Day 178 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

READING: Genesis 19, Hebrews 11: 13–16

Lot’s determination to live near Sodom; a city in open rebellion to God; led  to him been taken captive by four kings that attacked and conquered the  Jordan Valley. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were sacked and their  armies were defeated.  

But Abraham, with 318 men from his own household, defeated these armies  and rescued the people of the cities as well as all their possessions. This was  a powerful demonstration that God was on Abraham’s side. Unfortunately,  Lot did not recognise this and we find him sitting in the gates of Sodom a  little later on (Genesis 19: 1). The king of Sodom, who had the most to be  grateful for, also failed to recognize the hand of God, and treated Abraham  with disdain and disrespect, demanding the people back. Abraham makes it  clear that he had taken an oath; he would not take anything he had reclaimed  even though he was entitled to a portion of the spoils of war (verses 21-24).  Note the contrast between the king’s attitude and Melchizedek’s attitude.  Melchizedek is described as a priest of God Most High and recognized the  hand of God on Abraham. He spoke a blessing over Abraham and ate a  covenant meal of bread and wine with him. Abraham recognized him as  God’s priest and blessed him by tithing to him, a practise exercised hundreds  of years before the law was given and tithing “officially” instituted. 

This contrast between Abraham and Lot is there to warn us to not give up  on the promises of God, or forget the word of the Lord which seems so slow  in coming to pass in our lives. The end of their lives are testimony of what  will happen if we remain faithful to the Word of God; or not. Read about the  final events of Lot’s life in Genesis 19 and see the tragedy of not having a  testimony of faithfulness to pass on to the next generation. 

PRAYER 

Father God, remind me again that no matter where a person comes  from, he or she is precious to you and you know about them.