Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Thank you for tuning in, and thanks for all the encouraging comments and ideas for this podcast. We actually made it to number 1 in the Apple Podcasts Religion & Spirituality charts! Thanks for your help in sharing this podcast with others. Due to a number of requests we now have 3 social media channels you might like to follow at Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook… all with the username @butfirstbible. If you are posting any of your own reflections online make sure you use #butfirstbible so others can follow along.
Today’s readings are from Genesis 12-14 and Matthew 5:1-26. If you haven’t read them yet, pause the podcast to do that.
And we’re back.
In Genesis 1-11 there is a pattern of SIN, JUDGEMENT, GRACE. That is humans sin and rebel against God; they are rightly judged by God; and yet God shows grace and mercy to them.
We saw that two days ago with the account of Noah. SIN was the widespread wickedness. JUDGEMENT was the flood. GRACE was God saving Noah and his family.
In chapter 11 we have the Tower of Babel scene. What was the sin? Human arrogance as they built the tower in order to make a name for themselves. What was the judgment? God confused their languages and scattered them. What was the grace? To find out God’s grace we need to read on to the next chapter.
Look at the first three verses Genesis chapter 12…
[1] Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (ESV)
God promises Abram a land, a great nation, and blessing.
Chapter 12 is a turning point in the Bible. From this point on, we will see what God will do to keep his promises.
Babel saw people scattered, the promises to Abram sees people gathered back together by God. If the fall in Genesis 3 brought a curse into the world, God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 12 is a promise to reverse the effects of the curse by bringing blessing to all nations.
The Old Testament shows a partial fulfilment of these promises to Abram, but it’s not until the New Testament we see the greatest fulfilment of these promises in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the one who will ultimately come from Abraham’s family tree to bring blessing to people from all nations who trust in his death and resurrection.
Over to you… Can you think of verses in the New Testament that speak about the significance of God’s promises to Abraham and their fulfilment in Jesus Christ? You might like to jot them down in your journal, or share them and any reflections via social media.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.