1. God was about to deal with Sodom, whose evil had been ongoing for a long time (13:13). God had a clear plan, but he included his friend Abraham in this. Why? God had chosen Abraham to be a great na(...)
Read1. After Abraham’s household had been circumcised (17:26-27), God visited again in the form of three men (2). In the heat of the day, Abraham, even at a hundred years old, hurried to welcome them (2-5(...)
Read1. There is a 13-year gap between chapters 16 and 17. Now, Abram is 99 years old, content with his life as Ishmael's father (18). Once, Abram had faith that pleased God (15:6). However, he failed to h(...)
Read1. Sarai'sreasonable advice caused Abram'snext stumble. Sarai suggested that Abram sleep with her slave so that he could have a child. Abram probably knew the advice did not align with God'spromise of(...)
Read1. Knowing Abram'sheart, God himself came to him to encourage him. God told him not to be afraid: God was Abram’s shield and reward. By rescuing Lot and defeating the local kings, Abram had entered da(...)
Read1. During a conflict among Canaanite kings, Abram'snephew Lot, who lived in Sodom (13:10,11), was captured as a prisoner of war. The circumstances brought Abram into the war, as he desired to rescue h(...)
Read1. When there was a severe famine in the land, Abram made a reasonable decision to move to Egypt. He also prompted his beautiful wife Sarai to lie about their relationship so that he could gain favor(...)
Read1. The nation of Edom had common ancestry with the nations of Israel and Judah. Edom was descended from Jacob’s brother Esau. The nations should have been close allies. But Edom had become proud and b(...)
Read1. When the original, glorious temple was built in the days of King Solomon, the whole nation was involved. Even nations outside of Judah participated in the construction of the temple by bringing cut(...)
Read1. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, the people of Israel, according to the word of the Lord, were allowed to go back to their homeland and rebuild the temple of the Lord their God. Work began in ea(...)
Read