Blogging through the Bible: January 6 / Genesis 15-17 God’s promise to bless the world through Abram gets off to an unremarkable start. Abram tries to protect his own hide by pawning off his wife as his sister (a half-truth) and then has to negotiate with his nephew, Lot, about where to graze their respective herds (Lot chooses first and takes the best land). Thanks a lot! Sigh. Lot settles near the city of Sodom, a city with (shall we say) an active social life. It turns out badly for him. He gets caught up in some local conflict between rival kings and is taken captive. Abram is forced to get involved. He assembles 318 trained fighters and rescues Lot. It seems that God’s promise to make Abram a great nation with a great mission is not going to be easy. But in chapter 15, God reassures Abram: “Do not be afraid Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great,” (Genesis 15:1). Abram expresses a concern that his wife Sarai has not born him a son. This of course is a threat to God’s promise that Abram will be the father of a great nation. So God has Abram look up into the night sky and count the stars, saying: “That’s how many descendants you will have!” In response to this object lesson, Abram has one of his best moments—a moment that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments as a clear statement of the gospel: “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (Genesis 15:6) This verse helps us understand how God can use an imperfect man like Abram to bring about his good purposes. Abram is counted as “righteous,” not because he is worthy (he clearly is not) but because he has faith in God who declares him worthy. Little does Abram know, as he stares into the night sky, counting stars, that about two thousand years later, a descendant with his DNA will die on a cross to make atonement for his (and our) sins. As Tim Keller explains the gospel: “We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Prayer: Lord, it is as if the weight of the world is lifted off our shoulders! How wonderful to know that we are loved and accepted by you because of Christ and despite our sinfulness. I will rejoice in this good news, and seek to share it with others. Amen!
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:54:57 +0000
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