| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| January 18, 2025 | ESV (2016) | OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027 |
Genesis 18
In the opening verses of the chapter, the LORD appeared to Moses by the oaks of Mamre at the door of his tent. It is then said that Moses “lifted up his eyes” (seemingly insinuating that his eyes were previously cast down) and saw three men standing in front of him. In looking at a couple of commentaries, these men were actually two angels and God Himself. Moses responded to them with gracious hospitality, asking for them to stay, requisitioning to Sarah to make cakes and for a tender and good calf to be prepared.
The men ate while Moses sat under the tree and they entered into discourse regarding Sarah. The LORD told Moses that He would return next year and that Sarah would bear a son. Sarah, overhearing from the tent, laughed and questioned whether she would have pleasure in her old age. The LORD spoke to Abraham, asking why she had laughed at the idea of a future pregnancy and whether anything is too hard for the LORD. It seems worth noting here that the LORD did not confront Sarah directly, but Abraham, identifying Abraham as being the leader and head between himself and Sarah. Out of fear, Sarah denied her laughter but the LORD confirmed that she did indeed do so.
The men set out from there to Sodom and Abraham set them on their way. The LORD said that through Abraham would be made a great and mighty nation. The LORD was going to Sodom and Gomorrah due to their outcry and grave sin, taking time to confirm their wickedness before pronouncing judgment. Abraham drew near to the LORD and, in progressive series of questions, asked the LORD if He would sweep away the righteous with the wicked. Abraham’s interaction with God is bold but respectful, “concerned that God should act ethically” but also “reinforces the belief that the Lord will not punish inappropriately.” (TGCBC) At the end of their exchange, the LORD and Abraham part ways and Abraham returned to his place.
Key Takeaways and Application
A couple key elements emerge in this chapter. First is Abraham’s hospitality and respect for the men who had appeared before him. Upon seeing them, he instinctually invited them in and sought to feed them and care for them. It is heartening to see this kind of welcome and is one we should likewise extend to our neighbors as followers of Christ.
Second is the exchange between the LORD and Moses regarding the sparing of the righteous among the wicked in Sodom. We see in this the extent to which God grants His mercy. No one is fully righteous in themselves (Ps. 14:2-3) and yet, because of His boundless love, He looks upon His children with favor. No more profoundly do we see this manifested than in the sending of His Son to be our worthy sacrifice.
Matthew 18
The chapter opens with a question posed by the disciples of Jesus over who among them is greatest in the kingdom. Jesus called to Himself a child and told the disciples that unless they turn and become like children, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in His name also receives Him but it would be better to have a millstone fastened around your neck and be thrown into the depths of the sea than to cause a little one to sin. The ESVEC is quick to point out that “Scripture never claims that children are innocent, but children do understand their need for help and so exemplify the humility disciples need.”
Next, Jesus addresses the temptation to sin. Such temptations are to be expected but woe to the one by whom it comes. He describes how it is far better to be crippled, lame, without hands, feet or eyes than to be thrown into the hell of fire. Terrible as it would be to have abilities or members of our body removed, it is far worse to dwell separated from God in hell forever.
Jesus then tells the disciples not to despise any of the little ones as their angels always see the face of His Father who is in heaven. He gives the illustration of a shepherd and asks rhetorically whether he would search for the one of the ninety-nine that went astray. Indeed he would and he would rejoice when it is found. This is not to diminish the ninety-nine that remain intact, but “the shepherd rejoices when one strays and he finds it.” (ESVEC)
Jesus proceeds from here to give instruction on how to engage with someone who has sinned against you. As the ESVEC describes, “’If your brother sins’ is literally ‘when your brother sins.’ Brothers do sin against each other; Jesus here describes the way to address it.” The confrontation is to begin one-on-one with the transgressing brother with the aim of restoration, both in making the brother aware of their sin as it leads to their repentance and in the healing of the relationship. If this is not successful, addressing the brother’s sin is escalated to multiple witnesses and then, finally, to the church. If the brother remains impenitent even before the church, he is to be treated as a Gentile and tax collector. “Ideally, this path leads the sinner to see the gravity of the situation and reverse course. Excommunication is remedial, not punitive.” (ESVEC)
The concluding section of the chapter surrounds a question posed by Peter in which he asks how many times he should forgive a brother. He asks whether he is to forgive as much as seven times but Jesus replies that it is to be seventy-seven times, indicating that forgiveness should be unlimited provided the individual is truly repentant. Jesus then gives the illustration of a master who forgives his servant of an immense debt but the servant demands payment of a fellow servant, refusing to extend the same merciful courtesy as his master. The master rebuked the servant for being forgiven of so much but turning to act in such unforgiveness toward another. The master thus delivered him to the jailers until he should pay all his debt. Jesus describes how His heavenly Father would do to all of them the same if they did not forgive their brother from their heart
Key Takeaways and Application
The themes of reconciliation and forgiveness seem to permeate this chapter. We should stand in awe of our Lord and the forgiveness He has endowed to us as we stand condemned apart from His divine clemency. May we come to Him as children, acutely aware of the depth of sin, proceeding in unending gratitude for all that He is and has done and, in faithful response, forgiving others as we have first been forgiven in Christ.
