What this blog is about and what I hope it does...

I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?

So, my intent is for this blog to be a tool that helps us in our faith. A forum for better understanding. An honest place of sharing that nurtures us as we follow Jesus together.

(There are a few resources I have included under "PAGES" that may be a helpful start, especially to those newer to reading the Bible. It's located just below this and to the right. Also included is a READING OUTLINE. If you miss a day, go on to the next rather than trying to catch up.)

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5.24.2010

GENESIS 17

For NIV reading, click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17&version=NIV

Like chapter 15, this is another chapter on covenant between God and Abram...he and Sarai get their names changed, God lays out the expectations on all those involved in order to keep the covenant (notice all the "as for me," "as for you," "as for Sarai," etc). Then the whole relationship is sealed by circumcision.

A hugely important chapter in Genesis and for all the Bible. Covenant is a major theological theme throughout and helps us understand more clearly what is involved in relationship with God, and clarifies what faith means...not just believing something or even believing in someone, but believing in someone enough to live for Him in a promise-keeping relationship.

Comments, questions, etc.

Prayers,
Matt
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3 comments:

  1. MattMay 24, 2010 at 8:39 PM

    Great chapter. Some reflections:
    -affirms the power of God's promises
    -circumcision is the mark and entrance into the covenant; even though it is ultimately a heart issue (Leviticus 24:16 and Dueteronomy 16:10), 8 day old boys were included in the covenant and raised into covenant community - much like baptism today...children are not to be left behind; for the New Testament connection between circumcision and baptism, see Colossians 2:11-13
    -Abram's failure to understand God's promises is not a matter of intelligence, but a matter of will, of the heart
    -in chapter 15, God inaugurates the covenant while Abram slept!!! and now in chapter 17 invites Abram to be an active part of it...in other words, God does not at first need our input or decision to establish a covenant possibility but He does expect our involvement at some point (again, think baptism)
    -Abram laughs at the thought that Sarai would bear a child, so God says to call the child she will have 'laughter' - how cool is that!
    -finally, Abraham (name changed) obeys God even with some of his doubts

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  2. DocMay 24, 2010 at 10:21 PM

    Here's what I like : El Shaddai ( God Almighty ) .
    What a great name !

    "walk before Me " I love everytime scripture refers to one walking with , before , in the ways of ......
    " walk before me and be BLAMELESS ". Can't get much more straightforward than that .

    Question : 17:9 indicates that circumcision is to be an everlasting thing . How did we get exempt ?

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  3. AndyMay 25, 2010 at 10:08 PM

    It's so like GOD to tell us to do something that makes no sense (to us) whatsoever. For instance, as a sign of your commitment, I want you to cut the excess skin from your penis. I can just see the look on Abraham's face. Something like, "what?!"

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