Day 5

 

Scripture reading for the day

 

 

Genesis 11-13

Matthew 5:1-20

Psalm 5

 

Genesis 11-13

• The building of the tower of Babel---the builders used brick instead of Stone and tar for mortar. This shows how secure they wanted the tower to be.

• When people unite a lot can be accomplished. Genesis 11:6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

• Surprisingly Abraham’s father (Terah) started the journey to the promise land Canaan at a point in his life, but never got to his destination. Abraham’s father left Ur of Chaldeans with the intent of going to the promise land but he stopped midway at Haran (Genesis 11:31). Abraham was able to accomplish what Terah could not accomplish.

• The call of Abram – In response to God’s call, Abraham had to leave his family and a familiar surroundings to go to an unknown land. In responding to God’s call on our lives we would have to sacrifice a lot and take steps of faith.

 

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Reasons to doubt God’s promise to Abraham

• At that time there were people already living in the land of Canaan, displacing the people and have full ownership of the land would have seemed difficult

• At a point there was severe famine in the promise land, Canaan. As compared to Egypt which was well then. Abraham had to stay in Egypt for a while. Indicating that there were challenges Abram faced in the new land. Things may not be always rosy when we decide to obey.

• He did not have children then, how could God make him a great nation?

 

Despite all these Abraham still had faith in God. The bible says with faith and patience we inherit God’s promises.

 

 

Abraham stayed in Egypt because of a famine. In Egypt Abraham said his wife was his sister out of fear of being killed on account of her beauty.

• Surprisingly Sarah was over 60 years old when they went to Egypt. Yet she was still beautiful in her old age. Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her beauty to pharaoh.

• Although Abram lied, this does not justify lying. The bible does not condone lying. We must tell the truth and always trust in God even though the outcome may be unfavorable

• God inflicted punishment on pharaoh and his household because Pharaoh took Sarai. This shows how God fights for his people and protects them even when they make mistakes. Abram lied but God still fought for him to have his wife back.

Abram and Lot separate- Abram and Lot had too many possessions and livestock so they could not stay together and had to separate. Lot choose to go and stay in well-watered, better land, in the plain of Jordan. Lot smartly left the less desirable part for his uncle.  Abraham showed his confidence in God by giving Lot the chance to choose where he preferred. Because Lot choose another land he relinquished his rights to the Abram’s land.

After Lot left, God told Abram to walk through the length and breadth of the land, for the Lord would give it to him

 

 

Matthew 5:1-20

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This beatitude talks about spiritual poverty, and not poverty in terms of possessions, wealth or materialistic things. Being poor in spirit, is to realize your deficiencies in spiritual things and to rely solely on God to fulfill that need. To be poor in spirit means to be totally dependent on God to satisfy your spiritual needs.  This beatitude can be paraphrased as “I need help, I can’t do it alone.”  People who are “poor in spirit” are those who are humble before God. To be spiritually poor you must not rely on your capabilities or wisdom, but you must fully trust in God. Jesus calls us to realize our own spiritual helplessness and to put our whole trust in God.”

• “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

The verse not only asks us to try to be righteous but to hunger and thirst for it.  God wants us to need and feel like we're starving for righteousness and He will fill us up with it. This beatitude links righteousness with the deepest and most constant needs we have hunger and thirst. Hunger and thirst constantly cry out for satisfaction; it is a basic human drive. Our quest to be righteous must as constant and strong.

• Matthew 5:16, Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

• Matthew 5:19, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

Psalm 5

• Psalm 5:5 the arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies.

• Psalm 5:11, but let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you

• Psalm 5:12, Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

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