QT 9/30/2025 Gen 23:12-20, Giving brings (and is a sign of) spiritual growth

Genesis 23:12–20 (ESV) —

12 Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. 13 And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.

17 So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

 

NOTE: This passage completes the legal purchase of the first parcel of land in Canaan. Commentators debate whether Abraham was taken to the cleaners or not in the purchase price, but technically what does it matter. When your benefactor is the God of the universe, what does price really mean? I've thought of that in other contexts. Yes, Jesus tells us to be as wise as serpents, but in the end, money is of little value to God (he can create it out of dust or even nothing). Money shows our commitment to God, but God does not need any money to accomplish his work on earth. I think how we treat money goes a long way in our spiritual growth. I reject the idea of a tithe, I believe we can do much better than ten percent. My saying is: "a tithe is a rich man's excuse not to give." It is a nice starting point, but the degree to which we give will determine a lot of our spiritual growth and direction. For some, it is 30 percent or more, but others it may be considerably less -- what matters is your heart. We don't give to grow rich, but we do give to grow spiritually (at least in my opinion).

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have a giving plan? Mine includes my church, missionaries here, missionaries in the world, orphans, poor, and certain Christian organizations.
2. Do I have a plan to increase my giving year by year?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to lead me and guide me in this area of finances. I want to do the right thing; I want to do the wise thing; I want to do your thing.

QT 9/29/2025 Genesis 23:1–11, We have an inheritance

Genesis 23:1–11 (ESV) —

1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The Hittites answered Abraham, 6 “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” 7 Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. 8 And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”

10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, 11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.”

 

NOTE: The first parcel of land that Israel received is a piece of land bought and paid for (see next few verses after 11). The remaining was given by God (in a covenant) and then possession was through conquering and removing the inhabitants. This idea of indigenous people is really a stupid argument. No one knows who the original people are of any land. It really is more of an argument toward the last people group. All of Germany is a conquered land from many different people groups. Today, our culture upholds "survival of the fittest" unless it is conflict with their opinion of a indigenous group.

 

When the Israelites return from slavery in Egypt (400 and 40 years later), this piece of land was a deposit down on the whole land promised. They carried Joseph's bones back with them to lay in this cave. I'm sure they were reminded many times in their history of this deposit to the promise of God. But, I am very sure, as the years passed by, they began to doubt God's promise.

 

We are in the same situation today. There is a promised coming return of the Messiah and an inheritance promised to believers in Jesus. But as we stand almost 2000 years later, we wonder if God will every fulfill his promise. We also have a deposit guaranteeing our deposit, it is the Holy Spirit.

 

Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV) — 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we flagging in our zeal?
2. Do we still cherish the hope we have in a future kingdom with Jesus?

 

PRAYER: Father, whatever happens in this next decade, I know and believe that you are returning in your time. Protect my faith. Don't let me fall back into the mire of timidity.

QT 9/26/2025 Genesis 22:9-19, Seeing Abraham's faith

Genesis 22:9–19 (ESV) —

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

 

NOTE: There is a wonderful song which captures the emotion of this event in words much better than I could choose. It is written and sung by Michael Card.

 

Three day's journey to the sacred place

A boy and a man with a sorrowful face

Tortured, yet faithful to God's command

To take the life of his son in his own hands

 

CHORUS: God will provide a lamb

To be offered up in your place

A sacrifice so spotless and clean

To take all your sin away

 

There's wood and fire, where's the sacrifice

The questioning voice and the innocent eyes

Is the son of laughter who you've waited for

To die like a lamb to please the Lord

 

CHORUS

 

A gleaming knife, an accepted choice

A rush of wind and an angel's voice

A ram in the thicket caught by his horns

And a new age of trusting the Lord was born

 

'Cause God has provided a lamb

He was offered up in your place

What Abraham was asked to do, He's done

He's offered His only son

 

What Abraham was asked to do, He's done

He's offered His only son

 

From <https://genius.com/Michael-card-god-will-provide-a-lamb-lyrics>

Michael Card - God Will Provide a Lamb (Lyric Video)

 

 

Why did God need to test Abraham? God already knows our choices. He knows our heart, and yet he goes through with this test. I suppose the answer is that we don't know our own hearts, nor do we know Abraham's. You can read "Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness," but you are left wondering how much did he believe God. The story, while very painful, puts Abraham's faith in a visual mode.

 

PONDER:

1. What does my faith really look like?
2. Do I really believe the words I so often express?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am like one of Jesus' followers, "increase my faith." Too often, I let the world and the supposedly realities of modern life to cause me to doubt. The world and its system is constantly attacking Christian believers because the enemy is absolutely convinced that it is his greatest danger. Help us to stand strong against the attacks.

QT 9/25/2025 Gen 22:1-8, The most difficult test ever

Genesis 22:1–8 (ESV) —

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

 

NOTE: I can't even imagine being in Abraham's shoes. Even the request of God seems out of place, because later in the law, human sacrifice was strongly disallowed. But the passage tells us it was a test; there was never any outcome where God was going to allow Abraham to sacrifice his son. From Abraham's viewpoint, he did not know that. Many people groups sacrificed children, but Abraham's faith, at this point, was that God would do what he had promised for decades, he would provide a son. Here he (Isaac) was, and God would do what it takes to restore him. Still, walking up that mountain, how did Abraham not pour out tears the whole way up the mountain? I would have bawled. The sacrifice is a picture to us of what God felt when he sent his son to die for our sins. Jesus carried the cross up the mountain, just as Isaac carried the wood for the fire. God the Father did what Abraham probably expected for Isaac, God raised him from the dead. Jesus is the first fruits of what is promised to every believer, a new body (free of sin), a new life, and a new future.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I trust God completely?
2. Do I appreciate what God the Father did for me through the death of his son on the cross?

 

PRAYER: Father, all I can say is thank you for your son's death for my sins, and for your resurrection of your son as a Firstfruits of all who have placed their faith in Jesus. Thank you.

QT 9/24/2025 Gen 21:22-34, Tests of faith

Genesis 21:22–34 (ESV) —

22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath. 32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

 

NOTE: Abraham shows a certain bravery "I dug this well" and willingness to confront Abimelech, that was not there before Isaac's birth and the last encounter with Abimelech when he passes his wife off as his sister. I believe the birth of Isaac is a pivotal point in Abraham's faith. It is as if Abraham's new reasoning -- if God can do the impossible and provide a baby to a very old couple, he really can do whatever he chooses to do. In a sense, the confrontation with Abimelech is the first test of this new "walking faith." Next chapter is a much greater test where Abraham must believe that God can make the dead live again.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I have Abraham's "walking faith" that God can do whatever he chooses?
2. Or do I still believe I must solve my own problems?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know what I ought to believe, although I still struggle over-analyzing problems. I will continue to work to give those things to you and yet also act prudently.

QT 9/23/2025 Gen 21:14–21, Seeking the true God

Genesis 21:14–21 (ESV) —

14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

 

NOTE: It is hard to "explain" the actions here. Abraham is commanded by God to give up his son. But God has other plans for Ishmael, and while there is a lot of pain and rejection, ultimately God takes care of Ishmael. Sometimes it is hard to believe, given the animosity between Israel and the Arabs, but God loves Ishmael too. God did not speak to Mohammed in a cave, and Ishmael was not the son taken up on Mount Moriah, Isaac was. But, Jesus offers salvation to the Arab as to any other Gentile. Some of the Arab nations will wake up to that truth in the end days and turn to the real God and the real savior of the world.

 

Israel is as blind as the Arabs today to their true salvation. They fight each other (Jew and Arab) but do not have to fight, they need to repent and turn to Jesus for true life.

 

One last thought, when life seems at the worst point it can be, one is never forgotten by God. He is not unaware to our cries. The problem is not that God is not there, the problem is that we have removed ourselves from God. There is hope if we would turn back to him, repent, and seek Jesus. God provides redemption for the worst of sinners.

 

In the Muslim world, God is transcendent and not affected by individual cries of pain. That is not how God reveals himself in the bible. He is knowable by men and women.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I know Jesus, really know Jesus, or am I playing religious games?
2. Am I moving closer to God each day or further away from God?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your word and your truth. I pray for you to make it clear to many others who are fighting the wrong enemy. The evil one has deceived many young people today. They don't know what their real hope is. Redeem your people, open our eyes, allows us one last great awakening.

QT 9/22/2025 Gen 21:8–13, Consequences of living outside Gods' will is pain

Genesis 21:8–13 (ESV) —

8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.”

 

NOTE: I believe this is the second time God has told Abraham to listen to his wife in a situation where Abraham disagreed (proving that submission does not mean the husband should act as a tyrant). The fact that Sarah's request violates some of the cultural norms of the time is even more telling. In Sarah's defense, she was also giving Hagar and her son freedom, and she was protecting her own son's inheritance. Ishmael would become an enemy to Israel in time. Today, many Muslims believe it was Ishmael, and not Isaac who traveled up to Moriah for the sacrifice. They base that on the phrase "first-born son," but the text clearly also says Isaac. So, they are also enemies in faith as well as enemies to the world. I say world because of the prophecy, in Gen 16:12.

 

He shall be a wild donkey of a man,

his hand against everyone

and everyone’s hand against him,

and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”

 

I know many have mentioned this point, but Abraham's deception added Hagar to his company, and the couple's (Abraham and Sarah) failure to wait upon God led to Ishmael. The consequences of acting outside the will of God were very painful.

 

I think the same is true for us when we act outside of God's will. We are forgiven when we repent as Abraham and Sarah were, but we still have the consequences. We can only pray, and for believers trust in God's promise:

 

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek God in my decisions in life?
2. Do I act without praying?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the insights from your word. I do pray to remain in your will. I pray for protection from the evil one and from temptation to sin. I pray that I would be a godly man and a godly example to those around me.

 

QT 9/19/2025 Gen 21:1-7, Remembering momentous events

Genesis 21:1–7 (ESV) —

1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

 

NOTE: This event transforms Abraham. From my previous studies, he truly begins to walk by faith at this point in his life. I say this to Abraham's credit, because I have found that miraculous healings or interventions by God in our life are often forgotten in time, at least to the extent that we start to struggle with fear again. God, later in the bible story, will tell people to set up reminders of miraculous events. One such reminder, a pile of large rocks is called an "ebenezer" and is featured in a song of faith. I won't say it prevents fear, but these reminders do help. My journal functions similarly for me. I rewrote a number of very difficult quiet times from 1987-1988 in July 2012 of my quiet time blog (https://qt-notes.blogspot.com/). I can't read them without tearing up. They are such a good reminder of pain, and how ultimately God carried us through that time. But unlike Abraham, my transformation seems more gradual in regards to trust and faith. Only now am I realizing what it means to let go of things and give them to God.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I remember the tough times of life and how God was working?
2. Do I keep any record of God's work in my own life?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the things you have taken us through. They have been good but hard. I wouldn't go through them again. I would wish for a different path, but I do thank you. My life is different because you are changing it from degree of glory to another, and hopefully someday (in heaven) to be like my savior.

QT 9/18/2025 Gen 20:8-18, Don't give up

Genesis 20:8–18 (ESV) —

8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

 

NOTE: It is really sad when the men of the world show more morality than the people of God. That is usually not the case, but it does still happen. Abraham had some reason to fear Abimelech, or at least some of the city leaders. Once again, Abraham does seem to prosper financially from the event. Abraham uses a human justification, i.e., "I didn't really lie," in his defense. It is deceitful. It is the way the world acts, not the way a man of God should act. If not for God's intervention, His plan to bless the world through Abraham would be ended.

 

It is important to remember that after the birth of Abraham's miracle son, Abraham never falters. He really does live by faith, but at this point, he does not seem to be much of an example, except for an example of fallen man.

 

What is the takeaway? We never fall so much or so often as to be a failure in God's eyes. He sees us. He sees our failures. He forgives us. We can start over every time. One of my favorite verses reminds me of this every time.

 

Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV) —

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I going through a period of discouragement because I feel like a failure? Each morning is new. Each morning there is mercy.
2. Abraham was honored for his faith, but it didn't mean he always exercised faith. I am a son of God too. Do I appreciate his never ending love for me?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for growth. I am not perfect, but each day I will seek you. I will fail at times, but I know I am never rejected by you. Thank you for grace and mercy.

QT 9/17/2025 Gen 20:1–7, Giving our worries to God when our minds start dwelling on something

Genesis 20:1–7 (ESV) —

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

 

NOTE: I don't know why Abraham continues this deception at each place where he travels. In this case, God intervenes. The narrative is quite clear that Sarah was never touched. Abimelech, a Philistine, shows better behavior than Abraham at this point. Although after the birth of Isaac, there is a change in Abraham's life. He shows courage and does not cower in fear any more.

 

What will it take to in our own lives to stop cowering in fear and to believe that God's hand will protect us? Sometimes, God will take us through many difficult things to get us to the point that we have to stop worrying and start trusting God. I feel I've gone through this cycle a few times. And recently have had more success than in the past. I can't blame Abraham for his actions. Mine are no better, just more subtle. I am learning that he will take care of me as I give to him my worries and fears. Whenever I find myself dwelling on a subject, that is my reminder to hand it to God.

 

PONDER:

1. Where is my trust in God?
2. Do I say the words or do I live the life? (and I am not referring to stoicism, which is not trust, but rather fake trust)

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the answered prayers. Thank you for the things you are doing. Thank you for what you are teaching me. Have mercy on me, a sinner. Forgive me when I fail, or sin, or forget you. Give me my bread and strength for the day.

QT 9/16/2025 Gen 19:30-38, Growing or declining

Genesis 19:30–38 (ESV) —

30 Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.

34 The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.

 

NOTE: The problem with Lot's original decision to go to Sodom, and the subsequent decision to stay in Sodom, is that the influence of the culture permeated into his family. Rather than his witness and his faith influencing his family, the culture he exposed his family to was greater. Of course, we can't hide in a mountain, as Lot is doing at this point in the story. We have to live in the culture. The difference is we cannot compromise God's word with culture. There are a lot of hot button issues that many Christians no longer hold to because they have compromised with the culture. Homosexuality is a sin. Marriage is between a man and woman. Marriage is a covenant until death parts the couple (although there are grounds for divorce). There are only two sexes. Work is for our good. We don't live for material things but we live for God. And the key is a focus on God in our everyday life. As the Pastor said this Sunday, if we are not growing, we are  going backwards. I've said as much every few months in my Sunday School class and QTs for many years (Most recently 1/29/2025); . You don't plateau, you either grow or you decline spiritually.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I growing or declining spiritually?
2. You can answer the above question by asking instead, am I in the word of God regularly (daily), or not? The answer will be the same. If it is not, you are deceiving yourself.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that I would never stop the habit of regularly allowing my mind to be washed by the word of God. Cleanse me, clean me, purify me for your service.

QT 9/15/2025 Gen 19:23–29, Looking to God for his will

Genesis 19:23–30 (ESV) —

23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.

29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

30 Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters.

 

 

NOTE: God saves Lot and his two daughters and the city of Zoar. In the very next verse (30), Lot moves to the hills as the angels had initially told him too. No reason is given, but how very true it is, that God's wisdom is always better than ours. Lot's wife could have been saved (physically) too, but she, in contradiction to the angels' command, looks back, and dies with those in the cities.

 

The phrase, God remembered Lot, uses an anthropomorphic term, "remember," not because God forgets or even could forget, but rather to emphasize Abraham's prayer for Lot. Lot did not pray, Abraham prayed for him. Peter writes that Lot was a righteous man, greatly distressed by the conduct of the people. But Lot chose his 'lot' in life. Why? Sin is so deceitful and it can become like a thorn bush that grabs onto you as you go by. It does not want to let go. How did this happen? Lot made a decision based on what he saw, not on the will of God. He never sought God. He was a rich man when he lived near Abraham, and now he had nothing.

 

PONDER:

1. How often do I seek God in the major decisions of life?
2. Going further, do I seek God in the lesser decisions of life? It does not have to be much, a simple prayer for guidance or closed doors will suffice

 

PRAYER: Father, this is a sad story of a man who started out well, but was pulled off the path by the appeal of riches. Father, I want to serve you first and foremost, in major decisions and minor decisions. Lead me and guide me. Help me to know what is the right thing to do.

QT 9/12/2025 Gen 19:14-22, We are all stubborn

Genesis 19:14–22 (ESV) —

14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” 18 And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. 19 Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

 

NOTE: Wow, why do we argue with God so much? I realize that Lot was arguing with the angels, but I'm sure they had direction from the Lord. Lot lingers in the city. He did try to get the son-in-laws, but they would not listen. He doesn't want to go to the hills, but later we will find out that he does go to the hills. Why does he want to stay in the city? His apparent business is probably based on cities: maybe finances or trades -- it is not clear. But the key thing, he does not want to let go, almost to the point of his own death.

 

We are stubborn like Lot. We have our own idea of what is best for our lives. We don't want to listen to God. We want to be god deciding on the course and direction of our life. We want to change God's will to fit our idea of what God's will should be. We are so foolish. How do we fix this tendency? I think the greatest tool we have is the word of God. We need to be soaked in God's word. We need to read it every day. Only as the word seeps deeper in our life do we have any hope of listening to God instead of being stubborn to God.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my main source of instruction about God, other's opinions or the Word of God?
2. Where am I being stubborn? And where do I need to be listening to God more than to the world?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know I am stubborn. I know the sinful nature affects me. I know too that you Holy Spirit is changing me. I am not the person I was, not am I the person I will be. Thank you for the sanctifying impact of the HS on my life.

QT 9/11/2025 Gen 19:1-13, Evil can be constrained by righteous men

Genesis 19:1–13 (ESV) —

1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” 6 Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7 and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 8 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. 11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

 

NOTE: It is hard to understand customs of hospitality or the willingness of Lot to offer his two virgin daughters to protect the men. So my focus is on the angels. They were quite insistent about sleeping in the town square, and it is clear that they had the power to protect themselves from these evil men. The passage might be interpreted as a common use of hyperbolas, not at all meaning "all the men," except for the fact that the author goes to great extent to say it was every man of the city. What an incredibly evil city! The men of the city were blinded. If they did received their sight back, they then saw the whole countryside and city go up in flames. And then they sat in Hades where the fire is forever burning.

 

The angels mission was to destroy the city. I'm sure they were already briefed on the situation and the few righteous, although, were they told there was one, three, or four righteous? My guess is that they were told one. But Lot's righteousness had an extenuating effect to his family, to include his sons-in-law. It doesn't mean that they were righteous, only that they were sanctified by him temporarily. We too have a sanctifying effect upon our community. We are part of the restraining force that is holding back evil. If, and when we disappear (are raptured), the evil in the world will be unconstrained. Lot's effect was pretty minimal in Sodom since the entire population of men were evil. As righteous men decline, sin will increase.

 

PONDER:

1. What is the effect of my own life on my community?
2. Does my life encourage sinful behavior and unrighteousness, or does it, by example, restrain evil?

 

PRAYER: Father, I desire to be a man of righteousness that, by example of life, restrains the evil in the world. Yesterday, a very evil act occurred. My country has few righteous men. And evil is increasing. Demons are once again possessing souls in large numbers.

QT 9/10/2025 Gen 18:26-33, God's patience with our prayers

Genesis 18:26–33 (ESV) —

26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

 

NOTE: In my mind, God shows tremendous patience with Abraham. The reality is that there were less than five righteous in the city at the time of Abraham's discussion with God. When it was destroyed, there were zero righteous in the city. I believe there were actually four cities destroyed. Sodom was the most notorious, but the other cities include Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim. God shows similar patience when Moses continually recites reasons he can't do what God commanded. At least until Moses said "no, I'm not doing it" or something to that effect. Then it said that the "Anger of the Lord burned against Moses." The lesson in both cases is that we can be completely honest with God in our fears and struggles. He will be patient. The one thing we cannot do is to tell God that we refuse to obey him.

 

God knew that he would be saving Lot from the city. That may be the reason he sends two angels. The angels have a lot of power, but they also have limitations. They have to be physically present. But they are God's messengers and servants to accomplish his will.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I honest with God in prayer? Do I fear being honest with God?
2. Am I refusing to do something that God has commanded?

 

PRAYER: Father, there is a lot going on these days. Help me to follow through on what you have set before me. Help me to trust you. Help me to continue to lean on you. Help me to listen to your voice.

QT 9/9/2025 Gen 18:16–25, What is my purpose and my joy?

Genesis 18:16–25 (ESV) —

16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

 

NOTE: A few things seem hard to understand on the surface. First, I don't think God was asking a question to his two other companions (angels) about whether to reveal his plan for Sodom. God intended to reveal the plan to Abraham and his question only reveals to Abraham his importance. God gives two reasons why he is revealing his plan. Abraham will be a mighty nation and all the earth will be blessed because of him. And he is to be an example of righteousness and justice to the world. But nearby, is exactly the opposite of what God desired for the earth. Men were destroying themselves spiritually and physically through their sin.

 

Secondly, God says the outcry has reached him in heaven, which meant that Abraham had surely heard of what was happening in that wicked city. God knows the sin, and yet on multiple occasions he makes inquiry through physical visits (Cain, then Babel). In this case, God's inquiry is through two angels (maybe the others were too). Maybe there is a lesson for angels to learn since they are not omniscient. I believe purpose in life is essential to existence, and possibly this is one of the purposes of angels. I wonder if God always uses an angel for these last minute visits.

 

Lastly, God stops walking and the angels continue on their way. In essence, God is standing before Abraham giving him a chance to plead (pray) for Sodom. Abraham approaches God and asks some very obvious and ultimately leading questions. And God is patient. I would answer Abraham and say that the righteous do suffer like the wicked many times. Our hope is not in this world, nor is our reward. I'm not sure Lot's life improved by being saved from Sodom. Our real reward is not here, but in heaven, in eternity, where like the angels we will have purpose and joy, and not be affected by a sin nature any more.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek my reward here on earth?
2. Are earthly joys and material rewards more important to me than what God offers?

 

PRAYER: Father, I enjoy your creation and life. Sometimes -- well, maybe oftentimes -- it has pain and suffering. And I believe I have a greater reward thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for me. Thank you for answering prayers. Thank you for letting me cast my burdens upon you. Thank you for teaching me.

QT 9/8/2025 Gen 18:9-15, Learning to trust God

Genesis 18:9–15 (ESV) —

9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

 

NOTE: Sarah, like Abraham earlier, laughs at the suggestion that she might have a son. And like Abraham, it was incredulity. We know that Abraham even suggested a plan B (Ishmael) because he did not believe God. I think both of them come around to the idea of God doing the impossible, but at the moment they first hear the news of the very late in age birth, they are not so sure.

 

I don't think we can be too critical toward either of them. How often do we struggle in worry or concern when God has told us:

 

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) — 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) — 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

I know I am guilty of falling into a pattern of worrying or arguing in my head about how to fix something. How seldom do I just pray, "God, I give this into your hands. I will do the prudent thing, but I have to trust you to work out the details. I will stop replaying in mind future actions (worrying)." Well actually, this has been my prayer lately. I have had to trust God to fix things that I have little control.

 

Yes, we all fail at times in our faith. Go to God and give him your worries. Acknowledge his control.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe God is watching over me, or do I believe in a watchmaker God who doesn't interfere in the affairs of man? Our God cares.
2. Do I worry? Do I go to sleep worrying about how I am going to handle an issue at work or home? Give it to God every time you start to fall into that trap.

 

PRAYER: Father, I believe in you, but I let worry control me. Later I am learning that every time I start to worry or think about what I need to do, I just give it back to you quoting 1 Pet 5:7. I am seeing you do the things that I cannot do. Thank you.