Final Exam

Reading 9: Genesis 22

Both times that the Lord called to Abraham there was an immediate response of "Here I am." Both times. Even at the point when he had the knife in the air and was prepared to do as God had commanded him earlier, he paused to respond to God's call.

When God calls into my life is there an immediate response? Am I quick to say 'Here I am', or "Just a minute..." "Let me finish this one last thing..."

These past two readings have contained two very different responses to God when He speaks into your life. Lot hesitated and bargained. Abraham responded, obeyed, and was blessed.

May I always remember to obey and be blessed...so I may fulfill God's covenant with Abraham and bless others;

"I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

The Plan

Reading 7: Genesis 15

Abraham had been chosen by God for a very specific promise: your descendants will be as numerous as the stars.

A new 'rite' seems to be established as part of God's people; the covenant. God passes through the time's customary display of a covenant between two people, but He passes alone. This signifies that He alone is responsible for the complete fulfillment of the covenant being made.

The part that catches my attention in this reading is the fact that God prepares Abram that his descendants will be slaves for 400 years! He knew and believed in God's promise still! He accepted God's plan and God's decisions...if only I could be so faithful...

The other line that speaks to me specifically today is:

Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own

As I am a stranger in a country not my own, I can identify with this plight. Just a few days ago I was mentally tallying how many of the "great" Biblical characters were foreigners in their time of ministry. It's just a chance God takes to remind me that I'm not the only one to deal with being away from home or being a cultural newbie...

The Rainbow

Reading 6: Genesis 8

From the time Noah stepped foot into the ark, to the time the muddy earth was finally drying out an entire year had passed. An entire year! Cooped up with animals, children, wives...all kinds of things that can make long trips miserable. :)

One rabbi suggests that the rainbow holds special significance regarding God at war with man. That the rainbow reminds us that God would no longer destroy man in effort to "clean up the act" and reminds us of a bow and arrow pointed away from earth. It's an interesting comment; click here to read the rabbi's comments on the dove and rainbow.

The verse that stood out to me today is this:

The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man

One person's sacrifice can make a difference. Noah offered what he had, and God "smelled the pleasing aroma"...quite a difference from His reaction to Cain. Perhaps this is the attitude offerings require: willingness, thankfulness, self-directed not law-directed.

I pray that my offering (time, talent, etc) is a pleasing aroma.

Crouching at the door

Reading 4: Genesis 4

Cain and Abel. The first reported sibling rivalry.

We're never told exactly what was wrong with Cain's offering to God. There aren't any "laws" at this point in the story, so the brothers are choosing to give God an offering. We're merely given the description of the two's offerings. Abel: fat portions from the firstborn of his flock, Cain: fruits of the soil. We are just told that God looked with favor on Abel and not on Cain. But, why?

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Maybe Cain knew all along what he was supposed to do? Maybe he knew that his offering was not a real "offering" but a mere duty? He gave while his heart harbored sin. And God does not look lightly on hearts harboring sin.

My offering...what kind of attitude is it given with? Do I do so out of duty, because it's "my job", or do I do so because it's the right thing to do?

Other points that caught my attention:

1. Were there people living outside of the garden? Adam & Eve's first recorded sons are Cain and Abel, so why is Cain afraid of people that will kill him when God sends him away??.....

2. Lamech, o Lamech. It's such a odd, random story. Just a few verses, why is it even in there? I once tried to do some back ground on it, and found relatively nothing. It's just odd to me that he would claim the same "protection" that Cain was granted merely for being family. Perhaps Lamech is included to demonstrate the continuance of ruthlessness and aggression within the family?