Highlights In Today's Reading:
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their inhabitants destroyed by fire; Lot and his daughters escape; Abraham's lie to Abimelech; birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishmael sent away; the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech.
Verse for Today:
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 (Gen. 19:29).As long as Lot followed Abraham, God wonderfully prospered him. But, Lot had lots of trouble after leaving his spiritual counselor Abraham. When he left Abraham, he pitched his tent toward Sodom (13:12), whose people were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly (13:13). But, by the time he was forced to leave Sodom, his testimony had deteriorated to the point that he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law when he urged them to leave with him (19:14). God delivered just Lot (who was) vexed with the filthy conversation (lifestyle) of the wicked . . . vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (II Pet. 2:7-8).
It appears that when Lot chose to selfishly take all the best land and leave the worst for his uncle Abraham, it may have led to Sodom and his ruin. He lost everything but his two daughters when the angels warned Lot to escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed (Gen. 19:17).
Lot . . . dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters (19:30) thought it necessary to intoxicate him in order to seduce him into immorality (19:32). It is always deceptive to sin to accomplish what we think is necessary to bring about good. Nothing good is recorded about Lot for the remaining years of his life.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal. 6:7-8).
Some Christians make selfish decisions that ignore the best interest of others. Before making decisions, it is wise to remember that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12). Let us carefully read all the Word of God so our decisions will be made in accordance with His will. Choosing what appeals to selfish appetites disqualifies some Christians from the best blessings God has for their lives.
Thought for Today:
Our prayer needs to be: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matt. 6:13).
Christ Portrayed:
By Isaac, the promised son of the Covenant of God (Gen. 21:12). As a true son of faith, he submitted to Abraham, without hesitation, to being sacrificed, as did Christ to His Father. Christ the Only-begotten Son set us free from the Law by imparting to us, through the "born again" experience, a true desire to keep the Word of God through Christ who dwells within the true believer (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; I Cor. 11:25; also Heb. 8:6; 12:24).
Word Studies:
19:1 at even =in the evening; 19:2 tarry =stay; 19:3 pressed upon =urged; unleavened bread =bread without yeast; 19:4 compassed =surrounded; 19:5 know =have homosexual relations with; 19:8 as is good in your eyes =as you wish; shadow =protection; 19:9 sojourn =live temporarily; will needs be a judge =keeps acting as our ruler; 19:11 smote =defeated; 19:13 is waxen =has grown; 19:14 mocked =joked; 19:15 consumed =destroyed; 19:16 without =outside; 19:21 accepted thee =shown favor to you; 19:22 be come thither =arrive there; 19:25 overthrew =devastated; 20:6 suffered =permitted; 20:8 sore =exceedingly; 20:16 he is to thee a covering of the eyes =it is compensation for what I did; 21:3 Isaac =he laughs; 21:9 mocking =ridiculing; 21:11 grievous =distressing; 21:12 hearken unto her voice =agree to all that she asks; 21:15 spent =used up; 21:16 over against =in front of; 21:25 reproved =complained/rebuked; 21:26 wot =now; 21:27 covenant =agreement.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Danny Gossett • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Officials: Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA) and Sen. John Thune (SD) • Country: Slovenia (2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian • Freedom of religion • 81% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Call unto the Lord and He will give you strength to overcome (Jer. 33:3).
Optional Reading: Matthew 7
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:3
