01_Gen 1:1 In the beginning God Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The Bible begins with these simple but majestic words: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This opening line is foundational to our understanding of the world and our place in it. It does not attempt to prove God’s existence. Instead, it declares it as self-evident. God is, and everything begins with Him. His existence and creative power are revealed through His works. Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” The story is told of a man whose car broke down on the road. He tried everything he could think of to get it running again but in vain. Finally, another man stopped to help. He made a quick but thorough inspection, adjusted something in the car’s innards, and said, “Try it now.” To the owner’s surprise, the car started immediately. Bewildered, he asked, “How did you fix it so fast?” The man replied, “ I built the car. I know how it works.” The creator knows his creation best. The manufacturer's deep understanding of the car he designed mirrors the far greater knowledge God has of all creation. He is also the ultimate authority over all for this very reason. Everything around us and within us begins with God. He is the source of everything. Just as a car owner turns to the manufacturer to understand or repair his car, we too must turn to our Creator for answers, direction, help, and purpose in life. Creation reveals the fingerprints of the Creator. The intricate design of a leaf, the vastness of the stars, the complexity of the human body—all point to a wise and purposeful Designer. True science teaches humility, and leads us to marvel at God’s wisdom in his beautiful and intentional design. Yet, this creation is only a partial revelation of God. Knowing that we need to know him in order to receive his grace and peace, God has lovingly revealed himself to us in the scriptures, the words recorded by holy men led by the Spirit of God. The Bible tells us not just that God is, but also reveals who He is. Through stories, parables, and teaching, God shows us His character, His purposes, and His desire for a relationship with us. The Scriptures are God’s service manual for life, guiding us into right alignment with our Creator. In these last days, God’s revelation has been made complete in his Son Jesus the Anointed. Hebrews 1:1-2 declares, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.” In Him, we see God as he truly is. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Christ reveals God’s incredible love for mankind. In him we understand the great destiny God has for us. He forgives and puts away sin

Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness… Gen 1:26 Imagine seeing a crumpled bit of paper on the ground. It would probably be dismissed as trash. But if that piece of paper was a high-value currency note, it would be quickly salvaged, regardless of its dirty appearance. Why? Both are paper, yet the currency note bears the guarantee of the government. This transforms it from a coloured bit of paper to very valuable, whatever its setting. Just so, every human being, regardless of outward circumstances, bears the image of God. This bestows inherent worth, the human dignity and value that no amount of degradation can erase. Genesis 1:27 tells us, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." These words establish a profound truth: every man and woman is equally created in the likeness of God. This equality of origin and of worth transcends gender, race, status, or ability. It is rooted not in what we do but in the image we bear. Genesis 9:6 emphasizes this by declaring the taking of human life to be punishable by death, because man was made in the image of God. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? The writer of Hebrews reflects on this mystery in Hebrews 2:6-7: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet.” Humans are unique from all other creatures. We were created just a little lower than angels. We were crowned with glory and honor, and given dominion over creation. This divine image is evident in our ability to reason, our moral sense of right and wrong, our creativity, and our capacity for relationships—with each other and with God. Yet, sin has alienated us from God and caused us to lose the reflection of His glory in us. Our moral compass is corrupted, our relationships fractured, and our purpose clouded. The image remains, but it is corrupted, like a tarnished mirror that no longer functions as it was intended to. However, the story doesn’t end there. Through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself and given us his Spirit. He is restoring His image in us who have come to Christ. Colossians 3:10 tells us that, in Christ, we have “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Ephesians 4:22-24 urges us to “put off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This renewal is a process, a daily transformation occurring as we submit to God’s work in our lives. While humanity has not yet been given dominion over all things that they were created for, yet Jesus has received the crown. Verse 9 declares, “We

03_Strive to enter into His rest Gen 2:1 And so the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their heavenly lights. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and on the sixth day, He made humanity, forming man and woman in His image. Then, on the seventh day, God rested. This wasn’t because God was weary. The Almighty doesn’t tire. God’s rest was not inactivity. The Father is always at work. Rather, his rest was one of contentment. His work was complete, perfect, and beautiful. In creating humanity on the sixth day, God gave man the unique privilege of entering into His rest without any labour. From the very start, humanity was not created for endless toil. Our destiny is to find fulfillment and peace in God’s completed work. Adam stepped into a world where nothing needed improvement. He didn’t wake up to a list of tasks. There was no garden in need of planting. There was no chaos. He opened his eyes on a world already blessed, sanctified, and whole. Everything was finished; all was "very good." Adam and Eve were invited into this rest—a deep satisfaction and contentment, rooted not in what they had done, but in God’s perfect work. Today, our ideas of rest often fall short. For most of us, rest is escaping work. We go to sleep, take a vacation, or seek entertainment. None of these are inherently wrong. Yet they do not give us real peace. The mind, like a roaring sea, remains restless. The prophet Isaiah described the wicked as being like the restless sea, tossing up refuse and rest. They cannot find calm because they are consumed with striving and self-reliance. Unrest is due to unbelief and rebellion against God’s ways. The Israelites who left Egypt with Moses illustrate this truth. They thought leaving Egypt would bring them rest. Instead, their doubt and disobedience forced them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After the next generation entered Canaan at last, they assumed this would finally bring peace. Yet, even Canaan couldn’t provide true rest. They constantly longed for things that they did not have. They did not have faith to be content with God’s provision and leading. As someone said, “It was easier for God to take Israel out of Egypt than to take Egypt out of Israel.” Rest is not a matter of circumstances. It’s not about our location. Rest is a condition of the heart. It is born of simple faith and obedience. Remember when the Israelites first stood on the border of Canaan, just a year after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. They sent out twelve spies to survey the land. Ten returned to discourage the people. They saw only the giants. The challenges looked insurmountable to them. Their words caused

04_The two trees Gen 2:9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen 2: 15-17 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” There is a story of a young boy who was sailing with his father, the captain of a sailing ship. While he was exploring the ship, he came to the huge sails flapping above his head. Intent on getting closer, he began to climb the mast, unseen by anybody. The higher he climbed, the more exhilarated he felt. He felt like a creature of the air rather than the ground. At the very top, he made the mistake of looking down. Instantly he froze in terror. Then he began screaming for help. The crew crowded around below. They shouted instructions and urged him to climb down. The hubbub only frightened him still more. Then his father arrived on the scene. Calmly, he called up to his son, “Look up and tell me what you see!” The boy obeyed, and through his tear-filled eyes, saw the marvelously blue sky. As he described it, his father continued, “Keep looking up. Now, climb down a step and tell me what you see.” The boy obeyed, looking up and following his father’s steady voice. He descended step by step, until he was standing on the deck again. His father knew that his voice would comfort and encourage his son as nothing else could do. He also knew that by looking above, his son would no longer be fearful of falling. The boy could concentrate on directing his feet as he climbed down. For the son was assured that his father’s voice would never lead him into harm. It would guide him safely through fear and danger. This story mirrors the choice presented to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God had created them fearfully and wonderfully. He had given them a paradise filled with every good and beautiful tree. Especially significant were two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were free to eat from any tree, including the Tree of Life, but forbidden access to the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The reason was also made clear. The day they ate that fruit, they would die. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil wasn’t inherently evil. God declared that all He created was good. The tree symbolized the desire for autonomy, freedom from dependence on God. It offered the ability to know good and

 05_The two offerings Gen 4:3-5 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord." – Genesis 4:16 "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." – I John 3:12 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."– Jude 11 The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest in the Bible. It forces us to grapple with the unsettling question: why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's?It explores the heart of the most profound issues that we face as human beings. It uncovers the meaning of worship and faith, and the devastating consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews reveals, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4). The question is, why did the brothers offer different sacrifices? Both Abel and Cain knew and acknowledged God’s being and his right to be worshipped. But Abel’s faith went beyond this. He apparently had something that Cain lacked. This deficit was fundamental to Cain’s rejection. The essence of Abel's offering seems to be twofold. He understood, from his parents’ sad history, the central role of a sacrifice in his relationship with God. He coupled this with faith, and offered an acceptable sacrifice. The essential need for sacrifice is hinted at in the story of how God clothed our first parents with animal skins after they sinned and realized that they were naked. Since death had not yet entered the world, animals must have been sacrificed to provide these skins for Adam and Eve. It is true that these sacrifices were inadequate to allow them to re-enter paradise. Yet they allowed their outer nakedness to be covered. The place of animal sacrifice as a cover for sin was thus established. Abel offered a sacrifice of the firstlings from his flock of sheep. But Cain offered the fruit of his labor from his vegetable garden. Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Secondly, Cain did not do what was good (Gen. 4:6,7; I John 3:12). This implies that he did not have the faith of Abel, for without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). As James writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and tremble.” (James 2:19). Cain’s belief was devoid of the obedience and reverence that characterize true faith. Cain's heart was far from God, and his actions reflected that distance. From God’s fatherly words

06_Walking with God Gen 5:21-24 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The story of Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24 is a testimony to what it means to walk with God. Among long genealogies of names, years, births, and deaths, Enoch shines like a diamond. His life is different, not just because of its relative brevity, but because he walked with God. Enoch pleased God. Enoch lived in an era that spanned nearly 2,000 years. Generations overlapped and thousands were born. Of all these long-lived patriarchs, only Enoch and Noah are described as those who walked with God. This is no coincidence. It’s a reminder that amidst the routine, mundane existence of millions, God is always on the lookout for those who walk with Him. In a world teeming with spiritual apathy, Enoch’s life challenges us to rise above spiritual lukewarmness and seek God’s company. The average lifespan of Enoch’s contemporaries was an astounding 929 years. Enoch lived only 365 years—a third of their age. Yet it is not how long we live that matters; it is how well we live. Enoch’s brief life left an indelible mark because it was a life that pleased God. What does it mean to walk with God? It signifies oneness of will, and agreement of nature. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Hebrews 11:5-6 emphasizes the foundation of Enoch’s walk with God. Enoch pleased God by his faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Enoch trusted in God’s eternal power and deity from the evidence of the world around him. He walked in faith, believing that God is and that he rewards those who seek him. Enoch recognized and yielded to God’s sovereign authority in faith. He did not wait for God to do what was pleasing to him. He lived for God’s commendation, rather than for possessions, prestige, or power. The fact of Enoch’s walk with God is recorded after the birth of his son, Methuselah. At this pivotal moment in his life, perhaps he gained a deeper understanding of his position and duty towards God. Enoch walked with God for 300 years while living with his family. Walking with God does not require retreating to a monastery or mountain. It is perhaps in the midst of our daily responsibilities that we walk most closely with God.

07_ The Ark of Noah and the Salvation through Christ Gen 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. The story of Noah’s Ark in Scripture has long fascinated its hearers. The account begins in a world that had spiraled into chaos. Genesis tells us that the earth was filled with violence and every thought of humanity was continually evil. God was ready to bring complete judgment upon the race of men who had devastated his earthly creation. The judgment that was coming—the global flood—was unlike anything the world had ever seen until then. However, he first provided a way of righteousness through faith. In His infinite mercy, he told Noah to build the Ark. It was not Noah’s idea or a human invention. The Ark was God’s plan, design and ordinance. Just as God first clothed our sinful parents, Adam and Eve, so he set forth the plan by which those who believed his words could escape the universal judgment. The Ark was built according to God’s precise measurements and pattern. These were not random but purposeful. Even so, every word of God is tried and true. We build on a sure foundation when we hear and obey his word. The Ark was covered inside and out with pitch to make it waterproof. The Hebrew word for pitch is closely related to the word for atonement. As the pitch kept out the waters of judgment that ruined the whole earth, Christ our Lord has made atonement by his blood for those who are in him. There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ. He is the author and the finisher of our faith, and in him we are secure. Anyone could enter the Ark until the day that it began to rain. Yet only eight escaped the flood because they believed and obeyed God’s call. Noah and his family acted on God’s warning about things not yet seen. They trusted His word over the ridicule of the world around them. Even so, Christ graciously calls all to come to him in repentance and enter freely by their faith into eternal life. Yet only those who believe and obey the call to flee from the wrath to come accept this unmeasurable gift of life in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christ reveals God in his fulness so that we may truly worship him, not

08_The two cities Gen 11:1-9 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic, a ship hailed as unsinkable, a marvel of human engineering, sank on its maiden voyage, disappearing into the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Designed to showcase human mastery, it went down, taking with it over 1,500 lives. This catastrophic event serves as a sobering reminder of the limitations of human effort, even at its peak. Genesis 11:1–9 gives us a far earlier illustration of the sheer scale at which God’s power surpasses the greatest efforts of mankind. In the land of Shinar, a man named Nimrod, described in the Bible as “a mighty hunter before the Lord,” established a kingdom that included Babel. His name in Hebrew suggests rebellion, and the Jewish historian Josephus portrays him as a man defying God’s authority. Josephus writes that Nimrod vowed revenge against God for the flood, planning to build a tower so high that it would withstand any divine act. Though the Bible doesn’t confirm these specific intentions, the narrative in Genesis reveals a striking parallel—a people united in seeking godlike greatness without God. As mankind spread out after the flood, a group journeyed eastward, settling on a plain in Shinar. Their decision to work together and build a city with a high tower that would reach the heavens seems admirable. It might even appear to be an example of collaboration and progress. But a careful reading shows that the tower was motivated by their rebellion. They did not want to be scattered, but to make themselves a name and an identity. They desired to find their own security in their unity. They hoped to take pride and find fame in their achievement. Instead of spreading across the earth and

09_Let there be no strife between us. Gen 13: 3-11 And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there previously; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 And the land could not support both of them while living together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are relatives! 9 Is the entire land not before you? Please separate from me; if you choose the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 Lot raised his eyes and saw all the vicinity of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt going toward Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the vicinity of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. So they separated from each other. Jim Elliott, the martyred American missionary who gave his life in 1956 while evangelizing among the Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador, penned these famous words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” These words resonate deeply when we consider how to navigate conflicts and disputes in a way that honors God. Conflicts arise whether we want them or not. They occur in families, workplaces, and even within the church. Genesis 13 records a quarrel between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot over pasture land for their flocks. Both men had prospered and needed more space for their livestock. Abraham, the senior and the heir to the promised land, had every right to claim the best land and dictate terms. Yet his response was marked by humility, grace, and faith in God. When disputes arise, our reactions reveal much about our hearts. Abraham’s response to this conflict shows his anxiety to please God and keep love in his relationship with Lot. First, Abraham recognized an essential truth: they were brothers. He reminded Lot, “We are close relatives; let’s not quarrel.” For Abraham, their relationship was more valuable than his personal rights. How much more are believers united in Christ! We are called to live in peace and love with one another, according to the unity of the one Spirit that we all share. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Peace is not merely the absence of conflict

10_Who is our reward? Gen 14:18-24 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” Samuel Morrison served God in Africa at the turn of the 19th century. He was returning to the United States after 25 years of service on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, returning after a brief hunting trip in Africa. When the ship docked in New York, Roosevelt was thronged with admirers bearing banners, with cheers, and much fanfare. He was given top security and a smooth passage through the docks, with a fleet of vehicles ready to whisk him away. In stark contrast, Morrison disembarked unnoticed, to head home alone, carrying his own luggage. Frustrated, he told God, “Lord, the President comes home from a few weeks on safari and is received with such honor. What about me? I’ve dedicated my entire life to your work, but nobody recognizes me!” These words came to his mind, “My son, you haven’t come home yet.” Morrison was both relieved and ashamed. Indeed, he had forgotten that his true home was still ahead, where he would receive an abundant welcome and an eternal reward. His thoughts became clear when he held an eternal perspective. Genesis 14:18-24 records a similar difference in viewpoint. The chapter records the first war in Scripture. In the lush Jordan Valley, four kings allied against a coalition of five. The latter, including the king of Sodom, had rebelled against their overlord, who marched against them with his allies and defeated them. He carried off all their people as captives and slaves, including Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who lived in Sodom. Hearing the news, Abraham sprang into action, marching with his 318 trained household servants on a rescue mission. Abraham could have sat still and done nothing. He could have reasoned that Lot had chosen his own path when he moved into the wicked city of Sodom. He could have convinced himself that it would be too dangerous and indeed futile to fight against this powerful alliance. He could have pleaded helplessness. Instead of resentment, self-righteousness, or fear, Abraham burned with zeal to rescue his brother. He held no grudges but trusted God to look after his welfare. “God has not given us the

 11_Abraham our Father in faith Gen 15:5, 6 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Heb 11: 8-12 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. Faith is one of the most profound concepts in the Bible. Faith is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," highlights numerous Old Testament heroes who demonstrated this crucial quality. From Abel to the prophets, each name is a testament to the essence and essentiality of faith. Interestingly, among these, Abraham and Sarah are given an extended mention spanning 11 verses, illustrating the depth of their faith and the lessons it holds for us. Genesis 15 records a crucial moment in Abraham’s life, shortly after his victory over an alliance of four kings. Abraham had risked his life to rescue his nephew Lot who had been taken captive with the people of four kingdoms. Though he succeeded in recovering all the people and the possessions from the enemy, Abraham refused to take anything by way of reward from the godless king of Sodom. By doing so, he showed his unwillingness to be indebted to anyone but the God who had called him. This left him with no tangible gains and, perhaps, powerful enemies among the kings he had defeated, and the king of Sodom whose friendship he had just turned down. In this moment of vulnerability, God appeared to Abraham with a profound promise: "Fear not, Abram: I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward." These words underline the greatest truth on earth. Our security does not come from earthly possessions, alliances, or strength, but from the presence of God Himself. To have God as our shield is to have a defense greater than any army. God is a reward beyond the greatest treasure on earth. However, even as Abraham gladly received this assurance, his heart remained burdened. He had no heir to inherit the promises God had given him. In response, God called him out to view the night sky blazing with innumerable stars. There he reiterated His promise.

12_Add to your faith perseverance Gen 16:1-3 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. Heb 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. The Bible’s honesty about the lives of its characters, with their triumphs and failures, is unmatched. It does not sugarcoat failure, rather laying bare the struggles, mistakes, and lessons of those who came before us. This authenticity is paired with God’s high standards for life and godliness. Thus, the scriptures reflect the very character of God, whose foundation is truth. Truth is not just a moral ideal but the essence of God Himself and the bedrock of love. In Genesis 16:1–5, we witness faith, perseverance, and the dangers of taking matters into our own hands. Abram and Sarai were given an extraordinary promise: their offspring would become a great nation. Abram received this promise at the age of 75, a testament to its miraculous nature. Ten years passed with no sign of a child. The delay tested their faith, and they faltered. Sarai suggested that Abraham go in to Hagar, her maidservant, thus giving Sarai a surrogate child through her. This was culturally acceptable in those times, and seemed a practical thing to do in view of her advanced age. Yet, failure to seek God’s perspective resulted in a bad decision that led to tension, jealousy, and lasting consequences. The truth is that God does not need our help to fulfill His promises. His plans are perfect, and His timing is impeccable. The promises of God are not limited by human capacity or lifespan. They are established in eternity, and their fulfillment is certain, though often beyond our understanding. We must resist the urge to interpret or twist God’s words to fit our limited perspective. Abram and Sarai’s choice reflected a momentary lapse in faith. Yet it was God’s ultimate plan that prevailed. The child of promise was to come through Sarai. In so doing, God affirmed the sanctity of monogamous marriage. Just as importantly, he emphasized the importance of faith in his ability to do exactly what he had promised. We often experience perplexing and painful delays. However, they are never arbitrary. Joseph went from being a favored son to a slave and prisoner through what seemed like a series of misfortunes. Yet each step was divinely planned for his preparation as one who would be in the right place and well equipped to save life. As a slave in the household of Potiphar, captain of the king’s guard, Joseph learned stewardship and leadership while being part of the

13_A covenant-making God Gen 17:7 I will confirm my covenant as a perpetual covenant between me and you. It will extend to your descendants after you throughout their generations. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you. It had been 24 years since Abram left Ur of the Chaldeans at God’s call. He had stepped out in faith on a journey to an unknown destination. God had promised him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Thirteen years had passed since the birth of Ishmael, the son of Abram through the Egyptian slave Hagar, his wife Sarai’s maidservant. That shared decision, born out of human reasoning and desperation, fomented strife and jealousy in the household. The passage of time and their bodily experience of aging pushed the fulfilment of the promise into the realm of impossibility. Abram and Sarai were at a point of complete helplessness. And then, God appeared to Abram. This wasn’t his first encounter with God. The God of glory had appeared to Abram in Mesopotamia and commanded him to leave. He had seen visions of God in moments of worship and sacrifice. But this time was different. God appeared to him, revealing Himself personally by a significant name that Abram had never heard before: El Shaddai—God Almighty. This name was a declaration of God’s infinite power, His sufficiency, and His ability to fulfill His promises. To a man who felt powerless, God’s message was clear: “I am the Almighty. Nothing is too hard for Me.” In a season of waiting, facing apparently impossible circumstances, let us remember El Shaddai, God Almighty. God began with a breathtaking declaration: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations" (Genesis 17:4-5). God’s covenant with Abram was a binding agreement that rested entirely on His faithfulness. Abram’s ability played no part in it, but his faith in God was essential. The repeated words “I will” echoed the divine commitment. God was not offering possibilities; He was making promises. His promises were unchangeable, unbreakable, and irrevocable. His covenant was a display of sovereign grace. It demonstrated for all time that God’s plans and salvation do not depend on or require human strength or effort. Abram’s name was changed. No longer was he the “exalted father”, Abram, but Abraham, “father of a multitude.” This was a prophetic change, declaring God’s purpose through him. Abram was now nearly 100 years old. He had fathered only one son, that too by a woman other than his wife. It needed immense faith to carry the name "father of a multitude". Yet he believed God. He trusted that what seemed impossible to him was entirely possible for the Almighty. The covenant of God gave rich promises to Abraham and his people: Posterity: God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Moreover, the covenant would be established

14_Service - the soul of hospitality Gen 18:1-5 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” Abraham was 99 years old when he showed hospitality to angels unawares. This remarkable episode is recorded in Genesis 18:1-5. Abraham at this time was a wealthy man with vast possessions and flocks. He was the head of a household that included at least 318 trained servants. With all this, Abraham remained humble and ready to serve. What stands out in this story is not his wealth or influence. It is his heart—a heart that joyfully embraced the opportunity to serve strangers in need. This underlines the fact that advanced age, high status, or comfortable circumstances need not exclude humility or the most menial service. In the hot desert, it would have been customary to seek shade at noon. Abraham, sitting at the entrance of his tent, could have easily stayed there. But when he noticed three men approaching, he didn’t hesitate or deliberate. Instead, he ran eagerly to meet them. Think about this for a moment: a 99-year-old man, running in the midday heat to greet strangers! Abraham didn’t wait hopefully to see if they would bypass him; he sought the opportunity to serve them. His immediate response demonstrated his readiness to serve. Abraham’s actions embody a principle that echoes throughout Scripture: true hospitality comes from a swift recognition of need and a willingness to meet it. Abraham did not know the men. They appeared to be ordinary travelers. He didn’t need an introduction or an agenda to extend kindness. He simply recognized their need for rest and refreshment and responded. Hospitality, in its truest form, isn’t about giving a good time to those we know and like. It’s about meeting the needs of strangers. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” For Abraham, hospitality was not an occasional impulse but a way of life. This was a characteristic not only of Abraham but also of his nephew Lot. Even while living in the wicked city of Sodom, Lot insisted on sheltering the two visitors who arrived at his city gate. He knew well what dangers they would face in the streets. For both men, service was instinctive. It wasn’t a way to impress or win the liking of

 15_Power of Intercession Gen 18:16-19 When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom. (Now Abraham was walking with them to see them on their way.) 17 Then the Lord said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 After all, Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on the earth may receive blessing through him. 19 I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then the Lord will give to Abraham what he promised him.” The power of intercession pervades Scripture. It offers a window into the heart of God, and our need to partner with Him in His purposes. When we pray, it is not just to present our needs. It is to ask for mercy and grace for others who, like us, do not deserve it. Genesis 18:16-19 shows Abraham engaging in an extraordinary dialogue with God. It showcases the power of intercession and how it can transform the one who prays as well as those prayed for. Prayer is listening to and speaking with God. The first time the word “pray” is recorded in scripture, in Genesis 20, is in the context of intercession. There, God tells Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, declaring that Abraham was a prophet and would pray for him. Thus, from the beginning, prayer is shown to transcend self-interest. It embraces the needs of others. The same characteristic is seen in Abraham's plea for Sodom and Gomorrah. These wicked cities cried out for judgment. And Abraham did not seek to turn aside God’s justice. He sought mercy to those who feared God, by sparing the cities in which they dwelt. Genesis 18 testifies to the character of God. Though the Lord says that He was on His way to confirm the grievous sin of Sodom and Gomorrah and to execute judgment, He acknowledges that he cannot help sharing His plans with Abraham. Truly, the secret of the Lord is with those who fear him. Amos 3:7 echoes this sentiment, stating, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." Do we know what it is to have the mind of Christ? Are our hearts so subject to his word that he is completely at home in our hearts? For then we abide with him and he with us. Abraham's response to the revelation of judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah is striking. One might expect that he would instantly agree because of the moral depravity of these cities. But instead he pleads for mercy. He is always aware that his kinsman Lot dwells in Sodom, having departed from him. He is not self-righteous or disdainful towards him. Instead, he is moved by love for Lot to hope that righteousness might yet be found in the city. Humility and love mark the true intercessor rather than judgment and wrath. It is easy to criticize those who faltered in their choices, as

16_A righteous man in the wrong place. 2Pet 2:6-10 “Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.” Some North African tribes have an ingenious method of catching monkeys. They place peanuts in a container with a narrow opening, after tying it to a tree. When a monkey approaches, lured by the scent of the peanuts, it reaches in for a handful. But now its hand is too large to pull out of the jar. The monkey will not let go. It keeps trying in vain to take its precious handful of nuts out, until it is captured by the trapper. The monkey’s foolishness led it to trade its freedom and life for a handful of peanuts! Sadly, people often make the same foolish choice. Genesis 19 and 2 Peter 2:6–10 reveal the story of a man who pursued fleeting earthly gains and, in doing so, lost far more precious things. Lot’s life cautions us to examine the nature of our heart’s treasure, which determines our choices. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, started his journey with Abraham, the man of promise. He left Ur and followed Abraham into Canaan, trusting in God’s call. When conflict arose between their herdsmen, Abraham generously allowed Lot to choose his land first. Lot lifted his eyes and chose the fertile plains near Sodom, a city notorious for its wickedness. This pivotal decision shaped his future. Over time, he didn’t just camp near Sodom; he moved inside its walls. Yet he remained a righteous man, as Peter says. He feared God and did not give in to the depravity of his neighbours. It seems astonishing that Lot would be called a righteous man, after he made such a disastrous choice. Even as the angels of God urged him to flee, he lingered. Finally, the angels had to pull him out of the city. Neither did his godliness impact his family, unlike Noah’s godly fear. Noah saved his household through the dreadful flood. But Lot’s wife perished as a child of disobedience. His daughters escaped the burning of the city with him. Yet their cynical ungodliness reveals that they were not people of faith. The suitors for his daughters openly mocked him. Why then this label? The answer lies in the difference between God’s perception of righteousness vs our own. God declares those people to be righteous who live by faith. His way is that of faith in his faithfulness.

17_Faith drives out fear Ps 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out fear Ps 34:4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears. On January 22, 1999, an Australian missionary to India, named Graham Staines, was brutally murdered with his two young sons, Philip and Timothy. Devoted to serving destitute leprosy patients in Orissa, they were burned alive in mistaken religious fanaticism. In the face of such profound loss, Staines' widow, Gladys, stood before the charred remains of her loved ones and sang unshaken faith: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!" Her faith in the depths of grief gave her courage to move ahead in the Lord’s will for her. She stood in shining contrast to the fear and failure that result from human frailty. Faith and fear are incompatible. This is the central theme of Genesis 20, which highlights the cost of fear and magnifies the faithfulness of God to his faltering people. Scripture calls Abraham a friend of God and the father of all those who believe. Yet it also records his stumbles through fear. Genesis 20 tells us that during his migration into Gerar, he pleaded with his beautiful wife Sarah to pass herself off as his sister and not his wife. He feared that the men of Gerar might lay violent hands on him to carry away Sarah for their king because of her magnificent loveliness. Abraham forgot God and his righteousness because of his fear. He fell into lying and selfishness. He did not believe that God could protect them all. Instead, he bartered his wife’s safety and honor for the sake of his own survival. Just as he feared, Sarah was taken into the harem of Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Yet before anything more could happen, God intervened. He warned Abimelech of the truth and of the serious consequences if he violated Sarah. He also revealed his impartiality, telling the king, “I knew that you did this in the integrity of your heart; therefore I kept you from doing evil.” Truly there is no respect of persons with God, as the scriptures repeat no less than six times. All those who seek righteousness in his ways are called and accepted by him into the grace of Jesus Christ. Confronted with the truth, Abimelech immediately restores Sarah and rebukes Abraham for his deception. The irony is that Abraham, chosen by God to inherit great promises, succumbs to fear, while Abimelech, a pagan and an outsider to God’s covenant, acts with integrity. Yet God does not mock or shame Abraham before Abimelech. This is not because he is partial, for he has recorded Abraham’s failure for all generations to come. Rather, he stands by Abraham to underline his own faithfulness and to reveal the truth of righteousness before him. Through the riches of God’s grace, God honored his covenant, not because of,