Today’s reading plan calls for us to read Matthew 7:1-20 and Genesis 19:23-21:34. Because I believe the Bible is consistent all the way through, I try to look for parallel themes from passage to passage whether they are in the Old Testament or the New Testament. So, how do these passages connect?
The passage from Matthew 7 contains the lightning rod verses concerning judgment. After a more expanded read, though, there seems to be more of a theme developed in these 20 verses. That theme seems to be self-examination. Jesus does not tell us to turn away from confronting wrong. However, He tells us that before we move forward with any confrontation of others we need to confront ourselves. Then, we need to be careful to speak and act just as we would like to be spoken to and acted upon when reaching out to others. Now, press pause on this passage for a moment.
Genesis 19-21 is a soap opera waiting to happen. I mean, holy cow there’s a lot of drama here! Speaking of Lot and his family…we find them supposedly escaping the immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, it doesn’t appear that all of the family is sold on leaving this lifestyle. We cannot be sure if Lot’s wife looks back because she wants to see the wrath of God on display or because she would return to the city if possible, but we do know there is immorality in the family from the action of Lot’s daughters in Genesis 19. Then, because of his lack of trust in God, we listen to Abram lie to the King concerning the fact that Sarah is his wife. Aren’t these the folks that are supposed to be functioning as the primary followers of God in this passage?
Let’s return to our connecting question concerning these passages now. They connect because we do not see Abram’s family, nor Lot’s family doing a very good job at self-examination. It is so easy for us to point our finger at Sodom and Gomorrah and scream about the wickedness there, but we must first examine what is going on in the lives of God’s people.
Truthfully, our names could be in these passages. We are quick to find the faults of the culture around us, but to look past our own poor choices. In an instant we see the problems in other families, yet how much time do we spend lining our own family up in front of the mirror of self-examination? We are guilty of immoral desires. We are guilty of not trusting God. Let us be slow to point out the faults of others and quick to plead with God to help us clean up the messes in our own lives.
What should you be confessing to God?
What should you be repenting of now?
What desire of your heart are you trying to hide from God?
How will you show more mercy to others?
Brandon Porter
Care Pastor
bporter@lhbg.org
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