SCRIPTURE: Genesis 17:15-27 OBSERVATION: Continues from previous verses, now the blessing given to Sarah (mother of nations). Isaac’s name, which means “he laughs”, was a constant reminder to Abraham that he doubted God. Ishmael, who was Abraham’s son and heir according to Mesopotamian law, was not the son that God would work out His plan of…
Mar 10 — Genesis 17:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 17:1-14 OBSERVATION: Wow, 99 years old, but he was to live many years more (175yrs old, Genesis 25:7). Did they count years differently, or did they just live longer (see Genesis 5:25-27). A covevant was an agreement (contract) between two parties. This is not a new covenant, but a confirmation of the earlier covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-6,18-21)….
Mar 9 — Jeremiah 5:1-19
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 5:1-19 OBSERVATION: Had things gotten so bad that there was not even one honest person who was committed to truth in the city? God is being amazingly patient, even willing to forgive the city for the sake of one honest person. No matter how much God disciplines the people, they do not repent or…
Mar 8 — Amos 5:1-17
SCRIPTURE: Amos 5:1-17 OBSERVATION: Another warning from God during a immoral, godless time in their history. They were looking to their man-made “holy places” where they made sacrifices (Bethel, Gilgal, Beersheba), but they were not looking to their God. They were living for evil, oppressing the righteous, trampling on the poor, denying justice, taking bribes, etc….
Mar 7 — Micah 7:1-20
SCRIPTURE: Micah 7:1-20 OBSERVATION: This is a time of serious depravity in Israel’s history, you can’t even trust your own family (vv.2-6). Micah speaks on behalf of the godly who have been swept away (v.2): even during this terrible time, God will set things straight (v.7). Micah (and the godly) know that they are suffering for…
Mar 6 — Isaiah 5:8-30
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 5:8-30 OBSERVATION: A word of judgment against those who love wealth and pleasure more than the Lord (v.12). In times of wealth, people often forget the Lord and His moral law, but ultimately they will regret it. A time when people twist the truth to justify their own deeds, who call evil good and…
Mar 5 — Psalm 25:1-22
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 25:1-22 OBSERVATION: David is asking the Lord to support him against those who are persecuting him, he asks the Lord to keep him from being shamed. Pleads for God’s help so that he will respond appropriately to his attackers, with integrity (v.21). He also acknowledges that he is a sinner, and therefore doesn’t deserve…
Mar 4 — 1 Peter 3:8-22
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 3:8-22 OBSERVATION: Peter urges Christians to live in a Christlike way, even when persecuted. When challenged or questioned about our faith, we are to respond with honesty, as well as with gentleness and respect. If we are going to suffer, let it be for doing good, for the integrity of our faith rather than…
Mar 3 — Genesis 9:1-17
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:1-17 OBSERVATION: God again renews the creation mandate (first given to Adam and Eve, Genesis 1:28). This time God offers the animals for food, whereas in the beginning it was just the plants (Genesis 1:28-30). We were created to be vegetarians? This is where Jehovah’s Witnesses develop their opposition to blood transfusions, since it is like…
Mar 2 — Genesis 8:1-22
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 8:1-22 OBSERVATION: This is the end of the story of Noah and the flood, and how God decides not to “clean” the earth of evil in this way again. It was because every inclination of the human heart was evil from childhood (v.21) that God sent the flood in the first place (Genesis 5:5-8). The…