In Swearing (Gen. 21:22-24)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 09-18-2006

 

My Worship Time                                                                             Focus:  In Swearing

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                             Reference:  Genesis 21:22-24

 

            Message of the verse:  I am following the outline that Dr. Wiersbe is using in his commentary for the book of Genesis, and he skips ahead to chapter 21 and verses 22-34 in this overall section, but only verses 22-24 will be looked at today.

           

            “22 Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, ‘God is with you in all that you do; 23 now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have sojourned.’ 24 Abraham said, ‘I swear it.’”

           

            Abraham is again dealing with Abimelech in theses verses, and it is perhaps as much as four years since the last time that he had dealings with him.  Abraham had sinned in his last dealings with Abimelech and it seems very obvious that Abraham and Sarah had confessed this sin and are now once again living a life pleasing to God.  The statement that Abimelech makes here is a wonderful testimony to how Abraham is living his life, for he tells Abraham that it is evident that God is with you in all that you do.  Perhaps he is saying this to Abraham because he has some fear of the power that Abraham has, but at any rate he can see the life of Abraham was a life that had been very much blessed by God.  Abimelech must have remembered the sin that Abraham and Sarah had committed, for the question he raises to Abraham is will Abraham deal fairly with him and his family and show kindness to him, and Abraham swears to this.

 

            Dr. Wiersbe says, “It  did not compromise Abraham’s testimony.  God’s people cooperate with different people at different times for different purposes, and the discerning believer knows when any alliance is not in the will of God.”

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The key words in Dr. Wiersbe comments are a spiritual person and a discerning believer, for if a person is not walking with the Lord there is that possibility that an agreement could be made that would compromise his walk with the Lord.  I want to be wise in all that I do, for I do have a lot of money invested that was done because I was not as discerning as I should have been, and so I want to learn for that and if it is returned to be much more discerning in investing it again.

 

The Word of God has been both convicting and challenging to me as I read and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not upon my own understanding, in all of my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my path.  These are good words for me to help me to be a discerning believer.