Genesis 19:30

Genesis 19:30 says, And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.  Lot and his two daughters lived in a cave because he was afraid to live in the city of Zoar.  He evidently no longer had to worry about any great wealth. We never read anything about Lot following God, but he always seemed to do what was best for himself.  Verse thirty-one states, And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:  We are not told how old the daughters were, but the oldest talked with the youngest about their father's age and the fact that there were no men around for them to start a family with.  This would have been a great concern in that time, but they must have forgotten about their great-uncle Abraham and more importantly about God.  Verse thirty-two declares, Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.  The oldest daughter devised a plan for them.  They would get Lot drunk and have sex with him so that they might each have a child.  As with most plans made without God's guidance, this one was very wrong.  Verse thirty-three states, And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.  Lot got very drunk that night.  It says that they got him drunk, but unless they were pouring alcohol down his throat without his consent, then I believe it is more accurate to say that Lot got drunk.  The oldest daughter went in and had intercourse with her father.  We are told that Lot did not remember this, but that does not make him blameless.  He should have been concerned about the welfare of his daughters instead of hiding in a cave getting so drunk he couldn't remember what he did.  We cannot blame our sins on others, even if we are so drunk we don't remember them.  In the first place, we shouldn't be that drunk to start with, and we should never try to hide away and ignore our responsibilities.  Verse thirty-four adds, And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.  The older daughter told the younger daughter the next day that it was the youngest turn that night and that they would do the same thing again, only with the youngest taking the place of the oldest.  Even though the plan was not hers, the youngest was just as guilty as the oldest.  Again, we cannot blame our sins on someone else, even if we just go along with their plan.  Verse thirty-five states, And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.  They carried out their plan that night.  Verse thirty-six declares, Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.  Their plan was successful.  Just because our plans may be sinful doesn't mean that they won't succeed, and just because they succeed doesn't mean that they are God's plan.  Verse thirty-seven adds, And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.  The child of the first daughter was named Moab, and he became the father of the Moabites.  Verse thirty-eight concludes, And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.  The child of the second daughter was named Benammi, and he became the father of the Ammonites.  Even though they were successful in the plot, this was certainly never God's plan.

Genesis 19:23

Genesis 19:23 says, The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.  It was morning before Lot finally left Sodom and reached Zoar.  Once more, Lot was going to a place that looked better instead of relying on God to direct him.  I will once again state that God had not directed Abram, now Abraham, to take Lot with Him, but still God had blessed Lot.  Now, due his own decisions without seeking God's guidance, Lot had lost nearly everything.  No matter how much wealth we may accumulate in this world, one day all that will be left is our relationship to God.  Verse twenty-four states, Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;  When God destroys a place because of the sin of the people, I don't believe that there will ever be any doubt that it is God's action.  God had caused the rain to destroy the earth in Noah's day, but with Sodom and Gomorrah, He caused fire and brimstone to rain down out of heaven.  This was not a natural disaster, but an act of God.  Verse twenty-five adds, And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.  Though Abraham had attempted to find a way to spare the cities, possibly because of Lot and his family, there was no way to be found.  Of course, God made a way available for Lot and his family to be saved, even if some of them would not listen.  We cannot force salvation on anyone, but we have a responsibility to witness to all that we can.  We should pray for the lost, but the decision to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord will always be theirs.  Verse twenty six says, But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.  Lot's wife was so close to being saved, but she could not simply move ahead without looking back on what she was leaving behind, and she lost her life. We cannot look back on the past feeling that we have left too much behind when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We must simply continue to look ahead in faith.  Verse twenty-seven declares, And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:  Abraham got up early and went to the altar, the place where he stood before God.  If we have concerns in life, then we need to bring them to God as soon as possible.   Verse twenty-eight adds, And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.  Abraham looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, knowing that God had pronounced judgment on them.  He saw the smoke, and I am sure that he knew God had carried out His judgment.  Sometimes we just have to acknowledge that some people will not be saved.  Verse twenty-nine declares, And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.  Lot was spared because of Abraham.  Lot was not given an everlasting relationship with God because of Abraham's faith, but he was given another chance to establish that relationship.  We cannot save others but we can ask God to give them another chance to accept Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Genesis 19:14

Genesis 19:14 says, And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.  Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they didn't listen to him.  Lot told them that the LORD was going to destroy Sodom.  When we warn people today of God's coming judgment, though it may not be imminent, they often act as through we are crazy, but we still need to continue to warn them.  Lot told his sons-in-law that they needed to get up and get out, but we today need to tell people to get up and come to Christ.  Verse fifteen states, And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  The next morning, the angels returned to Lot and told him to take his wife and two daughters who were with him and get out unless they wanted to be consumed with the city.  Lot may have told his sons-in-law that it was time to get up and get out, but he was still there.  When we share God's word with others, we must first make sure that we obey it ourselves.  Verse sixteen says, And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  Lot was still not leaving, but the angels lead his wife, two daughters, and him out of the city.  We cannot afford to be like Lot, professing the need to act on God's word to others while we do not act on it ourselves.  Verse seventeen declares, And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.  Even after these four were led out of the city, there was still a step of faith required.  They were to flee and not look back.  When God leads us to salvation today, we should flee from sin and never look back.  Verse eighteen proclaims, And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:  Having been basically dragged out of Sodom and told to flee to the mountain, Lot protested.  When God calls us to do something, we should do as He says without protest.  Verse nineteen adds, Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:  Lot still was not willing to put his trust in God.  He acknowledged that God had shown him mercy by saving him, but said he was afraid some evil would overtake him on the mountain.  We should never question God's ability to keep us safe once we accept His deliverance through our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty continues, Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.  Lot asked to be allowed to escape to a nearby small city.  We really should never attempt to bargain with God.  Lot's choice of land had caused him nothing but trouble, but he once again wanted to choose.  We cannot allow our own choices to keep us from following God's will for us.  Verse twenty-one says, And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.  Lot was allowed to go to the city and was promised that it would not be destroyed, which was never God's intention to begin with.  Verse twenty-two states, Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.  Lot was told to hurry to the city so that God could carry out His plan.  This does not mean that Lot controlled God's plan, but that God was still showing Lot mercy by waiting for him to escape.  We should never do anything that would go against God's plan.  Verse twenty-three adds, The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.  Lot reached Zoar during the day time.

Genesis 19:1

Genesis 19:1 says, And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;  When two angels came to Sodom, Lot was sitting at the gate and saw them and bowed down to them.  I am not sure that he recognized them as angels or just as strangers.  Verse two states, And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.  Lot invited them to stay at his house overnight, but they said that they would stay in the street.  Lot was offering them his hospitality, which was expected, especially of those who are God's servants.  We today should do all that we can to help strangers who may be in need.  Verse three says, And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.  Lot convinced them to come in for the night and fed them.  We should always be willing to do a little extra help others.  Verse four declares, But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:  Then verse five adds, And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.  All the men of the city surrounded Lot's house and demanded that Lot send the two men out so they could know them.  This does not mean get acquainted with them, but means to have sex with them.  Verse six states,  And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,  Lot went out to face the men, shutting the angels inside.  He at least faced those that at that time were his enemies.  We must be willing to stand firm in the face of our enemies, no matter how out numbered we may be.  Verse seven declares, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.  Lot first attempted to reason with the men of the city.  He said they were about to do something that was very evil.  We should first attempt to reason with those who are about to commit an evil act, but we must call sin for what it is when we do.  Verse eight adds,. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.  Lot offered the men a compromise.  He said he would give his two daughters to the men of Sodom instead of the two men under his protection.  I am not sure how his daughters felt about this, but I imagine that it would have caused them to lose respect for Lot, if they didn't hate him.  We cannot compromise by offering one sin in place of another.  Verse nine declares, And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.  The men of Sodom said Lot was a sojourner and was attempting to judge them, and that they would treat him even worse than the two strangers.  People intent on doing evil will quite often treat those who attempt to stop them very badly.  Verse ten states, But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.  The men inside Lot's house pulled him back inside.  It is always good when we have someone to back us up in times of trouble.  Verse eleven declares, And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.  The angels caused the men outside to go blind, and they couldn't even find Lot's door.  Though it was good that Lot attempted to protect them, they really didn't need his protection.  Verse twelve adds, And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:  The angels ended up protecting Lot and his family and told them to flee the city.  Sometimes, removing ourselves from evil situations is the best thing we can do.  I say sometimes because at times God may send us into an evil environment to share the gospel, but we need to make sure that is what He is leading us to do.  Verse thirteen concludes, For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.  This is further proof that the angels did not need Lot's protection.  God had sent them to destroy Sodom.  Sometimes, we just have to get out of the way and let God deal with a situation.  One thing more to note is that we never see Lot seeking God's guidance during this time.  When we are confronted with evil, the first thing we must do is seek God's guidance.

Genesis 18:16

Genesis 18:16 says, And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.  The men were going to leave Abraham and go to Sodom.  Abraham escorted them along the way.  When God's messengers have done what they have been sent to in the life of someone, they will move on.  Verse seventeen asks, And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;  God asked Himself if He should hide what He planned to do from Abraham.  Verse eighteen adds, Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  This was the reason behind the question of God revealing His plans to Abraham.  Abraham's descendants were to become a great and mighty nation.  I don't believe this means that God was unsure of what He was going to do, but was more of a rhetorical question.  No matter how great and powerful we may be, God does not have to tell us all His plans.  Verse nineteen continues, For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.  God said that He knew Abraham and that Abraham and his descendants would keep the way of the LORD.  When Abraham and his descendants kept God's covenant, then God would keep His covenant with them.  We cannot expect God to bless us if we do not keep our covenant with Him, which we enter into when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Salvation is not a free pass to sin but a call to live under God's guidance in all that we do.  Verse twenty declares, And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;  God was aware of the sinful nature of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Even if we call ourselves a Christian nation, God is still aware of our sinful actions.  Verse twenty-one adds, I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.  I don't believe that this means that God was unsure about what was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah, but simply means that He does not act on anything less than the truth.  Verse twenty-two states, And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.  The men went on to Sodom, but Abraham stood before the LORD.  We cannot go everywhere God sends others, but we can stand before God as they go.  In verse twenty-three Abraham asks, And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  Abraham asked God if He would destroy the righteous with the wicked.  While God delays His judgment of the world it is because those who are His followers through Christ are still spreading the gospel.  Verse twenty-four adds, Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?  Then verse twenty-five adds, That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  Abraham asked if God would destroy Sodom if fifty righteous people could be found.  Then, Abraham seems to question God's nature.  We may intercede on behalf of others, but we should never question God's nature.  God would save all if they would simply repent and follow Him.  Verse twenty-six declares, And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.  God agreed with Abraham's request.  He would not destroy Sodom if there were fifty righteous people there.  Verse twenty-seven states, And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:  Abraham noted his own unworthiness to speak to God.  We, of our own merit do not have the right to speak to God, but through our faith in Christ we are given this right.  Verse twenty-eight asks, Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.  Abraham now starts bargaining with God, reducing the number of righteous to forty-five.  God agreed with Abraham's request.  Sometimes, a few righteous people may keep the unrighteous from destruction, and we should always pray for the lost to be saved.  In the next few verses Abraham continues to bargain with God for the sake of the righteous in Sodom.  Verse twenty-nine says, And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.  Then verse thirty asks, And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.  Verse thirty-one adds, And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.  Then verse thirty-two concludes, And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.  Abraham reduced the number of the righteous from fifty to ten, and God accepted his plea.  Even though the number was reduced, the outcome was not changed.  If we plead with God for others, we must realize that unless they accept God's gift of salvation, they will still face everlasting punishment.  Verse thirty-three declares, And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.  After God finished talking with Abraham, God went on His way and Abraham returned home.  If we are making intercession for others, we must acknowledge that there will come a time when we have done all that we can do and then leave it in God's hands.

Genesis 18:1

Genesis 18:1 says, And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;  God appeared to Abraham once again as Abraham was going about his everyday life.  God does not meet us at specific places at specific times, but if we are followers of Christ He is with us everywhere we go.  We simply have to recognize when God speaks to us.  Verse two states,  And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,  When Abraham looked up, he saw three men and ran to meet them and bowed before them.  We may need to look up at times to see what God would have us do, and we should always do so humbly.  Verse three adds, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:  For whatever reason, Abraham recognized these three men as being more than just men, but as beings sent by God, and he asked them not to pass him by.  We need to look beyond the obvious sometimes to see God at work in our lives.  Verse four continues, Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:  Then verse five concludes, And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.  Abraham asked them to stay and let him provide them with food and comfort and they agreed to stay.  We cannot force God, or His messengers to come and fellowship with us, but we should always invite them to.  We may not always recognize God's messengers by their appearance, so we should be hospitable to all people who come our way.  Verse six says, And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.  Verse seven adds, And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.  Then verse eight concludes,  And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.  Abraham didn't just give them what was already prepared, but went out of his way to provide a feast for them.  We should always be willing to do extra to meet the needs of those around us, whether they are heavenly beings or just normal people.  Verse nine asks, And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.  The men asked where Sarah was and Abraham told them she was in the tent.  At least Abraham didn't try to claim that she was his sister.  We need to be truthful with God and His messengers.  Verse ten says, And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.  One of the men said that he would certainly return to Abraham and that Sarah would have a son.  This man was speaking as a representative of God, and it was God Himself who would bring this about.  We can only speak for God, and we cannot do things that God alone can accomplish.  Verse eleven states, Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.  Abraham and Sarah were both past child bearing age, though this would be especially true of Sarah.  Verse twelve adds, Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?  Sarah laughed and still questioned God's promise.  We must never question what God has promised us, no matter how impossible it may seem.  Verse thirteen declares, And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?  We know that this was God Himself, or the LORD, speaking to Abraham.  He asked Abraham why Sarah laughed.  Then verse fourteen asks, Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.  We need to ask ourselves the same question whenever God asks us to do something that seems impossible.  Verse fifteen states, Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.  Sarah denied laughing, but was told that she indeed did laugh.  It does us no good to deny it when we doubt God.  He already knows when we do.

Genesis 17:15

Genesis 17:15 says, And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.  God now speaks to Abraham about Sarai, his wife.  God did not speak to Abraham about Hagar being Abraham's wife, because to God she wasn't.  A marriage is between one man, one woman, under God's guidance, for a lifetime.  Sarai would now be Sarah.  Verse sixteen states, And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.  God promised that Sarah would have a son, and she would be the mother of nations.  God's promise to Abraham had always been for Sarah and Abraham, and no one else.  When we attempt to force God's plan into action because we are impatient we can only make a mess of things, as Abram and Sarai, as they were then, did with Hagar.  Verse seventeen, Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?  Abraham fell on his face, but he laughed at God.  He thought it impossible for Sarah and himself to have a child at their ages.  We may sometimes look like we are worshipping God while at the same time feeling that what He is asking us to do is impossible, but we should never laugh at God's promises.  Verse eighteen says, And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!  Abraham still thought that Ishmael was the answer to God's promise.  We should never attempt to force our plans onto God.  Verse nineteen declares, And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.  God once again told Abraham that Sarah was going to have a son, and he would be named Isaac.  When God speaks to us, we should listen to what He tells us and not change what He tells us to what we believe possible.  Verse twenty adds, And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.  God blessed Ishmael as well.  Ishmael was not responsible for the facts of his birth and was not to be punished by God.  Verse twenty-one concludes, But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.  God said His promise to Abraham would be fulfilled through Isaac.  We should always make sure that our plan is God's plan, and when He reveals it to us, we must simply act in faith.  Verse twenty-two states, And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.  Like with Abraham, when God has told us what He wants to say to us, there should be no reason for Him to say more.  Verse twenty-three states, And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.  Abraham carried out God's commandment about circumcision.  Verse twenty-four says, And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Verse twenty-five adds, And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.  Both Abraham and Ishmael, who was now thirteen years old, were circumcised.  Verse twenty-six states, In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.  Abraham carried out God's instructions in this case without attempting to change them.  We may fail to carry out God's command at some time, but if we do that does not excuse us from doing so later.