Bible Insights: Genesis 25

How many children did Abraham have? Was it 1, 2, 6 or 8 children? Why is this an important lesson for us as we think about the legacy that we leave?

Biblical Insight: The Bible mentions eight children born to Abraham. Most of us know about Ishmael and Isaac, but there are six more children born to Abraham and his second wife, Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4). Abraham was 137 years old when Sarah died (Genesis 23:1) and could have just retired from life at that point. By taking a new wife and having half a dozen children, it shows that Abraham had an active life during the last 38 years of his life. His life didn’t just stop just because Sarah was grown or Isaac was now a man.

We don’t have to retire from life just because we grow old. Our retirement income may allow us to take on a second career or to volunteer in the community in a way that we just couldn’t have done while we were still working. It can also mean for grandparents that they have the opportunity to have a larger part in mentoring and teaching their grandchildren. The time to think about what retirement is all about is five to ten years before we retire. That is one of the big reasons that I have begun the blog and am ready to publish my first new book in twenty years. I would like to be a writer in retirement. Starting now gives me several years to work into this second career and publish five to seven books before the time of retirement has come. What can you do for God and others with your retirement? Abraham shows us that there is no reason that our “golden years” need to be wasted away.

This and That: With the publishing of “32 days with Abraham” next month, I am considering a podcast of one of the chapters. This website has the capability of letting you download a podcast and get a feel for what the book is like. I am curious if anyone has thoughts about what that podcast should contain. If you have any thoughts, please write them to 32daysdevotions@gmail.com or make a comment in the comment section of this website. I would really like to hear from you. As for me, this coming Sunday is the retirement of a dear pastor friend. Paul and I have been friends for over 40 years and this Sunday is his retirement as pastor of a church in Kansas City. We see what he has in mind for his retirement. 

Free devotional book on Old Testament

Free booklet of six devotions on Old Testament Characters is now available on the website – www.32daysdevotions. This devotional book in PDF form can be downloaded and shared as my gift to you. You don’t even have to register or give your name to get it. Just click here to get the free devotional booklet

Verse: 2 Samuel 22:31 – As for God, His way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

The greatest gift you can give yourself is to spend time with God. Most people don’t really know God like King David did when he wrote these words. It causes them to miss out on so many blessings. It causes them to miss out on real joy.

News: So why am I giving you a free devotional book? I am crazy. Well, that may be true, but it really has to do with letting you get to know the Lord like King David does. Each month, there will be a free devotional booklet of four to six devotions that you can download as a PDF and I give you permission to give it away to all your friends. I want people to be in God's word. If you miss a month, the last three or four booklets (since I am just starting, there are only two right now) will be on the book and booklet page of the website for you to download. Enjoy them and please let me know if they are helpful or if you hate them or if you think that I could improve them. Just give me feedback on the comment page of this blog. Thanks and may the devotional books be helpful to you.

Also, I have submitted a book to a Christian publisher and it will be available in June on Amazon. The book, “32 days with Abraham”, has thirty-two devotions that cover the span of Abraham’s life. As a bonus, there are 12 Bible study lessons that you will be free to copy and use for your small group or church. A leader’s guide is included in the book to make a small group or personal study easier. I will let you know when the book is available with a link from this site.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask your blessing on all the people who come to this blog. May the devotions on Tuesday and the booklets and other material that we feature on Thursday draw them closer to you. I pray that we all can know you like David did so that we have the confidence to pray to you in our times of joy and sadness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.