Genesis 19 - 21 (18th Jan) - Jason

Chapter 19: Where we plant ourselves determines what we become.

We see the friction of decisions that Abraham and Lot made chapters ago since settling into the land. Lot chose a well watered area (see Gen 13: 10) while Abraham chose to live near the trees of Mamre (Gen: 13: 18). Lot chose to live dangerously, where his nearest neighbours were the Sodomites and the Gomorians (Sound like Martians). He pitched his tents too near danger.

Abraham debated with God, in other words, he was a man that was close enough to know of God's plans before they were decided. Whereas God had to send messengers to warn Lot. Lot was blind to the danger being not as close to God as Abraham was. He was too near the prowling lion of sin and such was the result, he was sucked into their carnality as well. Lot should have nothing to do with these people, instead living close to them, he called them his friends, "No my friends" (Gen 19: 7) He even offered his virgin daughters to the men to have sex with, when he should have said no.

Generational repercussions.

One of my accountability partners from Melbourne told me recently how decisions we make at an early age are spiritual ones. Ones that allow us to bear fruit today. Decisions that allow us to DECIDE to bear fruit today. For eg: To become a christian at a young age, to pray in tongues, to work in the Spirit. They changed who we have become, but they have bigger repercussions. Our family.

Lot was close to God, however, his wife looked back and was turned to salt. His daughters grew up near depravity, slept with their own FATHER. Looking back its such an interesting as God was interested in giving Abraham many children as his inheritance, a focus on generations, on the offspring. In some of our lives, spiritual fruit, spiritual children.

Chapter 21: Fruit and everlasting fruit; laughing with YOU!

Gen 21: 6 "..God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will LAUGH WITH ME."

Here we see Sarah laughing and everyone sharing her joy. Issac's birth is no doubt a miraculous birth and a promise from the Lord, and all of Abraham's household benefited from his decision to be rooted firmly where God calls him to be. Truly the whole world and all nations today laugh with Sarah, she is an UNFORGOTTEN mother. Whereas, Lot's children borne of his 2 daughters is such a painful thing to go through, to not have people laugh with you.

Today i was made to reflect on this passage especially the preceding chapters of Genesis 13. Where i am reminded by Lot's decision, is God our provider (Lot and the well watered land), is God our banner, our mediator, our righteousness. Are we defending God's integrity today, or are we defending our own. In life, in ministry, in relationship. Where are we pitching our tents today seems to be my word from this time with God. To know that decision to plant ourselves brings us closer from the now to the forever.