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.

S – I establish my covenant with you that never again will every creature be wiped out by floodwaters; there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Genesis 9:11 CSB

O –  God initiates a covenant with man to never destroy all creatures of the earth by flooding the earth again.

A – God initiated the covenant.  He knew that man would do things that would be evil, immoral and corrupt.  He knew the wickedness of man’s heart and actions and that his perfection in truth and morality would always be in conflict.  The rainbow is a reminder to both of God’s grace.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are all knowing and always present.  We do not deserve your grace or mercy.  Yet, you give  both to us in our time of sin and need.  Thank you for loving us so much that we receive both in our brokenness.

S – When the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, he said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of human beings, even though the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth onward. And I will never again strike down every living thing as I have done. 

Genesis 8:21 CSB

O –  Commentary:

Leaving the ark, Noah made a sacrifice to God, which was a pleasing aroma to Him. The people of God are a worshiping people, as Israel would learn, and that worship was to take the form of giving God some of the best of what was His. The redeemed of the Lord offer Him the praise of their lips (Heb. 13:15), the best of their possessions (Prov. 3:9), and the willingness and humility of their spirits. Noah received God’s grace, walked with God in obedience and righteousness, was preserved from judgment, entered a new age with people’s wickedness temporarily removed, and responded with worship and sacrifice.

After Noah made the sacrifice, God promised never to curse the ground in this way again. The continuity of seasons is evidence of God’s forbearance.

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

A – Many times, we equate worship to just singing.  Worship are acts of reverence that honor God.  Noah’s act of worship changed moved God to never curse the ground or every living creature.  God wants us to worship him today in spirit and truth.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of praise, honor and worship today. Thank you for loving us even when we are broken and born with evil in our heart.  The blood of Jesus covers our sins and allows us to walk in relationship with you.

S – Those that entered, male and female of every creature, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the Lord shut him in. 

Genesis  7:16 CSB

O – Once all the creatures and Noah’s family were in the ark, God himself shut them in.

 There is a lot interpretations about why God shut the door.  They range from symbolism of salvation, grace, judgement and even, he just physically just shut the door.  

A – When we act in accordance to God’s will, so does God.  He is working on our behalf and our good.  Noah built and ark (something never done before), when it didn’t make sense (it hadn’t rained) and experienced something never experienced (flood, underground springs released, shifting earth crust).  Yet, God was with him and put his “seal” on it by shutting the door.  Whatever we are experiencing or going through today, God is with us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God.  We thank you that we do not have to go through our day alone.  You are with us.  We invite your Holy Spirit to be present and powerful.  We know in the storm you are our peace.

S – These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God

Genesis 6: 9 CSB

O –  Commentary:

walked with God The ot describes a pattern of personal, divine encounters that precede a calling for divine service. The pattern begins with Adam, who spoke with God face to face and, along with Eve, received the dominion (stewardship) mandate of Gen 1:26–28. It appears next with Enoch who, as Noah, walked with God

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – Divine encounters lead to divine calling.  There are milestones in our walk with God where we feel God asking us to do something unique.  In walking that out, it leads to completing the vision God gives us.  It will challenge and build our faith and reliance on Him.  The hard part is deciding to pursue what God has for us and then actually walking it out.  No fear – God is in this.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor.  Please help us to hear your voice and promptings when your will is challenging us to do something unusual.  Keep us close to you – walk with us. We want to feel your presence and power.

S – So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. ²⁴ Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him

Genesis 5:23–24 CSB

O – Commentary:

In Enoch’s case, the statement was not made—as it was with the other males in this genealogy—that he lived so many years and then died. Instead he walked with God (Gen. 5:22, 24). “Walk” is the biblical expression for fellowship and obedience that results in divine favor. Enoch’s walk lasted 300 years. No doubt his walk would have continued, but God took him away (v. 24)—he did not die

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

A – When you read that Adam and Eve walked and talked with God, it appears “normal.”  Since we do not do that physically, we know it is not.  What changed?  Sin brings separation.  Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam and he is the first son to walk with God.  Sin causes us to think, say and do according to our own will and desires.  We need to walk with God each day.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Alpha and the Omega.  We desire to know you intimately and walk with you today.  Forgive us of our sins that bring distance.  Draw us closer to you and give us the strength and courage to defeat sin in our lives.