Readings:
Genesis 16
Genesis 17
Psalm 12
Comments:
I have often said that Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s literally like watching a mini-series on television. It has all the drama of any good movie or even a soap opera. There’s love, marriage, cheating, murder, reconciliation, squabbling among siblings, etc. With chapter 16 we see the story already taking some interesting turns.
Sarai decides that since she and her husband Abram do not have children, and they are advanced in years (and presumably won’t be having children of their one), to have a child by her servant Hagar. You can imagine what kinds of problems unsued. Abrahm sleeps with Hagar and Sarai eventually resents this and the child Hagar gives birth to. Surprise, surprise!
Oftentimes I fear we think of the people in the Bible as being closer to God or more perfect than we are. That is not the case! The people in the Bible are real people, just like you and me! God has called Abram and Sarai, they respond, God has a plan, they try to “help” God with that plan… but things don’t work out in the most positive ways. Nevertheless, we will see that God does not abandon Abram and Sarai nor does he give up on the plan. In fact, in chapter 17, we see God reaffirming the plan.
What are God’s plans for us? How do we try to “help” God? In what ways do we thwart God’s plans? Does God ever give up on us?
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