This week’s “Wednesday Word” is a summary of Dr. Wellum’s exposition of Genesis 19-21 from Sunday April 27, 2008.

In His covenant with Abram, it is revealed that God’s plan to renew the cursed world would be accomplished by the multiplication of covenant-men upon the earth (Gen. 17:2, “I will multiply you exceedingly.”)—a purpose seen earlier in Genesis, both before the Fall (1:28, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.”) and after the Fall (9:1, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”). Humans who were out of proper relationship to God because of sin would be brought back into proper relationship with God through God’s covenant partner Abraham and his descendents. The first of these descendants—Isaac—was promised in 18:10-14. But, in between the hope-filled accounts of the promise of this seed and his actual birth (chpt. 21), we are reminded that the serpent of Gen. 1-3 has a plan and people as well.

In chapter 19, the wickedness of men, specifically their sexual perversion, is highlighted in an account of the evil city of Sodom. The city had become so perverse that God intended to completely destroy it and all its inhabitants. Through the intercession of God’s covenant partner Abraham, however, at least one family was delivered (that of Lot).

In chapter 20, even God’s covenant partner is shown to be one who does “things that ought not to be done” (v. 9). Instead of trusting God during a journey to Gerar, Abraham told the people of this land that Sarai was his sister, which resulted in her being taken into the king’s harem. Thus, the one who was supposed to bear the promised seed was in danger of bearing the seed of a ruler of a kingdom of this world.

But, in the midst of all this wickedness and all of these situations that seemed to threaten God’s promises, God’s grace and faithfulness shines through—the promised seed is finally born (21:1-8). The covenant people were multiplying. Neither cities and mobs of wicked men (chpt. 19), nor the foolish decisions of God’s covenant partners (chpt. 20) would hinder God’s plan. Humans in proper relationship with God would fill the earth as God intended. God would have for Himself a people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). But, as the rest of the biblical story makes clear, this would require a better covenant partner than either Abraham or Isaac.

Audio from this week’s lesson: Genesis 19-21.

~DGG