Day 5: Lie or Die??

Day 5: Lie or Die?

So today(Sunday's) reading gave me some mixed feelings. The first part was again convicting like all those before. The second half was different though. There seemed to be a lot of frustration with David and Solomon. I didn't really see a lot of forgiveness but rather a more judgmental attitude.  I got more out of the Genesis and Matthew so I'm going to just stick with that today....

So as I continue to make my way through Genesis, I realize that there are two themes running. God is wanting one thing from his people and then also, God blesses those that "Go." Things have not changed throughout time but it's a lot easier to look at other people and see what they're doing wrong. So, people are beginning to work together and somehow the idea to build a grand city with a huge tower comes up. I don't think this is what was upset God. I think that when the people decided to build the tower so that they could be known in all of land, that is where God decided things weren't cool anymore.  It's easy to understand that when anything threatens to move focus from God to the world, there are problems. God comes down and introduces languages to build a gap between men and making it difficult for men to work together and create a shift in focus.

The second theme I've noticed is that God wants to bless those that "Go." It is seen multiple times already in Genesis. God tells someone to go do something and either tells them that He will bless them or just blesses those that respond to his commands. This brought two thought to my mind. First, why is it so hard to do some of the things God calls me to do even though I know He would bless me in it? But then that made me think as well.... Why am I doing the things God tells me to do? Is it because I want to be blessed or because they are an extension of my worship? Just something I'm trying to keep in my mind as I go about my day.

Another thing that kind of made me think was the trip to Egypt. I've heard this so many times but every time I hear it people pass over one part that I found significant. So (names have left me) a married couple move into Egypt.... the husband tells his wife to lie and say she is his wife because if not, he would be killed so the Egyptians could take her from him. I understand fear. But at what point does love get overlooked due to selfishness? I don't know what I would do in the situation. Honestly I think I would probably do the same thing... but I also think that after a little time I would regret my choice. It raises the question... If you are married, would you lie or die?

JDP