Well, we've started and from these very familiar passages, three trains of thought strike me:
1) God changes his plans for his world as our sin destroys his original intentions. We see this in Eden, the way Cain is forced to wander as the earth will no longer provide him food, the flood, the mixing of the languages. It makes you wonder what would have happened if we had not sinned.
2) Is God a spoilsport? Living as we do in an age where we flatter ourselves by thinking that reason in everything, where we can map the human genome, the idea that God should stop us from doing what we want is anathema (3:22, 11:6). How should we respond to this?
3) We think of Abra(ha)m as a great figure of faith, who left his home and believed this great promise (15:6). Yet, in 15:2-3, we get an insight into how difficult is all was for him. He may have been hugely wealthy (how many people do you know could raise a regiment of 318 soldiers from their own household?), militarily successful and respected internationally, but his whole existence seemed meaningless without an heir. Yet he sought God and trusted him and the promise is not just repeated, but spelt out in greater depth. Seeing isn't believing - believing is seeing, and obedience is the beginning of insight.
2 comments:
Just had breakfast discussing our reading for today looking out over a frozen pond surrounded by bullrushes and snow covered grass. Unlike Adam, I will most likely not be sharing my thoughts unless the computer is set up for me and plonked in front of me, such as today ... and it will definitely not be like having a chat with me discussing the Ashes or icehockey!
Surely, if we had not sinned we would all be living in the garden of Eden ... but let's face it, had any of us been there instead, the result would have been the same unfortunately.
The point that struck me (rightly or wrongly) about Abra(ha)m was that it really wasn't much to do with him - it was God setting into process His plans (which will not be thwarted). The start of making a people for himself that would point towards a redeemer and saviour. However, despite the above, one cannot get away from the fact that Abra(ha)m never wavered in believing God's promise (Romans 5:20)
Do I think God changes his plans for the world - not sure. His ultimate plan, most definitely not. He knew we would turn against him from the beginning, he knows everything. Our actions must have consequences - Gen6:6 - The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness ... and it broke his heart. (NLT)
Is he a spoilsport - most definitely not. How should we respond? With thankfulness that he saves us from ourselves.
Oh dear! No, I will definitely not be doing this very often ... ...
how lovely that you will be able to discuss your daily reading together... :)
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