Day 5, January 5 Bible Reading

 

Day 5,  January 5

Gen. 14-15 Abram rescues Lot / Abram’s tithe / The covenant of the land

Gen. 16-17 Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael / The covenant of circumcision


Summary

  • Note the connection between Noah (don’t destroy, all living creatures) and Abraham (nations, fruitfulness, the true heir)

  • Circumcision and Tithe was before Moses.  Does that mean we need to do so today? Hint: No [Rom.2:29;1Pet.2:5. See also Mat.17:24f]

  • In what way should your identity change if you are to be fruitful in Christ?

  • Are you ok with God having a feminine side?

  • How is Christ both Your King and High Priest in a Practical way?  Do you know "He Sees You" in your situation and all your infirmities, disadvantages, as he saw Hagar also, but yet His goal is to empower you?


Gen. 14

  • This was the first international war.. 4 kings vs 5. However this was really a war concerning who will rule the known earth, who is the King.

  • The alliance of the five kings, including Sodom, Gomorrah, served under Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, for 12 years. Elam was the son of Shem.  Then they revolted in the 13th year.

  • The alliance of four kings including the king of Babylon (Shinar) and lead by Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, attacked the land of the giants first, the Repahim, the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Moab.  Then they attacked the Amalekites and Amorites, some 800 miles since the start of their campaign. 

  • Buoyed by impressive  victories, this massive army defeated the alliance of the five kings and crushed the rebellion in the Valley of Siddom (the Salt Sea). They gained great spoils.  Lot, Abraham’s nephew was among those taken.

  • This backdrop makes the victory of Abram even more impressive with only 318 servants.  But these were no ordinary servants. These were mercenaries to be precise.

  • Abram met with the real King of the Earth at that time- Melchizedek, the King of Salem.  Abraham was endorsed and blessed by Melchizedek as a symbolic hand over of stewardship of the possession of heaven and earth

  • Abram, a descendant of Shem, defeated and usurper from the line of Shem, a son of Elam. The Lord who was the possessor of heaven and earth, declared that Abram was the true heir of the earth.

  • Who was Melchizedek Abraham met? Shem.  He was Melchizedek, the first King of Jerusalem.

  • Shem was still alive, when Abraham was born



Gen. 15

  • Recall Adam’s birthright included two components: Dominion and Fruitfulness.

  • The Abrahamic Covenant emphasizes the Fruitfulness component of the Birthright. 

  • As the seed of Abraham, Jesus inherited the Nations, the Kingdom, that is, the Fruitful element of the Birthright given to Adam, to replenish the earth.

  • The covenant also included land… “ On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” [Gen 15:18-21]

  • Many Christians keep thinking this still has not yet been fulfilled.  They don’t believe scripture: "And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life” (1 Kings 4:21).  Also Joshua 21:43-45


Gen. 16

  • Sarah and Hagar ← Lots can be said about this one.  See this resource by Dr. Stephen Jones: Old and New Covenant Marriage 

  • Hagar called the name of the Lord who spoke to her “You Are the God Who Sees”.  God sees our plights whether we are aware of it or not.


Gen. 17

  • Fruitfulness required an identity change.  There was a name changed from Abram, “High Father” to Abraham, “Father of Many”.  This represents a shift of focus from one’s qualifications and position, one’s exploits that may not live on beyond his lifetime, to a focus on progenity, a legacy, and providing for the future beyond your capacity.

  • Circumcision was required. This is similar to a Name change. Perhaps as a reminder and sign that it is God who will make you fruitful and not the power of your groin, your effort.

  • Interesting Note from Ex 6:3, Abraham only knew God’s [Feminine] Name, which represents faithfulness. “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.” [Ex 6:3].  God Almighty is El-Shaddai the Breasted One.  This reveals the female side of God.

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