tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post5957218470104941602..comments2023-07-15T05:00:09.606-07:00Comments on Bible Book Club: Genesis 17 & 18 - Is Anything Too Difficult for the LORD?Carol Ann Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13676125721105006155noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post-34368497362762580002023-01-14T06:41:51.657-08:002023-01-14T06:41:51.657-08:00In reviewing this, it is so good to review that ti...In reviewing this, it is so good to review that time when God "helped my unbelief"! Praising Him this morning for meeting me in that upper room on a rainy day in Oregon in June of 1981. Carol Ann Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13676125721105006155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post-20767910825573144372008-01-15T15:13:00.000-08:002008-01-15T15:13:00.000-08:00There is so much in these passages!I thought about...There is so much in these passages!<BR/><BR/>I thought about circumcision some, too. Katrina, I think Abraham had Ishmael circumcised because God told him to have all his descendents, and in fact "every male among you" circumcised <BR/><BR/>Circumcision is a cutting away of the foreskin (a covering of extra flesh); it involves blood and pain. The Bible talks about the circumcision of the heart. Deut. 30:6 says, "And the Lord God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendents, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." And Deut. 10:16, "Circumcise the foreskin of your heart and be stiff-necked (rebellious) no longer." In the NT, the Jews are condemned for being outwardly circumcised, but not inwardly - inwardly they still had that covering of pride and self sufficiency. I want my heart to be circumcised. <BR/><BR/>I also pondered the conversation about Sodom and Gomorrah, but I notice that you're going to talk about that tomorrow so I'll wait on that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing that story, Carol! How great that God gave such an immediate sign to you! I have a couple of those in my life, too. Markers to remember.<BR/><BR/>Love that phrase: <B>fully assured that what God had promised He was able also to perform.</B> That's faith. God is able to give us life. What was dead He makes alive. <BR/><BR/>Fwiw, I'm still working on that poem reflection of Ps. 3-4. If I get a poem I will post it on the blog.Dancingirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00400203620215712439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post-16233182690790904602008-01-15T13:30:00.000-08:002008-01-15T13:30:00.000-08:00Thank you for sharing your story, Carol. Last Thu...Thank you for sharing your story, Carol. Last Thursday morning getting ready for school was a challenge. Daniel, our 1st grader had sprained his ankle during Awana game time. He was staying in his PJs and robe and informed us he simply could not go to school due to his injury.<BR/><BR/>We recited, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.<BR/><BR/>When we had Daniel 7 years ago, we had to face the issue of "to circumcise or not circumcise". I pondered on the meaning of circumcision and the significance of circumcison. Yes, the seed comes from that part of that body. However, I could not help think that circumcision is "circular", like a complete rainbow is a circle, a sign of eternity as well as God's promise. This act of obedience also set the Jews apart from other nations. As believers, we are called to be set-apart from the ways of the world. <BR/><BR/>This "circular" ring is a theme. <BR/>When we exchange marriage vows, it is customary to exchange gold bands or rings to signify our vow/promise to love one another for the rest of our lives.<BR/><BR/>Katrina, I think Ishmael received the sign of the covenant because he is Abraham's son, his own flesh and blood. God's grace and favor are on those He choses to bless. God chose to protect and bless Ishmael for Abraham's sake.<BR/><BR/>I remember I use to love listening to Amy Grant's rendition of El Shaddai in the 80's. Here it is on youtube.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-EGzskcdp0dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810640589868001669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post-66490156411794286092008-01-15T13:20:00.000-08:002008-01-15T13:20:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02810640589868001669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199367098526365458.post-21242592297210234412008-01-15T11:45:00.000-08:002008-01-15T11:45:00.000-08:00Great story, Carol!! I love how God showed Himself...Great story, Carol!! I love how God showed Himself to you. :)<BR/><BR/>It's interesting to me that although Ishmael was <I>not</I> the son of the covenant (Isaac was, v 21), he still received the sign of the covenant, circumcision. I wonder why?<BR/><BR/>The covenant includes that God will be "God to you and your descendants after you" with additional promises to make Abraham exceedingly fruitful and to give the land to Abraham's descendants. I think I've mostly focused on the numerous descendants and land before, but God is promising to be <I>his God</I>. There were lots of gods out there for Abraham to choose from. Not only would God be the God of Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob), but Abraham himself, as well as his descendants, would belong to God -- forever.<BR/><BR/>I like it that God lets us see Abraham's and Sarah's reactions of disbelief. It makes them more human. And God didn't seem to get angry with either of them.Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01130030009656711939noreply@blogger.com