Through the Bible in one year - Day 19

This section in Genesis today is one of the most beautiful, and I love to read about Abraham standing before the Lord and pleading for the righteous. This is a perfect illustration for us about how to intercede for others; it also gives me a sense of awe as I consider Abraham arguing his case with God. Notice the ways he phrases things; far be it from you to do such a thing he says to God. This conversation is one of intimates-of individuals who know and respect each other. Oh that we all would be on such terms with God! We also see a shrewd negotiator in Abraham when he says: "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes...”He asks first if 50 righteous men are found there, and continues to ask all the way; until only 10 righteous are found and for the sake of those 10 the Lord will not destroy the cities – these 10 are the salvation for all the rest. In our lives, I think this is a very good lesson – first that we need to intercede on the behalf of others, and second we need to be part of those righteous few.

In today’s reading from 1 Chronicles we see David interceding on behalf of his people also. In this case, David was at fault to begin with, but he recognizes his error and falls on his face and asks that his people be spared the judgment that is due him – this too is a lesson for us. How much better would things work out if we saw our errors and instead of denying or trying to hide them from God, we fell on our faces and repented? I often wonder what would have happened if Adam and Eve had done this? Would they still have been thrown out – and us along with them, or would they have found mercy instead; would this repentance have opened up a new relationship for them and us?

These passages in Luke today also speak to me about being right with God. Jesus asks the Pharisee why he worries about cleaning the outside of a vessel when the inside (his heart, and mind and actions) are full of greed and wickedness. Jesus paints a picture of those of us who are more interested in how we appear than how we act, and that picture is not a complimentary one, indeed, he says outright that those who are more interested in building themselves up by casting others down will be charged with the blood of those who perish. And we ourselves will not be acknowledged if we fail to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. This is not lip service he is describing – this, like the repentance and intercession we see in the earlier readings is one of our whole selves, and our lives. We have to be ‘real’. Thankfully, it is not all hopeless – the Holy Spirit will teach us. Come Holy Spirit, come now and come with more power.

Today’s readings: Psalm 18, Genesis 18:16-33, 1 Chronicles 21:1-17, Luke 11:37-12:12