I'm writing these comments to and for those at New Song who are following a One Year Bible and involved in a discipleship cell. We're meeting weekly and discussing the texts, not necessarily my comments. We're growing together, learning to become and make disciples who make disciples. We will all be leading others in this process and training them to do likewise.
The comments I'm writing are in no way exhaustive, but meant to give some leading thoughts on how the text applies to us as disciples and to encourage and stimulate our growth in reading the Bible, with the effect that we will grow as disciples and encourage the growth of others as disciples growing in the word.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible, in fact, no one in our church reads the version I do, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
Genesis 13:5-15:21
The stuff they gained from the time in Egypt eventually caused a problem between Abe and Lot. Bigger is not always better and I'm sure there are many individuals, couples, businesses and churches that could say, "Things were better when things were simpler, before we got that house or building or became involved in that activity." As disciples following Christ, once we know what we are supposed to be doing, and what pleases and serves Christ in making disciples, we need to be careful about attractive things that distract us or can consume us.
Abraham showed his security in God by allowing Lot to make the first choice. He also showed meekness, that is, strength and authority that expresses itself in gentleness and patience. Abraham, as the elder man could have told Lot what to do. True meekness is strength. Again, as disciples, where does our security come from? Are we content to allow our lives to be shaped by God and following Christ in His harvest, making disciples for Him, or is this really about us, and being first in line, and having a voice and a reputation, and getting the breaks we deserve or at least getting our rights recognized?
Lot's choice eventually ruined him. Not because he was greedy for more pastureland, but because of the attraction of the city. How cool is it to be rich in the wilderness? Your money is not liquid, you have to wait on caravans to buy stuff, and no one can tell you how cool you are. We need people for that. Lot eventually moved from tents and herding, to living in, and some think, becoming mayor (or some official) in Sodom. Cool. He never had to move into or near Sodom, but, inch by inch, this little decision had a huge impact and he ended up in Sodom. He didn't save Sodom and they ruined him, although, the root of this was already in his heart.
After they separated and Abraham gave up the choice for the "best" land, and only then, did God confirm Abraham. Some good lessons are here regarding following.
Abraham lived in tents his entire life in Canaan. Actually though, with all his livestock and servants, it was a small city. It definitely wasn't as easy as "picking up" and going. If Abe took 318 men with him (born in his house) to save Lot, there were probably women and children too. They could have easily been 1000+ people. I'm sure he was a scheduled stop by the merchant caravans (as opposed to Dodge Caravans©) that passed through. How irritating that they got up and moved around. Eventually Abe & Co. became a known entity in Canaan, though not a city or small kingdom with Abe as the ruler. He / they became known as "Hebrews."
Regarding Melchizedek
As close as Abe's relationship with God was, he understood that Melchizedek was a priest of God and submitted to him.
Melchizedek is mentioned in Hebrews as a "type" of Christ, that is, someone in the OT who foreshadowed aspects of Christ.
Where in the world did he come from? I had a univ. professor go after me one time because other people didn't have a chance to learn about God. I said that God had His way of making sure people heard, and suddenly I thought of Melchizedek and said that unknown to us, suddenly this guy pops up who has been telling all sorts of people about God. Also, later, you find a guy like Balaam, who is not a role model for your kids, but was known as a prophet of God. There may have been thousands of these guy who we don't know about, who traveled with the other language groups that were scattered across the earth. We have to trust that God made sure people had a chance to know about and respond to Him. Here we meet one of them and he's a priest of the God Most High.
Abraham was open to Melchizedek, but was distant and resistant from the king of Sodom. Sodom was a bad place. He refused to take any of the wealth of what had been recaptured. As disciples, it is important to know who to connect with and whose influence to avoid. That's not being legalistic, just realistic.
Abraham had now made a name for himself, but that's not always good. Those who wanted to raid Canaan now knew they would have to deal with Abraham. Also, in the time that passed, maybe Abe regretted not having taken some of the booty. In any event, this is how you can understand God's words to him, "I am your shield and your reward." Apparently Abe was feeling he needed both.
It is hard to imagine how hard the waiting was for Abraham. God had promised, he had gone. God made Abe wait. Waiting is part of following as a disciple and doesn't mean you've missed God's will. What a great lesson. Abe would have more lessons on waiting and so will we. Becoming fruit bearing disciples is not for the weak-of-heart or those who imagine instant success.
Now comes a very important part of biblical and redemptive history. I'll hit the high points, but make as many observations as possible.
In spite of the waiting and disappointment, when God restates the promise, telling Abe to look at the stars, Abe looks up and believes God…and it was counted to him as righteousness. This belief was based on his faith in God and His promise, but the actual "being right before God" was still future, waiting for Christ to make payment for sin and satisfy the justice of God. Faith saves, not works.
The Abrahamic covenant is unique because only God makes it. In a way, it is more accurate to call it a promise, since a covenant usually had two parties. According to custom they were to kill the animals and cut them up, making a lane between the animal parts. Then both parties of the covenant were to walk through this lane committing to the agreement, saying that if either one reneged on the contract, that they will end up like the animal. Something like that.
Anyway, Abe never strolls the lane, only God. That means that the fulfillment of this covenant has nothing to do with the obedience of Abraham or Israel as a nation, it is solely God's responsibility to fulfill what He has promised. It is an unconditional covenant. This means that all of the promises to Abe and Israel will be fulfilled. None of it depends on Israel's obedience. God will make it work. So, does the church replace Israel? Only if the Abrahamic Covenant is invalid and that can only happen if God reneges on His promise. As Paul would say, "By no means!" In Romans 15:8-9, Paul says that the covenant with the patriarchs was confirmed (not fulfilled) in Christ. The fulfillment of Israel's destiny in God's plan is still future. The literal nation of Israel will fulfill God's purpose as a fulfillment, not of the Mosaic Covenant, but as promised to Abraham and then through the prophets.
Another way to understand the unconditional quality of this promise, as confirming all redemptive history and promises, is to realize that it, too, is a part of another promise, that is, that the seed of the woman would conquer the seed of the serpent. That promise was absolutely without any input from Adam, Eve or any person. It became a basis of hope and faith for them, but was never dependent upon them. That promise necessitated or incorporated other actions on God's part. The saving of Noah, the promise to Abraham, the establishment of Israel and the Law and the promises, the promise to David, the coming of the Christ, His death and resurrection, and our redemption are all parts of that promise. The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. None of what God did was to be done "only if" we responded properly. While we were still weak, lost, dead and blind, Christ died for the ungodly. Our only "part" is to believe and receive.
Matthew 5:27-48
For me, it is best to understand what Jesus is saying as instructions to His disciples. The supposed "intensification" of the Law given here, is not toward rigidity or legalism, but to honesty and realism following Christ on earth. Instead of playing fast and loose in matters of authentic honesty before God and getting by with "religion," we are to realize we are in a serious conflict, and so to live for Him and reach lost people.
Vs. 27-29 are so important for us as disciples. We are to have no mercy with things in our lives which cause us to sin.
Vs. 38-48 are probably the purest test of our true understanding of our salvation, our grasp of the battle and what is at stake, and our desire to abide in Christ with our eyes set on things above. Jesus Himself was the model for this. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
I ask myself why this is so hard for me, but if I want to be His disciple, I have to become more like Him, or as Paul put it, "to share in sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.
Psalm 6
Not to say that you can't find help in other places, but as disciples, true mercy comes from the Lord, and true confidence comes from being heard by Him as we pour out our hearts. There is a lot of prayer-less ministry and networking that goes on in the name of God, asking only for His stamp of approval, often, after the fact.
Proverbs 1:29-33
These are amazing words of warning, especially realizing that the guy who wrote them didn't heed them. The fear of the Lord, knowing that this could happen to any of us (and does happen to us) helps us not to treat God's love as something to be taken for granted. He warns us because He loves us. If He didn't spare Solomon or David, why should he spare us for disregarding His kindness and love. On the other hand, as disciples working with people, what a fantastic relationship to bring people into. If they will listen to Him, He will bring order and peace to confused and tragic lives.
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