Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 12:17-20 (New Living Translation)

17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.

The first phrase above tells us that the LORD, a.k.a., YHWH or Jehovah took action. Because of what was happening with Sarai, Abram, and Pharaoh, Jehovah sent terrible plagues and caused great suffering on Pharaoh and his household.

Does God still act in this way today? Why not? I think God does still act.

The trouble is, I’m not smart enough to tell when God does these kinds of things or when my ego tells me that THOSE GUYS who NEED punishment are being punished by God. Of course this is all subjective on my part. And of course I’m usually being petty in all this. And of course I’m sort of sinning in all this in that hate enters my heart and I really wish secretly, but really wish hard that God would…

There I go again. I want to be God and not me. Please God, help me in my unbelief.