Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 19 and 20. Rape, Deceit and God's Anger

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 19, 20

Rape, Deceit, and God's Anger

I believe that today's passage could easily have numerous Bible Devotions related to it. It is why I encourage folks to read the passage for themselves and see what they get out of it, of course with a bit of understanding and openness would be beneficial.

I believe that especially chapter 19 of Genesis is one of the most misused, abused passages in all of scripture, especially when it comes to the misinterpretation and way many have taken it regarding the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and their destruction.

We see the continuation of the story after Abraham has been visited by the Lord and two angels. He and the Lord are on a hill conversing as the two angels go to the cities of Sodom and Gommorah to try and see what is going on and then ultimately deliver Lot and his families to safety as God decides to destroy the cities.

What we see is a group of men in the cities who try to take the angels captive, to rape them. Many over the years have said this is specifically related to homosexuality. Let me be emphatic, it is about rape, and much more not homosexuality. In fact, in the book of Ezekiel Chapter 16 we see God give the specific reason as to why the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Ezekiel 16:49, we read from the NIV - "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."  You can look at other translations, all say the same thing. It was not homosexuality, it was a perversion of focusing on self more than others, and not caring for those in need, especially the poor and needy. While there can be debate as to how to care for the poor and needy, God's desire to care for the poor and needy, to not be arrogant and prideful, are not up for debate. I will also say, if one wants to address the area of homosexuality, there are other passages to discuss and study, this is not one of them. I would however, even on this subject, encourage a detailed study using the Hebrew and the Greek.

I challenge, it is easy to misinterpret and misuse scripture because it makes it easier for us to get away from examining ourselves. Do we care for the poor and needy? Do we engage in sins to bring self pleasure, even when done inappropriately and outside the will of God. Are we perverts in seeking sexual gratification, I'm not talking about with a loved one you are committed to, I'm talking to the point that the sex you are engaged in is for the wrong purposes and solely to bring self gratification without the love God intended. When doing a self examinations, this passage becomes rather difficult because I still maintain, while we have Christ as a redeemer in our lives that forgives sin, the nature of God does not change.

Of course the passage is about much more. Do we laugh at those trying to give us advice that would save us such as the potential husbands and families of Lot's daughters did?   Do we make excuses to delay the things God would have for us? Think about it, the arguing and persuasion the angels had to do for Lot and his family? If we look at the world around us today, is it really that much different than what we see in these passages?

I could go on, in chapter 20 is a continuation of a story we read about earlier in Genesis. It shows how God intervenes at times to save us and to protect our relationships, such as between Abraham and Sarah. It also shows a measure of deceit of where we have to be careful, even among family who would try to do the wrong things to obtain the things they want. It is all about if you will, in a way, selfishness, a concept where we ignore the aspect of loving our neighbors, to care for our fellow human being.

All in all, we see that while God is a God who will go out of his way to show love, mercy and forgiveness, we need to also remember that God is also a God who exercises justice and vengeance. Just because we think God will never do harm, or have His way, doesn't make it so. God is God and God will not be mocked, nor will God be made light of. He has aspects that He holds true. Us not liking them or putting God in a place where we don't agree with what we read does not change God no matter how much we try. Of course in this I can also say, misquoting scripture and making it say things it does not say, especially in situations like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah does not make it so either. We will know this if we study scripture. Today's passage is one that can take days and days to reflect and chew on. Yet, it is also one that shows the lack of study that we sometimes engage in. We can't just take the word of the one doing the teaching, we have to be prepared to do the study ourselves. The Holy Spirit is fully capable of giving us understanding.

To see Genesis Chapter 19 and 20 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+19%2C+20&version=CEV 

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Netflix, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As of this writing, Netflix is under attack, again. There are calls of boycotting the network and thousands have done just that, cancelling their services.  I decided to look at the current controversy and come to my own conclusions. In doing so, I came to some areas of thought I was not expecting. If you are looking for answers in this article, you likely won't get them. What I hope you do get is something that provokes thought, that sometimes, things are not as simple as we like to paint them.

 First The Good

 There is no doubt that over the years Netflix has done some good things, especially so for many in the time of covid. While many are social distancing due to either covid or other health concerns such as cancer as I had to do for over a year prior to covid, Netflix has provided entertainment, education, information and something to do within the walls of ones homes. While there are many who will have their own solutions, the reality is those solutions do not always work for everyone.

Let me give as an example, the #1 viewed show on Netflix at the moment of this writing, The Social Dilemma. I became aware of the documentary after reading a post on Facebook by Matt Lowe. After reading his comments I decided to watch the program. Unfortunately, due to the massive boycotts and cancellations at Netflix many will not see this must view program which explores how people are being manipulated via social media formats. This is an issue that runs far deeper and much more seriously than people realize. The bottom line, we are all being manipulated in all kinds of ways via computer and media algorithms that are based primarily on the profit margin, not the truth. In this, everything you do on either Pintrest, Twitter, Facebook or other social platforms of the sort are impacting society.

 That impact is based on profit, not truth. The interesting thing about all of this is that this information is presented by the creators of those social media formats on this program. They go so far as to tell people, to get off of social media, and that a part of the dilemma, is that if we continue down the path we can expect a civil war in America and the end of civilization as we know it. They go so far as to say they have gotten off of it and don't allow their children access to it. Think about it, these ideals are being presented by people who are the creators of things like Facebook, Twitter, etc.  This is a must view in my opinion. For those who think they can not be suckered into this manipulation, you are sadly mistaken, watch the program and see what these creators are saying and what those algorithms have already done.   

 As a person of faith, I also see another benefit or positive about Netflix, that is there massive amount of movies that for me as a Christian, are important because they carry a spiritual and Christian theme. The reality is that for every bad movie on Netflix there are also movies with a positive message. I know that for me, while my wife was fighting her pancreatic cancer there was a benefit to being able to do some research specific as to that particular disease. I was able to go to a place where I was able to gather information that provided me knowledge and the ability to better care for my wife.

 Next, The Bad

 I started hearing a few weeks ago about the extremely controversial French Film getting ready to be broadcast on Netflix that exploited the sexuality of young girls. The movie is Cuties. Unlike many, I do reviews and realize that a lot of false information is often given about a movie, mostly by people who have never seen the movie. Hollywood as an example was getting blasted about this movie. The first thing I realized is it is movie made in France, not Hollywood.

 In short, Cuties is about a young girl who lives in a strict Muslim home. She rebels against her mother who is going through the conflict of her husband who is not living at home and getting ready to marry another bride. The little girl rebels and starts doing some offensive things and hanging around rebellious children at her new school. The decide to enter a dance competition and choose a style of dance that is sexually provocative.

 The criticisms of this movie in my opinion are spot on. This movie sexualizes small female children and in my opinion, Netflix is showing that their concerns are more about profit than they are appropriateness. This is especially so since this movie comes on the heals of another Netflix series, Jeffery Epstein; Filthy Rich. That series is an excellent expose about how Epstein and others took advantage of and involved young women in the sex trafficking world. Why would Netflix on one hand speak out against something of this nature, and then turn around and air and support a movie that sets up 11 year old young girls as sex objects. For me, this shows the extreme hypocrisy of what people often do, especially when profits are the driving force of that company. 

 I don't like boycotts most of the time, yet I will say, I understand as a former child who was abused sexually, I understand the deep hurt that many will feel from this type of thing being normalized. Children should not be performing dance acts that mirror things like masturbation, having sex and so forth. The sexualizing of children of this nature does nothing but encourage pedophiles and others. It also makes it seem natural for children to behave in this manner. While the movie has an epiphany moment, the damage is still done. In this instance, again, I understand why many would take the actions they have. 

 Finally, The Ugly

 Here is the reality, Netflix is ran as a for profit company which on the surface seems to be a good thing, yet, one has to question, should there be limits on things that are aired?  I am frankly disappointed in the governing body of Netflix for allowing such things as Cuties to be shown, but just as the Bible states, "the love of money is the root of all evil."  I believe that. Could Netflix make programming without sexualizing children that still shows family conflict while at the same time leaving out the need to have children engaged in mimicking sexual activities? I would hope so, if not then they are not nearly as intelligent as I would give some of them credit for.

 I have to wonder though if the executives at Netflix didn't know that Cuties would be controversial and for that reason aired it. There is something I don't like about boycotts, and it has been proven. Boycotts of things like movies only drives up the audience numbers. I will guarantee you, more people have watched Cuties because of the controversy than who would have watched it otherwise. The bottom line is, movie executives know this and it is a reason they thrive at times on controversy.

 Conclusion

 What is the answer? I would say that for those who decide to cancel their Netflix subscription, that is their prerogative, but don't say on the same hand that all of Netflix is bad, it's not. There are many things on Netflix that present good moral messages. There are things like The Social Dilemma that everyone really should see that shows extensively how those driven by money are manipulating our society, be they conservative or liberal, religious or not. Yet there are also those who will advocate that there is nothing wrong with the sexualizing of young girls such as in the movie Cuties. I would strongly disagree as a former victim of sexual abuse. Frankly, any mindset that allows or supports this behavior or encourages it, is to me, sickening and I say that not only as a Christian, I say that as one trained in psychology and who has had to also study child development. Children should be protected, and for those active in pedophilia, they should not be encouraged. Yes I understand there are limits and so forth, but I am reminded of the words of Phil Keaggy in one of his songs, "Who will stand up for the little ones?"  We as a society must take steps to protect our children from all potential areas of harm, including sexualizing them.

For me, I am doing my part, I haven't, won't cancel my subscription yet because I choose the good over the bad. I will say though, Shame on you Netflix! I don't blame people for canceling their subscriptions. If this becomes the new norm, you can count me in on cancelling my services in the future. Until then, I will say thank you for the great movies and specials you do make, but, can you please make it more about content than profits? If it is about content, plenty of profits will come and in that direction, there will also be others who will see benefit. Sometimes in life, the benefits isn't as much about profit as they are about improving the lives of others. Right now, one of the shows mentioned here, does that, the other hurts more than helps.

What will you do? Think about it. 

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