Day 8- Genesis 20-22; Galatians 2

Genesis 20:  It is nice to see that Abimelech could be saved by being honest too.  I really don't get why God did not tell Abraham not to lie about these things, isn't that a sin also?  My Bible commentator points out that Abimelech's generosity was a strong contrast to Abraham's fearfulness and deception.  Matthew Henry points out in his commentaries that the fairest marbles have their flaws and  this is Abraham's flawed presence in the Bible and its not left out just to make it pretty.

Genesis 21: Sarah seems to me, a bit out of control.  Where is her punishment for her jealousy and vindictiveness? Matthew Henry points out (although I wonder from where he  knows this) that Ishmael was abusive and mocked Isaac often.  Ishmael was 14 years older than Isaac and perhaps, he says, the feast after he was weaned from nursing, was really a feast to celebrate that the child lived.  He further indicates the casting out of Ishmael was because of his cruel behavior.  Interesting to me, Matthew Henry points out

Note, 1. God takes notice of what children say and do in their play, and will reckon with them if they say or do amiss, though their parents do not. Mocking is a great sin, and very provoking to God. 3. There is a rooted remaining enmity in the seed of the serpent against the seed of the woman. The children of promise must expect to be mocked. This is persecution, which those that will live godly must count upon. 4. None are rejected and cast out from God but those who have first deserved it. Ishmael is continued in Abraham’s family till he becomes a disturbance, grief, and scandal to it

 I think this chapter points out that struggles we are faced with in our own modern-day lives.  Abraham struggles with joy, pride, jealousy, marital issues and how they contrast with how he chooses to live his life conflicting with his wife's, neighbor troubles, problems with blurring the lines of honesty to make things easier for himself.  I can see something like this on a daily basis in my life.  I think the point is keeping my spiritual compass in the right direction will hopefully bring me through it all.  It also exemplifies that we cannot control others and sometimes our path is tested because of others,, but God is watching and waiting for us to make the right decisions.

Genesis 22: Wow!  My Bible commentator points out that this is not a temptation, its a test.  He indicates that Satan tempts us, God tests us.  Would you pass this test?  He also points out that this is the first time that we see a substitutionary sacrifice. 

Galatians 2: In 2:16 it is pointed out that we are justified by our faith.  My Bible commentator points out "Faith is the means by which justification is received, not its basis."  And further indicates that "[Paul] is arguing against an illegitimate use of the OT Law that made observance of that Law the grounds of acceptance with God."  Then in 2:21 points out "To mingle legalism with grace distorts grace and makes a mockery of the cross." Matthew Henry points out that it was because [Paul] was one of those that he was trying to convert that he was so appropriate for this particular ministry.

So, I am left understanding, beginning to understand, that the trials and tribulations that were experienced in the OT are different in fact, but similar in principle to those that I experience.  That I should have faith and apply it to the experience, rather than have the experience and justify it with faith.  And, that I have a purpose here in life, even though, I may not yet have pinpointed it.