S – “But Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. 

Genesis 19:26 CSB

O – Commentary:

looked back: The verb indicates prolonged, intense gazing toward the world she loved, not a curious glance (15:5; Exod 33:8; Num 21:9; 1 Sam 2:32; cp. Exod 3:6). Lot’s wife was too attached to Sodom to follow God’s call of grace, so she was included in the judgment as she lingered on the valley slopes. Christ’s return to judge the world will be as sudden and devastating as the destruction of Sodom (Luke 17:32–37). Those who crave the life of this wicked world will lose this world and the next.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We experience something similar today.  There are things in our lives that we know do not honor God and yet, we like them and care about them.  We know that God wants us to distance ourselves but there is a yearning to stay attached to them.  We must move away from those things and take a step toward God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all.  Empower us to identify the things in our lives that do not honor you.  Give us the strength and courage to move away from them and take a step toward you.  

S – Then he said, “Let my lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time. Suppose ten are found there?” 

He answered, “I will not destroy it on account of ten.” ³³ When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he departed, and Abraham returned to his place. 

Genesis 18:32–33 CSB

O – Commentary:

Abraham’s great character is revealed by his intercession. He prayed that all in the cities—the wicked as well as the righteous—be spared for the sake of the … righteous (v. 23). Earlier he had personally rescued these people in battle (14:16). Now he pleaded for them with the same boldness, perseverance, and generosity with which he had fought for them. Abraham’s “bargaining” with God jars some readers. But Abraham’s prayers, though audacious, were made with genuine humility and profound reverence. It was for justice that he pleaded: deliverance for Sodom if there were as few as 50.… 45.… 40.… 30.… 20, or even 10 righteous people there

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The Lord hears us when we pray.  We can make our prayer requests to God that appeal to the character and heart of him.  There are times when he feels distant or that he is not listening.  We need to continue to pray and speak out what we desire or feel.  That is relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and just.  Empower us to share our hearts and desires with you openly.  We know you hear us and want to communicate with us.  We want to continue to build a relationship with you today.

S – Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations

Genesis 17:5 CSB

O – Commentary:

The patriarch’s name change was crucial. The name Abram (17:5), meaning “exalted father,” harked back to Terah (11:27) and implied that Abram came from royal lineage. But in Hebrew the name Abraham (’aḇrāhâm) sounds similar to “father of a multitude” (’aḇ hămôn) of nations (17:4–5). His new name implied a look ahead to his descendants.

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Abraham’s name change was a reminder of God’s promise.  Same with Isaac changing to Israel and Saul to Paul.  It was a reminder to the person who was receiving the promise.  It also was a point of faith.  Others would hear of the name change to Abraham and probably question “How can I man and wife this old have a baby?”  Abraham and Sarah had to walk their faith out personally and publically.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor.  Give us strength personally in our faith to walk out your promises.  We know that others may question but we are resolute in our believe and trust in you.

S –  So she named the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?

Genesis 16:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

In this passage two popular etymologies form not only the climax of the section but the point of the whole unit. God Himself named the boy Ishmael, which He then explained: for the Lord has heard of your misery (16:11). Clearly He meant this primarily for Hagar, but it was also meant for Abram and Sarai.

The other naming was Hagar’s referring to God as “the One who sees” after her, that is, looks out for her. So in these two names is a world of theology: God hears and God sees

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A –  God sees and hears you today.  It isn’t just for miracles – it is also for relationship. When you are in a conversation with someone and they aren’t paying attention,  it is rude, frustrating and annoying.  But, when they look at you genuinely and hear your words it is engaging and life giving.  That is the relationship God wants with us.  He does his part;  do we do ours?

R – Heavenly Father, you are the God who sees us.  Thank you for knowing us intimately.  We want to know you more by spending time in your presence and listening to your words.  Give us the courage to meet you where we are at in our good and tough times.

S – He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.” ⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:5–6 CSB

O – Commentary:

Genesis 15:6 provides an important note, but it does not pinpoint Abram’s conversion. That occurred years earlier when he left Ur. (The form of the Heb. word for “believed” shows that his faith did not begin after the events recorded in vv. 1–5.) Abram’s faith is recorded here because it is foundational for making the covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant did not give Abram redemption; it was a covenant made with Abram who had already believed and to whom righteousness had already been imputed. The Bible clearly teaches that in all ages imputed righteousness (i.e., salvation) comes by faith

 “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We enter into a relationship with God when we accept Christ as our savior.  When we believe God is who He says he is and invite him to be part of our lives, we are activating our faith in God.  He exchanges our sins for his righteousness.  It is an amazing exchange and beginning of a new life with him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of all.  We are grateful for our relationship with you.  You forgave us our sins and gave us righteousness in return.  Help us to walk in relationship with you today.

S – Melchizedek, king of Salem,^, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. ¹⁹ He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²⁰ and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything

Genesis 14:18–20 CSB

O – Commentary:

Melchizedek is the only person whom Abram recognized as his spiritual superior. Abram accepted blessing from him (v. 19), and Abram paid him a 10th (a tithe) of all he had (v. 20). Abram did this deliberately, in full awareness of what he was doing. It shows how unthreatened and humble Abram was, even after a victory. He recognized that God’s revelation was not limited to him. While the reader’s attention is focused on Abram carrying the whole spiritual hope of the world, there emerged out of an obscure Canaanite valley a man nearer to God than Abram was, who blessed Abram

  “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – It is comforting and empowering to Abram to recognize there is someone that is his spiritual superior.  Recognizing the journey of faith he was to endure, having a spiritual leader would be important.  We have that in Christ as our high priest who intercedes and advocates for us.  We can walk in confidence and humility knowing that he is standing in the gap for our good.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God.  Thank you for Christ being our high priest and advocate for us.  We can face today and its challenges knowing that you are present, blessing us and empoweing us to accomplish what is before us.

S – So Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives. ⁹ Isn’t the whole land before you? Separate from me: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

Genesis 13:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

Hardly any other chapter in the Bible describes faith so marvelously. Here was the patriarch as a genuine believer in and worshiper of Yahweh—whose faith functioned in a conflict. Lot, walking by sight, chose on the basis of what appealed to him. His choice was self-seeking and self-gratifying. But such a choice became dangerous and short-lived, for all was not as it appeared to be on the surface. Abram, on the other hand, walking by faith, generously let Lot choose first. Abram was unselfish, trusting God. He had learned that it was not by his own plan that he would come into the possession, or by jealously guarding what was his. He acted righteously and generously. One who believes that God is pledged to provide for him is not greedy, anxious, or covetous.

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – There is nothing wrong with building strategy and planning.  Yet, when we rely on that alone to ensure God’s will or promises, we will fall short.  It takes faith to do our part and invite God to do His part.  In doing so, we invite the power and presence of God to do his will in our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the only God.  We invite your will and purpose to be accomplished in us today.  We can have faith in you.  We will do our part to prepare and want you to do whatever you desire to help us grow closer to you.

S – The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Genesis 12:1–3 CSB

O –  Commentary:

If Abram would get out of Ur, God would do three things for him, so that he could then be a blessing in the land (the second imperative); and he had to be that blessing so that God would do three more things for him. This symmetry should not be missed, for it strengthens the meaning. Abram’s calling had a purpose: his obedience would bring great blessing.

Three promises were based on God’s call for Abram to leave his land: (a) a great nation, (b) a blessing for Abram, and (c) a great name (v. 2). These promises would enable him to “be a blessing” (the second imperative, v. 2). Based on this obedience were God’s three promises to: (a) bless those who blessed him, (b) curse anyone who would treat him lightly, and (c) bless the families of the earth through him (v. 3). To bless or curse Abram was to bless or curse Abram’s God. 

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God’s blessing for Abraham was predicated on his faith and obedience.  He easily could have stayed in Haran and asked God to do all of this there.  God wanted to move him to a location, people and purpose that aligned with his plan.  Abraham responded with faith and obedience and God blessed him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy.  Empower our faith to trust and lean into your plans for us.  Give us the courage to obey your Word.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all that we do today.

S -The Lord said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Genesis 11:6 CSB

O – Commentary:

Their desire to enhance their unity and strength had potential for the greatest evil, according to the Lord’s evaluation: If … they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Thus what they would not do in obedience (viz., scatter over the earth, v. 4) He did for them in judgment

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Unity is a powerful thing.  Unfortunately, these people unified in actions unpleasing to God.  God wants us to live in community with others and to actually be unified in pleasing him.  We need to work on our own hearts first and then connect with others to honor together as one.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Start with us first to check our own hearts and make sure they align with you.  Then, give us the ability to connect with others to honor and reverence you in our words, thoughts and actions.

S – These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their family records, in their nations. The nations on earth spread out from these after the flood.

Genesis 10:32 CSB

O –  Commentary:

This passage is called the Table of Nations because its list explains the origin of most of the peoples of the ancient Near East. The names correspond to biblical names for major people groups, tribes, and regions (see vv. 31–32).

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – Noah’s family was charged to “be fruitful and multiply.”  This whole chapter gives an understanding of how different clans and people were populating the regions.  It also begins to give a divine picture of God’s presence and how people responded to it.  Some of the cities jump out as “rebellious” cities later in the Bible.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We thank you for your presence.  We all come from the line of Noah, born into a sinful nature.  Thank you for the redemption and forgiveness that comes through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  We love you today.