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!

Abram Circumcises His Household

Today’s Reading:
• Genesis 16:1-18:15
• Proverbs 2:1-5

Read Bible Passages Online 

Genesis 16:1-18:15
I guess it’s a good thing that Abram didn’t divorce Sarai for being barren throughout their marriage. That aside, I can’t imagine handing a woman over to my husband to sleep with and bear a child. I would be afraid I’d hate the child because I’d be reminded of it every time I saw him. But that’s just what Sarai does. She hands her servant, Hagar, over to her own husband. Hagar becomes pregnant and begins to treat Sarai with contempt. My question is, how did Sarai treat Hagar? The bible tells so little of the story, but there had to be anger and resentment there when Hagar became pregnant, don’t you think? I feel sorry for everyone in that situation.

After Ishmel is born to Abram and Hagar, the Lord visited Abram again, this time to form a covenant. For this covenant to be fulfilled, Abram must take every male of his household, himself included, and circumcise them. That could hardly have been well received! I wonder how hard of a time Abram had when he rounded up everyone, explained to them what had to happen, and then physically had to do it. I can’t imagine!

Abram (100 years old) and Sarai (90 years old) are from this point forward known as Abraham and Sarah, and God tells them that they will have a son together. I know that people lived a lot longer back then, but 90 years old must have been far past their prime. I would imagine it’s like a 65 – 70 year old woman trying to bear a child. So I can see how they might both have been skeptical of the promise from the Lord. Regardless, they were told – twice – that it would happen. The reading ends with Sarah’s skeptical laughter.

Proverbs 2:1-5
These verses focus on seeking out wisdom. We’re told to find insight and understanding, to seek them as you would a hidden treasure. This will teach you to both fear the Lord and gain knowledge of him. I feel like that’s happening to me right now as I am undergoing this study – learning all these things has already given me new fear and appreciation for the Lord. At the same time, I am literally gaining knowledge of God. While it is a bit scary to truly examine my life against God’s standards, I am becoming better prepared to steer out a new path to follow.