Daily Bible Devotionals

“Abraham replied, ‘I thought: “There is absolutely no fear of God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.”  Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father, though not the daughter of my mother. So when God had me wander from my father’s house, I said to her: show your loyalty to me wherever we go, and say about me: ‘He is my brother.’”  Genesis 20:11-13 (HCSB)

I have always had difficulty with Abraham’s lying…or, shall we say, “half-truths.”  I can understand his fear. I have been afraid. I can understand his lack of faith; I have often lacked faith. But as a husband, it is painful to observe how Abraham placed his personal security above Sarah’s physical and emotional well-being. And he profited from it.

**Note: The Bible does not condone Abraham’s behavior. It simply relays the facts. Scripture does NOT counsel, “So what have we learned? Men, the next time you’re facing a potentially life-threatening situation, you should passively lie and put your wife in jeopardy.” It also does not come straight out and say, “Women, you should participate in your husband’s lies, even if they cause you emotional (and perhaps physical) distress…because in the end, you will profit from them.”  No, Scripture is simply silent about this particular matter…or is it?    

Imagine yourself as Sarah. You have been hearing your husband speak of God and faith. That side of him really attracts you to him. But at other times, he does completely faith-less things!! After a while of this moral and spiritual back & forth, it must have been hard for Sarah to discern the voice of God saying, “Thus sayeth the Lord!” from the voice of Abraham saying, “Thus sayeth the Lord!”

Perhaps I’ve seen too many soap operas, but this is the dynamic I pick up between the two. Let’s review the timeline: A) God’s call of Abram, “I will make you into a great nation” (12:2). B) Abram goes to Egypt and profits from his lie. (12:10-20) Part of Abram’s profit is an Egyptian slave named Hagar. (16:3) C) The Lord tells Abram his heir will come from his own body. (15:4) D) Sarah offers her slave to Abram, and intimacy with Hagar leads to baby Ishmael…family strife ensues. (16:1-6) E) God tells Abraham he will have a son with Sarah, and Abraham laughs, for he didn’t believe God. (17:15-19) F) When the Angels tell Abraham that Sarah will have a son within a year, she laughs and doesn’t believe. (18:10-15) G) Now, Sarah was distressed anew: Abraham would profit from another lie. Is it any wonder Sarah doubted Abraham’s ability to understand, communicate, and lead by God’s Word? Men take note.

Sarah may not have been able to trust Abraham’s discernment, but she was about to learn that she could depend on God’s promise, spoken directly to her.  (18:10-13) We may be forced to endure all sorts of unforeseeable circumstances. Life is often unbearable to take were it not for God’s great, gracious, and merciful promises spoken directly to us. Where do we learn of these promises?   Right there in the Bible! Keep pressing on!!

“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt..”  Genesis 19:27-29 (NKJV)

Speechless. That’s how I was the night a high school friend and I walked into his home at 2 am. His mom had been sitting in a chair by the front door for hours, just waiting for the moment he walked in so that she could slap his face! There, he lay on the floor. There she stood over him. I didn’t say a word. I just slowly turned around and walked back to my home across town.

That’s how I picture Abraham looking down on Sodom & Gomorrah, with rising smoke. Its simplicity reminds me of Hemingway’s writing. No dialogue, just a long stare…fade to black.

How can we accept the accounts of Noah’s flood or Sodom & Gomorrah, but when it comes to the Day of The Lord, almost nobody takes the coming judgment seriously? Just look at how similar the accounts are.

“They came up over the surface of the Earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from Heaven and consumed them. The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:9-10 (HCSB)

What I appreciate about today’s passage is Abraham’s intercession on behalf of Lot. He pleaded with the Lord for Lot’s life and his entire family. When was the last time you pleaded with the Lord, even tried to negotiate with Him, on behalf of a non-believing friend? If we really considered the absolute inevitability of the coming judgment, perhaps we would have more of an evangelistic sense of urgency. Consider the angel’s words to the apostle John:

“He (the angel) also said to me, ‘Don’t seal up prophetic words of this book because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy.’”  Revelation 22:10-11 (HCSB)

We need to preach the gospel in its entirety, as Abraham did, knowing some people will respond as the citizens of Sodom & Gomorrah, others as Lot’s wife, and still others as Lot. Nevertheless, we can stand before the Lord, knowing we seized every opportunity to lead the lost to salvation. May God’s Spirit make our testimonies effective!

“You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the judge of all the earth do what is just?’” Genesis 18:25 (HCSB)

In Abram’s day, the story of Noah must have still been fresh on the World’s psyche. It was a simple story of Justice: The wicked perish while the righteous escape.  Now, Abram poses a new question: Would God’s judgment on unrighteous Sodom bear collateral damage among the righteous?  More importantly, was Lot righteous?  Abram’s questioning supposes a couple of common misunderstandings about God: 1) God is fair, and 2) Righteousness can be attained by man, apart from being imputed by God.  

God is not fair. He is JUST, and His justice must be served. “Fairness” assumes everyone gets the same treatment. What’s FAIR is that we all get judged, apart from Grace and mercy. I am eternally grateful God isn’t fair in this regard!  God’s Justice, the penalty we deserve for our sin, was laid on Messiah, Jesus. When we believe in Jesus by faith, His atonement covers our sin, and His righteousness is imputed to our accounts.  At that moment, the Bible says we receive His Name.  

“Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings…” Ezekiel 20: 44a (NKJV)  

God’s satisfaction that Justice has been served on the sin of the World stands alone with Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is verified by His resurrection and certified by God’s testimony in heaven, “Sit at My right hand…” (Hebrews 1:13, Ps 2:7). If you look for fairness with God, you will be frustrated. Sometimes, the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper. Concerning Israel, God said, “Behold, I am against you, and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off both righteous and wicked…” Ezekiel 21:3 (NKJV)

It is possible that while Abram was negotiating with God, there may have been NO righteous people in Sodom. Lot’s first recorded act of righteousness was when he, believing God’s messengers about Sodom’s judgment, repented and left town. “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” Ezekiel 18: 23 (NKJV)

Have you left the “Sodom” that this World has become and chosen to follow Jesus?

“So Abraham said to God, ‘If only Ishmael were acceptable to You!’ But God said, ‘No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will confirm My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.’ When He finished talking with him, God withdrew from Abraham.” Genesis 17:18-22 (HCSB)

In Jewish religious culture, lineage is traced through the mother. There are several reasons for this thinking. One is that the mother is the children’s chief nurturer. She does the primary function of instilling religious values until adolescence.  

When a Jewish boy (from a religious family) comes of age, the occasion is recognized with a ceremony called “Bar (son) Mitzvah (commandment).” Thus, he becomes a “son of the commandment.” This ceremony happens at age 13.  

**There is no Biblical command to perform the ceremony of Bar Mitzvah, but that is not to say that there is anything wrong with committing oneself to follow God’s Word!

For the Orthodox and Chassidic Jews, women are not allowed to participate in religious services. Thus, Bar Mitzvah also acts as a handoff from the maternal to the paternal guidance.

When God told Abraham that Ishmael would not live in His presence, it was less a curse and more a statement of the Lord’s knowledge of the future. Hagar’s Egyptian mindset and values were transferred to Ishmael. By the time Ishmael was circumcised, interestingly at age 13, his values were well established. It’s not that Ishmael could not live in God’s presence; he simply would not faithfully choose God, given his upbringing. It is also not that Ishmael could not have turned to the Lord, but God, in His wisdom, knew that he would not. And God ALWAYS chooses rightly.

Isaac and Ishmael shared the same father, but Isaac was nurtured by his mother, Sarah. Having experienced God’s fulfilled promises, Sarah raised a faithful son. Furthermore, faith was built upon faith throughout the generations, confirming God’s Word to Abraham.

Similarly, how “baby believers” are taught and brought up in the Lord is very important. Early discipleship experience is essential to the long-term maturity and faithfulness of the individual.

“Abram replied to Sarai, “Here, your slave is in your hands; do whatever you want with her. Then Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away from her. The Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. He said, Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”  Genesis 16:6-8a (HCSB)

Throughout my church experience, whenever Hagar has been mentioned, she has been vilified with the overtones of being the mother of radical Islam. That may be excessive criticism towards one whom the Lord blessed.  

Interestingly, God never pronounced Abram’s intimacy with Hagar a sin. What is clear is that Abram’s intimacy was a symbol of his intimacy with Egypt. Hagar was an Egyptian slave whom Sarai had obtained while in Egypt.  

It is important to remember that Abram profited from his sin in Egypt. All the while, Sarai suffered the personal burden of keeping Abram’s lie a secret as she fought to stave off the advances of Pharaoh. Similarly, Abram profited from his relations with Hagar at the emotional risk of Sarai. Old Abe had issues with passivity. Instead of taking God’s promises & direction at face value, Abram injected human reason to accomplish God’s purposes. Perhaps he was the “father of our faith” in more ways than one…

On both occasions, Sarai was left to fend for herself. Sarai’s reaction to Hagar’s pregnancy (which led to Hagar’s change of attitude) within the context of Sarai’s marriage relationship with Abram was an explosion of pent-up emotion against Abram’s neglect of her in Egypt. That’s not to say Sarai was justified in abusing Hagar. I simply want to paint an accurate emotional portrait of Abram and Sarai’s marriage.

So what of God’s response to Hagar and her unborn son? Today’s passage mentions the “Angel of the Lord” visited Hagar on the way back to Egypt. Shur was the boundary wall that protected Egypt from raiding nomads.  

The narrative beautifully illustrates the Lord’s regard for the saddened and abandoned soul. It is the first time “angel” is found in the Bible. The phrase “Angel of the Lord” denotes more than simply one of the Lord’s angels. Most theologians believe the Angel of the Lord to be the Messiah Himself. Remember, Messiah has existed from eternity past, and He will exist for eternity future. (Micah 5:2)  

It is important to note that even though God knows the outcome of our decisions, He still gives us the option to choose or reject Him. As for us, the results of our choices are generally a mystery right up to the point that we make them. So, do you know where you have come from and where you are going? Don’t go back to “Egypt,” as it were. Choose to trust the Lord and follow the Messiah, Jesus!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Genesis 15. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“The four kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went on. They also took Abraham’s nephew Lot and his possessions for he was living in Sodom, and they went on.”  Genesis 14:11-12 (HCSB)

“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly against the Lord.”  Genesis 13:12-13 (HCSB)

Here is a familiar scenario. A well-intended believer unplugs from Godly community and sets out on his own. I confess there was a time in my life when I was “a lot like Lot.”  Some call it youthful pride or a strong-willed, independent nature. God calls it compromise and sin.

Soon after leaving Egypt, burdened by their collective abundance, it became apparent to Abram that he and Lot must separate. Lot chose the well-watered plain and camped in all the cities “near” Sodom. Eventually, Lot settled in Sodom. Sodom “absorbed” Lot, as it were. Let this be a warning to all who desire to affiliate with worldliness. You will eventually become so worldly-minded that you are no Heavenly good! Consider this pattern from Scripture:

“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!” Psalm 1:1 (HCSB)

That’s Lot’s inevitable story, but let’s look closely at his back story. An orphan seeking a father figure, he settles on Uncle Abram. Abram receives the call of God, and Lot tags along. So far, so good. Where did Lot go astray? I believe some of the blame rests on Abram.

Everything seemed fine until Abram led the whole troop into a lying compromise in Egypt. The moral injustice of Abram profiting from a lie (Sarah is my “sister”) must have profoundly impacted Lot. Furthermore, the “abundance” gained from Abram’s sin is the exact source of Lot’s and his conflict. Sin led to unjust gain, which led to unnecessary conflict and the eventual break-up of the extended family. It is also possible that Abram’s bailout of Lot was (at least partially) motivated by guilt over how things turned out as a result of Abram’s deception in Egypt. Lot was simply expanding on what he had observed Abram do: Operating out of fear, compromise, and half-truths.

Let this be a sober warning for all who seek to lead: When we turn away from the Lord’s path, those who follow us turn right along with us.

“After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, ‘Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, for I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. Get up and walk from one end of the land to the other, for I will give it to you.’” Genesis 13:14-17 (HCSB)

It is one thing for a person to choose the way he will go. It is another thing to let someone else choose first, allowing our “lot” to be what’s left over. Some would say followers of Jesus should be shrewd when dealing with the World, not letting anyone take advantage of them. While that may be wise counsel in some instances, Abraham chose differently, and so did Jesus. We should consider their success.

Once Abraham chose graciously and wisely, the Lord swiftly came to encourage him. God repeats His blessing to Abraham and his offspring in chapter 12. God also reinforces the reality that following Him into the unknown is always better than following the World into the supposed “obvious.”

The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

Lot used the World’s logic. He was in the desert, owned large flocks, and had many servants. It seems wise that he chose the well-watered plain. (Even if it did seem to leave Uncle Abe in the lurch!) The problem is that EVERYONE in the desert wants to possess the well-watered plain. Lot’s decision proved to be a near-fatal strategic mistake.

Lot was also tired of following Abram (who was following the Lord) around the desert. He was ready to forsake the tent of a nomad in favor of the “stability” of Sodom’s city life. I see this situation repeated, all too often, by the children of believers. They buy into the World’s promises of quick pleasure & success and begin to despise their parents’ faithful steadiness. Sadly, they are being led into trouble in their journey down the world’s “wide road,” which always dead ends in tragic consequences.

Of this logic, the Bible remarks:

“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will stand.” Proverbs 14:11 (NKJV)

Life is not about hoarding all we can get. It is about trusting the Lord and looking out for our fellow man. We should rest in the knowledge that (for the righteous) whatever unfolds is part of the perfect plan and purpose the Lord has designed for our lives. (Romans 8:28)

“The Lord said to Abram: ‘Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation; I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (HCSB)

When Abram was 75, God called him. This moment is known in Hebrew as “Lech L’Cha,” which means “Go!” or “Leave!” It is considered to be the official beginning of the Jewish people.

This moment is important to all mankind because Abram’s faithful response resulted in his fruitless (childless) seed taking root and bearing a child (Isaac), whose offspring grew into the nation of Israel. Through Israel, God designed for Messiah to be brought forth. Through Messiah, all who believe in Him by faith (as Abram) receive atonement for their sins. Turning from our sin and committing to follow Jesus is how we become eternally “saved”...the true people of God. The gift of God toward mankind is that our faith in Jesus’ righteous atonement would be counted as if WE were righteousness, although we each sin and are by no means righteous. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:10)

Abram was asked to leave three things: Land, Relatives, and his Father’s house. Interestingly, these are the main influences that mold a person’s thoughts & actions. In a spiritual (and sometimes physical) sense, we are all called by God to cut ourselves entirely adrift from all associations that could possibly hinder our completion of the mission God calls us to.

But God’s call to “Leave!” comes with blessings attached.

Jesus said, “I assure you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more at this time and eternal life in the ages to come.” Luke 18:29-30 (HCSB)

Notice that God calls Abram to no certain place: The land I will show you. Of course, God knew where He was taking Abraham. Abram’s great faithful act was to simply trust the Lord’s voice, contrary to his own understanding or personal wisdom. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Are you struggling with whether to trust the Lord? I’ll tell you by experience it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do…but Jesus has prepared a specific place to lead the faithful to. I am not speaking exclusively about Heaven. He has also set aside work for each of us in this life; He has given us a Kingdom purpose. Let’s respond as Abram (and Jesus’ first disciples) did: Leave everything and follow Him. (Luke 5:11)