READING FOR May 1, 2024: Genesis 21, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 37:1-11
GENESIS 21 This chapter has three distinct but related stories. The common link is the evident blessings that God bestows on Abraham. Clearly God has singled him out for a great purpose.
The first blessing is God enabling Sarah to give birth in her later years. Although most of us would not like to be first-time parents at 100, it does mark this family as one of unique promise. The greater miracle and ultimate child of promise will arrive through this same family line when Jesus is born in Bethlehem. It is interesting that some Jewish commentators are now advocating bringing back the traditional weaning feast that Abraham held for Isaac (vs.8). It seems more meaningful than a gender-reveal party. Who will be first in our church to host?
The second episode is how God used sibling rivalry and motherly protectiveness to show that it was Isaac and not Ishmael who was chosen to be the child of promise, the line through which the Messiah would come. This does not seem fair to Hagar, especially since Sarah was responsible for Hagar’s child with Abraham. Yet, we know that God works His will through flawed individuals. Also, we see that God did not abandon Hagar and Ishmael. As we read in the Psalm 36 yesterday, we can trust in God’s mercy that extends to the heavens and His righteousness that is like a mountain. He always knows best.
The third episode is Abraham’s continued interaction with Abimelech, king of Gerar. This king has been most honorable in all his dealings with Abraham. Now we see he noticed that God’s blessings were on Abraham. Thus, the king desired to live in harmony with him. This is exactly how national leaders should behave: “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Our country and world seem filled with animosity and conflict, not quiet dignity. Let’s pray for the kind of relationships for which Paul advocated and Abraham and Abimelech experienced. Domestic and international peace is good and acceptable in the sight of God.
2 CORINTHIANS 3 Is it possible there is a more moving chapter in all of human literature? Hard to imagine. Rather than send or solicit letters of recommendation, Paul said the Corinthians themselves are his letters, the true evidence of his apostleship. They are the letters others read to learn about Jesus. How are we doing as an accurate letter or representation of Jesus to an unbelieving world? Do strangers at Walmart and drivers on McGalliard perceive Jesus’s sacrificial love when they observe us? Also, can we honestly say that our impact on our children or grandchildren is such that their lives are letters of God’s truth to the world?
How can we, like Paul, convey God’s love and truth to the hearts of others. Paul says he was only adequate for the task through the Holy Spirit, not obedience to the law. It had nothing to do with his goodness, nor was this possible through the Old Testament covenants. Only after the resurrection can we be indwelt by the Holy Spirit by making Jesus our Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9). Paul reminds the Corinthians that Moses’s face was so bright that it was blinding as he brought down the commandments from the mountain. He goes on to imply that this radiance from Moses’s face is more like darkness compared with the glory of the Holy Spirit. Is our experience of the Holy Spirit that overwhelming?
This Holy Spirit gave Paul such hope that he could speak with boldness. He was not embarrassed or timid. He was indwelt by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and was sharing the most lifechanging message possible. It was not a time for Paul then nor a time for us now to shrink from communicating this truth with a world who will die eternally without it.
Paul mentions that the Jews of his day were unable to understand the scriptures because their minds were hardened. This is even more true today. According to a 2021 Pew survey only 26% of American Jews believe in the God of the Old Testament. They are among the most secular people on earth. Paul states that this can only change when they receive Jesus. There are some coming to Him now. Paul elaborates in Romans 11 that this will happen in massive numbers in the future. Let’s pray both for that day and, as Paul urges, that we will become transformed more and more into the Lord’s image.
Psalm 37:1-11 David tells us not to get upset because of evildoers. Yet the suffering and death of the innocent at the hands of oppressors make many of us upset. Is David right? Let’s suspend judgment until the entire chapter is studied. Instead, consider these opening verses:
- Don’t be envious of wrongdoers. Why would we be? Their future is doomed.
- Trust in God and do good. It is much more productive than envy and frustration.
- Live where God has placed us and cultivate faithfulness. Don’t dream of greener grass elsewhere. There are plenty of opportunities to be faithful where we are, if we look.
- Delight in the Lord. Popular culture cannot imagine this. It often portrays faith in Jesus as boring. Let’s not believe Satan’s lies. Walking with Jesus is totally thrilling.
- If we truly delight in the Lord, our heart’s desires will be to serve and love Him and to serve and love our neighbor. Mere stuff will not be exciting.
- David says rather than stress out over the success of evildoers we can wait for and rest in the Lord. To do otherwise suggests we know better than God.
- In fact, our anger only starts a chain leading to our sinning.
Instead, we should cultivate humility. This starts a virtuous cycle, leading to a godly inheritance.
