Gee thanks, Dad!

From Genesis 17 - 20:

1. Both Abraham and Lot have the same reaction to when they see the strangers. They immediately invited them in and went and prepared huge meals for these strangers. We like to host visitors to our house also, so I can understand this. However, if I were Abraham, I think I might get a little concerned when the guests started asking for my wife by name. Abraham seems to take it in stride pretty well.

2. Gee thanks, Dad!!! When the angels are staying at Lot's house, all the men of the city come and knock on the door and request that the guests be sent out so that they can have sex with them. If that isn't disgusting enough to make one want to move, I don't know what is! However, Lot's response is unthinkable. "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them...." Gee, thanks for your protection, Dad!! I am glad I was not one of his daughters.

3. Lot is pretty brave at first, and then really wimpy later. He begs the angels to allow him to flee to a small town nearby instead of fleeing to the mountains where the angels asked him to go. So they agreel. But then later, when he sees how complete the destruction was of Sodom and Gomorrah, he was afraid to stay in Zoar and fled the rest of the way into the mountains.

4. Again, Abraham lies about his relationship with his wife. It is interesting that here it specifically says that God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. This illustrates a couple of points. First, Sarah was definitely very attractive. Second, God was very much looking out for Abraham. And third, Abraham was definitely scared beyond the point where he could trust God.
It is interesting that God sticks up for Abraham before Abimelech, after Abraham had lied to Abimelech. I guess that shows that sometimes God understands our weaknesses and failings.

I found out today that our pastor is leaving to go back to Taiwan as a missionary in the coming year. I get the sneak preview because I am the translator.

Good for him! I hope he continues to listen to God's calling, if that is what God wants.