Starting the Bible from Genesis is simply a soul-prospering undertaking every time if you allow it to be a practice of connecting with God and not just a religious to-do. I put together a six-month reading program that started November 1st, so I just started, but the discoveries that are blowing my mind have begun already. Familiar stories to me, but the Spirit is halting my attention on gems of truth that I normally overlook or read through without pausing.
In Genesis 15, in the middle of the glorious covenant with Abraham, God pauses and informs him of a future guaranteed affliction on his people. Yes, Abraham is waiting for one son to be born, and God tells him, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted..." Word of Faith teachers say stupidity, such as "money cometh,' but never "affliction cometh.' And yet there are more promises in God's Word for affliction than physical prosperity and wealth.
In Genesis, there is a beautiful promise of God's Covenant with Abraham and his future offspring. In fact, "Abraham (counted on it), and it was attributed to him for righteousness." The thing is, he also was able to count on the promised affliction that was coming, though he may not have understood either from where his experience was being lived out in the moment. His only child so far was from a slave woman, and he was not getting any younger.
In my published Bible study, Psalm 73-Sight; Perspective Altering I have a lesson on trials. I outline 3 reasons we face difficulties. One of those reasons is that life happens and sin impacts our world, people are free to choose evil or good. The affliction God promises Abraham for his offspring will have nothing to do with any sin on their part. That kind of affliction will come eventually. All you need to do is not get thwarted by Leviticus and continue reading. Back to Abraham's descendants; this affliction will not be any fault of their own.
Abraham's people would move to Egypt during 7 years of famine that decimated all of Egypt and surrounding territories. Jacob, who later became Israel had 12 sons and 10 of those sons hated a younger son named Joseph. They abused him and sold him. He ended up in Egypt as a servant, a prisoner, and second in charge next to the King. A worldwind story is found in Genesis 37; 39-50.
Abraham's offspring were in Egypt with God's permission, Genesis 46:1-4. This permission also was a part of God's promised affliction that would come on Abraham's offspring. This was a plan that God would use to begin to refine his people to trust Him. He'd rescue them, provide miraculously for them, lead them and eventually destroy their enemies. This affliction had a purpose, they would know that the LORD is God.
We have the same promise in a world where sin inundates and evil is present. You and I are impacted by affliction, This doesn't come because we've sinned, or because we are being disciplined. Sometimes as with Abraham's descendants it happens because it is a promised part of God's purpose. And it happens for the same reasons it happened to them. God wants us to see his care through them. John 16:33 "... In the world you will have tribulation (affliction). But take heart; I have overcome the world." Understand that as a promise we can depend on.
When you and I read this promise in Genesis to Abraham's offspring we should take note of how every word of God came true. The affliction was difficult and harsh. We can continue reading and see how God responds to this affliction on these people, Exodus 2:24 "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham... 25 God saw the people of Israel - and God knew." That part should be the hope for us too. We know God hears our cries when we face the afflictions Jesus promised.
Right before Jesus promised us affliction he encourages, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace." Then like a good sandwich, he ends it with "I have overcome the world." When there is good news on either side of a warning we shouldn't get stuck on the warning, but hold on to the good news. In Abraham's story, God makes a covenant with Abraham, then tells him about the affliction. We read, "God hears and God knew." That's the part to hold on to. Today we can count on the same thing. God still guarantees affliction, he also promises peace and his presence through His Spirit. We will not go through this promise affliction, alone, Jesus has already overcome the world. He goes with us so we, in Him, can overcome the world and its tribulations (afflictions) with Him already overcoming. That is good news, through promised afflictions.
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