At some point as a child, you were blamed for something that you did not do. As a boy sitting at a junior high lunch table, the person who just unleashed a silent, but deadly fart, blamed me as everyone gagged. Before I could defend myself, holding my nose, no one believed me. While this is minor compared to what others are falsely accused of weekly, it never feels good to have your integrity attacked.
Did not the man tell me, She is my sister? And she herself said, He is my brother. In integrity of heart and innocency of hands I have done this, Genesis 20:5.
According to Genesis 20:17-18, King Abimelech’s wife and harem each had their wombs closed up, unable to have children for an extended period of time. This rare illness was brought upon Abimelech’s entire family because he took Sarah to become part of his harem. The passage above details Abimelech’s dream, where he pleads with God, claiming his innocence.
He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished. 10 He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but[a]he who boldly reproves makes peace, Proverbs 10:9-10.
Following the conclusion of this dream, Abimelech confronted Abraham to figure out why he wasn’t completely truthful. Abraham thought he would be killed if he was honest about being married to Sarah. Unfortunately, Abimelech and his family was punished for his action based upon the idea Abraham was simply Sarah’s sister. Whether this blog finds you falsely accused or guilty as charged, James 5:16 provides a blueprint for confession so that integrity and innocence is restored.
One of my favorite books, Restoring the Foundations, contains a series of case studies. One-chapter references two families which lived in the United States in the 18th century. The blessed family is filled with amazing accomplishments and distinguished careers for a couple of generations. The cursed family was plagued by addiction, bad habits, crime and premature death. While some may say this is merely a coincidence, I believe this to be a clear distinction of the blessed and cursed based upon Moses words in Deuteronomy 28.
Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham and restored to him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell wherever it pleases you. 16 And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given this brother of yours a thousand pieces of silver; see, it is to compensate you [for all that has occurred] and to vindicate your honor before all who are with you; before all men you are cleared and compensated. 17 So Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his female slaves, and they bore children, 18 For the Lord had closed fast the wombs of all in Abimelech’s household because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, Genesis 20:14-18.
In today’s featured passage, Abraham misled King Abimelech, saying Sarah was his sister. While this is technically true, Abraham was afraid if he told the truth, they were married that Abimelech might kill him and take Sarah to be his wife. Despite Abraham’s lack of faith in God, Proverbs 3:5-6, King Abimelech blessed Abraham and Sarah with a series of gifts. This is hard to comprehend, rewarded for not being transparent. Nonetheless, the king’s kind gesture is a clear sign of God’s hand over Abraham’s life.
And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him, for he feared to dwell in Zoar; and he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 The elder said to the younger, Our father is aging, and there is not a man on earth to live with us in the customary way. 32 Come, let us make our father drunk with wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father. 33 And they made their father drunk with wine that night, and the older went in and lay with her father; and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose, Genesis 19:30-33.
The same can’t be said about Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Despite living near each other for a decade with each growing in prosperity, Lot ran into a stretch of bad luck. Prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot is taken as a prisoner of war. After returning to his home, two angels warn Lot of God’s pending judgment, forcing him to abandon all of his possessions. Future son in laws laugh in Lot’s face, leaving them both to die. During their abrupt departure, Lot’s wife is killed, leaving him alone with his two daughters. The remaining passage magnifies the distinction between the blessings of Abraham and curses of Lot.
As a former high school teacher and youth pastor, I’ve observed the beginning and end of many relationships. Some of these couples ended up getting married and are still together today. Some ended abrupted with others resulting in the birth of a child out of wedlock. Whenever I talk with others about this topic, I am reminded of the classic Kenny Marks song “the Party’s Over.”
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, See here, the Lord has restrained me from bearing [children]. I am asking you to have intercourse with my maid; it may be that I can obtain children by her. And Abram listened to and heeded what Sarai said. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her, Genesis 16:1-4.
While studying the Book of Genesis to begin to 2023, a pattern began to develop with women rushing to have their own child without thinking about the consequences. As a desperate barren woman, Sarah thought it was a good idea to give his husband, Abraham, a second wife. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, the father of the Arab nations, an enemy that Israel is still dealing with today.
And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him, for he feared to dwell in Zoar; and he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 The elder said to the younger, Our father is aging, and there is not a man on earth to live with us in the customary way. 32 Come, let us make our father drunk with wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father. 33 And they made their father drunk with wine that night, and the older went in and lay with her father; and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose. 34 Then the next day the firstborn said to the younger, See here, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drunk with wine tonight also, and then you go in and lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father, Genesis 19:30-34.
Meanwhile, if the Jerry Springer Show existed back in the days of the Old Testament, Lot’s two daughters would have definitely been asked to appear. Jerry begins with a simple question, “what were you thinking when you had sex with your old man?” This leads to intimate details, bickering over who was better in bed. As bouncers break up this cat fight, Lot’s daughters gave birth to the fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, pagan countries who fought with Israel in the Old Testament. Today’s passages serve as a case study of women rushing to have their own child, not an ideal outcome, past or present.
According to Moses, there are times in life when a busy schedule filled with interruptions and meetings will spare you from temptation. This may be the work of angels, prayers in the form of a hedge of protection or God at work behind the scenes to keep you out of trouble. After reading the passage below, I can recall phone calls or unexpected visitors sent my way to avoid temptations that I wasn’t prepared to face.
But Abimelech had not come near her, so he said, Lord, will you slay a people who are just and innocent? 5 Did not the man tell me, She is my sister? And she herself said, He is my brother. In integrity of heart and innocency of hands I have done this. 6 Then God said to him in the dream, Yes, I know you did this in the integrity of your heart, for it was I Who kept you back and spared you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not give you occasion to touch her, Genesis 20:4-6.
After his servants greet Abraham and Sarah, a lie opens the door for Sarah to join the king’s harem of women. Like any political leader, there was always a thought that someone would try to overthrow the king. Subsequently, many kings used harems to have as many children as possible, especially boys so that there would be at least one potential heir to Abimelech’s throne. However, when Abraham visited, Abimelech was kept so busy by God that there wasn’t any time to consecrate his marriage to Sarah.
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
While writing a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul provides a history lesson of Israel’s past failures. These major blunders which the Bible calls sin serve as a warning not to follow in their footsteps. The passage above is a blueprint for overcoming temptation. Rather than feed your sinful desires, Romans 7:14-18, Paul asks members of this church to look for an escape route, a way out of temptation. Although this is never easy, if you apply Paul’s advice, you too can be spared from temptation by seeking God’s righteousness, Matthew 6:33.
Moving from the northeast portion of the United States to the south has been hard to adjust. My body is used to the hustle and pace of large metropolitan cites, walking fast wherever I go. Most of the people I’ve met in South Carolina are laid back, relaxed, and seem to putz along without a sense of concern or worry in the world. You would think that sooner or later this mentality will rub off on me, but not yet.
When morning came, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, Arise, take your wife and two daughters who are here [and be off], lest you [too] be consumed and swept away in the iniquity and punishment of the city.16 But while he lingered, the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, for the Lord was merciful to him; and they brought him forth and set him outside the city and left him there, Genesis 19:15-16.
Moses doesn’t use putz in the passage above. Nonetheless, Lot seems to be overwhelmed by what is about to happen, losing all of his earthly possessions. Like a student who procrastinates until the night before their tests, Lot is moving in slow motion, without any sense of urgency. Subsequently, God sends two angels to Lot to hurry up, get out of town immediately and don’t stop until you reach Zoar, the city that you hand picked.
And when they had brought them forth, they said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you or stop anywhere in [a]the whole valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], lest you be consumed, Genesis 19:17.
Professional athletes who go on to be World Champions or Hall of Famers often credit defeat and failure as motivating forces. Based upon the words of one of Jesus’ disciples, 1 Peter 1:6-7, until you experience trials in life, you won’t reach your full potential. Jesus’ earthly brother makes a similar conclusion in James 1:2-4 as hardships develop maturity. Perhaps, I need to learn from the sons of Korah by slowing down to a putz, be still and reflect upon the God of this universe, Psalm 46:10.
Ever since college, listening to and sharing angel stories is one of my favorite topics of conversation. Testimonies from PAX TV’s hit show It’s a Miracle, personal accounts from people I met on retreats, and reading books on real life angelic interventions gives me goosebumps. Whether I’m reading the Bible or listening to an eyewitness on television, it’s amazing what goes on daily behind the scenes in the spiritual realm.
But they said, Stand back! And they said, This fellow came in to live here temporarily, and now he presumes to be [our] judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them. So they rushed at and pressed violently against Lot and came close to breaking down the door. 10 But the men [the angels] reached out and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut the door after him. 11 And they struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness [which dazzled them], from the youths to the old men, so that they wearied themselves [groping] to find the door, Genesis 19:9-11.
Based upon the words of Moses, Lot has his own encounters with two angels. While these two divine entities come in the form of two men, they are actually angels of death sent to search Sodom and Gomorrah for any living righteous individuals. However, before these two men go to the town square, a mob surround Lot’s house. After Lot’s plead deal is rejected, these two angels intervene to diffuse this awkward situation.
Besides, to which of the angels has He ever said, Sit at My right hand [associated with Me in My royal dignity] till I make your enemies a stool for your feet? 14 Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1:13-14
According to the author of Hebrews, angels continue to serve God today. Sometimes God sends a friend to encourage you, from time to time a stranger is sent to uplift your spirits and without even knowing it, you too may have come across or entertained an angel in disguise. This all happens to guard, protect and ultimately steer you in the direction of God’s will for your life. May angelic interventions continue today on this Easter Sunday to further God’s kingdom on earth.
Following my freshman year of college, I wasn’t satisfied with the Christian music that was playing on local Christian radio stations. The only thing I could find that was decent aired on Saturday nights from 8-11pm. When my parents moved to Ohio, I was directed to a warehouse on the east side of Cleveland. This is where I finally found what I was looking for: a Christian band with that classic sound of rock and roll.
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! – Psalm 95:1-2
Due to the lack of money and support for Christian rock music, bands like Legend Seven never got the air time that their music deserved. Perhaps, listening to the attached full album will remind you of groups like Bon Jovi, Cinderella, and Def Leppard. Nonetheless, songs like After the Fall, Carry Me and Don’t Believe It still speak to me. May this weeks featured group speak to your heart and soul as you listen to Legend Seven’s debut album.
My daughter Lydia, a freshman at Liberty University, usually calls home once a week to check in. During a conversation over Spring Break, Lydia shared how excited she is about one of her classes. Global Studies sounds like one of those easy A’s students take to boost their GPA. However, the name is based upon the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20. Lydia’s latest project focuses on how to share the gospel , the good news about Jesus Christ, with someone from another country or religion.
For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [[b]which my moral instinct condemns]. 16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out,] Romans 7:15-18.
While I never took a Global Studies class, I did attend a student leadership conference as an adult chaperone when I taught high school Bible at Red Lion Christian Academy. The guest speaker was Dr. Jeff Meyers who spoke on a series of topics that built upon one another. During one session, Jeff shared that atheist, agnostics, and other world religious know what sin is, but they refer to it in various terms. If you want to follow in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis to using apologetics to reach a broad audience, speak in terms of addiction and bad habits.
For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and[d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and[e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that [f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him, Romans 8:5-8.
While listening to one of my old Christian mixed CD’s on my long commute to work, I was reminded of a theme within one of DC Talk’s classic songs. In the Light contains the line “getting this condition under control.” Since everyone understands addictions, bad habits or unwholesome cravings, there is always something human beings need to reign in or work on. The apostle Paul explains this internal struggle in the passage above. While you will experience the agony of defeat, if you learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, getting your sinful nature under control is possible with God’s help, 2 Corinthians 12:7-12.
The passage below details the second time Abraham lied to a foreign leader, “saying his wife was his sister. The initial occasion, Genesis 12:9-13, is understandable as Abraham had just begun his faith journey with God. Rather than fully trust in God, Abraham reverted to his former way of living, relying on his own instincts. Unfortunately, the second occurrence is unacceptable, forcing Abraham to man up to his past sinful mistakes.
Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the [a]South country (the Negeb) and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; and he lived temporarily in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister. And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah [into his harem]. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said, Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken [as your own], for she is a man’s wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her, so he said, Lord, will you slay a people who are just and innocent? 5 Did not the man tell me, She is my sister? And she herself said, He is my brother. In integrity of heart and innocency of hands I have done this. 6 Then God said to him in the dream, Yes, I know you did this in the integrity of your heart, for it was I Who kept you back and spared you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not give you occasion to touch her, Genesis 20:1-6.
While reading this passage, I tried to get inside Abraham’s head. Why did he suddenly revert to his former way of life, one that excluded God? Beginning in Genesis 18, Abraham pleaded with God in prayer not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to his nephew Lot who was a resident. Reflecting upon the events of Genesis 19, Lot’s wife and servants were all killed, he’s living in a cave suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder and Lot’s so messed up his own daughters got him drunk to each bear his child. Logically speaking, Abraham decided, “what’s the point?” All these years of dedication and prayer have resulted in absolutely nothing.
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. 19 [My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], 20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert], James 5:16-20.
Genesis 20 contains Abraham’s prodigal son story where he doesn’t fully return home until Genesis 22:13-14. The passage above was written by Jesus’ little brother. James doubted his big brother, joining the other Jewish religious leaders until Jesus rose from the dead Easter Sunday. James provides a prayer, encouraging first century Christians to man up to their past sinful mistakes. The only thing human beings can change in this world and themselves. Therefore, follow James advice today so that you too will finally rid yourself of any addictions, bad habits and unwholesome cravings, Colossians 3:5-9.
A joke is designed to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline. If you have a friend who is sarcastic, it may be hard to determine when they are serious or simply pulling your leg. Based upon the words of Moses, Lot may have had a tendency to joke around. Subsequently, as Lot goes to warn his future son in laws, they don’t believe a word of his story.
And the [two] men asked Lot, Have you any others here—sons-in-law or your sons or your daughters? Whomever you have in the city, bring them out of this place,13 For we will spoil and destroy [Sodom]; for the outcry and shriek against its people has grown great before the Lord, and He has sent us to destroy it, Genesis 19:12-13.
One of the best practical jokes I ever played was cruel and unbelievable. Jeanette, Debbie, Stephen and I used a game of Truth or Dare to fake Stephen’s death. On this particular evening, Hope who had a crush on Stephen and his white shirt, so when a similar bloody white shirt was found in a nearby woods and Stephen was nowhere to be found, Hope thought Stephen was dead or wounded. As a group of us slowly walked back to my house, Stephen ran around the woods, sitting on a lawn chair on my back deck as we arrived.
And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will spoil and destroy this city! But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be [only] joking, Genesis 19:14.
As for Lot’s conversation with his two future son in laws, they break out laughing. Based upon Moses’ words, he leaves them to die in Sodom, forcing his daughters to find other men to marry. Despite having a sense of urgency, Lot closes the door, seeing these two alive for the last time. While the Bible is full of unbelievable events, this pyroclastic flow that leveled Sodom and Gomorrah was no joke.
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