant
God had made his promise to Abram and now God asks Abraham to do his part in the covenant. This is called a bi-lateral covenant, where each party has an obligation to keep. It mimics covenants made at that time in the world. But this covenant was much different because the maker was God. The sign of the covenant was the circumcision of every male child on the 8th day after their birth. But the requirement was also for Abraham and all the males in his household That must have been a fun announcement to make. Circumcision was the "physical mark" of the "spiritual reality" of God's promise. Just as the men would bear that mark forever, so God's promise would last forever. Usually with any promise there is usually some downpayment or token of the promise made. I.e. Handshake. In this case it was circumcision.
Sarai Is Named Sarah
Similarly, "Sarai" is renamed "Sarah", as she would not only bear Abraham a son, she would be the "mother of many nations". From her son's descendants would come 12 future kings. Wben God told him these things and the son would be born in a year, Abraham laughed. After all, he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90. You and I would have probably laughed too. In response to this Abraham had himself and all the member's of himself circumcised. Now we can see what Abraham is called the father of faith.
A Son Is Promised to Sarah
Not long after this, the Lord appeared to near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. This was a significant place in Abraham’s life. Abraham moved to Mamre when he came back into the promised land from Egypt and built an altar there.
There is some debate over the three men. Were they three created angels in the form of men. They are not just spiritual because Abraham has a conversation with them and eats with them. Some think it is a reference to the Trinity, and others think one was Jesus himself. Abraham addresses them or collectively as "Lord". Or, it was just to the One who had the most authority of the three.
As was the custom in middle eastern culture, he prepares a lavish meal for them. Sarah helped by baking some bread. When one of them promised to return next year, at which time Abraham and Sarah would have a son, Sarah laughed. We can't blame her for laughing, after they were 90 and 100 respectively. Though Sarah laughed to herself, the angel caught wind of it. She was afraid she might have offended the men so she denied it, but the Lord told her she did!
Teaching about Giving to the Needy
Jesus spends most of chapter 6 explaining the importance humility as they practice spiritual disciplines. Pride can get in the way if one is giving to be noticed. This is a challenge for all of us in our human nature. Jesus tells us that when we help the needy to be recognized by others, we have received our reward in full. Jesus teaches us to give in secret! When you practice acts of mercy in this way, your Father in heaven sees it and your reward will be heavenly.
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are spiritual disciplines that are staples of any follower of Jesus. But again if your prayer life is meant to draw the attention of others, your reward will stop there. When you pray, find a prayer room, where you can pray to your father with no distractions. Prayer is time between you and God, not a time to impress others. When we pray it is not the amount of words, but the quality of words. Are they heartfelt. Just like when you give someone a compliment, do you go on and on, so that they feel you are just flattering them. Sometmes more is less, especially if it comes from the heart.
Finally, fasting is a spiritual discipline which is challenging for a lot of people, including me. We usually think, "only the really spiritual people fast". This makes the discipline even more ripe for trying to get affirmation from others. Instead Jesus tells them to freshen up, so noboby will know they are fasting.
One final word. Jesus gives his disciples the Lord's Prayer and says, "Pray like this". As you read through the Lord's Prayer, notice it covers all the essentials of what we need. It covers everything in six, short petitions. It is a great model for prayer. A great way of praying the Lord's Prayer is to take a moment at each of the petitions and meditate and pray on them. The Lord's Prayer is not magical, but if the Lord gave it to the disciples to use, we best use it.
Teaching about Money and Possessions
Finally, Jesus addresses money and possessions, the ruin of many a good man or woman. The problem is possessions can become your god. The problem is you are putting your trust in something that is temporal and can be taken from you in an instant. The more "stuff" you have the more problems you usually have. Upkeep, taxes, insurance and constantly getting the latest and greatest. There is nothing wrong with "nice things" but they can't be the focus of our lives. Money is also very addictive. People can become slaves to money quickly and it can become your master. You start living for it and it becomes the only thing you really care about even to the exclusion of your family and friends. Then it has become your master, a position in which Jesus needs to hold. You can't have two masters, it doesn't work. You must choose this day whom you will serve!
I think you see a pattern developing in David's prayer life. David cries out for God to hear him. He reaffirms his love for God and asks him to examine his own heart to see if there is anything going on in him that he needs to address. He doesn't blame anyone until he first looks in the mirror. He repeats his confidence in God.
I love this part of his prayer,
"Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings."
He concludes by calling on God to bring his enemies to their knees. He looks forward to the day He will see God face to face, because he is righteous.
What does your prayer life look like?
These verses show us some of the advantages of following wisdom's path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
Following God's wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit will give you joy. Wise choices will keep you safe. The way of wisdom is a happy one, which keeps your feet on sure ground. But following wisdom of the world is a slippery slope!
"What Now" Study Questions:
Today marks our first week thru the Bible this year. If you've missed any readings do not be discouraged, know this is common for many people. The important thing is to be in God’s word, not to be a slave to the schedule. So if you are behind, read today’s readings and be encouraged. - Phil 3:12 (CEV) - I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running...
Abram trusted Sarai’s plan over God's long-range plan. In what areas are you tempted to short-cut God’s plans for your life?
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ~ Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
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