Reading: Matthew 4:1-11, Acts 4:23-27, Psalm 7, Genesis 18-20

Recall:
Genesis 18:12-15
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18:22-23

Genesis 19:16-17 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered; so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and left him outside the city. 17 When they had brought them outside, they said, “Flee for your life; do not look back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed.”

Reflect:
You can't get a much more anthropomorphized God than appears in these stories in Genesis. Sarah laughs at God's words, God shrugs it off and fulfills his promise anyway. Then Abraham bargains with God over the destruction of Sodom. It goes on a long time. I was losing patience. But I guess God didn't. "OK, I'll spare it for 45, 40, 30, 20."

Then there is Lot and his family dawdling before the destruction of the city. God's messengers are saying "C'mon guys." They are still dragging their feet. So the messengers grab them by the hand and drag them out of the city.

Respond:
It's an interesting understanding of God. Somewhat comforting and, yet, somewhat unsettling at that same time--this God that is close enough to bargain with me, that isn't above picking me up and dragging me if he has to.

God, help me take advantage of this aspect of you. You are awesome, more than I can even begin to comprehend. Yet you make yourself close enough and simple enough for me to comprehend and touch. Thank you.