Christ's Disciples: March 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Genesis Chapter 18

(Genesis 18:1 [KJV])
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Abraham is newly circumcised, and hopefully healed!
On the hottest of days, it is common to rest midday and travel morning and evening only.
Another reason, as Abraham shows, is to spot passersby and have a chance to offer refreshments to them on their travels on the heat.
God meets you where you are.
He called Abraham to go, just go, but not to go to Him He met him wherever he was at.
He asked Moses to go to the mountain to meet with Him, not because Moses had to go, but because the nation of Israel had to be apart from Moses, due to their sin

(Genesis 18:2 [KJV])
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

No doubt these are angels, but also another visit from the LORD Jesus Christ
Again, Abraham bows himself to the ground, but is not told to get up and not worship, signifying that this is literally an appearance of the LORD.

(Revelation 19:10 [KJV])And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

(Genesis 18:3 [KJV])
And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Also no doubt that Abraham had found favor in Gods eyes from long before this time
God visited him enough to know this, so this may be just small talk, customary as a greeting

(Genesis 18:4 [KJV])
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Washing the feet was a custom of the day, as a servant to do this meant humbling oneself.
Jesus did it to the disciples as an example:

(John 13:4-11 [KJV])
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
(Genesis 18:5 [KJV])
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Jesus does not have to rest, since He is our rest
He rested to allow time to talk to Abraham

(Genesis 18:6 [KJV])
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

Abraham is in a hurry!
They were still in tents
Here's the bread

(Genesis 18:7 [KJV])
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

Veal for the visitors
Abraham's hurry is now transmitted to the young man.

(Genesis 18:8 [KJV])
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Bread, meat, dairy products

(Genesis 18:9 [KJV])
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

God already knows where Sarah is. He wants Abraham to just acknowledge it
This means she did not exit to cook on that hearth, which is either in the tent or behind it
Or, she exited the tent, served them and then returned to the tent.

(Genesis 18:10 [KJV])
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Again, Jesus tells them of the promised son, Isaac
The time of life may mean springtime, when the resurrection of the dead winter things happens

(Genesis 18:11 [KJV])
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

It can be said that both Abraham and Sarah were in the wintertime of their lives as well, in terms of childbearing
It was by God, the faith
It was by God, the seed, the strength
Sarah was past age
Abraham was as good as dead
This all led to Israel, the Messiahs Epiphany and eventually the Church

(Hebrews 11:11-12 [KJV])
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
(Genesis 18:12 [KJV])
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Isaac means laughter
Sarah is not laughing because she was happy
First Abraham laughed (Genesis 17:17) and so Isaac's name was given
Now Sarah laughs, and Isaac name is confirmed again
Sarah is really laughing in a mocking sort of way

(Genesis 18:13 [KJV])
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Again, the LORD knows why. He wants Abraham to just explain it
Notice He does not ask Sarah, the one who laughed, why she did in fact laugh. He asks Abraham

(Genesis 18:14 [KJV])
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Why does God need to ask us if anything is too hard for Him?
The time appointed is now repeated
God returning to Abraham and Sarah repeated
The time of life is repeated also

(Genesis 18:15 [KJV])
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

This was completely false, and she felt embarrassed to say the least
This was God speaking to her husband, so it was not a good idea to laugh at the idea.
Sarah laughed"within herself" and not audibly, so the ability to hear her must come only from God Himself

(Genesis 18:16 [KJV])
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

Abraham seems to be very hospitable, taking care of his guests to the point of seeing them off

(Genesis 18:17-19 [KJV])
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

God knows the heart of Abraham, and that it is merciful, gracious and kind
What God is about to do is going to be frightening, even to Abraham.
God knows Lot is there also so, when He tells Abraham what is going to happen, He knows Abraham's first thoughts will turn to Lot.
God's description of what Abraham would do for his descendants shows also that He knows WHAT Abraham is, not just WHO.
His kids and his household as well would follow him in walking with God, as they did in circumcision.

(Genesis 18:20 [KJV])
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Either this is Lot crying in his heart or even openly, or the inhabitants who were in bondage to the Sodomites
The other thing that they did was oppress the poor and the stranger

(Ezekiel 16:49 [KJV])
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
(2 Peter 2:7-8 [KJV])
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
(Genesis 18:21 [KJV])
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

God sees everything
The angels, as humans, do not.
The LORD could have just told the angels, but God likes us and them to work.
We will be working and worshiping for all eternity, never getting tired.

Psalm 33:13-14
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

(Genesis 18:22 [KJV])
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Apparently the angels leave, the The Angel of the LORD does not, and Abraham makes the choice to abide with God, rather than let curiosity dictate him leaving to find out what is going on at Sodom and Gomorrah ,since his nephew is there.

(Genesis 18:23 [KJV])
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

The closer you get to God, the more you want to (and get to) know about His mercy.
Apparently it must have been known to be really bad if he had to ask about God's plans for destruction
Abraham knew about the Flood, so he knew that as few as eight could be saved
His nephew Lot was there, so numbers were important as to how many would be righteous and remain alive

(Genesis 13:1 [KJV])
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

(Genesis 18:24-25 [KJV])
Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

It may be that Abraham is asking this because either he is unsure there are even this many, or unsure about God saving some throgh the judgment
God never destroys those He has declared righteous, as they are His children.
The Flood is an example
The Rapture is another example
Egypt is another example, and one closer to Abraham's mind. He knows God will judge Egypt, "and afterward", so maybe he is not getting that Israel will get out after that judgment and is worried
We often forget God's grace and mercy is extended to us who are undeserving, but declared innocent and righteous through Jesus Christ

(Genesis 15:13 [KJV])
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

(Genesis 18:26 [KJV])
And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

However many people there were, fifty wouuld have to be a small amount percentage-wise

(Genesis 18:27 [KJV])
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Abraham acknowledges where we originally came from and to what he will return
He humbles himself before God to ask this, a most proper approach

(Genesis 2:7 [KJV])
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

(Genesis 18:28 [KJV])
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

It seems that fifty was aiming a bit high and the reputation of the city is pretty bad
This of course limits Lot's family and servants pretty low, comparaed to how many Abraham probably had altogether

(Genesis 18:29 [KJV])
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.

Abraham seems to be slowly working hs way down, not wanting to miss a "magic" number of some sort and have to wince at the answer he gets.

(Genesis 18:30 [KJV])
And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Abraham is about at half the level that he started at, and is not too shy to ask.
Abraham does not realize that only men pester and are pestered. God is overly longsuffering and patient, wants to talk to Abraham and hear from him, no matter what he asks.
God is still this way today, and things on earth are fast approaching the levels of sin as at Sodom and Gomorrah

(2 Peter 3:9 [KJV])
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(Genesis 18:31 [KJV])
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

(Genesis 18:32 [KJV])
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

Ten is where he stops. This includes only Lot and his immediate family.

MATTHEW HENRY:
And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once,.... This should be the last request he should make on this account, and therefore he desired he might be heard without any marks of his displeasure;

Peradventure ten shall be found there: how would the place be dealt with then? would it be consumed or not?
and he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake; though no more righteous persons were found in it. Some of the Jewish writers say {g}, he ended at ten, because he supposed there were ten righteous persons in Lot's family, Lot and his wife, and their four daughters, and their four husbands; but they forgot that two of Lot's daughters were unmarried, and how many he had married is not known; ten they say make a congregation, and wherever there are ten righteous persons, a place is saved for their sakes.

(Genesis 18:33 [KJV])
And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

This shows a sense of "urgency, to meet the emergency". God has been merciful, longsuffering, patient and kind to this wicked city, but God must not allow sin to dwell in His presence.
The destruction of the cities is also an act of mercy, since presumably there were small children and babies who, if they had been raised, would have become as God-rejecting and wicked as their parents but, because of GOd in His mercy, are now in Heaven forever.
He also has to get Lot out before any more pollution infects him and his loved ones, and his soul is futrther vexed. (2 Peter 2:7-8)

The Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15

(1 Corinthians 15:1 [KJV])
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

The Gospel Paul Preached
The Gospel they received and believed
The Gospel they can rely on, positionally secure by faith forever.
Preached, believed, stood upon, eternal

(Revelation 14:6 [KJV])
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

(1 Corinthians 15:2 [KJV])
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

The Gospel that saves
"ye are saved". Modern versions sometimes say incorrectly "are being saved"
If they have it in their heads and retained it when they first heard it. It is about acceptance or rejection, not keeping oneself saved or not
Forgetting is not losing salvation, salvation is done, forgetting is losing your helmet ot salvation

(Ephesians 6:17 [KJV])
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(1 Corinthians 15:3 [KJV])
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

The baton is passed from person to person like a relay when people witness
Jesus did not just die, HE died for our sins
Jesus did not just die for our sins, He also did not die for His own as being sinless.
This death was prophesied throughout Scripture beforehand in Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, etc.

(Genesis 3:15 [KJV])
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

(Daniel 9:26 [KJV])
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

(Zechariah 12:10 [KJV])
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

(1 Corinthians 15:4 [KJV])
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

His burial proves that Jesus Christ was indeed dead
His Resurrection proves that He was indeed the sinless God/Man
This also shows that this was fulfilled prophecy from the Bible as well

(1 Corinthians 15:5 [KJV])
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

This proves that Jesus Christ was indeed resurrected, since he was seen of those who just prior to this, were a bunch of cowards, fearing that they lost their Saviour at the crucifixion

(1 Corinthians 15:6 [KJV])
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Just in case the twelve disciples were not enough, He shows Himself to many more, who survive persecution and are eyewitnesses still in Paul's day

(1 Corinthians 15:7 [KJV])
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

There were other apostles then besides the twelve

(1 Corinthians 15:8 [KJV])
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Paul had a personal sighting of Heaven and Jesus on His Throne
Paul had fourteen missing years wherein he was alone and away from the rest of the disciples.
Paul also was fourteen days before being shipwrecked

(Galatians 1:15-2:2 [KJV])
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

(2 Corinthians 12:1-5 [KJV])
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

(Acts 27:33 [KJV])
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

(1 Corinthians 15:9 [KJV])
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Saul: Hebrew: Asked for
Paul: Latin: Little one

(Acts 7:60-8:1 [KJV])
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

(Acts 9:1-2 [KJV])
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

(Acts 26:9-12 [KJV])
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

THIS MADE PAUL THE CHIEF OF ALL SINNERS

(1 Timothy 1:15 [KJV])
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

(1 Corinthians 15:10 [KJV])
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

We ourselves can take no credit for anything good in us
This includes everything from salvation to our good works for God

(1 Corinthians 15:11 [KJV])
Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Paul cared more about the message than the messenger

(Mark 9:38-40 [KJV])
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

(Philippians 1:14-18 [KJV])
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

(1 Corinthians 15:12 [KJV])
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Arianism and the Sadducees' doctrines had obviously entered into the Church
Conversely, if He rose from the dead, why would they not preach it? If He did not rise from the dead, what use is there in preaching that He did?

(Matthew 22:23-33 [KJV])
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

(Psalms 16:10 [KJV])
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Acts 1:3 [KJV])
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

(Acts 2:27 [KJV])
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(1 Corinthians 15:13 [KJV])
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

Conversely, if there is a resurrection from the dead, then Christ IS Risen
The concept of the resurrection is not up to us; it is up to God
He has declared there is one, so there is one!

(Psalms 16:10 [KJV])
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Acts 13:35 [KJV])
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(1 Corinthians 15:14 [KJV])
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

The implications as well of a lack of a resurrection are universal to man
Every thought and action rely on our idea of the existence of an afterlife, a judgment after death, a Heaven and a hell.
You do not have to believe in hell to go to hell. It is almost a prerequisite.
You do, however, have to believe in Heaven to Heaven

(1 Corinthians 15:15 [KJV])

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

If God says that there is a resurrection and we say there is not, who is correct? We are therefore bearing false witness against God

(1 Corinthians 15:16-17 [KJV]) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

The following are meaningless and useless without the Resurrection:

All religion
Good works
Concepts of "Good" and "Evil"
Believing in Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ coming to earth
Christianity
Faith, Belief in anything
Your entire life and very existence, your birth and your death

(1 Corinthians 15:18 [KJV]) Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

When you are "In Christ" and Christ is in the grave, where are you? In the same grave..

(1 Corinthians 15:19 [KJV])
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

What this life has to offer at its absolute finest is nothing compared to the riches in Heaven
Plus, it is all going to burn

(Ephesians 1:18 [KJV])
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

(1 Corinthians 15:20 [KJV])
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

In the order of death, so in the order of life
After His Resurrection, so then the Old Testament dead

(Psalms 68:18 [KJV])
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

(Ephesians 4:8 [KJV]) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [KJV]) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:21 [KJV])
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

The God MAN was the only man to be perfect and sinless and therefore be resurrected

(1 Corinthians 15:22 [KJV])
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

We as sinners are in Adam, we as believers are then in Christ
The consequences of both acts, the sin and the payment, flows freely outward
The difference is that the sin is involuntary toward us through the virtue of being born, the payment and subsequent salvation is voluntary by being born-again.

(1 Corinthians 15:23 [KJV])
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

This is not the Rapture, but the Second Coming, so all of the dead who are in Christ are included here
Or, simply the Resurrection order, Christ first, then us "who are Christ's"

(1 Corinthians 15:24-25 [KJV])
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

The end of it all for the world and its system, Revelation

(Revelation 20:2-4 [KJV])
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(1 Corinthians 15:26 [KJV])
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

(Revelation 21:4 [KJV])
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

(1 Corinthians 15:27 [KJV])
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

The only thing that will not be under God's feet is God Himself

(1 Corinthians 15:28 [KJV])
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

The role is a lowering into a role, nothing more.
It is designed as an example to teach us humility
We say, "Do as I say, not as I do"
Jesus is the only one who can say, "Do as I say and do"
Jesus was, is and always will be, God

ALL IN ALL adjective
1. the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake; all the way; all year.
2. the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively): all students.
3. the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree): with all due respect; with all speed.
4. every: all kinds; all sorts.
5. any; any whatever: beyond all doubt.
6. nothing but; only: The coat is all wool.
7. dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature: The colt was all legs. They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said.
8. Chiefly Pennsylvania German . all gone; consumed; finished: The pie is all.
9. the whole quantity or amount: He ate all of the peanuts. All are gone.
10. the whole number; every one: all of us.
11. everything: Is that all you want to say? All is lost.

(Psalms 8:5 [KJV]) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

(Hebrews 2:7-9 [KJV])

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

(1 Corinthians 15:29 [KJV])
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Hmmmm.........is there a religion that baptizes for the dead? Perhaps the sprinkling of water on the head of a baby for a different Christ, subject to that religion's leaders?
Christianity's baptism is based upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is why immersion is the biblical method
If the dead rise not at all, we would have to stay under the water and drown!

(Mark 1:9 [KJV])
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

(Matthew 3:16 [KJV]) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

(Mark 1:10 [KJV])

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

(1 Corinthians 15:30-31 [KJV])
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

There is no reason for Paul and other Christians to be persecuted for a non-risen Saviour.
Paul's dying in the flesh daily was so that he could live spiritually daily.

(1 Corinthians 15:32 [KJV])
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

If Christianity is not true, there really is no meaning in this life, also there is no afterlife.
Might as well not fight the beasts, but just lay down and offer yourself up to die.

(Isaiah 22:13 [KJV])
And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

(1 Corinthians 15:33 [KJV])
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Since Christ is risen, Christianity is true
Since Christianity is true, then our behavior is important
Speaking of Ephesus, Paul also wrote about carrying oneself to the Ephesians

(Ephesians 5:15-17 [KJV])

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

(1 Corinthians 15:34 [KJV])
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Our behavior is our first and best witness to those watching us-we may never get in a word
Then our testimony-nothing anyone can say back.
If not, then our preaching is in vain, just like Paul just said about there being no resurrection in verse 14

(1 Corinthians 15:14 [KJV])

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

(1 Corinthians 15:35 [KJV])
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

This is a big question and a big misunderstanding

(1 Corinthians 15:36 [KJV])
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Seeds must "winter" or "die" to produce later
Obviously that death before life ruins the original body, so it cannot come back the same

(John 12:24 [KJV])
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

(1 Corinthians 15:37 [KJV])
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

You plant a seed, not a plant, not a stalk, not the fruit, nut or bark.
What you plant, you get. There are no exceptions
Application is that your behavior determines the fruit in the end

(1 Corinthians 15:38 [KJV])
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

God determines any fruit, any growth.
God is sovereign over any body of any type.

(1 Corinthians 15:39 [KJV])
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

Scientific fact.......all flesh is not the same at all........even if it "tastes like chicken"

(1 Corinthians 15:40-41 [KJV])
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

Scientific fact.......all celestial bodies, including every star, is unique like a fingerprint.
They each emit a different frequency of light and are chemically unique.
The moon and earth are different also, which goes against evolution, since the theory says the moon came out of the earth

(1 Corinthians 15:42 [KJV])
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

Apparently each glorified body of ours will also be unique, like they are on earth

(1 Corinthians 15:43 [KJV])
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

Born unto sin, born-again unto Glory
The Power is in the Blood and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

(1 Corinthians 15:44 [KJV])
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

The example of the seed and the fruit is transferred to us

(1 Corinthians 15:45 [KJV])
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Jesus is the last Adam. This is why it is important that the first Adam is a real person and not an ape-like insect-eating knuckle-walking, hairy beast of an animal

(1 Corinthians 15:46 [KJV])
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

This is why one is born-AGAIN; you must be born first
You can be born without being born-again
You cannot be born-again without first being born

(1 Corinthians 15:47 [KJV])
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Adam and Jesus both perfectly represent both roles in us

(1 Corinthians 15:48 [KJV])
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

The "Adam" part of us represents the flesh, the World.
The Christ in us is the only part of us that is heavenly and will go to Heaven, our soul and spirit

(1 Corinthians 15:49 [KJV])
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

In our body we bear both parts

(1 Corinthians 15:50 [KJV])
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Our flesh must be in a glorified body to enter heaven, like Jesus
He still has the nail prints in His hands and a spear hole in His side.

(1 Corinthians 15:51 [KJV])
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

This is what we will experience at the Rapture

(1 Corinthians 15:52 [KJV])
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The Rapture will give us new bodies like Christs

(1 Corinthians 15:53 [KJV])
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Must as in "flesh and blood cannot inherit"

(1 Corinthians 15:54 [KJV])
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The victory, the finality, the result, the reward of Christs work

(1 Corinthians 15:55 [KJV])
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The implied answer is "no place"

(1 Corinthians 15:56 [KJV])
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

In the flesh, no able to enter is death and the law
The law brings the death
The strength is enough to kill anyone and everyone
It cost Jesus His life, even as the innocent Lamb of God.

(Romans 4:15)
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

(2 Corinthians 3:6) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

(1 Corinthians 15:57 [KJV])
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The strength of sin, death and the Law are overcome by the Blood of Jesus and the curse removed.

(1 Corinthians 15:58 [KJV])
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

All work henceforth is no longer vanity if done for Gods Glory
This should be our response as the "therefore".
There is an old saying about the Bible: "When you see a therefore, notice what it is there for."

Genesis Chapter 18

Lessons:

God hates sin, especially abominable sins which destroys both families and therefore nations
God meets you where you are, in that sin
God is longsuffering
Prayer works
God is Sovereign and will do what He wills. He may or may not tell us what that is
We should love the stranger whoever they are and wherever they are because we do not know what they are, as they could be angels.

(Genesis 18:1 [KJV])
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Abraham is newly circumcised, and hopefully healed!
Most likely he was also in prayer, if not at that moment, recently, asking God to help or reveal something about this child, His promise, etc. (see Daniel 9:21 below)
On the hottest of days, it is common to rest midday and travel morning and evening only.
Another customary reason to sit at the tent door, as Abraham shows, is to spot passersby and have a chance to offer refreshments to them on their travels on the heat.
God meets you where you are. Regardless ************
He called Abraham to go, just go, but not to go to Himself. God met Abraham wherever he was at.
He asked Moses to go to the mountain to meet with Him, not because Moses had to go, but because the nation of Israel had to be apart from Moses, and vice versa, due to their sin.

(Daniel 9:21 [KJV])
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

(Genesis 18:2 [KJV])

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

These three men did not walk or ride up. They were not there, then they "stood by him".
No doubt these are angels, plus another visit from the LORD Jesus Christ Himself
Again, Abraham bows himself to the ground, but is not told to get up and to not worship, signifying that this IS literally an appearance of the LORD.

(Genesis 18:3 [KJV])
And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Also no doubt that Abraham had found favor in Gods eyes from long before this time
God visited him enough to know this, so this may be just small talk, customary as a greeting
His greeting of "My Lord" is an indication that he knew one of the three is Divine.

(Genesis 18:4 [KJV])
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Washing the feet was a custom of the day, as a servant to do this meant humbling oneself.
Jesus did it to the disciples as an example:

(John 13:4-11 [KJV])
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

(Genesis 18:5 [KJV])
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Jesus does not have to rest, since He is our rest
He rested to allow time to talk to Abraham
Abraham appears to know that this is providential, from his "for therefore are ye come to your servant."

(Hebrews 13:2 [KJV])Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

ANGELS ARE REAL
THEY DO NOT APPEAR AS "GHOSTS" OR "GHOULS" ON EARTH WHEN THEY APPEAR IN THE FLESH........THEY APPEAR AS ORDINARY MEN
ANGELS ARE MANIFESTED COMPLETELY IN TH FLESH
ANGELS EAT FOOD LIKE FLESHLY PEOPLE-THEY DO NOT NEED TO EAT

(Genesis 18:6 [KJV])

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

Abraham is in a hurry!
They were still in tents
Here's the bread

(Genesis 18:7 [KJV])
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

Veal for the visitors
Abraham's hurry is now transmitted to the young man.

(Genesis 18:8 [KJV])
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Bread, meat, dairy products
No dietary laws given yet for boiling a kid in his mother's milk.

(Exodus 23:19 [KJV])
The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

(Exodus 34:26 [KJV])

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

(Deuteronomy 14:21 [KJV])

Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

(Genesis 18:9 [KJV])

And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

God already knows where Sarah is. He wants Abraham to just acknowledge it
This means she did not exit to cook on that hearth, which is either in the tent or behind it
Or, she exited the tent, served them and then returned to the tent.

The LORD takes over. First in v. 9 "they" asked about Sarah, now the LORD talks.
Again, Jesus tells them of the promised son, Isaac
The time of life may mean springtime, when the resurrection of the dead winter things happens

(Genesis 18:11 [KJV])
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

It can be said that both Abraham and Sarah were in the wintertime of their lives as well, in terms of childbearing
It was by God, the faith
It was by God, the seed, the strength
Sarah was past age
Abraham was as good as dead
This all led to Israel, the Messiahs Epiphany and eventually the Church

(Hebrews 11:11-12 [KJV])
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

(Genesis 18:12 [KJV])
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Isaac means laughter
Sarah is not laughing because she was happy
First Abraham laughed (Genesis 17:17) and so Isaac's name was given
Now Sarah laughs, and Isaac name is confirmed again
Sarah is laughing "within herself", silently. The fact that the LORD heard her is an indication of Deity.
Sarah is really laughing in a mocking sort of way

(Genesis 18:13 [KJV])
And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Again, the LORD knows why. He wants Abraham to just explain it
Notice He does not ask Sarah, the one who laughed, why she did in fact laugh. He asks Abraham

(Genesis 18:14 [KJV])
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Why does God need to ask us if anything is too hard for Him?
The time appointed is now repeated
God returning to Abraham and Sarah repeated
The time of life is repeated also

(Genesis 18:15 [KJV])
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

This was completely false, and she felt embarrassed to say the least
This was God speaking to her husband, so it was not a good idea to laugh at the idea.
Sarah laughed"within herself" and not audibly, so the ability to hear her must come only from God Himself

(Genesis 18:16 [KJV])
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

Abraham seems to be very hospitable, taking care of his guests to the point of seeing them off

God knows the heart of Abraham, and that it is merciful, gracious and kind
What God is about to do is going to be frightening, even to Abraham.
God knows Lot is there also so, when He tells Abraham what is going to happen, He knows Abraham's first thoughts will turn to Lot.
God's description of what Abraham would do for his descendants shows also that He knows WHAT Abraham is, not just WHO.
His kids and his household as well would follow him in walking with God, as they did in circumcision.

(Genesis 18:20 [KJV])
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Either this is Lot crying in his heart or even openly, or the inhabitants who were in bondage to the Sodomites
The other thing that they did was oppress the poor and the stranger

(Ezekiel 16:49 [KJV])
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

(2 Peter 2:7-8 [KJV])
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

(Genesis 18:21 [KJV])
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

God sees everything
The angels, as humans, do not.
The LORD could have just told the angels, but God likes us and them to work.
We will be working and worshiping for all eternity, never getting tired.
God also went down to Babel to visibly witness the wickedness and corruption

(Genesis 11:5 [KJV])
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Psalm 33:13-14

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

(Genesis 18:22 [KJV])
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Apparently the angels leave, the The Angel of the LORD does not, and Abraham makes the choice to abide with God, rather than let curiosity dictate him leaving to find out what is going on at Sodom and Gomorrah, since his nephew is there.

(Genesis 18:23 [KJV])
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

The closer you get to God, the more you want to (and get to) know about His mercy.
Apparently it must have been known to be really bad if he had to ask about God's plans for destruction
Abraham knew about the Flood, so he knew that as few as eight could be saved
His nephew Lot was there, so numbers were important as to how many would be righteous and remain alive

(Genesis 13:1 [KJV])
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

It may be that Abraham is asking this because either he is unsure there are even this many, or unsure about God saving some through the judgment
God never destroys those He has declared righteous, as they are His children.
The Flood is an example
The Rapture is another example
Egypt is another example, and one closer to Abraham's mind. He knows God will judge Egypt, "and afterward", so maybe he is not getting that Israel will get out after that judgment and is worried
We often forget God's grace and mercy is extended to us who are undeserving, but declared innocent and righteous through Jesus Christ

(Genesis 18:26 [KJV])
And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

However many people there were, fifty wouuld have to be a small amount percentage-wise

(Genesis 18:27 [KJV])
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Abraham acknowledges where we originally came from and to what he will return
He humbles himself before God to ask this, a most proper approach

(Genesis 2:7 [KJV])
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

(Genesis 18:28 [KJV])
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

It seems that fifty was aiming a bit high and the reputation of the city is pretty bad
This of course limits Lot's family and servants pretty low, comparaed to how many Abraham probably had altogether

(Genesis 18:29 [KJV])
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.

Abraham seems to be slowly working hs way down, not wanting to miss a "magic" number of some sort and have to wince at the answer he gets.

(Genesis 18:30 [KJV])
And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Abraham is about at half the level that he started at, and is not too shy to ask.
Abraham does not realize that only men pester and are pestered. God is overly longsuffering and patient, wants to talk to Abraham and hear from him, no matter what he asks.
God is still this way today, and things on earth are fast approaching the levels of sin as at Sodom and Gomorrah

(Genesis 18:31 [KJV])
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

(Genesis 18:32 [KJV])
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

Ten is where he stops. This includes only Lot and his immediate family.

It must be said that it is evident and often overlooked that God is not interested in judging this or any other people. They simply force His Hand by rejecting Him and through their utter wickedness and corruption, which makes them ripe.

MATTHEW HENRY:

And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once,.... This should be the last request he should make on this account, and therefore he desired he might be heard without any marks of his displeasure; Peradventure ten shall be found there: how would the place be dealt with then? would it be consumed or not? and he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake; though no more righteous persons were found in it. Some of the Jewish writers say {g}, he ended at ten, because he supposed there were ten righteous persons in Lot's family, Lot and his wife, and their four daughters, and their four husbands; but they forgot that two of Lot's daughters were unmarried, and how many he had married is not known; ten they say make a congregation, and wherever there are ten righteous persons, a place is saved for their sakes.

(Genesis 18:33 [KJV])
And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

This shows a sense of "urgency, to meet the emergency". God has been merciful, longsuffering, patient and kind to this wicked city, but God must not allow sin to dwell in His presence.
The destruction of the cities is also an act of mercy, since presumably there were small children and babies who, if they had been raised, would have become as God-rejecting and wicked as their parents but, because of God in His mercy, are now in Heaven forever.
He also has to get Lot out before any more pollution infects him and his loved ones, and his soul is futrther vexed. (2 Peter 2:7-8)

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Genesis Chapter 18

Genesis Chapter 18

The Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15

Genesis Chapter 18

Genesis Chapter 18

Pages

About