Jeremy R. Geerdes Posts

Genesis 16 reflects on the story of Hagar’s encounter with God in the wilderness. It explores themes of divine presence, guidance, and care, emphasizing that God meets us in our struggles, offering comfort and assurance even in our most challenging moments.

1        The reassurance of this verse seems at first out of place. Abram has just had a tremendous victory, defeating four kings who had already beat up on five other kings. Yet, how typical is this! In the wake of great success, when the adrenalin finally wears off, we often plunge into a low where, instead […]

In “Live Anointed: How the Holy Spirit Sanctifies Men & Women to Lead Together,” Rev. Katie Lance explores the concept of “kingdom fullness” where all believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit. She examines the disparity in ministry roles between men and women, advocating for an egalitarian leadership ethic in Wesleyan/holiness denominations while offering practical steps for change.

The text discusses the challenges in linking biblical kings to historical events, emphasizing their connections to small city-states in the Ancient Near East. It examines names and locations, particularly Abram’s encounter with Chedorlaomer’s coalition, highlighting themes of divine support and moral conduct in leadership, particularly Abram’s refusal of plunder.

Despite initial promises from God, Abram faced fears about his legacy due to childlessness. Ultimately, through faith and obedience, he received reassurance of God’s plan, illustrating the importance of perseverance in pursuing divine promises amidst challenges.

Abram’s journey back to Bethel underscores the challenges faced by nomadic herdsmen. Conflict arose between Abram and Lot due to resource scarcity, but Abram prioritized their relationship, demonstrating selfless leadership. Lot’s choice to settle near Sodom distanced him from godly influence, leading to spiritual decline. God’s promises to Abram required faith despite their seeming improbability.

The narrative explores Abram’s calling by God, emphasizing obedience, faith, and the reciprocal relationship with the divine. While Abram initially obeys and worships, he faces doubt amid hardship, leading to significant consequences affecting his family and blessings. The text suggests that true blessing involves sharing with others rather than mere personal gain.

The genealogy in Genesis highlights the descendants of Noah’s sons, presenting 70 nations known to Israelites. It emphasizes their historical significance, diverse settlements, and interconnectedness, despite some becoming adversaries. This serves as a reminder of our shared humanity, urging respectful relations even amidst conflict. The genealogy reflects cultural, linguistic, and geographic dimensions of ancient societies.

The excerpt discusses Sheerah, a woman mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:24, who built three cities, defying the male-centric culture of her time. Her achievements highlight the significant, yet often overlooked, roles women played in leadership and innovation in biblical history, suggesting broader involvement of women in important societal functions.