Lot - The Smell of Smoke on His Clothes

Lot – The Smell of Smoke on His Clothes!

>>> Read Genesis 19 <<<

 

What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . .What can a believer share in common with an unbeliever? . . . Therefore come out from them and be separate says the Lord.

         2Cor. 6:14-15, 17

 

The opening verses of Genesis 18 and 19 present a striking contrast.  Abraham is shown sitting at his tent door (18:1) and Lot is sitting "in the gate of Sodom" (19:1). One believer enjoys his earthly pilgrimage while he waits for a better place, and the other associates with the judgment-doomed world. What actually brought the judgment of God down on Sodom?  Since God did not go from city to city destroying them because they were ungodly, we could ask why Sodom was singled out (along with its sister city, Gomorrah).

 

Sodom had a particular element that was odious to God – it was the presence of a believer holding a place of honor in the city (the city leaders held meetings at the gate). Lot's 'righteous' presence in the city mocked God in the eyes of his 'friends' (verses 7-9). Remember, we only refer to Lot as 'righteous' because of 2Pet. 2:7.  While it is true that God will judge the wicked who reject and mock Him, He will also deal with those who claim to know Him while their lives contradict that assertion.

 

Today many believers, rather than witness to the grace of God, prefer to be associated with the world. God calls people to enter into relationship with Him so that they can represent Him as they become conformed to the likeness of His Son. When they tolerate the things of the world, they mock divine things. Today's churches are full of people like Lot. Evangelical leaders share the public platform with apostate religions as they seek to bring people together in the name of politics, morality or 'fellowship.' We must not be fooled by those who tout the name 'God' but who cannot utter the Holy name of the Lord Jesus and claim Him as their life.  It will never be acceptable to God for His children to have fellowship with those who reject His Son.

 

It is not necessary for us to try to determine the saved or unsaved state of others (after all, if I were to judge Lot, I would say he didn't belong to God at all!), but we need to be clear about the state of our own hearts.  It is also important that we associate ourselves with those who have some evidence that they know Christ personally. Lot didn't partake in the evil deeds of the people of Sodom, but he had no witness for God among them. There is no evidence that he had fellowship with God or that his family had any regard for God whatsoever. 

 

When it came time for Lot to leave Sodom, he hesitated; the angels, who came to save him from judgment, had to drag him out of the city. His wife had such longing for the city that she turned to take one last look despite the warning not to do so. Lot could not even follow the angels when they tried to get him completely away from the cities and into the mountains. Fear drove him; he could not trust God to keep him safe. Lot had no power to influence others for God, no ability to show forth God's presence, no communion with God and no confidence in God to keep him safe. He was spared from judgment with the smell of smoke on his clothes! In the end, he left behind a posterity that became the constant enemy of God's chosen people (the Moabites and Ammonites).

 

When we think of Sodom, we focus on God's judgment of the city. However, this chapter focuses on Lot. Lot followed Abraham, the man of faith, out of Haran and stayed with him for a time, but Lot was no friend of God or man of faith. Lot followed Abraham, but he did not follow God. He shows us the plight of the believer who gets his foot in the door of justification, shares acquaintance with strong believers, yet has no desire to cultivate a  relationship with God for himself.

 

While it's true that weak believers are easily led into corruption, the point of this chapter is to show God's disdain for the worldly-minded believer who would even settle down among the defilement of the world. Lot wanted to profit by the world yet retain the authority to bear testimony against its wickedness (Gen 19:7). Although we are told that Lot was vexed by the world around him, Scripture does not record the words, "by faith Lot did such and such…"

 

On this side of the cross, with the Holy Spirit as our teacher and the written Word of God as our resource, we have greater accountability than Lot, for he had limited revelation of God. We are told, "Because you are lukewarm … I will spit you out of My mouth" (Rev. 3:16). This is God's word to us – we live in the age of the Laodicean church, as described in Revelation 3. God is serious about His testimony upon the earth – we should be serious about it as well. We need to be earnestly seeking the Lord and interceding on behalf of the Church – praying that her members would wake up to the delusion of Lot that exists today.                                                             LJ 10/09

Abraham – God Opens His Heart to a Friend

Abraham – God Opens His Heart to a Friend

>>> Read Genesis 18 <<<

 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you. 

Jn 15:14-15

 

In Genesis 18 God unfolds four wonderful privileges enjoyed by the person who understands, and walks with, El Shaddai (the God who bestows blessing in the face of difficult circumstances). First (vs 1-8), he enjoys personal contact with the Lord; then, (vs 9-15) he gains assurance that promises will be fulfilled; next (vs 16-21), he is treated as a friend in whom God confides; and finally (vs 22-33), because he is near to the heart of God, he can intercede on behalf of others. (General outline from Hamilton Smith)

 

We are shown that Abraham is still dwelling in a tent. Each time his tent is mentioned, it is a reminder that he has not settled down to enjoy the world (as Lot did in Sodom); instead, he is separate from it. As a result, Abraham has developed spiritual discernment so that he is able to distinguish the Lord from the two angels. Furthermore, Abraham has progressed to the place where he can enjoy intimate fellowship with the Lord, who has come to confirm the birth of his son, Isaac. Fellowship is shown by the sharing of food, shade and personal refreshment for the guests. 

 

The Lord gives Abraham and Sarah firm reassurance about the coming birth of Isaac, then turns to another topic as He and Abraham survey the fertile valley from the mountain. The Lord says an amazing thing to Abraham, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" How is it that the God of the universe would consider revealing His secrets to a mere man? This is an expression of how God values His friendship with Abraham. He is speaking face to face with Abraham – speaking as a true friend. Notice Abraham's response to what the Lord confides – he boldly intercedes for the "righteous" in Sodom.

 

My point here isn't to explain why Abraham stopped at the number 10, or to discuss the righteousness (or the lack of it) of Lot and his family. I want to direct your attention to the intercessory relationship that Abraham had with the Lord. This is the first example of this kind of relationship in our Bible, so it requires some consideration. Abraham clearly recognizes to whom he is speaking – this is the Lord!  He has been invited to enter into God's business; and somehow, he has realized that the Lord is giving him the privilege of intercession.

 

We know, because we have the whole Word of God, that the Lord was able to entrust such a privilege to Abraham because he has demonstrated spiritual growth – as evidenced by obedience (circumcision). He has kept himself separate from the world and has walked by faith (this is how God views Abraham!).

 

Since Lot is referred to as a righteous man (2Pet. 2:7), we can assume that he represents a forgiven, justified man in God's eyes. However, justification is one thing and producing the fruit of faithfulness and obedience is another. Who does the Lord confide in (reveal Himself, His thoughts and His plans to)?  In the words of the New Testament, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." The secrets of God are not thrown out to anyone who claims to know Him; and the privilege of intercession is not for those who have only a passing acquaintance with the Lord.

 

The way to know the divine purposes about this present evil world is not to be mixed up with it, in its schemes and speculations, but to be entirely separated from it. The more closely we walk with God, the more we shall know His mind about everything.                                  C.H. Mackintosh

 

The Lord came to Abraham and confided His plan to him; this shows that He wanted Abraham to use this intimate relationship to intercede for Sodom. Now, think about all the Lord has told us about His plans in the whole Word of God. Many people read it, but only those who seek to know God and submit to Him in faith and trust, can truly understand His ways, His purposes and His plans.

 

Are we saints of the tent or of the city? In other words, do we have more invested in the world, or in our communion with the risen Lord of glory? We live in a day when we are being exhorted to intercede for our nation as well as the unsaved. Intercession is a privilege set aside for those who seek God's heart; it is for those who have learned how to listen for His voice and who know when He is speaking. The Church is in need of intercessors today – but first we need to focus on the Lord and what He wants.  We cannot allow frenetic activity on the one hand, or the fear of continuing decline on the other, to keep us from resting in the Lord and waiting for Him.                                                                              LJ 10/09

Abraham – Leave It Up to Me (God)!

Abraham – Leave It Up to Me!

>>> Read Genesis 17 <<<

 

The path of faith for Abram began when the God of Glory called him to leave his homeland and family – but Abram failed to stay on the path when he settled down in Haran with his father (evidence that he failed to acknowledge the separated relationship that he was called to). Then, we find him in Egypt counting on the world to satisfy his needs in time of famine – he did not yet understand that God was a trustworthy friend.

 

Next, we see Abram demonstrating faith when the kings flex their earthly muscles against their neighbors. God reveals Himself as the Most High God (El Elyon), possessor of heaven and earth and Abram has a spiritual victory when he responds to God by refusing the world's riches. Later, God appears to Abram in a vision and reveals Himself as Abram's Shield and Great Reward, assuring Abram that he will have numerous seed. God explains to Abram that suffering will be required of them in order to enter into the promise.

 

Genesis 16 records the sad account of Abram and Sarai devising their own solution to the problem of old age and barrenness. God does not speak in this chapter, for Abram has chosen to depend upon human resources to accomplish God's purpose. In fact, God was silent for 13 years. During this time, Abram developed deep affection for his son and Sarai had to contend with Hagar. Finally, when there was no question that Abram and Sarai's bodies were dead as far as producing offspring, God comes to Abram reaffirming that His purpose will be accomplished according to His power.

 

God broke His silence with the words, "I am El Shaddai (God all sufficient) walk (habitually) before Me with integrity (blameless, having nothing to fill the heart except God Himself)." When a believer truly knows God, he will say with the Psalmist:

 "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken" (Ps 62:5-6).

 

El Shaddai is the name God presents when He comes to His people to enrich them – to make them fruitful; God All Sufficient satisfies and strengthens His people. Strength is necessary because fruitfulness is connected with chastening. We're not talking about judgment, but a purifying that leads to greater fruitfulness as with Job in whose story we see this name used 31 times (ref C.I. Scofield). In this wonderful revelation, Abram does not offer sacrifice or make a request of God; instead he falls down on his face – a posture that acknowledges his nothingness. Now that Abram understood his own weakness and inability, he was ready to allow God All Sufficient to act in him, for him and through him.

 

The revelation of God as Abram's shield and exceeding great reward (chp 15) disclosed what God was for Abram - this caused Abram to think of himself and what he would receive from God. He felt confident in God's love and was therefore able to pour out his needs and desires. However, Abram has had enough schooling – it is time for him to walk in the knowledge that he has been given. Prostrate on the ground, he listens,, for God is revealing who He is in Himself.

 

In this revelation, Abram's attention is directed toward El Shaddai rather than himself and his needs. As God tells this old, old man who has an old, old wife (see vs 15-19) that they will be "multiplied exceedingly," and will be made "exceedingly fruitful," all the years of instruction come together for Abram.  As a further indication of what God will do, He changes Abram's name (which means exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude), and Sarai's name (my princess) to Sarah (a princess). El Shaddai, the One who satisfies, strengthens and makes fruitful – commits Himself to be the God of the promised seed. Kings will descend from Abraham and Sarah; furthermore, God's covenant is an everlasting covenant – the fruit of Abraham's faith will go on forever!

 

Now God gets very specific in the details of His promise to Sarah. He declares her child's name even before conception takes place, and puts the date of his birth on the calendar!  However, God requires something from Abraham. He expects Abraham and every male in his household to be circumcised. This rite speaks of Abraham's responsibility to, and faith in, God; it speaks of death to the flesh and accountability to God. Abraham demonstrates his faith by obedience to God as he himself, and every male who is with him, is circumcised.

 

Abraham understood that Isaac would be the son of Promise, but he loved Ishmael and wanted blessing for him as well. God did promise to bless Ishmael, but there would be no covenant for him. With the promises made clear, the covenant sealed and the sign of obedience in place, the root has been planted. It would grow into a people who would be set apart to God – set apart from the other nations and from the ways of the world. In essence God has said, "Leave it all up to me, everything will exceed your expectations!" That sounds so simple, doesn't it?                                                    LJ 10/09

Abraham - Straying from the Path of Faith

Abraham: Straying from the Path of Faith
>>> Read Genesis 16 <<<

GOD WANTS TO reveal His amazing Person and His wonderful ways (the deep things of God) to us:

. . . No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1Cor. 2:9, 10

HOWEVER, there is a problem:

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Cor. 2:14

The child of God, operating within his own capacity, can only know the things of man. We have seen this truth lived out in the contrasting lives of Abram and Lot. Abram shows us the person who is growing in faith. He is learning about the dangers of the world and the consequences of pursuing life without God – and he continues to respond to God. Lot depicts the worldly believer who lays aside the knowledge of God so that he can enjoy everything the world provides. Lot did not set out to enjoy the evil things of the world when he went to Sodom; he set out to avail himself of its comforts and conveniences. However, it is the place where God is not recognized or honored, and that leads to evil of all sorts. Lot chose to stay in Sodom, thinking he could ignore the wickedness of its residents, but he was swept up into the world’s conflicts (Gen. 14), and tormented by what he saw and heard (2Peter 2:6-8).

Now, in Genesis 16, we see the life of the natural man. We have already seen examples of the natural man taking charge in Abram’s life – every time he went his own way without God’s leading, he was acting in the power of the natural man. The natural man usually leads us right to the world – where we seek resources to solve our difficulties without waiting on God. Whereas the worldly man would immerse himself in the pleasures and ease of the world, the natural man resorts to ‘religion’ (his own best efforts) plus use of the world’s resources to accomplish his purposes. The worldy man and the natural man are equally offensive to God.

Abram is put to the test when his wife suggests that he father a child with the Egyptian handmaid. Did Abram lose confidence in God’s promise? Did he think that God had left him to act on his own in order to fulfill the promise? Not necessarily – Abram’s actions expose the feeble nature of the human soul toward God; it is more natural for us to apply human effort to a situation than it is for us to rest in God alone. We feel a certain sense of security when we take a situation into our own hands and control the outcome (or think we control it). Sarai was seeking this security; it made sense to her. After all, God did not say that Sarai would be the mother of nations – His promise only mentioned Abram.

Sarai had not personally received a revelation from God, she was not involved in building altars with Abram – she just wanted a baby and this sounded like a reasonable solution to her. Abram listened to his wife and took her suggestion (Does this sound familiar to you? Insert the name “Adam” for Abram’s name in that last statement). It is a persistent failing of human nature to reach for something that sounds good, and to fall back on our own efforts, when God has already said He would “give us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him” (2 Pet. 1:3).

Think about what Abram had already learned from God – how God had reinforced and confirmed His promises. Do you see how easily Abram is drawn away from the path of faith, and how effortlessly he could act as though he hadn’t learned a thing from past experience? It is no different for you and I. This is the state of the human heart; human nature is quick to turn away from what is known of God and settle for the quick solution. So, why does God ask us to wait? Waiting on God is a part of the faith-learning process; and it exposes to us our own level of trust in God. We could say to Abram, as Paul said to the Galatians, “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?” (Gal. 4:9)

The path of faith always includes trials and temptations. We cry out to God to give us relief from them, but He has put those things in our path – we need them there in order to develop precious friendship with God. Without them, we would drift away from God, depending upon our own talents, gifts and resourcefulness to get through life. As a Father who is training His children, God will take time to develop patience and endurance in us so that we learn to rest in Him. Abram is not an example of perfect faith; he’s an example of the believer who, while learning to walk by faith, finds himself on the path of human effort, and then gets back onto the path of trusting God. He’s an example of how faith is learned. May we embrace the purposes and ways of God, submitting to Him so we won’t be long on the path of self-effort.
LJ 9/09

Abraham – The Waiting Heir

Abraham – The Waiting Heir

>>> Read Genesis 15 and Romans 4:16-19<<<

. . .  "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.    James 2:23

 

. . . Friendship with the world is hatred toward God . . . anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.      James 4:4

 

So far, we have seen that God rewards Abram for each step of faith he takes; continually providing more revelation of Himself and additional details of His promise. We are learning some important things about God's ways through this living illustration.

 

Abram's story has been recorded in the Bible so that we can learn how God develops faith in the lives of His children. He arranges events in your life so you must count on Him – and when you exercise faith in Him, two things happen: first, your spirit becomes open to receive more revelation about Him; and then He rewards you with a deeper understanding of who He is and what He has planned!  This revelation will carry you to the next level if you keep your eyes fixed on Him. This sounds like a solid basis for friendship to me – He asks us to count on Him, and then He follows through with trustworthy actions!

 

We have seen how, with each new revelation of God, Abram depends less upon the world and more upon God. This is a vital function of faith. Often, we do our best to shun the things of the world, thinking that then our faith will grow stronger; but that is a reversal of God's order. It is only as we know Him intimately, and trust Him without question, that we are able to release our hold on everything the world offers. The more we become God's friend, the more He discloses His plans to us. Nonetheless, the Scripture does not call God our friend, we are called His friend. (Think of other endearing ways He refers to us: we are the sheep of His pasture, His children, His bride . . .)

 

As God continues to reveal His character to Abram, Abram's confidence grows; the more Abram's confidence grows the more he responds as a trusting friend.  In verse one, God encourages Abram by telling Him that He is his shield (which God demonstrated in the previous chapter) and his great reward. As Abram's shield, God provides protection and security; He is Abram's defense against any worldly foe (including the foe of temptation). Knowing that there is a reward causes Abram to hold onto a future hope, and gives him a reason to exercise patience. We do not pursue the things of the world when we have our mind on the glorious reward that God has promised.

 

God had promised Abram offspring, and now Abram asks Him about it. Knowing his body was as good as dead (Rom. 4:19), Abram thought God would provide offspring through his servant, Eliezer – according to the custom of the day. However, God makes it clear that "a son coming from your own body will be your heir" (Gen. 15:4). Then God draws Abram's attention away from his 'dead' body and up to the stars in the heavens. In this way, God directs Abram's mind away from His own human thoughts and onto higher thoughts about God; however it is the waiting that will strengthen Abram's feeble faith. By the time Abram fathered his true son, there was no doubt his body was, by nature, not capable of doing so.  Here we see that Abram believed God and God added that to Abram's 'faith account.'

 

Abram, looking around and seeing all the inhabitants of the land (vs19-21), asked God about the land he was promised. God told Abram where the boundaries of the land were (no boundaries had been given prior to this). But, before He did that, He gave Abram a very interesting picture of the future of his offspring. The picture involves a smoking furnace (suffering and trial) and burning lamp (the light of Jehovah appearing for their relief). God informs Abram that his descendents will be enslaved for 400 years (Egyptian bondage) before they possess the Land. Keep in mind, Abram never possesses this land for himself.

 

In the history of Israel, first there are sons (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and their offspring) and later there are heirs. Generations of Abram's offspring lived and died before his descendants became heirs to the Land. The family grew into a great nation, but they did so in Egypt, not in the Promised Land. In Egypt (the world), they were slaves until their redemption by the blood of the Lamb. When they left Egypt, they entered the wilderness where they were tested and tried.  When did they become heirs of the promise? Not until they had been tried in the furnace of suffering. It is no different for God's people today. It is the discipline of God – wrapped in His love and infused with the anticipation of promises fulfilled – that separates us from the world and makes it possible for us to know Him intimately as Father. Knowing His ways (as illustrated in these Old Testament saints) and purposes (as He has unfolded them throughout the ages) will give us confidence in Him and keep us from being consumed by the 'furnace' that is the world.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.   Romans 8:17                                                                               LJ 9/09

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Devotional Studies on The Purpose and Ways of God

Abraham - Growing Strong

Abraham – Growing Strong

>>> Read Genesis 14 <<<

 

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

 

Abram answered the call of God to leave his homeland and walk down the path of faith. We have seen how, even though he started well, he was detained (in Haran) and then sidetracked (in Egypt). Yet he regained his footing with God and was fully restored to fellowship. Next, we saw Abram relinquish his rights to the land when he allowed Lot to choose the better area.  He put it all into the hands of the One who said, "I will give you this land."  Abram had learned (from his Egypt experience) that it was better to be on the ground of fellowship with God, than to enjoy the comforts of the world.

 

Lot, however, enjoyed his taste of the world while they were in Egypt, and chose to 'pitch his tent toward Sodom' (Gen.13:12) where he could enjoy similar pleasures.  In Genesis 14:12 we are told that Lot had taken a few more steps and was dwelling in Sodom. His life is a living demonstration of the life governed by sight rather than faith; it is the life of a person who cannot resist the world's appeal. We would never know Lot was a believer, except for 2 Peter 2:7 where we learn that he was "a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men."  His distress did not cause him to leave Sodom or to cultivate a faith in Abram's God; Lot's story chronicles the life of a worldly believer.

 

Any believer who settles down in the world can expect to fall prey to the enemy, for he has no strength against the power of the world. In Lot's case, when kings in the surrounding nations began warring with each other, he was swept up in the conflict. The benefits of the world are always mingled with undesirable consequences. The opposite is also true – the believer, who has refused the world, will not fall prey to its influence. Abram clearly illustrates this latter principle for us.

 

Abram had separated himself from the world with his tents and altars. Remember, the tent is a symbol of his pilgrim life (he has not settled down in the world), and the altar speaks of worship of the God who had called him to a life of faith. Abram shows us that faith in God makes us independent of what the world has to offer, but does not cause indifference to those who suffer in the world. When Lot was taken away with the war captives, Abram organized his hired servants and went out to get him back. This is a wonderful example of how God fights to keep even the weakest believer!

 

Abram also provides a beautiful picture of the fruits of faith. He overcomes the world (pictured in his victory over the kings), demonstrates genuine love for Lot and exhibits a purified heart. Let's look at his heart – a heart that has been maturing and gaining confidence in the Lord. Abram returns from battle, having rescued the people and goods taken by the kings. While the king of Sodom is on his way to offer Abram a reward for the return of the captives (vs 17), Melchizedek appears on the scene. Melchizedeck didn't show up when Abram was pursuing Chedorlaomer, but came to fortify him against temptation when the king of Sodom was coming to tempt him with treasure from the war.

 

Melchizedek introduced Abram to "the most high God" (Hebrew: El Elyon), possessor of heaven and earth. So far, Abram has known God as 'the God of Glory' (Acts 7:2) who appeared to him in Ur, and the Lord (Jehovah) to whom he built his altars. Here Melchizedek pronounces Abram blessed, and then reveals who it is that blesses him – it is the possessor of heaven and earth. Melchizedek is saying to Abram, 'The One who gives you the land, and has given you the victory, is exalted above all monarchs – the originator and the owner of heaven and earth.' 

 

The king of Sodom seems to have appeared right on the heels of Melchizedek, offering Abram more of the world's goods. How could he even be tempted? He is Abram who belongs to the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth!  A man who is blessed by God, and filled with the vision of heavenly possessions, has little need of help from the world. Notice how Abram answered the King of Sodom (vs 22). He used the new title, adding to it the name 'Jehovah;' therefore referring to God as the Lord, the most high God. Abram was truly beginning to understand God's heart, and would not allow the king of Sodom to get credit for something God had put into his hand ('I have raised my hand to Jehovah El Elyon').

 

Abram shows us what it means to belong to God and to be separated from the world. It is not that he lacks wealth, but his wealth does not own him – and he is still waiting for God to fulfill His promises. Lot, on the other hand, reveals how easily the world makes us its slave so that we have little, or no, affection for God. God wants us to know that He will give us all we need – He will not have us dependent upon the rulers, the resources or the methods of the world. We, in America, are learning how fickle the world and its resources are. It won't be long before we will be tested as Abram was tested – are we in the habit of looking to God to meet our needs or depending upon the world to do so?

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [El Elyon] will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.    Psalm 91:1

LJ 8/09  

Abraham – Faith Begins to Take Root

Abraham – Faith Begins to Take Root
>>> Read Genesis 12:9 – 13:13<<<

Abram took some tentative first steps of faith when God called him to leave country and kindred – however, he didn't really leave his family behind. Abram's father had died but Lot would continue to be a thorn in Abram's side. Throughout Abram's life, we will see God's faithfulness drawing him into intimate friendship. This friendship enabled Abraham to become the great man of faith that we see at the end of his life.

In our last look at Abram, we left him worshipping God at the altar in Bethel. The altar, in Scripture, represents two things: 1) God's desire to come down to meet with man, and 2) the altar that exists in the heart of man when he is counting upon God to forgive him. But Abram didn't stay in Bethel, the place of dependence upon God; his communion with God was cut short when he began to drift south into Egypt. Egypt is the place where material necessities and comforts are provided, not by God, but by man.

Here we see Abram settling down again, not where God had led him, but in a place where his needs could be met without God. Egypt did not offer sweet fellowship and enjoyment of God's provision.  It was the place where Abram used deceit, instead of dependence upon God, in order to survive. Once again, we see Abram accumulating the world's riches, not God's – and they come with personal cost to him.

Abram stayed in Egypt until he was sent away by Pharaoh, and then he returned to Bethel where he called upon the Lord (there is no record that God spoke to him at this time). Apparently, Lot acquired some wealth in Egypt as well, and this created a conflict between the herdsmen of the two men. Their combined herds were too much for the land space – this is a consequence of Lot's presence in the land (because Abram did not leave his family behind) and their wealth, which was obtained at the expense of fellowship with God.

Now we see that Abram has learned something about trusting God. When it becomes necessary for the men to separate, Abram allows Lot to choose the land he wants. He is actually allowing God to choose through Lot. When there was famine in the land, Abram acted according to what he saw with his own eyes, and sought relief in Egypt – but this time he uses the eyes of faith, and Lot is the one who makes a decision based on sight. Lot saw the well-watered valley and the cities; they reminded him of Egypt (Gen. 13:10), so he moved his tents near Sodom where "the men were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord" (vs 13).

Lot is set in contrast to Abram so that we can learn the stark difference, within our own lives, between the heart that desires God and the heart that yearns for the world. Abram did not always seek God first, but his failures brought him back to God. The path of faith includes failure – failure that leads to humble repentance as we come to recognize our personal weakness; however, the general direction of the faith-walk is toward intimacy with God.  Lot did not walk in that direction; his heart was filled with the world – therefore, his feet took him there.

Abraham, on the other hand, was becoming occupied with the unseen promises of God – and with God Himself. He was learning, in stages, to allow God to govern his interests and desires. His willingness to submit to God regarding where to settle is evidence that he no longer trusts his own judgment; he desires to know the mind of God on the matter. God waits for us to come to this very same realization: to set aside our own thoughts and seek the mind of God on all matters.

Once Abram was no longer encumbered with Lot's presence, God spoke to him, encouraging him in his faith by providing more details about the promised land and descendents. As for the land, he told Abram to look around – everything he could see would belong to his descendants. Then God told him to walk through its length and breadth. God encouraged Abram to experience the land and reminded him again, "I will give it to you." His faith is strengthened by increased revelations and assurances of God's intentions for him. As to Abram's descendants, God gives His promise more substance when He declares that Abram's descendents will be numbered as the dust of the earth.

God asked Abram to leave everything behind, but He put something in its place. In the same way, Jesus asks us to leave the world behind and to allow Him to empty us of ourselves. As we follow Him, He begins to fill us up with Himself. He draws us away from the life we know and into a life of communion with God. In the process, we lose the desire for the things of the world, entering in by stages, to intimacy with the Lord Jesus. There we become part of His own relationship with the Father. This is the relationship that sustains us when we are tempted or tried – as we will surely be in this world.
LJ 8/09   

Abraham: The Seed of Faith Begins to Grow

Abraham: The Seed of Faith Begins to Grow
>>> Read Genesis 12:1-8 <<<
Abraham is a walking, talking illustration of how a believer matures in his faith. We are shown examples of how he fails in faith – and examples of how he shines. The story of Abraham’s life, though, is really about God’s faithfulness and the way He cultivates friendship with a believer. God does not ask us to have blind faith, instead He reveals His character and ways to us; He confides in us about His plans, and He promises to provide all we need so we are able to do His will.

As we read his story, we see that God gradually enlarges Abraham’s capacity to understand who He is; for in the beginning, Abraham didn’t know God at all. The world at that time consisted of people who had been scattered out from Babel. Ur of the Chaldeas was a city filled with idol worship (Joshua 24: 2) – archaeological discoveries show that they had a city god and a moon god.

Acts 7:2-4 tells us that “the God of glory” appeared to Abram while he still lived in Ur. The God of glory – this was the first time God had been revealed by that name and in that character; His glorious splendor must have out-shown that moon god and gotten Abram’s attention.

Abram and Sarai began their trek into the unknown when God called them to leave home, relatives and country. They were to go to “the land which I will show you” – that was all they were told about their destination. Abram was told to leave the relatives in his father's house (Gen. 12:1; Acts 7:2) -- a directive which Abram did not follow. It appears that Abram’s father took charge of the trip (Gen. 11:31) and that they were waylaid at Haran (which means "parched") until his father died. The Word of God tells us that the family settled there (Gen. 11:31) – this was not a rest stop – and it was not the destination God had in mind.

During his time at Haran, God did not reveal Himself further to Abram; He was silent. Verse 5 tells us that the family had acquired possessions during their stay at Haran. Wealth acquired in the place of disobedience is the world’s wealth and, in Abram’s case, reveals his connection to earth, and not to God. Abram had exercised faith by leaving his homeland and the idolatrous life he had there, but he did not yet understand God’s full purpose for him.

There was no fresh revelation to Abram’s soul during his stay in Haran. We must act in accordance with the light already communicated, and then God will give us more. God will never drag us along the path of truehearted discipleship. . . He does not drag, but draws, us along the path which leads to indescribable blessedness in Himself. C.H. Mackintosh

It took the death of his father to get Abram moving in the right direction again. This is a picture of death to the natural, worldly ties that keep us from the life of faith. Following this death, Abram returned to the path of faith – a difficult path – a path where God alone would sustain his soul. The difficulties of the way would wean Abram from the world while anchoring his soul in the God who provides everything for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4).

When Abram left Haran and moved forward in the direction of faith, he came to Moreh. There were Canaanites in that area and they could prove to be a trial for Abram, so the Lord appeared to him and fortified His original promise. More specific than the “I will make you a great nation” (vs 2), God now mentions that Abram (who has a barren wife) will have descendants and that they will inherit the land the Canaanites now occupy. Abram’s response is to worship the Lord with an altar.

God had directed Abram’s attention away from the Canaanite and onto Himself. He reveals Himself as the One who will give the land to Abram; Abram is not going to worry about the Canaanite, he is going to worship God and allow God to do all He said He would do. Abram continues on to Bethel where he builds another altar and pitches his tent. The altar and the tent are characteristic of Abraham and his message to believers. He is a worshipper of the one true God (the altar) and he is a ‘stranger’ in the world (the tent). As a stranger in the world, he has everything in God and nothing on the earth. This does not mean that he never owns a possession; rather it means that his heart is never possessed by the world.

God did not take Abram to a place of wonderful rest, for his faith would not mature there. Instead, He took him to the place where Abram would learn who God is and how to have faith in Him. This is the very same place where He will take us!

Our home, our hope, our inheritance are all above – if we are led by the Spirit into the understanding of this truth, we could never be satisfied to maintain a standing, seek a name, or lay up an inheritance on the earth. CHM
LJ 8/09

Abraham – The Friend of God

Abraham – The Friend of God
>>>>>Read Genesis 12-25 <<<<<

But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham My friend. Isaiah 41:8

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God's friend. James 2:23

In Genesis 4 through 11, we see man’s rebellious heart leading him away from God as he invents ways to live comfortably in a cursed world. The record shows Noah’s descendants turning to idol worship and building cities where they can depend upon each other instead of upon God. At this point, we could ask “How will God ever get what His heart desires: men and women who know Him intimately?”

ABRAHAM! Abraham is the answer! God reached down and set him apart to become His friend. What’s more, he would become a living picture of what it means to grow in the knowledge of God. Abraham did not know God when he started out; he lived in a prosperous city, filled with every kind of idol worship. It’s probable that he knew very little, if anything, about Jehovah – the God who reveals Himself to man – yet, when all is said and done, God called him ‘Abraham My friend.’

There are many astonishing things in the Bible. Few of them, however, are more so than this –
that God should desire a friend. ~T. Austin-Sparks

We could learn many spiritual principles and doctrines through the study of Abraham’s life, but we will limit ourselves to discovering how God brought a man into such relationship with Himself that He is able to call him “my friend.” Other men in the Bible are described in different ways, such as “a man greatly beloved” (Daniel) and “a man after God’s own heart” (David); but “My friend” is exclusive to Abraham.

What does it mean to be a friend of God? It means that each friend is committed to the other; it means that God confides in you regarding His plans; and it means that you have complete confidence in God even when He does not explain why He takes you through difficult things. A believer who becomes the friend of God will gain great insight into God’s character. Abraham’s story is filled with revelation of God’s attributes, ways and purposes; but these things are not directly declared – instead, they are seen in His words and deeds – they are discovered as Abraham’s relationship with God progresses. Our own growth into friendship with God is just like this.

I would encourage you to take some time to read Genesis 12 through 25 a few times. You will get so much more out of the study if you become familiar with the story. In fact, you will be surprised at the details you will see on your own; look for something new each time you read it. The Spirit of God is an amazing teacher! Here are some things to notice as you read:

What is Abraham required to do so that God will fulfill His promises?
Note the conditions under which God speaks to Abraham – where is Abraham and what is he doing?
Note God’s silence when Abraham wanders from the place where God told him to go
Abraham’s altars (or lack thereof) are significant; notice what is going on when they are mentioned.
Does Abraham ever settle down in a house or a city? Who does? And what happened?
Compare Abraham’s faith in God at the beginning of his life with his faith in Him at the end.

God set Abraham apart to walk by a principle that the world had not yet known – that principle is direct faith in Him. God will let the world go its way, but He will have a presence upon the earth. This presence begins with Abraham, a man whose heart was not set on the world, or on himself. Abraham did not wake up one day filled with confident faith in God. His faith grew as he came to recognize God’s faithfulness to him. Abraham believed God against his own reason; against his own feelings; against the opinion of others; and against all human possibilities. Adam and Eve, in their innocent state, could never have learned what Abraham learned in God’s school – – it is a school of trials wrapped in grace.

Abraham and Sarah are not in the ‘hall of fame of the faithful’ (Heb. 11) because they were perfect examples of unwavering faith, but because they grew in faith throughout their lives as they looked ahead to the fulfillment of God’s promises. They were real people who needed time in order to grow into the deeper knowledge of God. Abraham learned to trust God to provide everything he needed ‘for life and godliness’ – and he learned it by personally coming to know the goodness of God through ‘His very great and precious promises.’ It was his personal knowledge of God (gained by revelation plus difficult circumstances) that made it possible to ‘escape corruption in the world caused by evil desire’ (See 2Pet. 1:3, 4).
***** More on Abraham in our next study ***** LJ 7/09

The Natural Man on the New Earth

The Natural Man on the New Earth
>>>>> Read Genesis 9:1 – 11:8 <<<<<

The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.1Cor. 2:14

In the pre-flood days of Noah, man was governed by his own conscience. In those days, God did not regulate or interfere with the ways of the world; instead, He allowed things to progress according to the desires of men’s hearts. Unfortunately, the heart of man was not inclined to seek God. However, God did set men apart to demonstrate His ways and to represent Himself to the defiant world (men such as Abel, Enoch and Noah). These ‘righteous’ men are written into the pages of Scripture in a way that deliberately sets them in contrast to those who are unrighteous.

When we see men set apart in Scripture, we should pay close attention – not so much to the men themselves – but more importantly, to what God is doing and how He is doing it. Most of the time, the men and women God calls for His special purposes are flawed in obvious ways. We will become confused or misled if we focus on them; we can only mature spiritually as we grow in our understanding of God Himself. Keep in mind that the people He uses are secondary to His purposes.

In Chapter 9, Noah proves himself to be one of those flawed men. In many ways, his life parallels the life of Adam. Both men were told to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ and both were given a dominion over the earth. Dominion for Adam was illustrated by naming the animals and managing their care. Noah’s dominion was embodied in his power over the animals, in that they would serve his need for food. The last parallel is a sad one: both Adam and Noah have shame in common – each man required a covering due to shameful weakness and failure.

God’s only instructions to Adam – the representative head of creation in his day – were ‘do not eat of this tree’ and ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ Following Adam’s sin, corruption reigned and unrestrained violence became commonplace on the earth. Noah was made the representative of human government; God instructed him in the area of restraint of men’s conduct. First, mankind was to fill the earth – he was not to congregate in one place – instead he was to spread out over the whole earth. Secondly, although men were now allowed to kill animals for food, they were not to kill their fellow man. God brings man under His own protection when He says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” By this, God elevated a man’s position in the eyes of other men – human life should be sacred to man because it is sacred to God. The third directive was that man should not consume the blood of animals, for ‘the life is in the blood’ (and God does not give life to man through any blood apart from that of the Savior). These are the mandates Noah received to govern the renewed earth.

The Spirit of God wastes no time showing us Noah’s failure to govern. We find him drunk in his tent where he is dishonored when Ham publicized the fact that his father was ‘uncovered.’ Ham was a man who did not understand that his sin is covered; he had no thoughts of God’s mercy. Shem and Japheth exhibit the divine method of dealing with human nakedness – their action illustrates acceptance of God’s covering for man’s sinfulness.

Noah cursed Ham, and his legacy became an extension of Cain’s corrupt, rebellious line. His descendants built cities such as Babylon, Nineveh, Sodom and Gomorrah – but the first notable city was the well-known city of Babel. Chapter 11 gives an account of this city-building project – and the whole process gives us a picture of the man without God. First, they journeyed all together and settled in one place instead of scattering over all the earth as God had commanded them to do. Then the builders used man-made materials (bricks and tar) rather than stones and mortar from the earth. Next, they plotted to make a tower to reach up to heaven – an ancient ziggurat (used in idolatry) like the ones in Assyria and Babylonia. Once again, God intervened.

He knew there was nothing they could not accomplish if they stuck together. This is exactly what they planned – in defiance of God’s directive to fill the whole earth – they were going to stick together and conduct their lives as if they had never heard of God. The Creator of the universe meant nothing to them; they were going to make a name for themselves.

God foiled their plan and scattered them out over the face of the globe. He remembered His covenant of mercy – what else would keep Him from decimating the earth and every person on it? God knows the heart of man and will entrust nothing to him; His covenant is the only sure ground upon which man can stand. God desires for mankind to be fruitful – He longs to have many children who will experience His abundance and His love, therefore He will continue to give “seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night” (Gen. 8:22). LJ 7/09

The God Who Remembers

The God Who Remembers
>>>>> Read Genesis 8:1 - 9:16 <<<<<

Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. . . I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind . . . Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant. . . .Gen. 9:11, 13, 15, 16

How many times do we see a rainbow in the sky and say, “God put that there to remind us that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood?” However, that is not exactly why God put it there. We are studying the Bible to know God and His ways – the Spirit of God recorded very specific events, using carefully chosen words, in order to communicate all that is necessary for us to know and understand God. It is important that we keep all that in mind as we read; paying particular attention not only to individual words, but also to the order of events. God has written a revelation of Himself in this book – the flood and the rainbow in these chapters are incidental to God’s primary purpose.

God told Noah about the ark, and why he was to build it, in chapter 6. He also said, “I will establish My covenant with you…” (vs 8). By faith, Noah entered into the ark; then the floodgates of the sky were released, and earth opened up to allow the fountains of the deep to pour forth. Noah and his family were kept safe as judgment and destruction overtook the whole earth – in fact, they were more than safe – they were remembered by God. They were kept close to His heart: “God remembered Noah and all the animals . . . that were with him in the ark” (Gen. 8:1).

The first thing Noah did when he left the ark was to build an altar to the Lord. This is the first altar mentioned in the Bible. Sacrifices have been mentioned, but we have not been told about altars. I believe this adds the element of worship to Noah’s sacrifice. After Noah built the altar, we never hear of the ark again, for Noah did not worship the ark; he placed his faith in the God of the ark. We have heard of men searching for Noah’s ark, because they want to worship artifacts; but worship belongs exclusively to God – and He does not allow men to find such artifacts. In coming chapters, we will read about many altars, as worship becomes more a part of the lives of God’s people.

Noah offered God one of every clean animal and every clean bird. God’s reaction is noteworthy: “[God] smelled the soothing aroma,”– His broken heart was soothed by Noah’s worship. So pleased was God, that He said to Himself “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood (8:21). This is amazing! God has one faithful man – one man whose confidence and trust in Him leads to worship – and God’s reaction is: “I will never again destroy every living thing as I have done.” Furthermore, the cleansing waters of judgment had made no change in the character of man's heart; his heart is still evil (Jn 3:6 tells us "that which is born of the flesh is flesh”), yet God still says, “Be fruitful and multiply.”

God does not expect anything good to come out of man; nevertheless, He has set Noah on new ground. The blood of Noah’s sacrifices became the foundation of another promise from God. For the first time, God makes a covenant with man (see the verses quoted following the title). He mentioned this covenant in chapter 6 – now that Noah has acted in faith and responded in worship, God reveals the details of the covenant and seals it with a sign. He will put a bow [literal translation] into the sky so that He (God) will see it and remember the covenant.

Don’t miss this – God is characterizing Himself as the One who remembers – but what is it that He remembers? He remembers mercy and He remembers His covenant with Noah. “I will see the rainbow and remember the covenant between me and you and all living creatures.” He does not say to us “remember,” any more than He says it to the other living creatures. Instead, He is saying something about Himself: He is saying that He is a God who remembers, and He will remember this covenant forever.

God is a God who delights in mercy – not in judgment. In His mercy He will not count upon the memory or actions of man; He makes it clear that He knows what man is, but He will have mercy and accept man’s worship in any case. The whole story of Noah, with his 120 years of preaching salvation, and the very visible work on the ark of salvation, reminds us of 2Peter 3 where we are told that He is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. This is the heart of God.

I will never again look at a rainbow and think ‘no more worldwide floods;’ instead I’ll reflect on God as He remembers His covenant with Noah – a covenant made because one man believed God and acted in faith. That rainbow connects us with God’s mercy and love as it has gone out to His people for 4000 years. We can point to a rainbow and say to our children, “God is remembering how much He loves the people He created on earth.” LJ 7/09

God’s Heart is Flooded With Sorrow

God’s Heart is Flooded With Sorrow

>>>>> Read Genesis 5 - 7 <<<<<

The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain. He said, “I will wipe out mankind . . . from the face of the earth. Gen. 6:6, 7

Enoch walked with God and warned people about their sin, yet his life and words had no effect on the people of his day. They weren’t even moved by his mysterious disappearance; they just went on with their lives as if God didn’t exist. More than that, they took every opportunity to distance themselves from Him.

During this period of history, before the great flood, men were left to their own consciences. The redeemer had been promised and man was able to seek God, but there were no special arrangements between God and men. He had not given instructions as to how man ought to govern himself, and the result was clear “. . . every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” Violence and corruption filled the earth.

We don’t want to miss this bit of evidence regarding the nature of man and the message God is giving us in His carefully written Book. Conscience alone will NOT convict us of sin and bring us to a knowledge of God. It appears that conscience has very little influence over a person until the Spirit of God quickens the heart and mind. This period in man’s history gives a true picture of the nature of mankind – left to themselves, men have gone the way of Cain (inventing a religion that suits themselves) and have become subject to God’s judgment. God looked down at the world He created for His own personal enjoyment – at the creature He created for fellowship with Himself – and He was grieved. They had their own plans; they lived as if the earth belonged to them; and they broke God’s heart.

Genesis 6 tells us that He was sorry He had made man. I find it interesting that God’s holy wrath isn’t mentioned – His holiness or justice isn’t brought into view here – it was His broken heart that moved Him to judge the earth. Before He covered the earth with water, however, He found one righteous man. The man was Noah, and God commissioned him to do two things: to preach righteousness to the world (2 Pet. 2:5), and to construct an ark. Everything was to be destroyed; however, God provided a way of salvation because the desire of His heart was for men to come to Him. Noah preached for 120 years while he built the ark, but people were not convinced – and they were shut out of the ark.

God invited Noah (and his family) into the ark and “the Lord shut him in” (Gen. 7:11). The door that shut Noah safely away from judgment is the same door that shut the sinful world out. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open (Rev. 3:7). The ‘door’ is prevalent in Scripture. There is a shut door in Matthew 25, when the unprepared virgins were seeking access to the wedding banquet saying, “Open the door for us!” The response they received was, “I don't know you.” Even more to the point, Jesus tells us in Luke 13 that the door is narrow and only a few will enter in. God’s heart is large for people to come to Him, but the way is restricted – His expressed grief, combined with such drastic judgment, offers dramatic insight into His nature. We may not be able to explain it, but we can see it!

The ark, with its one door, is a type of Christ – He is the narrow door and He is the vessel that protects His own from judgment. Although He is not named, Christ has been the subject of every chapter we have studied so far. Adam and Eve knew Him as the promised Redeemer; Abel knew Him as the blood sacrifice that allowed men to approach God; Enoch knew Him as the One who spares man from corruption and death; and Noah knew Him as the only One in whom he could rest while waiting on God to restore the earth. God gave Noah a preview to this insight: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved . . . John 10:9

We not only see Christ on every page of Scripture, but God gives continual insight into the nature of fallen man as well. We can believe it when we read, “Man is only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Throughout the whole of Scripture, the heart and nature of God is revealed against the backdrop of a corrupt world and the rebellious nature of man. In the background, in the unseen world of principalities and powers, Satan and his cohorts are constantly working to unseat God, disrupt His relationship with man and steal His glory. However, what I find so sweet about the Word of God is this: God confides in us about Himself, warns us of unseen dangers and advises us about what is to come. He tells us stories, so that we not only see Him, but we sense Him – and the story makes the process of learning enjoyable.

We have already begun to see ‘His ways.’ What I mean is this – we have learned something about His heart for mankind, and we have seen the way He continually intervenes so that He does not lose man completely. It is evident that He is a God of love and is loath to express wrath. As we go on, we will understand His purposes and internalize His principles; as a result, we can become people who know His ways – and not people who break His heart.
LJ 6/09

Know Him

* * * Know Him! * * *

Sons in Adam’s Likeness

>>> Read Genesis 4:11 - 5:32 <<<

If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you, and made my thoughts known to you. Proverbs 1:23

Adam and Eve were ushered out of their beautiful garden and into a world of thorns and thistles. They, and their children, were made to labor in order to have food to eat in this new world. Therefore, Cain worked the soil by the sweat of his brow and he feasted on the fruit of his labor. However, after he murdered his brother and refused to repent, God decreed that the ground would no longer produce for him. Cain was forced to become a wanderer on the earth – and he wandered right out of the presence of God (Gen. 4:16).

Wandering did not suit Cain, so he found a place to settle down. The details in Genesis 4 reveal how Cain’s descendants found ways to make themselves comfortable even in the cursed world, far from the Lord. They began to establish cities, and they commended themselves by naming the cities after themselves. Cities are places where people congregate in order to pool their ingenuity while encouraging one another in pursuits that make life easy. Indeed, Cain’s descendents improved their lives through the invention of bronze and iron implements; and they introduced the ‘polite arts’ with the development of musical instruments. However, every effort to improve the world made them more independent of God – the easier their lives became the easier it was to ignore Him.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

In Lamech, we see the progressive moral decline that overtook the men of that day:

. . . Lamech took to himself two wives . . . he said to them, “I have killed [two people] . . . if Cain is avenged seven-fold, then Lamech seventy-seven fold.”
Gen. 4:15, 19, 23, 24

First, he became a polygamist, and then he twisted God’s grace on behalf of Cain into a protection for his own evil actions. The world system, under Satan’s influence, was established through Cain’s line. Satan encouraged men to invent their own brand of religion (he doesn’t even mind if it’s directed toward God), and he kept people occupied with making the world a better place. Chapter 4 was placed in our Bible to give us a picture of the world system and the corrupt heart of man. Keep that picture in your mind as you read chapter 5 – there you will see the contrasting line of Seth, and a subtle reminder of the promised redemption.

… when God created man, he made him in the likeness of God…. Adam had a son in his own likeness, in his own image. Gen 5:1-3

Verse one states that this is the written account of Adam’s line, and verse three clarifies what that means. God created man in the likeness of God, but Adam’s children were in his own likeness, in his own image. This is man’s history: he is no longer in the likeness of God – he is in the likeness of Adam. However, look back at 4:26 – Eve gave birth to a son named Seth and he had a son, “Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.” Although men are in the likeness of Adam, they are able to call upon the name of the Lord; this is grace. Yet, we are repeatedly reminded that the curse of death remains upon the race of man; it is said of every person mentioned in chapter 5 (except one) that he suffered death. Beginning with verse 5, every third verse ends with “and he died” – until you get to Enoch. The Spirit of God does not waste words – this is a purposeful pattern.

The generations ending in death are interrupted by this man who “walked with God and then he was no more, because God took him away” (5:24), followed by two more generations that end in death. The book of Jude tells us that Enoch prophesied against the ungodly, and Hebrews says that he “obtained the witness that, before his being taken up, he was pleasing to God” (Heb. 11:5). Enoch is the embodiment of a person who lives for God in a corrupt (chapter 4) and dying (chapter 5) world. The mention of Enoch in Genesis 5 is not incidental; it is God’s decisive intervention into a world of corruption and death.

God is beginning to tell us about Himself and His ways (purpose, principles, ends)! The image of God in man was ruined and men were choosing to live without Him – yet He set aside at least one person to represent Him on the earth. In this case, He took that person up to Himself. Enoch was taken up before floodwaters destroyed the earth – he pictures the rapture of the Church in the last days.

God pours out His heart to you, and makes His thoughts known to you. Do you want to know His thoughts and understand His ways? Just ask Him (and then read His Word)! LJ 6/09

Cain and Able: The Natural and Spiritual Man

Cain and Abel: The Natural Man and the Spiritual Man

>>>>>Read Genesis 4:1-16 <<<<<

By faith, Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, he still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11:4

What do you suppose Adam and Eve told their children about God? Surely, they talked about the lovely garden and how God visited them there. They must have told their boys about the awful moment when they felt ashamed and afraid for the first time in their lives. And they must have cringed when describing how Jehovah cut the throat of one (or maybe two) of their beloved, innocent animals in order to make coverings for their shame and guilt. No blood had ever been shed before – it was a shocking display!

Adam and Eve talked to their sons about God’s mercy and grace. They explained that He desired fellowship with the human race, but a blood sacrifice was required as protection from Divine judgment. Abel clearly accepted these things; but Cain rebelled against them. Still, it would be wrong to characterize Cain as someone who ignored God or refused to worship Him. Cain worshipped, he acknowledged God, he gave gifts to God – yet his way was the way of death, for there was no deliverance in the way of Cain (Jude 10, 11).

God had made a way of deliverance from the wrath of God and from the self-nature that had become rooted in man’s character; Cain needed to acknowledge this and act upon it. Instead, he brought a bloodless sacrifice to God, one that represented his personal work. Cain was a tiller of the soil – in his mind, the fruit of his labor was valuable. However, it is the mind of God that matters, and Cain’s gift was not acceptable to Him. This gift represented his own effort and was not given with of a heart in subjection to God. God is holy and righteous, He requires a life poured out – every blood sacrifice is a testimony of the wrath of God against sin.

Cain’s refusal to bring the proper sacrifice to God reveals his refusal to receive the grace that would free him from the judgment of death. Cain was, in essence, saying, “I have something to offer God; there is nothing in me that should require the spilling of blood.” You see, God is not looking for us to give Him something; He is waiting for us to acknowledge that our sin requires death. When a sacrifice is humbly offered, God sees the blood that is poured out, and then He clothes the sinner with His grace and forgiveness. God is always the giver; man receives what God offers

We might ask, “Wasn’t Abel giving something to God in the sacrifice he offered?” The blood sacrifice was an acknowledgement that sin deserves death; it was not a gift to God. Abel believed that God was satisfied with the death of an innocent substitute as just payment for sin and he received what God was pleased to give: merciful forgiveness and freedom from judgment. Able was freed from personal guilt and understood that his sins were not counted against him.

Abel understood death and judgment – he raised and cared for sacrificial animals (men were vegetarians until after the flood, so Abel’s animals were not used for food). Wandering from pasture to pasture, he took care of his animals and offered up “the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions” to God (fat portions are the excellent part of the animal). This is a picture of the believer who understands the magnitude of sin’s offense to God, yet has trusted in Him alone. While Abel enjoyed the peaceful assurance of His acceptance, Cain refused to receive the grace of God and therefore became more self-focused and independent. He is a picture of the fleshly man.

These two brothers are set before us as men in contrast. One understands God’s heart and mind, the other insists that God take him on his own terms. Even as God refused to accept Cain’s offering, He offered grace to him saying, “Why are you angry? . . . If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?”

Did Cain really want to be accepted? Or did he want God to overlook his fleshly nature – the very nature that makes him unfit for God’s presence? Cain believed in God – he knew that God was real – but he did not wish to accept God’s judgment against him or submit to Him. In the end, Cain acted according to his true nature when he vented his anger on the one who represented God on the earth – his brother Abel. And we should pay attention to the way he did it: 1John 3:12 tells us that he “slew” his brother. This word is a Greek term that means “cut the throat,” and is used when referring to Levitical sacrifices. Cain killed his own brother using the exact method he would have used if he were killing a sacrificial animal.

The Spirit of God has illustrated the character of a person who defies God and chooses darkness instead of light. Cain’s children will reflect this same character, passing it on to succeeding generations where it will continue to gain strength and express rebellion against God. Abel speaks to all the generations that followed after him – he speaks of deliverance from judgment and acceptance with God. The natural man and the spiritual man – the Bible repeatedly exposes the character of both, and clearly displays God’s thoughts about each. LJ 6/09

Where Sin Abounded . . . Grace Did Much More Abound >>>>>Read Genesis 3 <<<<<

Where Sin Abounded . . . Grace Did Much More Abound
>>>>>Read Genesis 3 <<<<<

Eve is strolling along and finds herself in the center of the garden where there are two special trees. A beautiful serpent begins talking to her, drawing her attention to the forbidden tree – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Suddenly she doesn’t see the things God has given her in the garden, her focus is on the one thing she could not have. Satan’s purpose is to raise a question as to God’s motive and intent for Eve; and so he did. Her confidence in God waned; there was a flicker of doubt about His intent for her, and then she became uncertain about His love. Eve was primed to believe Satan’s lie.

He went straight for Eve’s wavering heart when he said, “God knows you will be like Him,” and “you will not surely die.” In essence, he was saying, “How could He love you if He would deprive you in any way?” And “He’s not telling you the truth.” Eve’s attention, drawn away from God and His goodness, was now focused on herself. Her spirit was no longer in control; instead, her emotions, mind and will became available for Satan’s use. This is exactly what he wanted – his purpose was (and is) to misrepresent God so that he could deprive Him of His relationship with the race of man. When Eve ate the fruit of that tree, she took herself out of God’s hands. Abandoning dependence upon her Creator, she chose subjection to Satan’s whims and slavery to her own flesh.

Eve shared the fruit of her sin with Adam and set the world spinning off in a new direction. Innocence (ignorance of evil) was gone. With a new understanding of good and evil, they experienced conscience for the first time as they realized they were naked and exposed. Nakedness in the Scriptures speaks of shame and being exposed before God.

In an instant, distance took the place of intimacy with God, and ‘the flesh’ was born. The mind, will and emotions of mankind would now be subject to the influence of Satan and the flesh. Adam and Eve no longer fit with God; instead, they were ashamed and afraid to be in His presence. As they hid themselves in the bushes, they heard a voice calling to them: "Where are you?” It was the familiar voice of Jehovah, but with a difference, for He had never had to call out to them before.

Three significant changes immediately took place on that last day in the garden. First, the very fiber of man’s being was changed – as evidenced by the unfolding of human history in the pages of the Bible. Second, intimacy between Jehovah and Adam was replaced with distance; and third, the world itself (which had been pronounced ‘very good’ by the Creator) would now be a world system. The physical world would display the effects of God distancing Himself from it, but that pales when compared with the systems of government and religion that spring up under the rule of the ‘prince of the power of the air.’ You see, Adam had relinquished his authority to rule the earth in partnership with God; he had turned it over to Satan. (Eph. 2:2)

Did God pass judgment on the first couple and the world, and then just walk away? He did not! A wonderful thing happened on that first day of sin – it was also the first day of GRACE!

God graciously took the matter entirely into His own hands. How could Adam, who had once walked with God, endure the awful results of what he had done? God in His mercy, planted hope in his heart for the coming redeemer – how else could Adam face himself and his life – all would be despair! But no, God has provided hope and security in Him. To create man out of the dust of the ground was power; but to seek man in his lost estate was grace. C.H. Mackintosh

Adam submitted to the discipline of the Lord, and began to trust Him for the future; his confidence rested in the promise of a redeemer. Even as we see God driving Adam and Eve out of the garden, we do not see Him driving them away from Himself. He is still Jehovah, who will reveal Himself to His people, and be to them all that they need.

God longs for a race of men who will represent Him on the earth. He did not get that in the person of Adam, and He will not get it in Adam’s offspring. As Adam and his wife are driven out of the garden, they face life in an unfriendly environment; even more tragic is the fact that they must go on without the intimate friendship of their beloved Creator. Yet, as they heard the garden gate slam shut behind them, Adam and Eve had a promise, and they had something else: they had faith that Jehovah would help them to endure life outside the garden.

The Lord now calls out to humanity: “Come! Come to Me and I will never drive you away.” (John 6:37).

LJ 5/09