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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 1 year ago

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Woe to Tyrants

1 Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, 2 to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! 3 What will you do on the day of punishment, in the storm which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth? 4 Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away and his hand is stretched out still.

Arrogant Assyria Also Judged 5 Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger, the staff of my fury! 6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 But he does not so intend, and his mind does not so think; but it is in his mind to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few; 8 for he says: “Are not my commanders all kings? 9 Is not Calno like Car′chemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samar′ia like Damascus? 10 As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols whose graven images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samar′ia, 11 shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols as I have done to Samar′ia and her images?”

12 When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem he will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride. 13 For he says:

“By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones. 14 My hand has found like a nest the wealth of the peoples; and as men gather eggs that have been forsaken so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved a wing, or opened the mouth, or chirped.”

15 Shall the axe vaunt itself over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! 16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire. 17 The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame; and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day. 18 The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the Lord will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away. 19 The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down.

The Repentant Remnant of Israel

20 In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean upon him that smote them, but will lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22 For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. 23 For the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.

24 Therefore thus says the Lord, the Lord of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they smite with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. 25 For in a very little while my indignation will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts will wield against them a scourge, as when he smote Mid′ian at the rock of Oreb; and his rod will be over the sea, and he will lift it as he did in Egypt. 27 And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke will be destroyed from your neck.”

He has gone up from Rimmon, 28 he has come to Ai′ath; he has passed through Migron, at Michmash he stores his baggage; 29 they have crossed over the pass, at Geba they lodge for the night; Ramah trembles, Gib′e-ah of Saul has fled. 30 Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim! Hearken, O La′ishah! Answer her, O An′athoth! 31 Madme′nah is in flight, the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety. 32 This very day he will halt at Nob, he will shake his fist at the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the great in height will be hewn down, and the lofty will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon with its majestic trees will fall. — Isaiah 10 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 10:10; Exodus 5:14; Exodus 14:16; Numbers 11:1; Joshua 18:24-25; Joshua 21:18; Judges 18:21; 1 Samuel 21:1; 2 Kings 18:33; 2 Kings 19:22-23; 2 Kings 19:25; 2 Kings 19:31; 2 Chronicles 14:11; Psalm 58:2; Psalm 78:31; Psalm 81:6; Psalm 94:6; Isaiah 2:8; Isaiah 5:4; Isaiah 5:15; Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 10:5; Isaiah 10:30; Isaiah 14:6; Isaiah 21:17; Isaiah 28:22; Isaiah 32:19; Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 22:7; Luke 19:44; Acts 2:23-24; Romans 9:20; Romans 9:27-28

#woe #tyrants #judgment #Assyria #remnant #return #Israel #Isaiah 10 #Book of Isaiah #Old Testament #RSV #Revised Standard Version Bible #National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

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fordecree7 · 3 months ago

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THE BIBLE BOOK OF GOD

Isaiah 9

The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few that a child can write them down.

The Remnant of Israel Will Return

20 In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22 For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. 23 For the Lord God of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.

24 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. 25 For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts will wield against them a whip, as when he struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. And his staff will be over the sea, and he will lift it as he did in Egypt. 27 And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.”[c]

28 He has come to Aiath; he has passed through Migron; at Michmash he stores his baggage; 29 they have crossed over the pass; at Geba they lodge for the night; Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul has fled. 30 Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim! Give attention, O Laishah! O poor Anathoth! 31 Madmenah is in flight; the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety. 32 This very day he will halt at Nob; he will shake his fist at the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord God of hosts will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the great in height will be hewn down, and the lofty will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One

Isaiah 9

Diane Beauford

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vinceleemiller · 6 months ago

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The Cost of Legalistic Leadership | 1 Samuel 14:31-35

Has legalistic leadership adversely affected you?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul."

In the first part of Chapter 14, we witness Jonathan, who acted in faith, and God did some incredible things through him. In the second part of Chapter 14, Saul engages in and flubs up a really great thing that God had been doing. Saul cuts off the priest, who is in the middle of his duties because he sees the chaos in the enemy camp. So they head off in hot pursuit. But before they go, Saul makes the people swear an oath not to eat until his enemy is defeated.

We saw last time this was an unnecessary oath promoted from self-interest, and his son Jonathan knows it. Now the people are weak, and here is what happens in 31-35:

They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.” And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there. And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 14:31-35

Let me say here that it sounds like they were eating raw flesh, like cannibals. But they are not. They simply had not allowed all the blood to drain from the animal before they cooked it. They were starving, so it led them to rush and sin.

We have all encountered a moment like this. We have all been so hungry or waited so long to eat that when we are sat before a buffet, we cannot stop eating. Plenty of times, I have been so hungry that I have eaten an entire family-size bag of chips. There have been times I have waited so long for a meal that when food is finally in front of me, I eat too fast and beyond my capacity, to the point I cannot move. When you sit excessive amounts of food before hungry and exhausted men, we should expect them to rush and overeat.

That's what happened here. The people were tired and hungry. They now had excessive food and rushed into an act of sin. But Saul led them into this unnecessary sin and blamed them for it.

This is terrible leadership. Saul ruined a great story and a great moment. Had he not mandated this vow, think about how awesome this story would have ended. Jonathan and his armor-bearer sneak away. They take steps of courageous faith. They seek God. They climb a cliff into battle. Two men slaughter twenty men. Then, the Hebrew turncoats in the Philistine ranks turn on the garrison. Then, outside tribes join in from every direction. Saul sees the commotion and hustles over. Even in the moment of need, God provides some natural provision in the form of honey for a last push in battle. And finally, there is a complete defeat and plunder. Six hundred men defeat 36,000 men and send them running, but the whole story is ruined by an oppressive and selfish vow that should have never been issued, and then Saul blames his men for rushing to eat.

Legalistic leaders forbid freedoms that God grants.

They forbid freedom to control situations, people, and outcomes. However, sometimes, these restrictions backfire, tempting people to break with legalism and do things God forbids. This is exactly what Saul did here. His vow led the people into sin. Even worse, Saul doesn't take ownership of the policy that led his people into sin. He blames them. Saul played god, thus ruining a great moment where God did something great.

One tension in leadership is knowing how to best lead a person or people to victory. Some only need to know the goal, others need tangible steps, and still others need protective boundaries. It is different for everyone. But as leaders, we have to make sure our attitude and heart are in the right place as we make these decisions. Saul instituted his vow out of selfish intent. He wasn't concerned about God or his victory. He was only worried about himself, his image, and his victory over "his enemy" (1 Samuel 14:24).

If you lead one or many, pay attention to your heart today. There may be one who is challenging for you to lead. Be careful how you speak and lead them. Let the Spirit have control, and stop being purposely oppressive or passively aggressive. If you do, your legalistic plan might backfire and draw unneeded attention to your selfishness and sin.

#LeadershipLessons, #FaithOverLegalism, #AvoidLegalism

Ask This:

In what areas of your life or leadership have you found yourself imposing unnecessary restrictions or rules? How can you lead with more grace and trust in God's guidance instead?

Reflect on a time when legalistic attitudes caused more harm than good. How can you ensure your leadership fosters freedom in Christ rather than restrictive control?

Do This:

Watch your legalistic tendencies in leadership.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to lead with humility and grace, avoiding the pitfalls of legalism that stem from selfish motives. Guide my heart to prioritize Your will over my own, trusting You in every decision I make. Amen.

Play This:

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.

Check out this episode!

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craftylovegentlemen · 9 months ago

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The Bible Old Testament

1 Samuel

Chapter 14

1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. 2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; 3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. 4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. 9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. 10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. 15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. 16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. 17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. 18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. 19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. 20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven. 24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. 25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. 26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. 28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. 29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. 34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. 35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. 36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. 38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. 39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. 42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. 44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. 46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. 47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. 48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

1 Samuel 14

Diane Beauford

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f8ithgal · 10 months ago

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Bible Reading: April 12, 2024

1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 14:1-24 [1 Samuel 13:1-23 KJV] 1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose him three thousand [men] of Israel; [whereof] two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of…

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jeffersonvann · 11 months ago

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hiding at Gilgal

20240319 Photo by Joyston Judah on Pexels.com hiding at Gilgal 1 Samuel 13:1-7 (JDV) 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years over Israel.1 Samuel 13:2 He chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He…

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#1 Samuel 13

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carltonblaylock · 11 months ago

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Valley of Zeboim

1 Samuel 13:16-23 16 Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, 18 another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border…

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#Valley #Zeboim

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jrhughes · 1 year ago

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God, True Husband of Sarai

(Sunday, August 20th 2023)

Genesis 12:8-20

Golden Text: 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. - Genesis 12:17

8 And he (Abram) removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the Name of the LORD. Genesis 12:8

If one looks at what happens in this passage of Scripture they will see that after a very good beginning of being in the right place and even having built an altar to the Lord, Abram seemed to fail. And most preachers and teachers will, most likely, focus on this huge failure of Abram (Abraham). And so we should, but we should not miss the fact that God acted as the Protector, Provider and Spiritual Leader that Sarai needed, and most justly deserved.

9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. 10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. ... Genesis 12:9-15

This same Abram who was later to be called the friend of God, failed in two major ways: 1-he failed to call on God for a solution to his problem; and 2- he failed to protect his wife from other worldly men, in this case in Egypt. However that should not surprise us, that a man again failed his wife. That failure began in the Garden of Eden when Adam, (who was the first man) was not deceived during the temptation of Eve. The serpent beguiled (entranced, bewitched) Eve into believing the devil in the serpent. And Adam allowed Eve to be deceived, without stepping in to protect Eve from the lying charm of the devil. Then Adam even joined her in her sin. So I suppose it is not too surprising to see Abram following the example of Adam. YET, there is a much greater good to see here in the rescue, the protection of Eve, by God.

Message Text: - Genesis 12:8-20

8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the Name of the LORD.

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel

And he removed - literally, he took down his tents. (Abram never lived in a house.) Abram moved from Sichem. Why? We are not told. Were the inhabitants of that land wanting him gone? Had the famine started? Abram moved his family and the family of Lot and all that they had. They left this area and moved to an area east of Bethel. (Bethel was called, in the time of Abram, Luz (Genesis 28:19)

Easton's Bible Dictionary: Bethel: House of God.

1. A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz (Genesis 28:19). The name Bethel was at first apparently given to the sanctuary in the neighbourhood of Luz, and was not given to the city itself till after its conquest by the tribe of Ephraim. When Abram entered Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8); and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again "called upon the Name of the Lord" (13:4).

There he builded an altar unto the LORD. Abram did the correct thing. He built an altar, a special place set aside to be a place to call upon the LORD. And a place of sacrifice to the Greater, by us men, the lessers. He built this altar in a strange land, a land in which he owned not so much as foot of land. He acknowledged that all things (including the land) are from, were created by and belong to God. THERE Abram prayed to God. He sought the direction and counsel of God.

9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

Well, why did Abram journey going on still toward the south? Had the famine begun and he moved on his own, doing what seemed right in his own eyes?

10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

There was a famine in the land. So what should Abram have done? THINK. Abram had been sent to Canaan by God. God could feed and give water to a million Israelites in the wilderness journey for forty (40) years. God could part the Red Sea. God could stop the building of the Tower of Babel. God could feed 5000 with a boy’s lunch. God could do anything. And God had sent Abram here. Would God have forsaken him? NO!

Was the famine a test of faith for Abram? If there is a famine and you can go to where there is food and water, you would, most likely go. BUT SHOULD YOU GO, without consulting God? NO!

I would tell us that the lesson to learn is found in the Bible. God is able to feed and water more than one million people who had come out of Egypt (600,000 men ready for war, plus wives and children and others). Or God can meet a request at a wedding feast where they run out of grape juice wine and Jesus takes the water and makes it into a wine. Whether it is large as a famine or small as a group gathering, God CAN and God WILL meet the NEEDS of those who seek Him and lean not to their own understanding.

Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn. What should Abram have done? He should have gotten on his knees and cried out to God, asking God for a solution. Would God have said tell your wife to lie and put her in danger of being physically intimate with another man? I THINK NOT! Sarai was the vessel God was to use to bring in Isaac to the world and thus continue the line to The Messiah of Israel and Savior of all mankind. Would God have sacrificed that set aside vessel to be used by a godless man? NOT LIKELY.

Of course God had a plan. Abram apparently never called upon God. Abram did what seemed right in his own eyes.

How many good people, some in the ministry, have told you that God gives you your common sense, God expects you to use it? THAT IS A LIE FROM THE PIT. The Bible tells you:

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. - Proverbs 3:5-7

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. - 1st Peter 5:6-9

6 Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:6-9

There is no mention or hint at man depending upon his own understanding in these Bible verses, that are the Word of God (all Bible verses are the Word of God). We believe that Abram was acting in his own self interest and using his own common sense. He allowed his inner man, his human heart and reasoning to prevail.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:7-9

What would God have said? Would God have sent Abram to Egypt to depend upon man? I THINK NOT. Would God have said, tell your wife to lie and give her over to Pharaoh and his harem of ready for intimacy women? NO. God loves His daughters. It is we men who often do not appreciate the Gift from God: wife.

We will never know the plan and solution of God, but in this passage we see a man (Abram) who is dealing with problems in the world. In the beginning Abram follows the direction of God and does well. But it appears that he is here a believer who took the attitude that he, Abram, had this one figured out, he Abram had the solution. It was simple: go to the food. Have your wife lie and most likely end up in a harem. But was that the plan of God? I THINK NOT!

11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

Abram was here stating a fact. It is said Sarai was beautiful beyond normal beauty. One would think that if a man believed his wife to be the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world, he would move heaven and earth to protect his most precious asset and gift from God.

Sarai was now more than sixty (60) years old, but she was only in middle life as she died at the age of 127 (Genesis 23:1). And she had not had any children to impair her beauty and strength. One commentator believes, the clear complexion of Sarah would render her specially attractive in the eyes of the Egyptians, and would be a real turn on to men like Pharaoh. And her complexion may well have been lighter than those of Egyptian women. (NOTE: This writer believes that is most likely out of his imagination, since there certainly was intermarriage in Egypt and there were likely some fairer complexioned women)

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

When the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me. Okay, what should that tell you? It should tell you that you need to hear from God. They will kill you in order to possess Sarai, counting murder a less crime than adultery. If in fact they do kill you, Abram, think about what will happen to your beautiful wife. She will be placed in the harem of the Pharaoh to be used whenever he wants. And perhaps as a reward or to cement a friendship this most beautiful woman will be loaned out. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? Have you taken it to the Lord in prayer? And if she lies, the same fate may await her. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Are you thinking this through? What is your plan? Have you gone to your knees and asked God for His help and His direction? Or did you lean unto your own understanding? Did you use YOUR common sense? Did you follow your deceitfully wicked heart?

13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Say, thou art my sister. A half-truth (Genesis 20:12), as she was a half sister, but a whole falsehood. The usual apologies, that he did not fabricate, but "cautiously concealed the truth", or that perhaps he acted in obedience to a Divine impulse is, in my opinion an attempt to justify a plan of the devil. It is like cleaning up a pig and putting lipstick on the pig. IT IS STILL A PIG. No this is NOT the plan of God. These so called explanations are not satisfactory.

Here it seems obvious that this man of God, Abram had a very bad plan. His life was possibly at stake. So Abram was willing to sacrifice the vessel through whom God promised the line to Christ Jesus, our Lord (Sarai). This was to save his own life. His wife? Oh, well. Whose plan does this appear to be? EXPLANATIONS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY! God had a plan. Abram did not seek God and the plan of God. Abram followed his own evil and deceitful heart (ideas).

14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

We realize that Abram knew what was going to happen, when he entered Egypt. The Egyptians would see how beautiful was Sarai. We can assume that most likely the common people reported this beautiful woman to the princes (ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain). These lesser officials may have wanted to find the favor of Pharaoh, so if this is accurate, they too joined in the plan of the devil to corrupt the line to Messiah. They also knew that once Pharaoh knew, he would take her anyway. So they told him about Sarai and her beauty.

Then the obvious happened. Pharaoh took her into his house (under his protection and for his use).

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes, chief men in the government and army, told Pharaoh about this foreign beauty. Pharaoh was much like the emperor of World War II Japan, both civil leader and godly priestly person of Japan and here also in Egypt. He was worshiped and there is no reason to believe it was any different for Pharaoh of Egypt.

The term Pharaoh, which continued in use till after the Persian invasion. Then, when Alexander the Great of Greece, conquered the then known civilized world. Then Alexander the Great died at a very young. He had four generals who split up the land. One of the generals took over Egypt and its surrounding areas. Under the Greek empire the Egyptian rulers were styled Ptolemies (Josephus).

The great house which belonged to the Egyptian monarchs is where Sarai was taken. History does not agree on the dates. Nothing can be accurately ascertained. But all we really need to know God has supplied in His Word, the Bible as to the date of Abram's sojourn in Egypt.

And commended her before Pharaoh: Sarai was taken, in effect into a captivity of sorts. As once one was in the harem, one did not leave. Was Abram’s belief well that he would be killed, well founded? Yes.

The Papyrus D'Orbiney, now in the British Museum, but belonging to the age of Rameses II., in which the Pharaoh of the time, acting on the advice of his counselors, sends two armies to fetch a beautiful woman by force, and then to murder her husband. A translation by M. Renouf will be found in The Tale of the Two Brothers, in 'Records of the Past,' vol. 2. p. 138.

16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

And he entreated Abram well . Pharaoh treated or literally, did good to Abram. Why? Because he believed Abram was the brother of Sarai. Apparently Pharaoh or the Egyptian people generally conferred favors on the family members of the wives they had taken. We say this because at this point Pharaoh had no way of knowing that Abram would father the line that led to millions of people of Jewish Hebrew descent. All Abram was, was a stranger from Ur of the Chaldees, who had been blessed by God but was no where near the wealthy and influential man that God would make Abram.

We read Marriage negotiations in middle eastern countries are usually accompanied by presents to the relatives of the bride as a sort of payment. The marriage price is distinctly mentioned in Scripture (Exodus 22:15, 16; Ruth 4:10; 1 Samuel 18:23, 25; Hosea 3:2);

Gift Giving Example. In Genesis 24 Abraham commanded his servant to return to the country of Abraham’s relatives and find a wife for his son Isaac. Then the servant left and with God’s guidance found a woman named Rebekah at a spring (v. 15). Once he discovered that Rebekah was a relative of Abraham, he visited her family, including her father, Bethuel, and her brother, Laban. Then Abraham’s servant told Bethuel and Laban how God miraculously guided him. In response, they volunteered for Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife (v. 48-50). Later she was asked if she would marry Isaac and she agreed (v. 58). In exchange for this arranged marriage to Isaac, the servant gave garments and gold to Rebekah and to her brother and mother. (Genesis 24:52-53). The payment was a dowry paid in exchange for Rebekah and to the family (Genesis 24:52-61). This was the legal marriage agreement or marriage contract of the times. -

Thus can we assume that Pharaoh was (in effect) paying a bride price or a dowry?

And he had - To me it sounds like Abram had these animals and servants. But commentators invite us to believe that by entreating him well, we can infer the gifting of these creatures and so forth to Abram. And it may well be true, since it is true that all the animals given to Abram were in abundance in that period of the history of Egypt. And if he gave Abram servants, those also Pharaoh had in abundance. Was Hagar or her mommy one of the gifts?

Though the camel does not thrive well in Egypt, and seldom appears on the monuments and we are not certain as to the kind of camel, Pharaoh would have also had these and a more rare gift may have been given to impress the family.

17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

ENTER STAGE LEFT, GOD. Abram had failed to be the husband, leader, protector, that God expected him to be. AND Abram who had been sent to this land by God. Certainly God had a better plan than tell you wife to lie and be taken into Pharaoh’s harem. This is the vessel through whom I, God, will bring Isaac, Jacob, King David and Messiah. Would God want this vessel corrupted? We think not. And then if Sarai is taken by Pharaoh and then returned to Abram, can Sarai be the wife of her first husband Abram after being with a second husband?

Here is an interesting passage to consider:

1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. - Deuteronomy 24:1-4

It is not right on, but it shows us that God believes that leaving one to go to another and then coming back to the first husband is abomination before the LORD. BUT GOD CAME TO THE RESCUE. God played the role of True Husband.

And the Lord plagued God, unlike Abram, showed true, agape, love. The Pharaoh may have been the most powerful man on Earth at the time, but he was nothing when compared to God. God went into action to rescue His daughter, His Gift wife. (Literally, GOD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, strokes, disease, disability, other calamities and DEATH). God was not going to allow this vessel to be corrupted. And Pharaoh would be in no position of have any ability to mess with Sarai, a woman chosen of God. She was not just to be Abram's wife, she was the vessel for the family of Israel, the people who would worship God.

18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Pharaoh was upset with Abram. But somehow Pharaoh KNEW that this was the wife of Abram. Had God spoken to him?

And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me she was thy wife? DUH! What an ignorant question given the fact that one Pharaoh is said to have sent two armies to capture a woman that Pharaoh wanted and then had killed the husband of that woman. Abram leaned on his own understanding.

This would not be the plan of God. Go tell Pharaoh that she is your sister so that he can take her and corrupt My vessel. NO! God could have provided acres of food or ravens (birds) to provide food; and water could flow out of rocks. God is GOD. Nothing is impossible for Him. God would have made a way. God would have provided.

God not only rescued Sarai in a manner similar to the much later Exodus, (plagues) but He also cleaned up the sin in Abram’s life. Can you imagine the regret if Abram had to leave and leave Sarai behind to be used, abused and cast aside by Pharaoh and his men? God was not about to allow that to happen.

19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Why saidst thou, She is my sister? Why did you deceive me? Abram did not say it, but it was because he did what was right in his own eyes. And food and water were more important to him than his dear wife, his Gift from God. Yes, Abram would have probably been killed if he told the Truth. But why oh why did Abram not go to God in prayer? Do we go to God in our prayers? Do we cast all our cares upon Him for He careth for you? Does God love you? Does God have a plan for your life? Is anything too hard for God?

I might have taken her to me to wife (which as yet he had not done). This is an indirect proof of the fact that adultery was a high priority offense apparently less serious than murder of the existing husband.

Josephus believes Sarai was only a very short time in Pharaoh's house, before God began to plague Pharaoh. The main point being that it is clear from the King James Bible that Pharaoh did not take Sarai.

Some other Bibles almost make Abram a pimp and the Pharaoh as one of his customers. What do I believe? I believe the accuracy of the 54 scholars who translated the Hebrew into English and that it clearly teaches that Pharaoh did not take her. Her True Husband God protected her.

Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His Name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

And Pharaoh commanded his men (i.e. certain officers designated for the purpose of compensating and expelling Abram to see to his departure)

Wikipedia tells us of Pharaoh:

Pharaoh Coptic: romanized: Biblical Hebrew: This is the vernacular term often used for the monarchs of ancient Egypt, who ruled from the First Dynasty ( c. 3150 BC) until the annexation of Egypt by the Roman Empire in 30 BC. However, regardless of gender, "king" was the term used most frequently by the ancient Egyptians for their monarchs through the middle of the Eighteenth Dynasty during the New Kingdom. The earliest confirmed instances of "pharaoh" used contemporaneously for a ruler were a letter to Akhenaten (reigned c.? 1353–1336 BC) or an inscription possibly referring to Thutmose III c.? 1479–1425 BC).

In Egyptian society, religion was central to everyday life. One of the roles of the king (Pharaoh) was as an intermediary between the deities and the people. The king thus was deputised for the deities in a role that was both as civil and religious administrator. The king owned all of the land in Egypt, enacted laws, collected taxes, and served as commander-in-chief of the military.

NOTE: This owning of all the land occurred after Joseph (son of Jacob-Israel) came into the land and was named second in command to Pharaoh. Joseph was told by God of seven years of prosperity that was to be followed by seven years of famine. Joseph stored huge amounts of grain during the years of prosperity and goodness. Then when the seven years of famine came, first he purchased the livestock of the people so that they could have food. Then later Joseph purchased all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh during the years of the famine.

And they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had. Abram had come into the land with his wife Sarai and told her to lie. Also he came with Lot. And the two of them brought all of their possessions. Now when Egypt was sending them away, they compensated Abram with gold, silver, riches and servants. (NOTE: one wonders if one of those that was sent was the little girl Hagar or her mother?)

WE see a similarity of the plagues of God and the casting out of the people. The same thing would happen about four hundred and fifty years later when the children of Abram, Isaac and Jacob Israel were slaves in the land and God plagued Egypt until they let the people of God depart. And they sent them away with great possessions.

CONCLUSION: God is sovereign and even when man (Abram) makes a huge mistake concerning his own wife, he tells her to lie and exposes her to becoming a play thing for Pharaoh to use as he saw fit. God intervenes and is her TRUE HUSBAND. That does not give us men the right to fall into the sin of Adam and here Abram. Husbands are to love their wives and Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Abram acted as a cowardly, self centered man. THANK GOD. God loved and protected Sarai. We men are to learn to be protectors and providers, not to give our wife over to be used by someone who will never love her, never protect her, never lead her Spiritually.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON: When faced with an almost impossible situation, men, we are to get on our knees and ask God for direction and a solution. God had called Abram to this land. God had promised Abram this land. Would God have been able to feed and care for Abram and his, if Abram had fallen to his knees in humility and cried out to God for help? NO DOUBT HE WOULD HAVE PROVIDED WHAT WAS NEEDED. When you and I have a problem, we need to turn to God for His solution.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me of all of my sin and unrighteousness for all that I have thought, said or have done since I last prayed to You. Please forgive me and please cleanse me so that You can hear and answer my prayer. There is too much of the cowardly Abram in me. Please help me to see my fault and to turn to You. Please strengthen me. Please fill me with Your love, peace, joy and give me a desire to TRUST in the Lord with all my heart, so that You can direct my ways. Please lead and guide in every decision that I make, I pray. Please be BIGGER in my life than You have before. Here I am cowardly and all. I come to You and offer what I am to You. Please make me fit for Your use and use me I pray. Increase my desire to pray and read Your Word. Thank You Father, Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, God the Holy Spirit. These things I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

May God bless you in all that you do for Him, Brother J.R. Soul winner, Bible teacher, Defender of the Faith

#Abram #Sarai.#Abraham #Sarah #Genesis #bible study

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