January 5, 2010 Genesis 14:14-18:8

So after Abram finds out what has befallen Lot, he rescues him and defeats the kings who were fighting. King Melchizedek(KM)of Salem serves bread and wine (a symbol of life and joy) to Abram and blesses him. Abram gives KM 10 percent of everything he has. I like this part where Abram says he won't take so much as a sandal strap from KM. It reminds me of Forest Gump when he says there's only so much money a man needs and the rest is just for show. I think if more people thought about wealth this way more people would have more.

God makes a promise to Abram in a vision. He says "Abram, don't be afraid!" This is cool because it is the first time God says don't be afraid in the Bible. Even cooler it is repeated 365 times. Once for every day of the year. So you now know not to be afraid! I hope it sticks pretty soon... I still get scared for no reason.

God promises Abram that he and Sarai will be parents to so many children they will outnumber the stars. He's like 100 and Sarai is around 90 years old.

Now comes the part where Sarai gives Abram her Egyptian servant to have a baby with. Now, this isn't something God told her to do, she just decided to do this all on her own. Things were very different then than they are in my life - there's no way I'd go for that! Anyway, the woman's name is Hagar. Hagar gets pregnant and is mean to Sarai about it, which makes Sarai really mad. Sarai kicks out pregnant Hagar out into the wilderness. Then an angel appears to Hagar and tells her what to do. I like the part where Hagar names a well where she stopped "The well of the Living One Who Sees Me" because I like thinking that God's looking out for me too.

God changes Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah, and says again how many nations he will have. Abraham laughs at God because he just can't get his head around this. The part of God's covenant that sounds painful is that every single male of Abraham's household must be circumsized. From eight days old to full grown old men, all of them must have this done. Ouch! I guess God would know that a man would be really SERIOUS to do this. God tells Abraham about his son who he is to name Isaac.

Three visitors appear to Abraham and he gets so excited he starts running all over the place preparing food and providing all the hospitality he can. He tells them he is honored to serve them.

We'll pick it up tomorrow with Genesis 18:9-21:21