Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 6: What Even

Hello everyone!

I have to go in to work really early on Saturdays. Plus, I realized that this week I haven't been spending as much time with God as I should, especially in the mornings before I go to work (and time with God in the morning is like armor for me).

So, it's likely I won't be posting in the mornings anymore. At least not all the time.

But as my wise friend pointed out, I did mention in my first post that it could happen. I have no memory of this, but if she says so, it's true.

Now, on with today's post...

Today I read Genesis chapters 19-21.

First of all...wow. Just wow. I don't even want to touch chapter 19.

But I guess I will.

The two angels go to Sodom to destroy it because of the "outcry" we learned about last time.

Lot talks them into staying with him because he's worried for their safety. And with good reason.

Within just a little while, there are men trying to beat down the door to get at them so they can have their way with them.

Yikes!

But Lot refuses. And offers his betrothed, virgin daughters instead!

What even?

Lot continues to exhibit questionable judgment.

But the men refuse. And continue to try to beat down the door.

But the angels (who were never in any danger) pull Lot back inside, put their hands to the door, and make the men blind, so that they can't even find the door anymore.

Then they command Lot to leave because the wickedness of the city is so great that they have to destroy it, having not found even 10 righteous there.

Lot hesitates.

He hesitates.

I'm sorry, but if an angel is standing in your face telling you to leave because the city is about to be destroyed, grab your family and go!

What even?

He negotiates with the angels and they agree to let him stay in the nearby town. But he doesn't stay there because he's afraid. And he ends up taking his two daughters (his wife is a pillar of salt by now) up into the mountains where they'll all be safe.

And his daughters...

Well, reading this chapter, it sounds like they thought they were the last people on earth.

Understandably, I guess, because they just watched Sodom and Gomorrah get destroyed.

Side note: How often do I write Gomorrah that I don't even have to think about how to spell it?

Anyway, Lot's daughters think they're the only three people left on earth or something, and they get Lot drunk just so they can get pregnant.

What even?

The Bible is filled with riveting stories. Really.

And in chapter 20, Abraham lies about Sarah being his wife. Again. How old is she by now that he still has to lie about her being his wife? Over ninety.

Unless this chapter isn't in the correct chronological order. (I decided not to read in chronological order this time.)

And then we find out that she is actually his half-sister. There weren't a lot of people in those days, especially after the Flood.

So, I guess he's not outright lying. Just omitting the truth. Which, in this case, is just as bad, as it almost causes Abimelech to sin. But God tells him the truth, and he ends up very blessed because he honored Sarah and Abraham and did not try to harm them.

And then the promised son is born: Isaac.

And Abraham is so happy he throws a feast. And Ishmael is caught "mocking" by Sarah, and she declares that she doesn't want him to be an heir with Isaac (Genesis 21:9-10).

Which I understand. In a way. Isaac is the promised child. He is Abraham's legitimate heir. But she's the one who told Abraham to sleep with Hagar.

What even?

So, I have mixed feelings about this. I agree that Ishmael couldn't inherit with Isaac. I disagree with the way Sarah handled the whole thing. 

Because Isaac is the son God promised, the one He said would become a great nation. But He said He would make Ishmael a great nation too.

So, fun fact: 

Isaac is the forefather of Israel.
Ishmael is the forefather of Islam.

And that's one reason the Israeli nation and the Islamic nations are always in conflict. And I mean always. This isn't new.

So, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away, and God does not forget them, and does not let them die.

I guess...I didn't really have anything good to say about these chapters. I'm sorry.

I think I came off a little judgy today. Everyone makes mistakes. And not all of them are small mistakes. But Lot just kept making some of the same ones, and never learning. And it was all downhill from there.

Anytime I have to read about Lot, it always irritates me. So, that's my excuse.

I'll try to do a more uplifting post tomorrow, when I read Genesis chapters 22-24.