Bible
Reading: Jan 5: Gen
13-15; Matt 5:1-26
We
learn that Abraham was made very rich by God with livestock, gold and silver
(Gen 13:2). But Canaan was just recovering from the drought and could not
support the tremendous herds of Abraham and Lot, reason why there was strife
between their herdsmen. As a man of God, Abraham did not want any strife
between the two families as they were all brethrens. He did not choose where to
go, but he allowed Lot his nephew to choose the best for himself. Lot chosed
the best place for his animals (the plain of Jordan) but it was not the best
for his family, because of the corruption in the cities of the plain. Even
though Lot pitched his tents in the plains, away from the wicked of the city,
we realize the next time that Lot is found in the heart of the city of Sodom;
in a culture of wickedness. Why did he go close to wickedness, thinking his own
will not be corrupted? When we get close to sin, we finally find ourselves in
the heart of sin. No wonder the Bible tells us to flee from sin, be separate
from them. I hear some youths who say we go to the night club just to relax; we
do not do what others do there. Sooner, they are found in the heart of the evil
activities. God renewed His promise to Abraham after Lot’s departure. God said,
“Go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your father’s
house to a land that I will show you (Gen 12:1). But Abraham left with his
relative Lot. I see why God renewed His promise only when they separated. The
promise was for Abraham not his relatives. Lot may be representing old habits,
old life, the things we’ve been used to. We do not want to abandon them. Who is
your Lot? What is your Lot, which you are not ready to let go? If you do not
let it go, God will not enter with His promise in your life. Your Lot maybe
anger, bitterness, jealousy, fornication, envy, etc. Are you willing to let go,
or you prefer to tell them where to go for a while not for good?
You’ll
notice that the Hebrew word for very rich is very heavy. In my dialect; Limbum
it is also expressed in the same way. We’ll say “His pockets are heavy”. So
riches are a burden; burden of care in getting riches, fear in keeping them,
temptation in using them, guilt in abusing them, sorrow in losing them,
and burden of account at last to be
given up about the riches. Yet God in His providence sometimes make good men
rich men. When Abraham and Lot were wandering in poverty, nothing separated
them, but when riches came, it did. Also bad servants often make a great deal of
mischief in families, by their pride and passion, lying, slandering, and tale
bearing. As this happened, Abraham gave Lot the choice though he was the elder
and the great man, but he showed that he had the command of his passion, and
could turn away wrath by a soft answer.
Now
the fore kings of the north made an alliance and attacked Sodom, taking Lot and
his own as captives too. Abraham raised up an army of 318 soldiers to rescue
Lot. He takes this opportunity to proof his friendship to Lot though they had
separated. We ought to be ready to succor those in distress, especially
relations and friends. Though others may have been wanting in their duty to us,
yet we must not neglect our duty to them. As we have opportunity, we must do
good to all.
Melchizedek,
King of Salem (Jerusalem), and priest of the Most high God who has no
genealogy, but resembling the son of God came and broke bread and wine with
Abraham. He blessed God from Abraham and blessed Abraham from God. We need to
give thanks for other’s mercies as for our own. This is seen in Jesus, our
great High priest who is mediator both of our prayers and praises. He not only
offers up ours, but his own for us. Though Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek,
he did not accept the goods from the king of Sodom though it was a right as
Abraham was the winner of the war. So Abraham did not want any riches from the
wicked Sodom, so that it’ll not be said that God’s promise for riches could not
have come without the spoils of Sodom. People of God must, for their credit’s
sake, take heed of doing anything that looks mean or mercenary or that looks
self-seeking. Abraham can trust the God of heaven and earth to provide for him.
God
knew that Abraham was afraid of the promise especially that the hurrian law at
that time will allow him to give his inheritance but to Eliezer his servant. So
God assured him of his safety. God gave Abraham an express promise of a son.
God revealed the future to Abraham in a deep sleep:
1.
Abraham’s seed shall
be strangers in a foreign land (400 years in Egypt). The heirs of heaven are
strangers on earth.
2.
God will judge the
enemies of Abraham’s seed. God will judge Egypt and also the Canaanites when
their iniquity would have been complete (Gen 16:16). God may allow persecutors
and oppressors to trample upon his people for a while, but He’ll surely reckon
with them at last.
3.
God promises to
deliver Abraham’s seed after they have been oppressed in Egypt.
4.
God also reveals the
happy settlement in Canaan after all these.
God
made a covenant with Abraham by sacrifice to seal His promise. He provided the
smoking firepot and burning lamp over the pieces. God’s covenant with man is by
sacrifice (Psalms 50:5); and we know He accepts it if He kindles in our souls
pious and devout affection.
Jesus
in Mattew chapter 5 now teaches us how to live the kingdom life that has come
to us. The beatitudes here was taught on the mount. I think Luke’s account in
luke 16:17-49 referred to as the sermon in the plain should be the same
teaching in another location with another audience though that instance
presents the same teaching of our Lord. It will be unlikely that Jesus will
teach such important truth just in one instance. Jesus tells us about those who
are blessed from verse 3 to 12 of matthew 5. He gives warnings and exhortations
in verses 13-16 and about the law from verse 17, confronting the false
traditional teachings at the time.
The
poor in spirit are happy because only those who recognize their low condition
can seek after a redeemer. The kingdom of grace and glory is for them. Happy
are those who mourn, because godly sorrow works true repentance as they accept
the mercy of God in Jesus, with constant seeking of the Holy Spirit to cleanse
them from evil. They shall be comforted by their God. The meek are happy because
when they mourn, they become mild, gentle, lowly and unselfish in character.
Meekness promotes wealth, comfort and safety, even in this world so they will
inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be
satisfied from God by His grace. They seek knowledge of God through His word.
The merciful are happy because those who recognize their own spiritual poverty
are merciful to others, they relieve the suffering of others because of what
God has done to them in relation to their sin. Their mercy will reap mercy from
God (Mt 18:35, lk 6:37). The pure in heart will understand the pure nature of
God (Hb11:27, Jn 14:9). They shall see God because heaven would not be happy to
the impure. Those who recognize their own sinfulness will seek peace of mind
with others (Pv 11:13,Gal 6:1;2 Tim 2:22-26), so peacemakers are sons of God as
they portray the spirit of God in this. Happy are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake. Though there is nothing in our sufferings that can merit
of God; God will provide that those who lose for Him, shall not lose by Him in
the end. Rejoice because it’s the attitude of those who truly understand the
inner nature of the Christian life.
Christians
are like salt with their godly characters to preserve society from moral decay.
Those who profess Christ, cannot remain graceless, else no other doctrine or
means can make them profitable. Our light must shine so that our good works are
seen by men. But what is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves;
and that which is of itself open to the sight of men. We must aim at God’s
glory.
Jesus
notes that he came to fulfill the law. Fulfillment of the law meant the end of
the law. He was not saying that the law was to continue, but to teach that the
law would end when its purpose was fulfilled. The law was to end when the
messiah comes (Col 2:14-16, Hb 10:9, Jer 31:31-33). Christ’s disciples cannot
disobey the holy law of God, or teach disobedience of it regardless of who they
are in society else they are not true disciples. Christ’s righteousness which
is given to us by faith alone, is needed by all who enter the kingdom of grace
or of glory, and this produces a thorough change in a man’s temper and conduct.
Jesus
went on to correct the corrupt interpretation of the law by the teachers at his
time. You will not murder (Ex 20:13, Dt 5:17) was corrupted by the people.
While Ex 21:12 says the punishment is death, the Jewish religious leaders at
Jesus’ day corrupted the application by saying they had to be brought to
judgment. Jesus made them know how serious this is and make them know that all
rash anger is heart murder and has to be punished by 3 stages: the judgment,
the council, and finally the destruction of hell (Mt 10:28). So Jesus was
seeking to correct the heart that causes the outward crimes. He makes it known
that reconciling with one another is necessary before we can worship. We cannot
worship the God of mercy and love by harboring a heart of hate that shows no
mercy. We are unfit for communion with god in holy ordinances without
reconciliation with others and God. While we are alive, we are in the way to
his judgment-seat; after death, it will be too late. Jesus puts responsibility
of reconciling on the shoulder of the offending party here. But in Mt 18:15-17,23-35
it is on the offended party (mt 6:14,15).
Prayer: Mighty and great God, I glorify your name for you are faithful
in your promises. When you say you have blessed, no one can curse. When you say
you have prospered no one can stop it Lord. Rekindle your word in our hearts
that we may live the kingdom life here on earth as we prepare to meet you
Father. How can we say we love you when we keep people in our hearts, we lack
love for one another and we do evil in many forms. Father, I know we cannot do
it on our own but by your grace. Help that we may stand and walk in your
likeness, that this world may feel the salt and be preserve for your own glory
Lord. Give us courage in times of discouragement and boldness when we are
frightened. Father, your presence is sufficient in our lives. Thank you lord,
for in Jesus name I pray. Amen
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