TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 6:5-7:24
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. - Genesis 6:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Another Noah's Ark? That's what an official in the European Space Agency proposed recently. Dr. Bernard Foing said that efforts should be made to create a repository of genetic samples of all plant, animal, and human life. This library of DNA samples would be placed on the moon in case of a natural disaster, nuclear holocaust, or other catastrophic event. “You could repopulate Earth afterwards, like a Noah's Ark,” he said.

The original Noah's Ark was a merciful provision from God. Sin had come to dominate the story of humanity: “The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (6:5). Since God hates sin, He was happy to dish out punishment, right? Not exactly. “The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain” (6:5-6). He must judge sin, but He loves us so much that it hurts Him to do so.

Once again, this story sounds the twin notes of judgment and mercy. God would punish sin with a Flood that would wipe out all human and animal life, but He would save a remnant. That remnant was Noah and his family. As a righteous man, Noah contrasted strongly with the people of his generation. He walked with God as a friend, and God shared His plans with him, telling him to build a large boat and put on board a zoo of animal species—a kind of ancient DNA library! Noah obeyed in faith (6:22; cf. Heb. 11:7). God sent the animals, everyone got on board, and He Himself shut the door. Then it began to rain. What a sobering picture of the extinction of life on earth, an appalling outworking of the punishment of death.

One aspect of our purpose as Christians is to live in light of the Second Coming of Christ. Peter said that people who don't accept the truth of Jesus' return are as badly off as those who were skeptical about Noah's warnings about the imminent Flood (2 Peter 3:3-7)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we can see in today's reading, God takes sin very seriously indeed. Do we? Too often many of us do not include confession as a regular part of our prayer lives. Too often we think only red-letter sins need confessing. Our consciences are simply not tender enough. Today, confess your sins before the Lord. Let His Holy Spirit examine and convict you. Pray with the attitude of David, who said, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin” (Ps. 38:18).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 8:1-9:17
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures. - Genesis 9:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
You may have heard how coal miners formerly used canaries. They would bring one down into the mine with them as a kind of early warning system. If the canary keeled over dead, they would know that oxygen was running out and they should head for the surface as soon as possible. Otherwise they might be trapped or suffocated.

In a similar way, in today's reading Noah used two birds to scout for him and his family. The rain had stopped, but was it safe yet to emerge from the Ark? First he sent a raven, but a raven is a strong bird that could fly a long time without alighting. So he sent a dove, which on its second try returned with an olive leaf—nowhere to land, but evidence of plant life. The third time the dove didn't return, and Noah knew it was safe to come out, which God confirmed. From start to finish, they had been in the Ark about a year.

Noah built an altar in grateful thanks and worship to the Lord. Pleased with this attitude, God pledged never to wipe out life in this way again (8:21-22). Because Noah was a sort of “new Adam,” God also issued a renewed His Creation-style blessing and mandate to all the survivors, including people and animals, though now the relationship between the two would be changed (9:2-3). God designated the rainbow as a sign of this fresh start, His promise, and His covenant. Rainbows may have been a new environmental phenomenon; and clearly they were invested here with a profound significance. Every time we see one in the sky we should remember God's mercy to us.

The cycle of sin and judgment could have gone on indefinitely. No amount of “New Year's resolutions” or “moral fiber” could have helped us escape our sinfulness, and so we would richly have deserved any number of Floods or similar punishments. Genesis 1-9 could have kept repeating, over and over. But God took the gracious initiative to break the cycle. He had better things in store!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Like Noah sending out birds from the Ark, perhaps you are in a period of waiting in your life. You may be waiting to see what God will do, or where He will lead. You can rest secure in the confidence that He also uses these waiting times in our lives. Look at the situation as an opportunity to grow in patience, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit. “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly” (Prov. 14:29).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 11:1-9
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. - Acts 2:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Baltic coast of Russia was not a promising site for a city. The land was marshy. The weather was cold and stormy, and flooding was common. It was in the middle of nowhere. Yet here Peter the Great decided to build an imperial seaport. The energetic czar handled much of the planning himself, sketching buildings and even choosing flowers for the city gardens.

Hundreds of thousands of conscripted itinerant workers toiled to fill the swamp with dirt and wood—and 25,000 of them died. To populate his new town, the czar ordered reluctant nobles to move there from Moscow. What an unlikely beginning for St. Petersburg, a beautiful city that has inspired countless painters, writers, and musicians, and recently celebrated its 300th birthday.

Someone like Peter the Great must have decided it would be a good idea to build the Tower of Babel. These people were ambitious and prideful, relying on themselves and failing to acknowledge or worship God. Their main priority was to “make a name” for themselves. Some scholars believe their tower would have been similar to a Mesopotamian ziggurat, a sort of pyramid with steps up the side. Since these structures often had a shrine or altar at the top, idolatry may have been involved here as well. Archae-ologist Alfred Hoerth, however, argues that it was too soon historically for them to construct a ziggurat, and that they were actually building a migdal, a fortified tower or citadel.

When God said, “Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them,” He used hyperbole to highlight the fact that humanity needed humbling (v. 6). Only divine intervention could check their rebellious pride. So He stepped in with a very practical solution—He multiplied their languages and brought an end to their ability to cooperate on the building project. In one moment, He changed Babel, “gateway to a god,” to balal, “confused.”

It's worth noting that this event was not a judgment, but actually God's goodness to keep matters from worsening. In heading off this pursuit of evil and thus the need for judgment, God kept His promise to Noah.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's suggested application is a bit different from usual. Enroll in a foreign language course! God confused human language at the Tower of Babel, but He also rejoices in its variety. That's why He gave the gift of tongues at Pentecost, and that's why people from “every nation, tribe, people and language” will worship Him in heaven. Spanish would be a good choice, since it's the second most common language in America. Or look around your neighborhood and start learning the language of some recent immigrants.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 12:1-9
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you. - Genesis 12:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Several years ago, balloonist Steve Fossett completed one of the most amazing journeys in the history of flight. On his sixth attempt, he became the first person to fly around the world alone without a motor. Fossett and his balloon, the Spirit of Freedom, traveled for 13 days and more than 19,000 miles. He wore an oxygen mask most of the trip and had to change fuel tanks and do other maintenance tasks under freezing conditions. When he reached the southwestern tip of Australia on July 3, 2002, he made history!

In today's reading, Abram also made an amazing journey. He left behind his home culture and everything he knew. By leaving his father's household, he may have also forfeited his right to an inheritance. He didn't even know his destination—all he had to go on was the character and promise of God. But for Abram, that was enough and the 75-year-old stepped out on faith. Earlier their family had moved from Ur to Haran; then after his father's death Abram set out again and stopped in Canaan, the “promised land” (v. 7).

There he set up an altar and worshiped the Lord. Hebrews 11:8-10 captures his heart: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents . . . For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Abram's faith is certainly on display here, but God's greatness and worthiness to be trusted are even more so. He made a covenant with Abram, a breathtaking series of promises about what He would do for him. He would make his name great—as opposed to what people attempted at Babel, this is fine if God does it. He would turn one clan into a nation. He would bless and curse those who blessed and cursed His chosen people. And He would make this nation into a blessing for all nations (vv. 2-3).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
An invaluable companion to your study of Genesis would be a Bible atlas—a book of maps from Bible times that goes beyond what you may have in the back of your Bible. As soon as you can, head off to your local Christian bookstore to obtain one. Or if you're not yet convinced how useful such a tool would be, at least borrow one from your local or church library. We recommend you keep one nearby during your devotional times this month.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 12:10-20
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. - Psalm 77:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Marital unfaithfulness is a major problem in modern American society. Newsweek recently estimated that 30-40 percent of all wives and 50 percent of all husbands have been unfaithful. Shamefully, a growing number of Web sites cater to this, offering everything from personal ads and “discreet” dating services to ready-made excuses and “authenticated” cover stories to help explain one's absence.

God invented marriage, but we keep inventing ways to corrupt it. Abram certainly did so in today's reading, and that was just one of his sins in this episode. He also lied, profited from his lie, and dishonored God and His covenant. It's difficult to believe we're still in the same chapter as yesterday!

One problem was famine. Abram made a practical decision to go down to Egypt, where people seldom suffered from famine thanks to the Nile River. Another problem was his beautiful wife Sarai and the likelihood that the Egyptian king would decide to eliminate her husband and take her for himself. So Abraham made another pragmatic decision—he instructed Sarai to lie in order to save his life. From a human point of view, everything worked out exactly according to plan. Not only did he live, he was showered with livestock and gift.

The real problem was Abram's lack of faith. The faith that had sent him on his amazing journey was now too weak to trust in God's power for protection, God's wisdom for a plan, or God's provision for their needs. Since Abram wasn't listening, God spoke directly to Pharaoh instead. He sent diseases to his court, showing divine displeasure and revealing Abram's lie. Since truthfulness was key to Egyptian ethics, Abram was thoroughly humiliated.

Though Abram was faithless, God remained faithful. When He promised to bless the nations (v. 3), He meant that He would reveal Himself to the world through Abram and his descendants. Though the patriarch fell down on the job, God still acted to make Himself known. Before Abram left Egypt, Pharaoh and his court had learned that God was powerful, truth-loving, and righteous. God keeps His promises!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One aspect of Abram's shameful conduct in today's reading was how he dishonored his marriage. We learned earlier that God Himself instituted marriage: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (2:24).

Take the opportunity today to renew your own commitment to purity and faithfulness in thought, word, and action. Do not play around with temptation or think “it could never happen to me.” Ask God to help you live righteously!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 13
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. - Psalm 16:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
The classic hymn “How Firm a Foundation” proclaims: “Fear not! I am with thee; O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

In the midst of choices and conflict—and no doubt with the lesson from Egypt fresh in his mind—Abram stood fast on his firm foundation of faith. In today's reading, he faced another problem, but this time he acted in trust and godliness instead of following his own devices. The problem was that he and his nephew Lot had become too wealthy, with too much livestock, to continue using the same ground. So they had a “summit meeting” at which Abram offered Lot his choice of land.

As the older man, Abram could have dictated the outcome; instead, he surrendered the decision, showing tremendous generosity. Doing so also revealed his faith, since he wasn't worried about the future but trusted God to take care of him. This action also marked him as a peacemaker, going the extra mile to resolve the conflict. Though he could have taken offense at Lot's attitude, he was at peace and content with whatever happened.

Lot's choice, on the other hand, hinted at selfishness and greed. He chose the plain of the Jordan River, the best land—the place where his wealth could most safely increase—for himself. He didn't seem concerned that with his choice to go east, his uncle would take the west and remain in Canaan, with its unpredictable climate and times of famine. He also showed a disregard for righteousness. By pitching his tent near Sodom, a wicked city, he put himself squarely in the way of temptation.

God's response took the measure of the two men's “negotiation.” He honored Abram's faith and renewed His promises of land and nationhood. He answered His chosen patriarch's faith with faithfulness, generosity with generosity, and peacefulness with blessing.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Memorizing Scripture is a great way to encourage your faith. When you store it in your heart, it's there for the tough times to remind you of the purposes for which God created you.

Today, you could commit Hebrews 11:1 or Luke 6:38 to memory. The first verse is a definition of faith, reminding us that we should be living in dependence on God and His promises. The second is a formulation of the golden rule and an expression of God's generosity to us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 14
Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. - Genesis 14:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
What do we know about the mysterious Melchizedek who appears in today's text? Not much. He was king of Salem, also known as Jerusalem, and his name means “king of righteousness.” He seemed to have been acquainted with the one true God. Abram gave him a tithe, which could be simply a sign of respect, though it is not recorded that he ever did so for anyone else. The blessing that Melchizedek gave Abram might also be a normal cultural gesture; notably, we don't have a record that anyone else ever blessed the patriarch (v. 19). Did they recognize one another as fellow believers? How? And most intriguingly, how and why had God revealed himself to a Canaanite king?

Abram met Melchizedek on the way back from rescuing Lot. His nephew had gotten caught on the losing side in a small war. Abram could have left well enough alone, deciding that God was punishing Lot for his greed and flirtations with sin. Or he could have acted slowly or resentfully, out of mere family obligation. But every indication is that he rushed wholeheartedly to the rescue! He held no grudges from their separation and Lot's choice of land; rather, he had forgiven Lot for any offense.

This episode also shows how rich and strong Abram had become. In this era, chieftains held sway over small fiefdoms, making local alliances in delicate webs of power-balancing. In such an era, Abram was a major player. He had allies. He had a sizeable, trained militia. He probably had military experience already, for he showed a general's leadership and good tactical strategy in his pursuit of the enemy.

After his victory, Abram showed the purity of his motives by declining any share of spoils or reward. Though he allowed his men to accept some, he refused because he didn't want to obligate himself to a pagan king and because he wanted God alone to receive the credit for his wealth—a lesson learned in Egypt (vv. 22-23).

As for Melchizedek, he's mentioned once more in the Old Testament—in Psalm 110, a messianic psalm. As both king and priest, Melchizedek became a type of Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Melchizedek is mentioned a number of times with reference to Christ in the book of Hebrews.

This week, why not dig deeper into this New Testament epistle? Spend extra time in the Word reading, analyzing, and meditating especially on those passages that speak of the priesthood or “order of Melchi-zedek.” The relevant passages are found in chapters 5-7. Compare your interpretive conclusions with commentaries, and after you summarize major themes, prayerfully seek to apply them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 15
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. - Genesis 15:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
The United Nations declared 2004 as the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition, with August 23 marked as a special day for historical remembrances and celebrations of freedom. One of the U.N.'s purposes was to raise awareness that forms of slavery remain a problem around the world. For example, women and girls are trafficked from Africa and Eastern Europe into Western Europe for the sex trade. Chattel slavery still exists in parts of Africa, and bonded labor remains common in South Asia. Millions of people suffer from these and other illegal and sinful practices every year.

Slavery has a long and tragic history in human societies. In today's reading, it was prophesied that Israel would endure bondage for about 400 years. Thankfully, that prophecy was given in a gracious context: God renewed His covenant with Abram and encouraged his faith. Abram was living a life of purpose, but he still had no son and the fulfillment of God's pro-mise now appeared impossible.

Nonetheless, God reiterated it and even said his children would be as numerous as the stars. Imagine the faith required for an elderly couple to believe this! Following chapter 14, God's promise to be Abram's “shield” took on even more meaning. Though he and his family were outsiders in Canaan, God would protect them. And though he had just refused the booty of war, God Himself would be his reward (v. 1).

To his credit, Abram believed the Lord (v. 6). To boost his faith even more, God performed an elaborate ceremony. Sacrificial animals were cut in two, with the two halves placed on opposite sides. Normally, two parties in a covenant would pass between the halves together, signifying that if they broke their promise they convicted themselves to be “cut in half” (cf. Jer. 34:18-20). On this occasion, however, God passed between the sacrifices alone, signifying that He alone was the sole guarantor of the covenant. He repeated the promise of land and gave additional revelation about Abram's death and the future period of slavery, hinting at the cycles that operate within God's just, eternal plan (vv. 13-16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today's reading, God gave Abram a natural object lesson. He took him outside at night, showed him the array of stars, and promised him that his descendants would outnumber them.

Have you ever created an object lesson to illustrate a spiritual truth? If not, today might be a good time to try. This can work in either direction; you can pick a favorite spiritual truth and then think of a way to illustrate it, or find an interesting natural fact and reflect on what spiritual truths it might capture.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 17
I will establish my covenant . . . between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. - Genesis 17:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
We can sometimes tell a person's job by his or her clothing. Just by looking, we can see whether someone is a police officer, letter carrier, pizza delivery man, or subway conductor. People usually wear uniforms that visibly advertise their profession and set them apart. In a sense, a uniform is a kind of “sign” to others of their function in society. Similarly, God gave Abram and his family circumcision as a sign of their chosenness and His covenant with them. This is the second sign we've encountered so far in Genesis—the first was the rainbow, given to Noah. A good definition of a sign is “a physical representation of a spiritual reality.” The spiritual reality here was the covenant. You'll recall that its provisions were that God promised to make Abraham into a nation, give his descendants the land of Canaan, and be their God. Abram was to respond by walking before God in righteousness. For him to keep the covenant also meant to worship God alone, resisting the idolatrous, polytheistic culture around him. To commemorate the establishment of male circumcision as a special sign of this covenant, God changed the names of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah. This signaled a decisive moment in their spiritual history. Now they belonged wholly to God—He had named them as parents name their children. Very humanly, though, Abraham wondered about the fact that he was 99 years old and still had no son with Sarah. Actually, he laughed at the idea and begged God to accept Ishmael as the heir of the promises. God told him that indeed Ishmael, as a son of Abraham, would be blessed, but he wasn't the covenant son. Isaac, meaning “he laughs,” would be born in about a year's time. Encouraged by a specific timeframe, Abraham obeyed God and circumcised all the males in his household “that very day” (v. 23) Circumcision may seem far from our theme of purpose, but in fact it's integrally connected. We are to live with circumcised hearts, meaning we are to be obedient, faithful, dedicated, and worshipful (see Deut. 10:16-21; 1 Cor. 7:19).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Circumcision was a sign of God's covenant, a physical reminder that God had chosen the Jews to be His special people, with special responsibilities. In a similar way, but less formally, does your house show any sign of your faith? Any physical evidence of your beliefs and life-purposes? It might be as simple as a verse on the wall, a cross on the bookshelf, or your child's Sunday school lesson posted on the refrigerator. More important, does this sign truly remind you that you are a child of God

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 18:1-15
I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son. - Genesis 18:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Mudhouse Sabbath, Lauren F. Winner observed, “Christians and Jews hold in common one theological basis for hospitality: Creation. Creation is the ultimate expression of God's hospitality to His creatures. In the words of one rabbi, everything God created is a ”˜manifestation of His kindness. [The] world is one big hospitality inn.' As church historian Amy Oden has put it, ”˜God offers hospitality to all humanity . . . by establishing a home . . . for all.' To invite people into our homes is to respond with gratitude to the God who made a home for us.”

Abraham practiced such hospitality in today's reading. Three mysterious strangers appeared at his tent door one day. He welcomed them and bowed low, showing appropriate cultural politeness and respect. He washed their feet (meeting the same practical need as Jesus famously did during Passion Week). He served them an excellent meal and stood nearby, ready to serve as their “waiter” if needed.

As it turns out, two of these strangers were angels on their way to visit Lot before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The other was the Lord Himself, and many theologians believe it was a theophany, a physical manifestation of God the Father (v. 22). This means that it was God Himself who again promised Abraham a son, or rather, reminded him of the promise. As Abraham had done in the previous chapter, an eavesdropping Sarah laughed in disbelief at this news. God saw her hidden thoughts and actions, and emphasized the truthfulness of His promise. Now Isaac's name would always remind both of them of their doubtful laughter!

Another key point here comes as a rhetorical question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (v. 14; cf. Jer. 32:17---27). Similarly, Jesus said, “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). All things! Too often we don't really believe this. Instead of living by faith in who God is and what He has said, we “hedge our bets” to avoid embarrassing Him, so we think. We need instead to step out boldly, wholly trusting God to be all that He really is.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's application follows naturally from Abraham's treatment of his three guests. Practice hospitality. Open your home in a friendly and generous way. Invite someone over for dinner soon.

Your guest might be a new family at your church, an international student at a nearby university, or the neighbor over your back fence. Hospitality is a concrete way to show God's love to others. And who knows? You also may entertain angels without knowing it (cf. Heb. 13:2; 1 Peter 4:8-10).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 21:1-21
Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. - Genesis 21:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Why do we laugh in everyday life? Of course, we laugh when someone tells a joke, when we see a cartoon, or when we're watching a comedy. But we also laugh in amazement, excitement, surprise, resignation, anger, or bitterness. We laugh in admiration at someone's cleverness or achievement. We laugh to relieve stress or tension. We laugh for joy. We laugh when others are laughing, even if we're not sure why.

God transformed Sarah's laughter from the laughter of doubt to the laughter of celebration. Just as God had promised, her son Isaac was finally born. Both she and Abraham were so old—90 and 100, respectively—that clearly this was a miracle of God. He waited until He alone could receive the glory for this incredible birth.

As we've mentioned, the name Isaac means “he laughs,” a humbling reminder to both Abraham and Sarah that their faith had wavered. But God wasn't just rubbing their noses in their weakness. “Laughter” also signified a transformation—from weakness to strength, from incredulity to faith, and from sad or stoic waiting to joyful fulfillment. Through laughter, Sarah testified to the fact that they had been wrong and God had been right, that He had indeed done the impossible!

Their previous attempt to “help” God keep His promise, though, came back to haunt them. The birth of Isaac led to conflict with Hagar and Ishmael, now a teenager. Though expel-ling a son, even the son of a slave woman, was against custom, God overruled and the two of them were sent away (cf. Gal. 4:22-31). This act of obedience was difficult for Abra-ham, for he genuinely loved the boy. He was forced to trust God to take care of them, and He did—at a moment of crisis, He provided water and made a promise that Ishmael too would become a great nation.

What did this show about God? He is gracious, promising to make Ishmael into a nation as well. He is no respecter of persons, for He appeared and spoke to an Egyptian slave woman. He is also sovereign, and no man-made scheme can interfere with His grand design.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Abraham and Sarah had to laugh—God was right, they were wrong. Sound familiar? How many times have we insisted on our idea, only to discover that God's perfect, eternal streak of always being right is still going on?

Similarly to what you did on January 4, think of a time when you were wrong and God was right, then share that testimony with a friend or family member. By telling one another such stories, we strengthen each other's faith, give God praise . . . and maybe even laugh together!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 22:1-19
Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. - Genesis 22:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Thomas Watson, a Puritan minister and writer, once said, “Love is the crowning grace in Heaven, but faith is the conquering grace upon earth.”

In today's reading, Abra-ham teaches us a powerful lesson on the nature of true faith. God commanded him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, probably a young man by now. It was a test (cf. Deut. 8:2). What was the real quality of Abraham's faith? Was obedience at the core of his heart and worship? The answer was yes. Abraham obeyed promptly, setting out the very next morning for Moriah. Despite the fact that Isaac was his only son, the son he had waited so long for, the heir of promise and the seed of the covenant, he obeyed. No questions are recorded, but surely Abraham was in anguish. And since the journey took three days, he had plenty of time to doubt, reconsider, and turn back . . . but he didn't.

Abraham passed the test, obeying wholly and unconditionally. At the absolute last moment, God intervened and provided a ram to offer instead—the first recorded example of sacrificial substitution. The angel of the Lord said, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (v. 12). The New Testament reveals that Abraham's faith was so strong he believed God could resurrect Isaac from the dead (Heb. 11:17-19). He had told his servants, “We will come back,” meaning that He trusted God to do something (v. 5). Isaac showed faith and obedience as well, for as a young man he might have overpowered his father and escaped. With a sigh of relief and trust, they named the place, “The Lord Will Provide” (v. 14).

Abraham's actions not only revealed the nature of true faith, they also functioned as an act of dedication or consecration, an appropriate time for God to renew the covenant. This episode is furthermore a foreshadowing of Christ, for God the Father also sacrificed His beloved, only Son. He died in our place, as our “ram in the thicket.” Yet death was not the end, for He conquered it and lives eternally!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The best kind of faith gives up everything to God, holding nothing back, as Abraham did in today's gripping narrative. When we speak of the Lordship of Christ, this is what we mean—giving up absolutely everything to His loving control.

Today, search your heart for things you've been withholding from Him . . . Your family? Your job? Your bank account? Pray to have the faith of Abraham, who bound his son Isaac for the sacrifice and literally laid his all on the altar.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 24
There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: . . . the way of a man with a maiden. - Proverbs 30:18–19
TODAY IN THE WORD
Basketball player A. C. Green waited many years to get married. During that time, he played in 1,192 consecutive games over 15 seasons—a streak that earned him the nickname of the NBA's “Iron Man.” More importantly, he also spoke out strongly in favor of sexual abstinence and became a role model for many people.

“My beautiful wife has been well worth the wait,” the 38-year-old groom told the world on his wedding day, April 20, 2002. His new bride, Veronique, responded, “A. C. is the man I have waited for my whole life. To know that he has also been faithful in waiting for me is the best wedding present I could ever imagine.”

How romantic! Perhaps Isaac felt that way the first time he saw Rebekah, at the end of today's reading. Although it would have been customary to marry his son with a Canaanite woman in order to form a local alliance, Abraham didn't want that. So he sent Eliezer back to their old home to look for a wife for Isaac, trusting God to provide the right person (v. 7).

Eliezer is an interesting figure. As the chief servant, he stood to inherit Abraham's estate before the births of Ishmael and Isaac. He might have obeyed his instructions halfheartedly or resentfully, but there's no sign of that. In fact, like Abraham he shows faith and entrusts the task of choos- ing a woman not to his own wisdom but to God's. His unlikely prayer is answered almost immediately, despite the hard labor involved. If Eliezer's caravan had at least ten camels, and they had been in the desert several days, they would have needed about 25 gallons of water each. If an average jug was three gallons, Rebekah made 83 trips to water them!

From there, the wedding arrangements progressed rapidly. Eliezer gave her gifts and requested hospitality. At her house he introduced himself to the family and told his urgent errand before the meal had even begun. Then he negotiated, paid the bride price, and the next morning headed back to Canaan with the bride-to-be.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometime soon for a child in your life, retell today's story from the point of view of Eliezer. What might some of his feelings have been at different points in the story? How might we describe his faith, as seen in his actions? Imagine him reporting back to Abraham or celebrating the wedding feast of Isaac and Rebekah. Preparing to tell this story will give you fresh insights, and actually telling it should help it come alive for your young listeners!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 25:19-34
Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated. - Genesis 25:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
We all have our favorite foods, and opinions vary about the healthiest diets. What do the experts at the Mayo Clinic say? They recommend eating broccoli two or three times per week, as it helps protect vision and prevent cancer. They also suggest apples because they work against bad cholesterol, soy nuts that protect the heart and bones and reduce the risk of cancer, fish—especially salmon and tuna, and nuts like pistachios and almonds. One wonders what they might say about lentil stew!

Like Sarah, Rebekah for a time was unable to have children, a source of cultural, spiritual, and personal distress. But after twenty years of marriage, God answered their prayer with twins, Esau and Jacob. These two boys were destined for conflict. They had even jostled in the womb, and Jacob grabbed Esau's heel during birth. God chose the younger, Jacob, to be the inheritor of the promises and a patriarch of Israel, but this was clearly according to His sovereign right, not Jacob's intrinsic worthiness (v. 23). In fact, his early character is suggested by his name: the verb aqab means “follow at the heel,” but figuratively also “circumvent” or “overreach,” leading to the usual note that Jacob means “he deceives.” A note by the editors of the niv on the text of Jeremiah 9:4 points out that a deceiving Jacob later became an idiomatic expression.

Esau and Jacob grew into men of different characters, habits, and pursuits. Their parents played favorites, with Isaac preferring Esau the outdoorsman while Rebekah chose Jacob the more domestic son. Playing to his strengths, Jacob cleverly lay in wait one day. He knew Esau had been hunting and would be hungry, so he prepared a pot of lentil stew. When Esau arrived, he traded the stew for the birthright.

The birthright was the firstborn's inheritance, a double material portion of the estate. By giving it to Jacob, Esau showed contempt for something valuable and even sacred. He acted impulsively and foolishly, basically treating his stomach as his god (cf. Phil. 3:19; Heb. 12:16-17). That doesn't excuse Jacob's underhanded opportunism. Was the bargain reasonable? No, but the oath was binding.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In response to today's story, cook some lentil soup or stew. Even if you haven't cooked lentils before or don't cook at all, give it a try. Cookbooks, friends, the Internet, or even your local grocery store can provide you with recipes. Our devotional time should focus on spiritual principles in the text, and rightly so. But we can reinforce these truths through physical action. The effort to prepare the stew and its enticing smell and delicious flavor can help you remember to value the blessings from God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 27:1-40
Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing. - Genesis 27:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater company deceived the United States. They presented a realistic radio drama based on War of the Worlds, a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. It was too realistic—the actors' voices and sound effects convinced many listeners that they were hearing a real broadcast about an actual Martian invasion of Earth. People panicked, highways jammed, and some thought it was the end of the world. When Welles heard about this reaction during the broadcast, he went on the air to assure people it was only fiction. Their drama is remembered as one of the greatest media hoaxes in American history.

Jacob knew all about tricks and deception. In today's reading, he lied and deceived. He took advantage of his father's old age. He played the “parental favorites game” to perfection, as his mother helped him trick Isaac. The deception was quite thorough: the food was cooked just so, he wore goatskins to simulate Esau's body hair and his brother's clothes for the smell, and he told multiple lies in answer to his father's suspicious questions. And what about Isaac? God had told Rebekah that Jacob was the chosen one, and surely she communicated that to Isaac. Yet he ignored God's words and would have given the blessing to Esau. All in all, it was a shameful episode for everyone involved.

Isaac's blessing was formal and sacred. He gave Jacob authority and abundance, and despite the deceit his words still carried legal and spiritual force (vv. 28-29). When Esau discovered Jacob had stolen the blessing from him, his bitterness and anger forced his brother to flee for his life.

Despite the covenant, everyone in this story had lost their sense of purpose. How? Perhaps by trying to “help” God fulfill His promise—was that what Rebekah thought she was doing? Perhaps by disregarding God altogether—Jacob's reference to “your God” (implying “not mine”) is a telling phrase (v. 20). No one in this chapter remembered God, appealed to Him, asked Him for guidance, or made any effort to obey Him. No wonder they had lost their purpose!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In light of the troubled family situation in today's reading, take a specific step to improve communication with your spouse or children. You may not be guilty of favoritism or deception, but perhaps there's another area in which you can take a step forward. Maybe it's discipline—do your kids know their boundaries? Or openness—do they know they can trust you? Or thankfulness—when's the last time you told your spouse what you most appreciate about him or her? Ask the Spirit to reveal a needed action, and then do it today.