Chronological Reading Plan for Jan 17

Today's readings are Gen 16-18. Tomorrow's are Gen 19-21. 

In Gen 16, we see the results of human impatience at God's speed in doing things. God promised Abram he would have offspring. Sarai actually accuses God of preventing her from bearing children (Gen 16:2). Both of them decide God needs some help in getting His plan accomplished. It was what made sense to the aged couple. None of it goes well. Hagar has Ishmael by Abram. 

God is gracious and true to his promise to Abram. He will multiply Abram's first offspring into twelve nations. Except, becasue of Abram's lack of confidence in God and because Abram, like Adam  (Gen 3:17), listened to the voice of his wife (Gen 16:2), Ishmael and his offspring will be anything but a blessing to the world. This will be another biblical pattern we will see going forward. Whenever God gives an explicit command and His people modify it or try to "help it along", disaster looms. God's commands are not negotiable nor are the subject to revision by any of His children. If they are to walk in His full blessing, they have to do things His way, not theirs. 

God gives His chosen people a mark, circumcision, in ch 17. This is a physical distinguishing characteristic that sets His people apart, making them unique. They will bear the evidence of His presence in their lives. God's people are called to be "in the world" but set apart from it. 

Abram, has been the recipient of God's grace in the whole affair with Ishmael. God's unmerited grace brings a change, a transformation begins. Abram gets a new name to demonstrate that transformation. He is now Abraham. Abraham hears that God's plan has not been thwarted by his actions. His wife, now called Sarah, will still have a son. Her son will bless the nations. 

We see evidence of that blessing in ch 18. God tells Abraham He is going to destroy Sodom. Abraham knows Lot lives in Sodom and pleads for God to relent on behalf of the righteous in Sodom. God agrees to spare Sodom if ten righteous men are found in it. Abraham is a mediator for the righteous, similar to the one Job was looking for! God chose Abraham, declared him blameless (Gen 17:1) and provided a mediator  for His righteous ones. God demonstrates that His designated mediator can spare the righteous from judgment. Abraham is clearly far from being completely righteous. But, this scenario is less about Abraham righteousness than it is about God's methods in dealing with His people.