The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS 129 GENESIS mooch off of those who are “enablers” (II Thess 3:6-14). We need to learn to care for those who are lacking, not those who are lethargic. We need to learn to care for those in need, not those in want. We need to learn to care for those who are deprived, destitute and at a disadvantage, not those who are languid, lazy, and indolent. We need to learn to refrain from “enabling” and engaging in unwise generosity and learn from God to care for the disadvantaged, instead of those who take advantage. Remember the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob (Gen 34)? The reason God cursed Simeon and Levi (Gen 49:5-7) is because they took advantage of Hamor and Shechem his son and the men of the city when they were at a disadvantage (i.e., they were recovering from their circumcision). Even our enemies are not to be taken advantage of when they are at a disadvantage (Exo 23:4-5 and Rom 12:20). NOTE - In order to master this sixteenth law ( care for the disadvantaged ), we are going to have to purposely recall our humble beginnings (Gen 3:17-19, Exo 22:21 & 23:9, Lev 19:33-34 and Deut 10:18-19) and remember that, but for the grace of God, there go I (Job 1:20-22 and Psa 49:16-20). 17. Avoid fornication - Gen 34:1-12 & 38:26 (Exo 22:16-17) According to I Corinthians 7:1-2, fornication is defined as illicit sexual behavior between unmarried couples and includes: excessive passion (I Cor 7:1-2), incest (I Cor 5:1-5), prostitution (I Cor 6:15-18), alternative lifestyles (I Cor 7:1-2), and orgies (I Cor 10:8). Whereas adultery is unlawful sex within marriage, fornication is unlawful sex outside of marriage. This word ( fornication ) comes from the Greek word SοUQHLD9 (porneias), from which we get our word “pornography.” Porneia is translated “ fornication ” (Jn 8:41), “ harlot ” (I Cor 6:15-16), “ great whore ” (Rev 17:1), and “ whoremonger ” (Heb 13:4 and Rev 21:8). If our desire is to master this seventeenth law ( avoid fornication ), then we are going to have to: (1) abstain from “pornography” (I Thess 4:3-5 and II Sam 11:1-4); (2) flee what hinders, by following what helps; (3) seek the company of spiritual people (II Tim 2:20-22); and (4) recognize the deception and price of fornication (Heb 13:4 and I Cor 6: 13- 18 ). 18. Avoid prostitution, which cheapens God’s grandest design (woman) - Gen 38:13-24 (Lev 21:9) According to Genesis 2:18-23, the helpmate God created for man came from a finished creation (man). Whereas man was made from scratch (from the dirt of the ground), woman was made from a “finished” product (man). Woman was not only created better than man, she was designed better than man as well. Why? Because she was designed to complete that which was incomplete. Woman, therefore, is the superior creation ( Gen 2:18 b ). According to Deuteronomy 24:1-4 , God never designed the woman to be a kind of property that men could dispose and reclaim at will. Women were not created equal to men; women were created better than men – better than a piece of property that can be bought and sold at will. If anyone should be treated like a piece of property, it ought to be the “lesser” of God’s creation, not the “greater.” NOTE - In order to master this eighteenth law ( avoid prostitution ), we are going to have to comprehend the value God places on His grandest design (i.e., woman) and protect her dignity. 19. Avoid alternative lifestyles - Gen 9:20-25 & 19:4-5 (Lev 18:22 & 20:13 and Deut 23: 17- 18 ) Sadly, America has gone the way of Europe and Canada and has embraced the lie that alternative lifestyles are somehow normal and healthy. They are not ( Gen 13:13 ). The alternative lifestyle is a lie promoted by humanistic evolutionary thinking that persuades people that it’s OK to act like monkeys since we came from them. We did not. According to Genesis 1:26, we were created in the image of God and ordered to have dominion over the animals, not act like them. According to II Peter 2:4 , if God didn’t spare the angels, who are now imprisoned for their sin of breaking through the God- ordained order of beings ( Gen 6:2 ), why would He spare the alternative lifestyle crowd who are just as guilty for breaking the God-ordained principles set up for human relationships? NOTE - In order to master this nineteenth law ( avoid alternative lifestyles ), unlike Lot (II Pet 2:6-8) who referred to the men of Sodom as “ brethren ” (Gen 19:5-7), we are going to have to avoid the alternative lifestyle crowd and learn to take a stand against that sin, despite the acceptance of it (I Cor 6:9-11). 20. Honor authority - Job 34:18 (Exo 22:28) Honoring authority, even when it’s vile and wrong, is one of the wisest and most meaningful things one can do as a believer. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 10:20: Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. It is always wise to honor earthly authority and to leave it in the hands of the final Authority. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. According to Paul, God ordained governments for His divine will and purpose; therefore, believers are to submit themselves “ unto governments, as unto them that are sent by him. ” The Apostle Peter said in I Peter 2:13-15:

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Paul reminded Titus in Titus 3:1:

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,