The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 14

Abram rescues Lot from captivity by Sodom’s enemies. Melchizedek, king of Salme and priest of God Most High, blesses Abram. He blessed God Most High who delivered Abram’s enemies into hands.

“But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’”

-Genesis 14:22-23

Abram stayed faithful to his word to God that he will not receive anything from the King of Sodom, lest he should say, “I have made Abram rich”. He trusted in God’s provision.

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 12

“‘And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”

-Genesis 12:3-4

 

Who will make Abram a great nation? Who will bless Abram? Who will make his name great? Who will bless those who blesses Abram and curse those who dishonors him? God.

Though we commend Abraham for his faith. It was God who willed and purposed everything. Knowing now that the “great nation” God was speaking of, were the people who he chose to save before the foundations of the earth, we see the sovereignty of God. He promised and guaranteed Abraham a great nation, and indeed He did. He didn’t just put the offer out there for us to be his great nation, he called us, saved us, and willed us to be the promised great nation, Abraham’s offsprings through faith in Christ.

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 11

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’”

-Genesis 11:4

 

This is the exact opposite of what God commanded man to do, which was to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 9

“‘And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. Anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life must also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his image.’”

-Genesis 9:5-6

Human life has value and worth because we are created in God’s image. Without this as our basis, we have no ground for human worth and dignity.

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 8

“And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.’”

-Genesis 8:21


God promises to never again destroy the earth because of man. If creation is dependent on man, it will always be doomed for destruction because man is evil from his youth. God’s wrath is appeased by a pleasing sacrifice. Because of  this pleasing sacrifice, God’s creation is spared from destruction. Our salvation from God’s judgment and wrath does not depend on who we are (evil from youth), but on a pleasing sacrifice. 

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 7

“Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. …Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark.”

-Geneses 7:22-23

Everyone is justly deserving of death. Only those who are in God’s promise will be spared.

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 6

“‘But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come in to the ark..’”

-Genesis 6:18

God made a covenant with Noah. Noah trusted and relied on this promise of God, and knew that his labor will be led, guided and sustained by the sovereign and faithful God. 

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 4

”’…sin is crouching at the door, it’s desire is for you, but you must rule over it.’”

-Genesis 4:7


God is a fair and just God. We must not sin in anger like Cain did, when he thought he was being unfairly treated. We must rule over sin, not by our own power but by God’s. 

The Word from Cover to Cover: Genesis 3

“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You shall not surely die..’”

-Genesis 3:4

We are in no position to doubt or challenge God’s word. God is our ultimate source of truth and knowledge. It is illogical, irrational and immoral to do so.

We cannot accuse God of ever lying because he the very standard of truth. Without God we have no basis for truth.