We can learn a lot about Abraham's nephew Lot when we look at the progression of how he moved from the center of God's calling to the gatekeeper of Sodom.  It can be hard for us to leave the things we love, even if they are the very things that will destroy us. 

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In the second half of Genesis 18, we are privy to a conversation between Abraham and the Lord. The conversation can teach us so much about our themes of "God's character" and "the character of humans.  These verse also set the stage for what's about to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah. Let's stay true to the text and examine what it can teach us about God and ourselves.

The Bible is for everyone.

Sarah has been depending on Abraham's encounters with God for the promise of her long desired son. In Genesis 18, Sarah finally hears it from the mouth of God herself. But she's way past childbirth so this promise seems impossible. In this episode we'll explore the themes of the promised seed, the character of God, and the tendencies of humans as we peel back the details on a Abraham and Sarah's encounter with three mysterious visitors.

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In this chapter God shows up and delivers more detail on his covenant plan for Abram than ever before. Abram and Sarai get new names, and the promised son is also given a name. Abram learns that he has something big to do to physically mark himself and his descendants as belonging to God. His obedience is immediate. 

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 Sarai can't wait on God's plan for a son, so she devises a plan for Abram to have a son through her servant/slave, Hagar. The plan works perfectly, except Sarai isn't happy because now Hagar is treating her badly. The situation unravels further and Hagar runs away. But God has bigger plans. He meets her in the wilderness and delivers a strong message. In this episode we examine this chapter through the lens of three themes: the promised seed, the character of God, and the patterns of humans.

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This chapter is the detailed covenant between God and Abram. Abram had received a promise from God. But years have passed, some mistakes have been made, some victories won. God reassures Abram of the promise, but Abram's got some questions. Because he believes God, he questions him about how these things can come true when his circumstances seems impossible.  So God makes a covenant with Abram. What's unique about God's covenants is that God is the only one who makes the promises. Humans just receive them. There is much to learn about God's character as well as patterns of humans from this chapter. With God, the impossible becomes possible.

The Bible is for everyone.

Chapter 14 of Genesis details an epic battle between an alliance of four kings and a group of 5 kings. Among the losing kings are the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram's nephew Lot is captured so Abram goes after Lot and rescues him. As he returns home he is blessed by a person named Melchizedek. Melchizedek turns out to be a bit of a mystery and the verses about him leave us with more questions than answers.  But despite the unknowns we can be certain that Abram's God is the same God we serve today.

The Bible is for everyone.

The Old Testament teaches us a lot about the character of God, but also about patterns in humanity. Through the story of Abram we can see how humans often rely on our own solutions, pursue wealth and comfort, but can have remarkable faith. The two narratives in this episode will teach us about what not to do when our faith is tested and how to believe God even when our circumstances seem impossible.

The Bible is for everyone.