The Scriptures read are Genesis 13-15, Psalm 5, and Matthew 5.
Genesis 13-15. Abram and Lot separate rather than letting the rivalry between their herdsmen become a range war. Abram lets Lot pick his pasture. Lot decides to move to Sodom. Bad move!
A regular kind of war breaks out and Lot gets snatched in the process. Abram rounds up every able bodied man in his employ and goes after them. Abraham gets Lot back and is rewarded by a mysterious king of Salem (which means peace), Melchizedek, with bread and wine and a blessing. Sounds like a certain ritual meal we share today.
Abram is talking to God and despite being told that God will protect him, Abram is upset. What he wants is an heir. As it stands, if he dies, one of his household slaves get everything. God tells Abram to look at the stars and tells him that's how many descendents he'll have. Abram believes God and that's as good as being righteous in God's eyes. God tips Abram off about the coming exile but even forewarning doesn't prevent it.
Psalm 5. A psalm contrasts good and evil behavior.
Matthew 5. The Sermon on the Mount begins. This is where The Message is at its best. The paraphrases make familiar sayings sound new. "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." It makes you rethink what he's saying.
Jesus deals with murder, adultery, divorce, and loving your enemy. There are many forms of the Golden Rule but the command to love your enemies is unique. And it's probably the least obeyed commandment in the Bible.
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