Pastor's Bible Study

Chapter 19 tells the sad story of both the destruction of Sodom and the demise of Lot. What led to the destruction of Sodom and the demise of Lot? Choices. Every decision we make either leads us toward the light or deeper into darkness. There is no such thing a meaningless choice.

One of the great things that happened to Abraham as a result of journeying to a bold obedience is that God’s Word describes Abraham as the friend of God. (2 Chron. 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; and James 2:23) 

In Genesis 18 we see Abraham and God's friendships on display. Abraham fellowships with God as he entertains heavenly company. Then we see God treat Abraham as a close friend when He communicates and shares His plan with Abraham regarding the timing of the birth of Isaac and the judgment to be poured out upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

God’s blessing on Abraham spills over into the lives of Abraham’s family members: his wife (barren/bearing son), his two sons (Ishmael - prince over 12 tribes / Isaac the father of Israel, the lineage of Messiah), and all their offspring. 

The blessings of God in our lives can spill over into the lives of our family members (and others).  They are designed to do so, but you have to obey God and walk before God blamelessly in order to get the blessing. 

The decisions we make can ultimately make us or break us. And the breaking can be so bad that there is no coming back. We can break our reputation, our marriage, our career, our future opportunities, etc. Genesis 13 teaches us some very important and practical lessons about decision making and choosing foolishly or wisely. What were the circumstances surrounding and the causes of Lot's poor choice? What can we learn from Abraham about making good decisions?

The Abrahamic covenant is a covenant where God promises Abraham the blessings of seed and soil, i.e. offspring and land. God promises to give Abraham a son (Isaac) through whom a nation (Israel) would be formed. God promises to give Abraham a particular seed (Jesus) through whom the whole would could be blessed with salvation. God promises to give Abraham a land that stretches from the Nile River to Euphrates River. The covenant God made with Abraham is eternal, unconditional, and nontransferable. It is foundational. Everything in the bible from Gen 12 to Rev 22 revolves around this covenant.

Abraham lived a life characterized by obedience that was the result of faith. The bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). It was the faith of Abraham that allowed him to be the friend of God.

We cannot be a lawgiver like Moses, a conqueror like Joshua, a king like David, or a prophet like Elijah, but we can be an Abraham by living a life of bold obedience. The journey to a bold obedience begins with FAITH. 

We can learn a great deal about victorious faith from both Joshua and Rahab. We learn that to live out a victorious faith, you must have a personal encounter with God (Jesus) and you must submit to His commands. When you do, you can experience a work of God that has no human explanation, like Joshua and Rahab in the victory and salvation God gave in the battle of Jericho.