Lot

8So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

10Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. (Genesis 13:8-13) 

1The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2“My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”

“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

3But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. (Genesis 18:1-6) 

Thoughts: Lot chose his land by sight.  Abraham chose his land trusting in the Lord.  There is no doubt Lot was a believer, but his lack of faith got him in trouble.  The land that looked so good on the surface was overrun by enemies and Abraham had to come and rescue his nephew.  The people of the land he chose were wicked people. Lot did not ask about the character of the people, he just saw green pastures and foolishly ignored the rest.
    However, when God sent angels, Lot offered them hospitality.  He was kind and compassionate.  God did not spare the city for Lot, but He did rescue Lot.  It seemed God was continually getting Lot out of trouble that he made by poor decision making.  Yet Lot remained faithful in a wicked city.  He held onto his faith.  That is the witness and example we need to follow today.  Though all around us fall and mess up- our standard is not them but our Lord. 

Prayer: Help me to follow you way and to listen to you in my decision making.  

Abraham the Friend of God

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. (James 2:23)

Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? (2 Chr. 20:7)

"But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, (Isaiah 41;8) 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (Jn. 15:15)

Thoughts: Abraham is the father of faith.  Jews, Muslims, and Christians are often called "Abrahamic religions." Abraham trusted in God as his friend.  God reached out to Abram. Then he reached his family- Terah, Lot, and Sarai.  When God called him he was only one man but God blessed him to make him many (Isaiah 51:2).  Abraham tells us that God cares and is his friend.  Jesus likewise cam to tell us that God is our friend and loves us.  So Jesus says that we are not called servants but friends of God too.  Just like Abraham.    

Prayer: Lord, thank you for offering us friendship and love.  

Shem as the Faithful Line of Witness

20Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded^a to plant a vineyard. 21When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

24When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25he said,

“Cursed be Canaan!

The lowest of slaves

will he be to his brothers.”

26He also said,

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem!

May Canaan be the slave of Shem.

21Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was^h Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

22The sons of Shem:

Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.(Genesis 9:20-26; 10:21-22)

Thoughts: Exactly what sin Ham committed against Noah is a bit uncertain.  However, we are certain that Shem led the way in finding a way to cover his father's problem with grace.  It is that care to be gracious that brought Shem a blessing over both his brothers.  This blessing was bestowed on Shem and his descendants- the Semites. It is eventually through his line that the Savior comes.  Some say that the name Hebrew "Abiru" is derived from the name "Eber" the son of Shem. Shem was the one who kept the faith.  So Noah says, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem."  This was Noah's God as well as Abraham's God.  

Prayer: Lord, may people look at me, see my trust in you, and praise your name.  

Noah a Great Witness Not Heard

he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; (2 Peter 2:5)

Thoughts: Noah was a farmer, a wine maker, a boat builder- a layman.  But we may forget Noah's job as described by the New Testament: "A preacher of righteousness."  Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord.  But Noah tried to use that grace to help others.  Really, Noah was an utter failure as a preacher of righteousness in terms of results.  He lived what he preached, but he got such bad results.  No one responded- except maybe his immediate family of seven.  Was Noah a success?  He was in the sense that He did carefully, faithfully, and utterly what God asked him to do.  It was not his results or technique that were important.  What  was important was that God preached righteousness through Noah to a people who did not want to hear about it.  
    When Jesus said, "As it was in the day of Noah so it will be at the Son of Man's coming" (Lk. 17:26).  Not only was this coming of God swift and surprising- but the people refused to hear and repent.  The people of Sodom and Gomorrah refused to repent but instead tried to attack the Lord's angels.  When Jerusalem was destroyed it was because in part that the people refused to repent of their sin- but justified it as their knowing better (Jer. 8, 15).  In the Book of Revelation it speaks of the end times as a time when people refused to repent- so God's waiting to come and holding back wrath did no good (Rev. 2:20-21; 9:21; 16:11).  Today there are many who absolutely refuse to repent or open their eyes.  They have hardened their hearts and their eyes to God.  Do not be afraid to be a Noah to a generation who refuses to repent.  

Prayer: Help me to live and preach righteousness for you, O Lord.  

Music as a Witness- Jubal

21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. (Genesis 4:21)

Thoughts: Jubal was the first musician, the first music teacher, the first conductor and writer of music.  Someone had to begin it.  Music can be played outside of worship.  But worship is truly enriched with good music.  It is, as Luther said, "a fair and glorious gift of God taking its place next to theology in importance."   Whether Jubal intended his music as a witness for and to God we do not know.  Paul said, however, that we are to "make music to the Lord with your hearts" (Eph. 5:19).  The Psalmists call us to make music to the Lord (27:6; 33:2; 92:1; 98:5; 101:1; 133:3; 147:7).  Sometimes people provide gifts or tools for us that we may use to witness for God whether they themselves intended to witness to God or not.  Yet every good gift is from above, and gifts should reflect back to the One who gave them.  So music should reflect back to the giver of music.  As Back put on all his pieces: "Soli Deo  Gloria."  When this is done rightly- it is truly a great witness to God. 

Prayer: My my heart praise you, and may my mouth and music praise your Holy Name, O Lord.  

Methuselah- long life as a witness

25When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died. (Genesis 5:25-27)

Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long... (Ex. 20)
With Long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. (Ps. 91:16)

Thoughts: "As old as Methuselah." Methuselah is the longest living man in bilical history.  For some the goal in life is to live as old as Methuselah.  But even Methuselah died.  Scholars debate if this was one man or a dynasty of men.  Long life is generally a blessing of God.  The old myth of the woman who wanted her boyfriend to live forever-- and she stayed immortal young while he shrunk and faded into a grasshopper. Truth is we do not know of Methuselah's witness.  His father, Enoch, was a godly man, but can only guess about Methuselah.  He apparently passed his faith on to Lamech who mentions the Lord fathered Noah who had a deep faith.  Living long, while generally a blessing, does not necessarily mean we live that long life as a blessing to God.  Most of us, if we could choose, would rather choose Methuselah's longer life than Enoch's being taken to God without dying.  Most walk by sight and not by faith.  But the goal is not simply to live long here- but to live a long life that glorifies God.  

Prayer: Help me to live long not for my own comfort but for your glory.  May all my days honor you.   

The Witness of Enoch

21When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. (Genesis 5)

Hebrews 11:5- By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

Thoughts: Enoch is a witness of how good and sweet fellowship with God can get.  Enoch pleased God because he walked faithfully with Him- trying to please Him and seeking His will and presence in His life.  Enoch's faithful walk with God apparently began after the birth of his son Methusaleh.  Sometimes, having a child can inspire you to walk with God.  When Methusaleh became an adult, Enoch didn't stop walking with God but continued growing even closer to the Lord.  Enoch did not see death because of his faithful walk.  The witness is to please God and then God wishes to have fellowship with you. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who show me that faithful walk with you is possible and has blessings.