30 aprile, 2025

LETTURA BIBLICA QUOTIDIANA

Genesi14: Abramo, il liberatore e benedetto

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Testo biblico – Genesi 14 (Riveduta 1927)

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioc king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tideal king of the nations,
2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3 All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.
8 And the king of Sodom went out, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar), and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tideal king of the nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioc king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there, and those who remained fled to the mountain.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew who dwelt in Sodom, and his possessions, and departed.
13 And a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew (for he dwelt by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; these were allies with Abram).
14 When Abram heard that his nephew was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house—318 of them—and pursued them as far as Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, and the women also, and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him tithes of all.
21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will take nothing from you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’;
24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me — Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.”

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Introduction

This chapter recounts an exciting episode in Abraham’s life:
A war among the kings of the Jordan Valley leads to Lot, Abraham’s nephew, being taken captive.
Abraham acts courageously, rescues Lot, and is then blessed by Melchizedek, the mysterious priest-king of Salem.
Abraham’s attitude toward wealth and honor reveals his deep loyalty to God.

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Commentary

1. The War of the Kings and Lot’s Captivity (vv. 1–12)

• Four powerful kings fight against five petty kings under Chedorlaomer’s leadership.

• Lot is taken captive along with the people of Sodom.

2. Abraham’s Daring Rescue Mission (vv. 13–16)

• A survivor informs Abraham of Lot’s capture.

• Abraham mobilizes 318 of his trained servants and launches a nighttime strike, defeating the enemy and freeing Lot and the captives.

3. The Encounter with Melchizedek (vv. 17–20)

• Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, brings bread and wine.

• He blesses Abraham, and Abraham offers him a tithe—a sign of worship and acknowledgement of God’s help.

4. Abraham’s Stance on Earthly Gain (vv. 21–24)

• The king of Sodom urges Abraham to keep the spoils and return the people.

• Abraham refuses all gifts to prevent any credit going to a human king, insisting God alone be honored.

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Summary

Genesis 14 highlights Abraham’s courage, his care for his kin, and his unwavering faithfulness to God.
His selfless rescue of Lot, his gratitude expressed to Melchizedek, and his refusal of earthly reward point to a life lived for God’s glory.
Melchizedek’s blessing also foreshadows Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest.

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Today’s Message

What do we learn from Genesis 14?

• True faith acts: Followers of God stand up for others, even at personal risk.

• Honor God, not man: May our successes point to God’s power, not our own.

• Recognize Christ as Priest: Melchizedek prefigures Jesus—let us receive His “bread and wine” in faith.

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth!” (Gen 14:19)

May we, like Abraham, live courageously, give God all the glory, and trust in Him alone.

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27 aprile – 3 maggio 2025

LETTURA SETTIMANALE DELLO SPIRITO DI PROFEZIA

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchi e Profeti – Capitolo 2

La Creazione

Leggi qui online

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Introduzione

Il capitolo 2 svela il miracolo della Creazione in tutta la sua bellezza:
la terra è stata creata in armonia perfetta e l’uomo è l’opera più nobile di Dio, plasmato a somiglianza del Creatore.
Questo capitolo non descrive solo l’origine del mondo e dell’umanità, ma sottolinea anche la benedizione speciale del sabato e l’istituzione divina del matrimonio.

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Commento

1. La bellezza del mondo creato

• La terra uscì perfetta dalla mano di Dio: nessuna palude, nessun deserto, nessuna montagna aspra.

• Piante, animali e paesaggi riflettevano in perfetta armonia l’amore e la sapienza del Signore.

2. L’uomo come corona della Creazione

• Adamo ed Eva furono plasmati a immagine di Dio, dotati di elevata intelligenza, libero arbitrio e nobile carattere.

• Non c’è evoluzione: l’uomo proviene direttamente dall’atto creativo di Dio.

• L’uomo è chiamato a governare il creato e riflettere la gloria di Dio nel suo aspetto e nelle sue azioni.

3. L’istituzione del matrimonio

• Eva fu data ad Adamo come aiuto eguale — non subordinata, ma compagna di pari dignità.

• Il matrimonio fu istituito dallo stesso Dio come un’unione sacra e permanente.

4. Il giardino dell’Eden

• Eden era un luogo appositamente preparato, un’oasi naturale di rara bellezza.

• Al centro furono piantati l’Albero della Vita e l’Albero della Conoscenza del Bene e del Male.

5. L’istituzione del sabato

• Dopo sei giorni di lavoro, Dio si riposò il settimo giorno, lo benedisse e lo consacrò.

• Il sabato fu donato all’umanità come memoriale eterno della Creazione.

• Questo giorno di riposo era destinato alla contemplazione delle opere divine e al rinnovamento del rapporto con il Creatore.

6. L’uomo come essere morale e libero

• Dio mise alla prova la fedeltà di Adamo ed Eva con il comandamento sull’Albero della Conoscenza.

• L’obbedienza doveva essere volontaria e motivata dall’amore, non dalla costrizione.

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Sintesi

Il capitolo 2 mostra quanto fosse perfetta e splendida la Creazione originale di Dio:
Adamo ed Eva vivevano in un mondo privo di morte, dolore e sofferenza, circondati dall’abbondanza divina.
Il sabato e il matrimonio furono istituiti come doni preziosi per l’umanità.
Dio desiderava una relazione libera e d’amore con le Sue creature, fondata sulla fiducia, sull’obbedienza e sulla gioia condivisa nella Creazione.

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Messaggio per oggi

Cosa insegna il capitolo 2 nella nostra vita?

• Cura del creato: il mondo che ci circonda testimonia l’amore di Dio — siamo chiamati a preservarlo.

• La nostra identità in Dio: non siamo frutto del caso, ma opere intenzionali e amate dal Creatore.

• Valore del lavoro e della comunità: il lavoro, il matrimonio e il sabato sono doni divini per il nostro benessere.

• Vera libertà nell’obbedienza: la vita autentica e la gioia si trovano nell’ubbidire volontariamente ai buoni comandamenti di Dio.

“Ricordati del giorno di sabato per santificarlo.” (Esodo 20:8)

Oggi Dio ci invita ad ammirare le Sue opere, a onorarne la sapienza e a trovare piena realizzazione nella comunione con Lui.