Grains of Sand

There is an interesting parallel between Abraham’s dealing with Ephron in Genesis 23 and his dealing with the King of Sodom in Genesis 14. In both cases, the patriarch is doing business with two pagans. From Ephron he wishes to buy some land and a cave where he can bury Sarah. The King of Sodom is grateful for Abraham’s help in returned some captives, including Lot, and their possessions that were taken as the result of a war between the city-states. The King of Sodom offers to give Abraham part of the booty that was confiscated. It would have made him an even richer man than he already was. Abraham refuses saying, “ I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread of the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ” (14:22, 23, NIV). Abraham would not be beholden to a wicked man who denied God. When Sarah died, Abraham asked to ...

God had provided rest and refreshment for Elijah. He was ready to hear God's voice once again, and the Lord sent him into the mountains for a private consultation (1 Kings 19:11). Elijah had felt totally alone. God, having provided for his physical and emotional needs, was now about to provide for Elijah someone who could help him carry the burden of ministry. How reminiscent of what follows yesterday's key verse from Matthew 11. First of all, Jesus comes alongside and says: " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest " (11:28). Then He promises to partner with us to carry the burden He assigns to us. He says: " Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light " —Matthew 11:29, 30. A "yoke" is a wooden crosspiece that unites two animals so that they can better pull together. In our spiritual yoking with Chris...