Never Look Back

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But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26

One of the iconic scenes from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is when Lots wife looked back to watch the destruction she was turned into a pillar of salt. The question is why was she given this fate? Well if we read earlier in the Chapter , the angels warned them “To Run for their lives and don’t look back or they will be destroyed” (Genesis 19:17)

These were direct commands from God. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed for judgement of their wickedness. Everything in those cities will be destroyed. The Bible tells us that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely wicked before God (Genesis 13:13)

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:28-33

Jesus actually references Lots wife in his teaching. He references the Days of Lot, which is the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus is saying when the final Judgement comes in Christs return. Don’t look back at your former life. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, your only hope for salvation!

We must remember , a final judgement is still coming for the world. Many will ignore the warnings and go about living their daily lives just like in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. But when Christ returns, its too late. Keep focused on Jesus and never look back! Amen!

Abraham Meets Jesus

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And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, Genesis 18:1-2

This is a very interesting text, here we see Abraham says the Lord “Yahweh” appears to him. The original Hebrew in the text has YHWH translated as LORD in English. So we know that Abraham is saying God appeared to him

The next part is astonishing as God appeared to Abraham in the form of 3 men. People who say the Triunity of God was made up by the Romans or Greek mythology has never studied this text. Here we see the Triunity of God in the Torah.

This is symbolic of the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit. So we can make assumption that one of these men were Jesus Christ. Abraham has now met Jesus face to face and the text says Abraham bowed to the ground to them

And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Genesis 18:10

Why did God appear to Abraham in human form? Well first remember the seed of the Messiah was going to come from Israel by Abraham. So Abraham had divine revelation from God more than anyone at this point.

Second Jesus had a special prophetic message to deliver to Abraham. That by next year the promised Son of Isaac would be here. This is the blessing that Abraham and Sarah have been waiting for years!

Abrahamic Covenant

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And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. Genesis 17:1-2

Again God reminds Abraham of his covenant with him. Notice the blessings didn’t happen right away, in fact it happened after many years. But God keeps his promises, we just need to learn to be patient and faithful. Notice God says to Abraham “Walk before Me”. Walk with God and he will make our paths straight

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Genesis 17:3-4

God identifies what the terms on his covenant will be. Abraham will be the “father of many nations” You might say, isn’t Abraham just the father of Israel? Well The Messiah (Jesus Christ ) came through Israel making Abraham the spiritual Father of many nations

Notice also God changes his name to Abraham. Jesus tells us in Revelation we will receive a new name (Revelation 2:17) When we answer our calling to God, he changes us! Just as he changed Saul to Paul or changed Simon to Peter!

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:10

God confirms his sign or terms of his covenant, it was circumcision. Fast forward to Jesus he said his blood is the New Covenant. (Luke 22) As Abraham entered into God covenant through circumcision, you can enter in Christs New Covenant by faith in Jesus through the shedding of his blood for your sin on the cross! Amen!

Lack of Faith

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And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:2

As we saw in the last chapter, God reaffirmed his promise to Abraham that he would get his promised Son of Isaac. However as the years went on, him and Sarah again were losing faith. Sarah at the point figured she would never have children and told Abraham to mate with her servant Hagar

This event would have permanent consequences , not only just for Abraham and Sarah, but also the entire world

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. Genesis 16:4

Even though Sarah was the one who suggested Abraham take Hagar for another wife, when she conceived a child from Abraham it enraged her. And she despised and hated Hagar for this. This is a classic example in the Bible, where polygamy is always a disaster for those involved. Even though there were those in the Old Testament who practiced polygamy , it was never ordained by God. As God said in the beginning marriage was One Man and One Woman (Genesis 2:24)

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. Genesis 16:5

Muslims are descendants of Ishmael. So as you can see this child conceived out of the covenant of Marriage will cause major issues in the future for Israel. As God prophesied , Ishmael will be a wild man against everyone and hostile towards his brothers (Genesis 16:12)

So due to Abraham and Sarah’s lack of faith in Gods promise, they created a lot of new problems for them and the entire world.

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26