The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Looks like I missed another post in my earlier mix-ups.  Here is a missed reading from Genesis.

Today’s Reading:
• Genesis 18:16-19:38
  
• Proverbs 2:6-15
  

Read Bible Passages Online 

Genesis 18:16-19:38
Today’s reading started with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. After talking to Abraham, the Lord sends two angels to search for any righteous people who might remain. The angels came across Lot, who insisted they come to his house. While the angels were in Lot’s house, men from the city surrounded Lot’s house, demanding that the newcomers be brought out so the villagers could have sex with them.

This entire story baffles me – those cities really must have been wicked! I mean, I know that they’re wicked, but I would have to wonder at what point people are so wicked that God personally decides to destroy entire cities (or even the world). These visitors were men. I’d understand more if it were two beautiful women that Lot was hiding inside his home. Instead Lot offers up his own daughters to protect the male visitors. That, to me, is unbelievable! Apparently I’m not righteous enough, because I wouldn’t give away my own children in order to protect two strangers I didn’t know. That’s a pretty powerful trade to maintain integrity.

The second part of this reading was very disturbing to me. Lot’s two virgin daughters took it upon themselves to get their father drunk and then sleep with him in an attempt to continue their father’s blood line. To me that sounds despicably wrong, but the passage I read made no judgment to the situation at all. It simply reads as the account of how Lot bore male heirs. I know that marriages were usually kept in the family, but even those were usually cousin marriages, not parent-child relationships. I just can’t imagine this entire situation. I’ll just have to wait and see if anything I read elaborates on this further.  

Proverbs 2:6-15
It’s amazing how powerful a few choice proverbs can be. These verses teach that the Lord gives wisdom and understanding.  It also says that those who are righteous -- those who follow him and open their hearts and mind -- will receive wisdom and understanding. This wisdom and understanding will help protect against evil people and keep you safe. I hope the Lord always shares and shields me with his wisdom and understanding.

Conclusion
I find that I’m really looking forward to my daily readings. I find it hard to stop reading when I’m supposed to quit for the day, but I know this will help keep me interested and help me keep my pace. I really am enjoying this process. I am approximately 1/24th of the way through my first reading of the bible!

The Riches of Abram Whose Descendants Will Number the Stars in the Sky

Today’s Reading:
• Genesis 13:5-15:21
• Proverbs 1:29-33

Read Bible Passages Online

Genesis 13:5-15:21
In this passage Abram gathered his 318 trained males and marched against the enemies that captured his nephew Lot. Abram was remarkably rich! Abram was like a king of sorts, or at least he acted like one; pulling his men together, marching on and defeating the enemy all by himself, when four kings combined couldn’t stop the invading force. I am quite impressed.

The rest of the passage told of the covenant, where God told Abram what was to come in the future – Abram will have a son (even though Sarai is barren) and his descendents will number the stars in the sky. God told him that his descendents will be enslaved for 400 years before returning to the promised land. God even told Abram how he was to die – in piece, at a ripe old age.

I wonder what it was like to receive promises straight from God himself, and how wonderful it must have felt. Or simply how glorious it was to know the Lord was always with you, because he spoke to you personally. Don’t get me wrong, I know the Lord is with me, but I still can’t help but long for the personal closeness and interaction Abram had with the Lord himself.

Proverbs 1:29-33
This proverb is a continuation of what I read yesterday. It reinforces that all those who mock wisdom will be “destroyed by their own complacency” (32). All of this is very true. No one likes to hear “I told you so,” but that’s essentially what this is. If someone tells you, and you don’t listen to their advice, you can expect no more than “I told you so” from them, can you?