People ask why I like the Old Testament. They often say I should focus on what Jesus said and the apostles after Him. Sometimes, that person asking is me! And then, I read about Abram and it all becomes clear! The Bible is God's Word and it all applies to us. At the same time, it's the story of how He uses the imperfect to do His will and Abram is just such an example.
Abram was like us, a paradoxical mixture of self-centered reliance and trust in God. And the author Moses makes no attempt to gloss over Abram's failures. In fact, the stories, first of Abram's failure in Egypt with Pharaoh and then his success in Canaan with Lot, explore the contradictions within this man of faith. By this studied contrast Moses will help us explore our own hearts.
Join me in reading Genesis 13 and be encouraged!
