Stay ConnectedThe On Ramp Daily Bible Reading is read by Pastor David Harms, and is a podcast production from Hope Media Group.
Copyright: © Copyright Way Nation
It was a bad idea.
When Sarai was unable to have a child, she came up with the idea to give her husband another woman - well… because maybe she could have a child with him. 🤷♂️ God’s design for marriage from the beginning was 1 man & 1 woman. It was intended to be an exclusive relationship.
What makes things a little more complicated is that Sarai (in a round-about way) pins her reasoning on God. “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant.”
Sometimes we make poor decisions and blame God.
Read the chapter and you’ll see the chaos and heartbreak that ensues.
What about Hagar? Well, she was kind of caught in the middle, right? She was a servant - and probably didn’t have a lot of say in the matter. Yet we read that “she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.”
I’ll say it again - this was a bad idea.
But here’s something to consider: When Sarai retaliated and treated Hagar so harshly that she ran away, the angel of the LORD appeared to her and made a special promise. From that day on, Hagar referred to the LORD as “the God who sees me.”
If you or your family has experienced brokenness because of your own sin, or because of the sin of someone else - be encouraged that the same God who saw Hagar in the wilderness also sees YOU. He is extending grace, mercy, forgiveness, and a fresh start through Jesus Christ.
If you want to pray with someone today, just call 281-652-5555 (Mon-Fri, 7a-9p Central).
Or you can share online here.
Today we’re reading Genesis 16 from the New Living Translation.
Listen now - today is your "On Ramp!"
Shawn.
Ps -
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I see a beautiful connection in today’s readings - between Genesis 15 and John 15.
Jesus said:
“I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me, I chose you...” - John 15:15-16a
The night He was betrayed, Jesus shared some amazing promises with His friends. He confided in them. He told them about His coming death, and the home He would make for them in Heaven. He told them about the promise of the Holy Spirit, and He promised them that persecution would come because they followed Him.
These disciples of Jesus walked closely with Jesus during His ministry on earth - but only because He chose them first.
Similarly in Genesis 15, the LORD Himself spoke with Abram in a vision and shared some amazing promises with him too! He confided in Abram. The God of Heaven shared that Abram would have his own son, and that he would eventually possess the entire land surrounding him. He also promised Abram that persecution would come on his descendants.
Abram walked closely with God as he traveled on earth, lived in tents, and built altars - but only because God chose him first and called him from Ur of the Chaldeans.
Here are a couple takeaways:
I see a beautiful connection in today’s readings - between Genesis 15 and John 15.
Jesus said:
“I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me, I chose you...” - John 15:15-16a
The night He was betrayed, Jesus shared some amazing promises with His friends. He confided in them. He told them about His coming death, and the home He would make for them in Heaven. He told them about the promise of the Holy Spirit, and He promised them that persecution would come because they followed Him.
These disciples of Jesus walked closely with Jesus during His ministry on earth - but only because He chose them first.
Similarly in Genesis 15, the LORD Himself spoke with Abram in a vision and shared some amazing promises with him too! He confided in Abram. The God of Heaven shared that Abram would have his own son, and that he would eventually possess the entire land surrounding him. He also promised Abram that persecution would come on his descendants.
Abram walked closely with God as he traveled on earth, lived in tents, and built altars - but only because God chose him first and called him from Ur of the Chaldeans.
Here are a couple takeaways:
In the previous chapter, Lot had moved his tents to a place near Sodom. Genesis 13:13 shares the truth of Sodom at that time - they were extremely wicked and were constantly sinning against God. Time has passed, and now Lot is living IN Sodom. Based on what the Bible says to be true about Sodom, and knowing how Lot’s story ends later in this book - he should have stayed far, far away from this city. As war broke out, Sodom was captured by a rival king and Lot was taken captive. Abram had a deep commitment to his nephew, Lot. He staged a daring rescue and was able to bring him back, along with the other captives.
After victory, Abram is met by the King of Sodom and a mysterious figure named Melchizedek. Melchizedek - The King of Salem, and priest of God - came to bless Abram. Abram gave him a tithe of what was recovered. Melchizedek appears later in the Bible - in Psalm 110, and in Hebrews 5, 6, & 7.
This is what Hebrews 7:3 says about him - “There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors - no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.”
Abram was called by God to travel by faith to a new land. God made amazing promises to him. Abram practiced habitual sacrifice and worship to God. Then he was visited & blessed by a king and priest who resembled the Son of God - JESUS.
Hebrews 7 continues in verses 24-25 “But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
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