Seder 12 Sermon: Help in Challenging Times

 "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar...." begins Genesis 14 in the KJV.  The Hebrew phrase for "and it came to pass in the days of" occurs five times in the Hebrew Scriptures, with this being the first time.  In each case, the phrase introduces a time of trial:  

• Genesis 14:1---kidnapping of Abram's nephew Lot.
• Ruth 1:1---a famine leads Elimelech and Naomi to sojourn in Moab.
• Isa 7:1---Judah faces a combination of foes.
• Jer 1:3---Judah faces destruction of the Temple and exile in Babylon.
• Esther 1:1---Jews in Persia face persecution.

In a sermon at Church of the Messiah on January 20, 2024, Kyle Kettering observed that even though life is good, trials surely lie ahead for the people of God.   The Bible offers assurance that in such times, God will be with us.  For example, Isaiah 41:13 states, "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you. ' "  Psalm 37 carries a similar message, with the refrain, "Fret not." 

In the New Testament, Jesus prepares his disciples for times of trial in passages like Luke 21:12-24 and John 14-16, and Paul gives words of encouragement in Romans 8:31-39.