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Posts Tagged ‘Genesis 15’

An Old Joke, Revisited

Posted in Christ, Cross, Explanations, Forgiveness, In Christ, Righteousness, tagged , , on March 16, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The famous Abraham Lincoln had a favorite joke: “If we consider the tail of a lamb as a leg, how many legs would a lamb have?” — His answer: “Four, considering it one doesn’t make it one!”

Except….whatever God considers is just that!

God considered something for Abraham:

Abraham “believed the Lord, and God counted it to him as righteousness”. — Genesis 15:5-6

God considered Abraham righteous though Abraham had done and continued doing some pretty stinky things! God considering him righteousness was all that was required!

King David, too! He wrote:

“Blessed is he whose sin is covered unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity.” — Psalm 32:1-3a

The word imputeth means to consider. He wrote about those to whom the judge of the universe looks at and says, “Not Guilty!” That is a blessing!! Where do you get that?!

The Bible says

“It was not written for [Abraham’s] sake alone … but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned (considered), who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. — Romans 4:23-25

Joining our lives to Christ enters us in that consideration.

So, If We consider five (5) unrighteousness men in a room as righteous, how many righteous men are in the room? — Five, if they have given their lives to Christ, God considers it so!

— fritz

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400 Years – A Long Time to Wait for Change

Posted in Explanations, God's Patience, Judgment, Justice, Melchizedek, tagged , , on June 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Speak not thou in thine heart … saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. – Deuteronomy 9:4

Our current culture presents the idea that poor innocent natives living in harmony with nature and in accordance with their own peaceful ways were brutally massacred by ruthless people who thought they were commanded by God to destroy the land. We struggle with how a loving God could command the murder of such wise and lovely people groups!

But a second look presents a different understanding!

Long before Israel was told to conquer Canaan, God told their original patriarch there was a primary reason it would be 400 years before the promised land would be theirs – read it here:

[God] said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in [Egypt] … four hundred years; … But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. – Genesis 15:13,16

God was still at work with the inhabitants, giving them 400 years to turn from their sin.

Sin is not a Christian/Jewish concept, it’s universal. The natives weren’t living in harmony and peace — they were violent, ruthless, and sinful! God was working with them, just as with us, to turn around and do right. We read in Genesis 14 how God sent Melchizedek, a Christ-like priest/king, to serve the people in what was later known as Jerusalem.

We only have enough detail to know, for those who notice, that God did not arbitrarily decide to wipe out a bunch of out poor innocents! He worked with them 400 years showing them mercy, calling them to righteousness, offering them true peace.

The Israelites were God’s eventual judgement on a sinful people – how long should he have waited? Was 400 years not enough time to wait for change?

God, likewise, has been patient to us as a nation – sending ambassadors for His kingdom, calling for repentance, offering forgiveness. How long does he have to wait before the cry of victims and the greed of social/economic leaders is full?

– fritz@langgang.com

Related Posts: What about the Pygmies in Africa?! – January 24, 2010

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Passed Over AND Encouraged!

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, tagged on May 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. – Genesis 15:2a

I was passed over for a job I thought I wanted and I am encouraged! Let me tell you why:

1. Recently, I noticed from the Bible that there are times we need to tell our desires to align with God’s ways instead of our own – I even blogged about it (here).

2. Yesterday, I noticed the biblical Sarah wanted a child so much she had her husband sire one from someone else so she could take it as hers! She even admitted it was God restraining her from children – I remember thinking at the time how unwise it is to circumvent God.

3. Today, a blog I frequent posted about feeling abandoned when others get a blessing we want for ourselves (Link) and I remembered being passed over in the past only to find something better later – and being truly grateful I was originally passed over.

4. Then I read the notice I was passed over now – someone else got the job I thought I was best suited for.

What encourages me in this is the tenderness and care God showed to me in preparing my mind and heart ahead of time. He showed me in this that he is aware of my circumstances, wants to comfort me and assure me he has a better place more suited for my skills. That place may be where I am now, but even if not, he is personally directing my career. That’s what is encouraging! That’s something I can tell my heart and know it is true!

So why write about it here? I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not the only one who needs reminding that when things don’t go as planned nor desired God has a better way!

Prayer: Thank you, Father, I am right where I can be of most service to you now and for telling me you are actively at work on my behalf. Amen!

Sound Bite: I know I’ll feel gratitude later; I choose to be grateful now!

– fritz@langgang.com

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