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Lesson 27

The Deceiver Out Deceived

Genesis 29

Me-

Seeing how the world operates I have become somewhat cynical in my old age.  I have learned to be suspicious of those who are offering what they claim to be a good deal.  The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true then it is actually too good to be true.”  Anyone offering something for nothing is probably trying to deceive.  Today more than ever I find that people are trying to prey on especially the elderly attempting to cheat them out of their money. 

Many years ago some individuals I know got caught up in a Ponzi scheme. As much as I tried to warn them they would not listen and lost money in the process.  I have found the only way to discover whether something is valid is to research it.  The second and most important thing for each of us who call ourselves followers of Christ is to ask does our actions line up with the word of God.

We-

The Bible is full of examples of individuals, including those in our present study, who made it a practice to mislead others.  Even in churches today, people are being led by false shepherds in to believing false teachings.  Just look at the issues of homosexuality, abortion and accepting conduct not proper for believers in which God’s word has been twisted to suit themselves. 

Throughout the studies for the last few weeks, we have seen the trouble brought on in the lives of Abraham and his descendents because they did not seek God’s guidance.  We should know by now that He will never mislead us.  Paul met a group of people who would not be fooled.  In Acts 17:11 we are told of the attitude of the Bereans.  It was said of them, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  They heard Paul but verified what he said to be true by God’s word.  This should be our practice as well.  One reason that we do not is because it takes work and most of us are not willing to take the time to do so.

God

Genesis 29:1-3

With the promise of God ringing in his ears Jacob proceeded on his journey to Padam-Aram.  Looking around, upon his arrival, he saw shepherds with their flocks at a well so he would have known that he was close to the city. The writer makes special note of the fact that the stone covering the well was very large, therefore quite heavy.  As one would imagine the stone was there to keep the water and the well clean.  With the winds the well could very easily be filled with sediment.  Also it was probably to keep people or animals from falling into it.  To keep from having to moving the stone continually the shepherds would wait until all the flocks of the area came together before moving the stone and watering the sheep.

1. How did Jacob know that he was close to a city?
2. What was the reason for the gathering of the shepherds and their sheep?
3. What was the means they used to protect the water supply?
4. Why did the writer allude to the fact that the stone was large?

Genesis 29:4-6

Jacob initiated the conversation with the shepherds.  Notice his boldness.  He began by calling these perfect strangers, brothers.  He may have felt a certain kinship with those men who were in the same possession as he.  Once he had greeted them he then asked where they lived.  To each of his questions their answers were very short and to the point.  They did not know this man and were not about to volunteer any more information than was necessary. Look at the questions and answers.

• Where is your home? Haran
• Do you know Laban? We know him.
• Is everything ok with him? It is well.

They did inform him that Laban’s daughter Rachel was approaching.  Whether they did this to be friendly or to deflect him from asking other questions is unknown.

1. Why did Jacob open the conversation?
2. Why did he call them brothers?
3. Why were the answers to Jacob’s questions so short?
4. What was the importance of knowing where those men lived?
5. What did their answers say about how they viewed Jacob?
6. How was the coming of Rachel different from what had taken place with Rebekah?

Genesis 29:7-8

Jacob’s statement was pretty bold in light of the fact that he was a stranger to the shepherds.  By questioning them he set himself up as an authority on the proper care of sheep. He seemed to imply that the men had wasted a good portion of the day waiting by the well when the sheep could have been in the pasture.   That they even answered him at all is quite surprising.  Their reason rested on the fact that the stone was heavy and large and they did not want to have to move it but once during the day.  It seems to indicate that it would take more than one man to roll it off of the well. To have done it any earlier would have left Rachel to fend for herself.

1. What right did Jacob have in speaking to the shepherds as he did?
2. What does this tell us about Jacob?
3. What does it say about the men that they even answered him at all?
4. What was the advantage for them to wait?
5. Who benefited by their actions?

Genesis 29:9-12

Upon seeing Rachel, Jacob leaped into action.  In a way proving the men wrong about the size and weight of the stone, he rolled it away by himself.  He then watered Rachel’s sheep.  The roles are reversed in the narrative as compared with the servant of Abraham and Rebekah.  Previously Rebekah watered the camels and the servant stood by in amazement.  Here Jacob does the watering while Rachel stood by wondering what was taking place.  It was only after he had finished his task that he identified himself as her relative.  The text gives a good picture of the emotion that he felt having been directed to the right place by God.  Like Rebekah, Rachel left the place and ran to tell her brother, Laban, what had just occurred.

1. Why was Jacob able to do what the other men seemingly could not do by themselves?
2. In what ways was this incident different that the one involving Rebekah?
3. Why did Jacob react as he did?
4. Why did he wait until he had finished watering the sheep did he identify himself?
5. How was the fact that Rachel ran back to Laban’s house reminiscent of Rebekah’s reaction?

Genesis 29:13-14

It should not be surprising that Laban ran to meet Jacob.  Knowing that he was the son of Isaac, who was very wealthy, he might have the same outpouring of generosity that been extended to him previously by Abraham’s servant.  What a shock it would have been when he found Jacob, by himself without any possessions.  He still invited him into his home.  There Jacob told the family about his trip and how God had led him to the home of Laban.  Omitted, most likely, were the details of the reason he had to make the journey. He then spent a month in the home as their guest.

1. Why would Laban run to meet a total stranger?  Remember it had been over 60 years since Rebekah had gone into Canaan to marry Isaac?
2. What did he expect from Jacob?
3. What does Laban’s actions show about his character?
4. Why would Jacob have omitted any reference to the fact that he was actually fleeing from his brother as the reason he was now at Laban’s house?
5. What do you think he shared with the family?

Genesis 29:15-20

Even though Jacob had stayed a month with Laban, from the wording in the text it is obvious that he had not taken advantage of the situation but had actually done some work.  Reading between the lines, one can see that he would have been more than willing to help Rachel with the sheep. After that month it was clear that Jacob was in no hurry to return home, so Laban determined to pay him for the work he was doing. 

Laban had two daughters. Leah was described as having some type of eye problem.  Her sister, Rachel, was beautiful in body and face. Jacob saw this as an opportunity to get Rachel as his wife. He agreed to serve Laban for seven years for her.  His decision was based totally on emotion and not reason.  He still had major lessons to learn about seeking what God wanted him to do and not his own desires.  His agreement was to soon lead to problems because he did not consult God before deciding his future.  Laban knew he had a good deal.  He appeared to be gracious when promising her to Jacob.  Jacob was so in love with Rachel that Moses wrote that the seven years only seem to have lasted a few days.

1. What was the advantage for Laban in asking Jacob what he wanted for wages?
2. What drew Jacob to Rachel and not Leah?
3. How did Jacob’s desire for Rachel give Laban the upper hand in the agreement?
4. What was missing in Jacob’s response?
5. What was the lesson he still needed to learn?
6. If he had sought God’s counsel what might he have done differently?
7. What does it show about him that he was willing to give years of his most productive years to acquire a wife?
8. If you were Laban how would you have handled the situation?
9. If you were Jacob how would you have maybe handled the situation differently?

 

Genesis 29:21-27

Jacob had served Laban faithfully for seven years.  He now came to collect on their agreement.  It was time for Rachel to be given to him as his wife. Laban seemed to go along with the request of Jacob and gave had a feast.  That night however, Laban showed his true character.  He sent Leah into Jacob instead of Rachel.   Instead of Rachel Leah became the wife of Jacob.  Laban knew exactly what he was doing. He even provided a maid for Leah whose name was Zilpah.

This act was one of the most unscrupulous, underhanded, deceitful and hurtful things that could have been carried out on all of the parties involved.  Jacob was deceived thinking Laban an honorable man.  Rachel did not become the wife of Jacob as she expected. Leah was forced to marry a man who she knew did not love her.

Upon waking the following morning Jacob realized what had happened.  Evidently he did not understand Laban’s ground rules which probably changed to meet the situation as shall be seen later.  When questioned he explained the older daughter had to be married before the younger one.   He then proposed that Jacob spend the wedding week with Leah and then he would be given Rachel if he would serve Laban another seven years. 

1. What does this incident show us about Laban’s character?
2. How did he feel about Jacob, Rachel, Leah and even Zilpah?
3. How would you respond if someone had deceived you in some way?
4. Why did Laban know he could get away with that despicable act?
5. What do you think of Jacob’s response?
6. How do you think Rachel and Leah felt about what had been done to them?

Genesis 29:28-30

Jacob knew that he was trapped.  He still loved Rachel so he was willing to be a husband to Leah in order to get Rachel as a wife.  After the week of the wedding festivities, Rachel became his wife.  Laban gave Bilhah as Rachel’s maid.  The last sentence of verse 30 is a good indicator of the problems that were to come.  Moses wrote, “He loved Rachel more than Leah.”  From this one statement it would be expected that each of the women would be treated differently.

1. Why did Jacob not call it quits with Laban after having been deceived by him?
2. What tactic did Laban use to keep Jacob working for him?
3.  What indication do we have of the problems that were coming?
4. What would be the source of the problem?
5. In what ways would the women be treated differently?
6. How does this play out in families today?

Genesis 29:31-35

Two things are known right away.  Rachel, at that point, could not have children.  God saw the situation that existed between Jacob and his two wives and between the two women.  He saw that Rachel was the favorite, but He allowed Leah to be the one to have children.  The names of the four sons she was to bear give a clear picture of her understanding of the relationship she had with Jacob.  Each of the names had a special meaning which expressed her feelings at their birth.

She said of:

• Reuben- God has seen how I am afflicted and has given me a son.  For this reason my husband will love me.
• Simeon-Still on the idea of being unloved, God had given her a second son.
• Levi- Because she had provided three sons surely Jacob would become attached to her.
• Judah- She turned from her focus on Jacob and offered praise to God for the birth of her fourth son.

At that point she stopped having children.  She had given Jacob a good family.  Even though she had given birth to four boys, she surely still felt rejected by Jacob.  With four sons he could look forward to the posterity of his family as God had promised.   

1. Why would the writer conclude that it was God who kept Rachel from having children?
2. Why would God allow Leah to have four sons while Rachel had none?
3. From the way she named her sons what can be concluded about what Leah was experiencing in her life?
4. Why is there no mention of Jacob during that time?
5. Who was really guilty of the tension that was occurring in the lives of the two sisters?
6. What did it mean for Jacob to have four sons?

You-

• Put God at the center of any decision to be made.
• Review your own family situation to see if there is any favoritism taking place.
• Treat those around you with the same respect that you would want to receive.
• Before deciding what to do make sure that you take into consideration the feelings and well-being of others.
• Before taking action make sure that everyone involved understands the rules by which the game is to be played.

We-

As we worked through the by-laws in the church last year one of the main priorities was to make sure that there was a climate of unity.  It was decided that to have winners and losers was not what God intended for His people. The way to achieve this is to make sure that everything we do is in accordance with God’s word and through prayer.  To do otherwise is to create an climate of distrust and divisiveness.  People will act according to the environment in which they work, play and worship.  One last point to remember is that the church will be a reflection of the people who participate.  The basis of a strong Christ like church is to have families who follow the teachings   found in the Bible.  Let us pray as a body that God will build our families as we attempt to build His church

Additional Notes:

C-Upon meeting Rachel Jacob began a journey that would last for 20 years.  This new life would take many different kinds of twists and turns before Jacob ever returned to Canaan. (Gen. 29:9-15)

C-Jacob began working for Rachel’s father.  His wages at the end of the seven years were to be to have Rachel as his wife. The Bible tells us that this time went very quickly because he had a purpose in his work.  His work had a great deal of meaning because instead of Rachel just be given to him he had actually worked for someone he loved deeply. (Gen. 29:15, 18-20)

UE-Jacob, man who was characterized by instant gratification, was willing to serve seven years for a wife. (Gen. 29:18-20)

M-Love is a strong motivator.  Jacob ultimately served Laban for fourteen years for the hand of Rebekah.  Even when he was deceived, he completed his service.                  (Gen. 29:20, 30)

C-The deceiver met his match in Laban.  By deception Leah became Jacob’s wife instead of Rachel.  For her to become his wife he had to work another 7 years. (Gen. 29:21-28)

UE-Through Leah, the unloved wife would come the Christ who like His ancestor was unloved by the world into which He was born.  The child who would be the father of the tribe from which Jesus would come was named Judah which means, “Praise the Lord.” (Gen. 29:31-35M-Laban was a selfish and deceitful man as he showed himself to be over and over again in his relationship with Jacob. (Gen. 29:26)

C-Through Leah Jacob became the father of a son who he called Reuben.                   (Gen. 29:31-32)

RT-Lord saw that Leah was unloved and opened the womb.  It is very informative that we are also told that Rachel was barren. Why did God allow for Rachel to be unproductive at this point in time? (Gen. 29:31)

M-For Leah and Rachel to find fulfillment was to be loved by their husband and to provide him with children. (Gen. 29:32-35, 30:8, 13)

RT-At the birth of each son Leah’s responded making by making the following statements:

1. The Lord has seen my affliction. My husband will love me. (Reuben)                                                                    
2. The Lord has heard I am unloved.  He has given me a son. (Simeon)                                                                    
3. My husband will become attached to me. (Levi)                                       
4. This time I will praise the Lord.  (Judah)                                                                                                             

(Gen. 29:32-35)

WM-In this chapter we begin to see a pattern of deceit from a man who lacked integrity. Laban’s first act was to give Leah to Jacob as his wife instead of Rachel for whom he had served for seven years. (Gen. 29:25-26)

WM-There was a void in Leah’s life.  She desired to have the love of her husband.  The names of her children showed the deep longing she had to receive more attention from Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35, 30:20)

WM-Laban immediately set to motion a harmful family situation with his scheming.  It led to unhealthy competition between the two sisters who used children and handmaids in their battle for the love and attention of Jacob. (Gen. 29:31-35; 30:1-21, 23-24)

 C-Additional sons were born to Jacob and Leah, Simeon, Levi and Judah. (Gen. 29:33-35)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 26

Jacob’s Encounter with God

Genesis 28

Me-

One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that no matter how hard I might try I cannot hide from God. Sometimes I might think I don’t want Him around especially when there is conflict in my life.  At those times I in effect am telling God that I can handle the situation myself.  Usually my way of taking care of it is trying to avoid facing it.  I do not like conflict and will do everything I can to pretend that it does not exist or it is someone else’s problem.  I can identify with Jacob as he tried to run away from his problems. Eventually, God will cause me to have to face Him when I have sinned or made bad decisions.  He uses my conscience to let me know when I have strayed.  The Psalmist definitely had it right when he spoke of the omnipresence of God in Psalm 139. 

I can take comfort in the fact that God does not leave me where I am but, desires for me to have an ongoing relationship with Him.  Therefore he works in my life through His word, events in my life and others to let me know how much He truly cares for me.  I am glad that He will only let me go so far before He draws me back to Himself.

We-

Churches quite often do not handle sticky situations very well.  We will do everything in our power to avoid dealing with issues. The main reason is do not want to hurt any person’s feelings.  How often have churches put up with someone who is always negative and complaining.  We so often say that is just the way that person is so we pay no attention to him or her.  Allowing this kind of behavior to continue is both disruptive and divisive.  We cannot carry on the work of the Lord unless we are united in on mission and vision.  Of course there are ways that of dealing with the situation that can make it worse.  We must always handle all conflicts and personalities in a Christ like manner.  Although expedient Isaac’s family did not truly resolve anything by their actions, but just sweeping it under the rug.  The current term that is used is “To kick the can down the road.” 

God-

Genesis 28:1-2

In the event to be covered, once again a picture is painted of the personalities of Isaac and his two sons.  Although not mentioned Rebekah still influenced Isaac decision to send Jacob away.  She allowed him to avoid the conflict that surely would have taken place if Jacob had remained in the home.  He was more than happen to agree with her wishes.  Isaac called Jacob to him and blessed him again.  He then gave the command for Jacob not to marry any of the women of Canaan.  His instructions were for Jacob to go to Syria and marry one of Laban’s daughters.

1. In what ways was Rebekah still in charge of what went on in the family?
2. What does this say about the personality of Isaac?
3. What are the real dynamics behind the decision made by both Isaac and Rebekah?
4. Why was Isaac more than willing to comply with the request of Rebekah?
5. How does this indicate that Isaac was not aware of Esau’s threat?
6. What would this mean for Jacob?
7. Why would he be more than willing to obey his father?

Genesis 28:3-5

After all that had occurred Isaac prays for Jacob.  He asked that God fulfill the covenant promised to Abraham.  With the blessing ringing in his ears Jacob was sent away for his journey to Paddan-aram to the home of Laban, Rebekah’s brother. By leaving, he would certainly avoid for the time being the wrath of his brother. 

1. Why did Isaac now call on the name of God?
2. What did his prayer include?
3. How did the details match up with what God had promised to Abraham?
4. Why was the journey important to Jacob at that point?
5. What can be seen by the fact that Rebekah was no longer mentioned?

Genesis 28:6-9

Esau must have been listening to the conversation between Isaac and Jacob.  How else could he have known of the command for Jacob to take a wife from Laban’s household and the blessing given to him? He also knew that Jacob had obeyed his father and departed for Syria.

Jacob was gone so Esau could no longer do anything to him.  He could however still take out his hurt, anger and frustration on his parents but doing the very thing they had kept his brother from doing.  To pay his mother, in particular, for her role in the deception he went to Ishmael and took a new wife named Mahalah.  This man who lived according to this world further disqualified himself from receiving the blessing of God by marrying someone from a godless family.

1. Why would Esau eavesdrop in on the conversation between Isaac and Jacob?
2. What does his response to that conversation say about him?
3. Why would he do anything else to alienate himself from his father and mother?
4. How did his actions show that he was disqualified to receive the blessings of God?

Genesis 28:10-11

 

Jacob who had received the blessing of his father that included all of the promises made to Abraham left home with nothing.  As the sun was going down he had to use rocks as a pillow.

1. At that point what had Jacob gained by all of his deception?
2. What had he lost, at least for that present time?
3. What kind of future did he have?
4. What guarantees did he have that he would be accepted into Laban’s home?

Genesis 28:12-14

Even though he was alone, God had not forgotten him.  The picture he saw was of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it.  At the top was the Lord. His words could have been, I know all about you and what you have done. In a way, by identifying  Himself as the Lord, the God of Abraham and his father Isaac, He could have been saying, you have done it your way and what has it gotten for you.

Jacob needed to hear that it was only by God’s grace that any of the promises made to Abraham and now to him could be fulfilled. His first promise to him, who at that point had nothing, was that he would possess the land on which he was resting. Then once again, all of the covenant provisions previously given were now spoken for Jacob’s benefit.  Like Abraham before him he received the message while still a single man without descendants. 

1. What does the appearance of the angels and Lord indicate to Jacob?
2. Why did God identify Himself to Jacob as He did?
3. Why would God even bother with Jacob?
4. What does it say about Him?
5. Why were the promises important to Jacob at that moment?

Genesis 28:15

There was one more promise to be made.  God told Him that Jacob could depend on God being present with him no matter where he went.  His promise would last as long as it took to accomplish everything that He had said.

1. Why was the last promise as important or more so than any of the others?
2. What did the promise entail?
3. How is that promise still in force today?
4. When might it be completely fulfilled?
5. How long can we expect for God to hold up His end of the deal with the nation of Israel? 

Genesis 28:16-17

To Jacob what had happened was more than a dream it was the reality of God presence in the very place where he had camped out.  It is interesting that Jacob was not aware of God.  He had been so wrapped up in his own agenda there was no place for God.  God had made Himself known in a real way to Jacob.  Before he proceeded with his journey on his own terms, he needed what God had planned for his life.  Jacob was to become the keeper of the covenant and had to be aware of what he could expect from God which would affect the way he lived from that point on. 

His response to the appearance of God was one of reverence that he had never displayed before in his life.  The words “How awesome is this place,” took the place full of sand and rocks and raised it to the level of a holy place.  He called it the “The house of God” which is the way into the throne room of God.  What a picture of the Son of God who became the way of entering into the very presence of the Father.  

1. Why would Jacob sense that what had happened to him was more than a dream?
2. Why was Jacob not aware of God’s presence in that place?
3. Why did God choose that time and place to reveal Himself to Jacob?
4. What did the writer mean when speaking of the fear Jacob had of God?
5. In what way did Jacob see the House of God as the gateway to heaven?
6. How does Jesus represent this idea?

Genesis 28:18-19

Jacob recognized the spot as extremely important by creating what could be considered a small altar for incense using the stone upon which he had slept.  He then renamed Luz and called it Bethel to recognize it as the House of God.

1. Why did Jacob take the time to set up a pillar/altar on the spot?
2. Why use the stone on which he had slept to make the pillar?
3. What does the word Bethel mean?
4. What did Jacob want to remember?

Genesis 28:20-22

What a difference between the words of God and those of Jacob is seen in these verses.  God made unconditional promises while Jacob tried to negotiate with Him.  He stated that God would be his God if He protected him in all the places he would be going.  If as He promised Jacob would return to the land of Canaan then he would serve Him and give him a tithe.  His words indicated that what Jacob would do was conditional. It all depended on what God would do for him.  God did not attach strings to His promises.

1. How did the words of Jacob differ from those of God?
2. After all that had occurred why did Jacob believe he had the right to negotiate with God?
3. How often have you tried to negotiate with God?
4. What kind of vows have you made that you have not fulfilled?

You-

• If there is conflict going on in your life be willing to face it.
• Seek to never be the source of conflict in your family or church.
• Do not avoid or run away from problems.
• Eliminate those things that distract you from truly sensing God’s presence in your life.
• Do not make vows that you cannot keep.
• Never make your love conditional on what you would have God do for you.
• Learn to stand in awe of God as you behold His glory.

We-

There are two aspects of the lesson that are important for all of us in the church.  We need to understand that even though conflict will come we must be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  We will be able to do this only if there is a genuine effort to stop it before it becomes embedded in the life of the church.  If we seek God’s direction He will give us the answers we need.  Let us trust Him and never try to deal with a situation in our own power.

If we desire to hear God we must establish the kind of environment where He can be heard and worshipped.  Jacob did not know God was present in that place because he was too busy thinking about himself and his own agenda.  Let us stop, slow down and realize that to accomplish anything for the kingdom we have to be still in our spirits so that we can truly hear what He is trying to say to us.  If we will change our attitudes and get out of the way God will truly provide resources to grow His kingdom through the church.

 

Additional notes:

RT-In meeting God at Bethel in such a personal way, Jacob had to decide what his relationship with Father would be.  No longer could he depend on the fact that God was the God of Abraham and Isaac but was now to be his God also. (Gen. 28:13)

BL-  In  Genesis 28, Isaac, sent Jacob to Rebekah’s brother’s home in Paddan Aram (today’s Syria).  Rebekah had complained that living near Esau’s Hittite wives is killing her, so she urged Isaac to sent Jacob to Laban’s to find a wife.  Isaac does so, imparting the blessing to Jacob that God first gave his grandfather, Abraham.  The blessing promises that from Jacob will come a “community of peoples” and that these descendants will inherit the land that God gave to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-17. (Although Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never saw this promise come true in their own lifetimes, it has been partially fulfilled in the establishment of the nation of Israel-with more land to come in the future!)  Christians, too, have a part in this promise-God had told Abraham in Genesis 12 that through him, all nations on earth would be blessed-and we have received a spiritual heritage and the greatest blessing of all through Abraham’s descen!
dant, Jesus Christ!  (This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 11 when he speaks of the Gentiles being “grafted in” to the tree of the Abrahamic covenant.)
    In vv. 6-9, Esau adds to his “harem” by marrying a daughter of his half-uncle, Ishmael.  Whether he did it out of spite or out of a desire to please his father (perhaps thinking that a relative was better than taking another Hittite woman), the result was the same.  Esau proved once again that sensual pleasures, rather than spiritual things, were what mattered most to him.
   In vv. 10-15, Jacob, exhausted from his travels, lies down and dreams of a stairway that extends from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending its stairs.  At the top of the stairway, he sees the Lord, who says, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.”  The Lord goes on to reiterate the blessing He has given Abraham, promising fruitfulness, land, and a blessing for all the peoples of the earth.  Then God adds a new point.  In v. 15, He tells Jacob, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
   When Jacob awakes in vv. 16-17, he says in wonder, “Surely the Lord was in this place, and I was not aware of it . . .How awesome is this place!”  Why was Jacob so amazed by his dream?  It may be hard for us, who have been taught that God is everywhere, to understand Jacob’s amazement-but Buddy pointed out that in ancient times and religions, people associated gods with a certain locale.  In Jacob’s case, he probably believed that God was approachable only where his parents and their relatives dwelled.  Yet here was God, out in the middle of nowhere, identifying Himself not only as the God of Abraham and Isaac, but also as Jacob’s PERSONAL God!  Jacob might be friendless, tired, discouraged, ashamed, lonely, and confused about his future-but God was right there with him, no matter where he went.  No wonder Jacob was blown away by this revelation!   Jacob had it half right-he DID have an awesome experience-but it was God, not the place, that made it awesome!  Have YOU ever had a personal encounter with the living God?  He’s real-and He wants to be your God, too.  Ask Buddy or Al how you can know Him personally.  And if you do know Him as Lord of your life, when was the last time that you and I thanked Him for being faithful, even when we are not?  Lastly, Buddy asked how we can make Bethany Place into an “awesome” place-a place where we can introduce others to this wonderful, personal God Who loved us so much that He became flesh and died on a cross in order to draw us to Him!  That news is too great NOT to share! 

BL-We studied Genesis 28:18-22, which outlines Jacob’s response to God’s great promise to watch over him and make him into a great nation.  Buddy began by asking us why it was so important that God made Himself known in such an intimate way to Jacob.  Class members came up with several reasons, including:  God reveals Himself to us in times of the deepest valleys in our lives;  God gives His children encouragement when they need direction; and that God seeks US out wherever we are, even when (especially when!) we are sinful and lost, as Jacob was. To put it simply, Jacob was a recipient of God’s grace and mercy!
   However, Jacob’s gratitude was rather underwhelming!  In vv. 20-22, we saw him making a deal with God-“If God will be with me and will watch over me . . . and give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God . . .”  Buddy called this “foxhole faith,” the kind that says, “If you get me out of this mess, then I will make you my God.”  However, God doesn’t work that way!  God says, “If you will obey Me and follow Me, THEN I will bless you!” The problem with Jacob (and with so many of us!) is that he laid out his own agenda and then asked God to bless it.  He wanted God to be his “sugar daddy,” not his Lord. He desired tangible blessings, things he could touch and enjoy right now.   But God already HAD an agenda planned for  Jacob, one that went far beyond Jacob’s immediate wants, or even his immediate future.  God planned to make Jacob into a great nation–and all He required of Jacob was faith!
  It sounds simple, doesn’t it-to just trust God to handle our future!  But sometimes it seems so hard to hand Him the reins!  Is there an area of your life or mine where God is asking us to trust Him?  Listen to Jeremiah 29:11-“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”  His plans are far, far better than any you and I can ever come up with on our own!  Hopefully it won’t take us as long to learn that lesson as it did Jacob!
  In chapter 29, Jacob makes it to Haran, where he meets Rachel, Laban’s daughter.  He falls in love and agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for the privilege of marrying her.  However, on Jacob’s wedding night, Jacob the deceiver meets the master of deceit!  Laban, looking to unload his older and less desirable daughter, Leah, sneaks her into the marriage tent in place of Rachel.  The next morning, when Jacob discovers the deception, he is furious–but he agrees to work for Laban another seven years if he can marry Rachel the following week. 
  Leah realizes that Jacob doesn’t love her, and God has pity on her.  He enables Leah to give Jacob four sons, while Rachel remains barren.  When Leah bears the first three boys, it is obvious from their names that she is desperate to win Jacob’s affection; but by the time she has the fourth son, she names him “Judah,” meaning “praise the Lord.”  Finally, she is learning to depend on God, not Jacob, to find fulfillment as a woman.  Leah, too, is learning some painful lessons about trusting God!  However, her fertility and Rachel’s barrenness have set the stage for yet another round in the continuing tale of the “Ultimate Dysfunctional Family!” 

RT-If there was one positive from this whole episode was that it helped Jacob break away from his past and to get a new start in life.  To have stayed in Canaan would have only been a constant reminder of what he had done and caused a tension between Isaac and Rebekah. (Gen. 28:1-5)

UE-Isaac blessed Jacob who had deceived him as he was being sent off to Syria to protect him and to find a wife. (Gen. 28:3-5)

M-The one thing that Esau could do to inflict hurt on his family was to take another wife from a heathen people. (Gen. 28:8-9)

UE-Even though Jacob had done wrong, God saw that he would be one through whom the great nation would be built.  This shows that God will use all kinds of people to carry out His purpose. (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-Jacob is one of the best examples we have in the Old Testament of God’s grace.  God constantly had to deal with Jacob, who at different times could be described as:

1. Grabber
2. Deceiver
3. Liar
4. Selfish
5. Arrogant
6. Disrespectful of others
7. Manipulator
8. Weak

His decisions were always getting him into one jam after another. His family life was a disaster.  Ten of his sons hated their brother. One had a relationship with his father’s concubine.  One son even had a sexual relationship with his own daughter-in-law.  Jacob not only deceived his own father but his father-in-law as well. God still loved him enough to wrestle with him to bring to him a new revelation of who God was.  Jacob played his hand and God called his bluff and he became Israel.

E-As He had done with his grandfather, Abraham and his father God affirmed His covenant with Jacob.  This time He spoke of being the God of both Abraham and Isaac.  Once again one of Abraham’s descendents was told that the family would possess the land of Canaan and there would be so many descendents that they could not be counted.  Also through those born in the line of Jacob all nations would be blessed. God specifically promised him that He would:

1. Be with him
2. Keep him safe wherever he went
3. Bring him back to the land of Canaan
4. Not leave him until He had done all He promised

Jacob’s response to the dream was as follows

1. He awoke afraid because God was in the place where he had slept.
2. He was overcome with awe at being in the house of God and at the gateway to heaven.
3. His first act was to set up and altar and pour oil on it
4. His name for that holy place was Bethel which means house of God.
5. He made a vow.  This was true to his nature as a wheeler-dealer.  It followed these steps in the process.
   1. If God would be with him as He had promised
   2. To keep him on his journey
   3. Provide sustenance for him
   4. Provide clothing to wear
   5. Return him safely back to his family and home, then

(1)   The Lord would be his God

(2)   The stone he placed there would be God’s house

(3)   He would tithe                                                                                                          (Gen. 28:10-22)

GC-The promise made to Abraham and Isaac was now given to Jacob.  God was going to give him the land on which he stood as his possession forever.  Through him God was also going to bless the world.  It seems strange that God was speaking to a deceiver and liar in this way.  God however was going to bring changes in Jacob that he would not have understood at that point in his life.  What does this say about grace?  Who would be the recipient of the glory when all of this took place?  How much of it did Jacob actually bring about himself? (Gen. 28:13-15)

RT-In the encounter with God at Bethel in such a personal way began to shape the kind of relationship he would have with the Father.  His bargaining with God showed his faith was in its infancy and would need to be fleshed over the years as he faced many trials.  No longer could he depend on the knowledge that God of his ancestors but not was to be his God also.  He would have to take responsibility for his actions in regard to that relationship. (Gen. 28:13)

GC-There is a time in every person’s life when he confronted with god in a real way.  Jacob’s response as ours should be one of reverence and total awe of Him.                (Gen. 28:16-17)

GC-”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we are in His presence, we are to respond with awe and reverence.                                                                         (Gen. 28:16-17; 42:18; Job 28:28; 37:24; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 14:2; 15:33)

RT- The call of God is two-fold.  First it is a call for action on the part of the individual (obedience).  Then there is the promise that God will make the call result in fruitfulness (covenant). (Gen 28:13-15, 20-21)

M-When truly confronted with the Lord we are brought to a time of decision.  The one Jacob made was made was conditional.  He asked God to provide for him and if He did Jacob would return a portion back to Him but even more important than that he would call the Lord as his God. (Gen. 28:20-22)

WM-In spite of all of the promises God had just made to him, Jacob could not overcome his personality traits and tried to make a deal with Him.  A person who is enslaved to his ambitions as Jacob was cannot hear the voice of God and be free.  (Gen. 28:20-22)

GC-Jacob as was his practice placed conditions on his commitment to God.  His conditional promise occurred at the beginning of his pilgrimage with God.                  (Gen. 28:20-22)

RT-The call of God comes to each and all but there must be a response by the hearer before God will act. (Gen. 28:21-22)

GC-Jacob promised to tithe when he had nothing at all. (Gen. 28:22)

C-When God appeared to him on his journey, Jacob changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel, the house of God. (Gen. 28:19)

 

 

Lesson 25

The Deceived and Supplanted React

Genesis 27:30-46

Me-

There have been times in my life when I believed that I had been treated unfairly. It is possible that some of those incidences were of my own making. The greatest injustice to me, in my opinioned, occurred when I worked at an industrial plant.  I was in charge of a storeroom of 10,000 which was open to the maintenance people twenty-four hours a day.  This made it very difficult to maintain a good inventory.  This eventually led to me getting fired.  The strange thing is that I was asked to train my successor and was also allowed to continue in the Purchasing Department for several months. There was one maintenance supervisor who went to bat for me even though it meant trouble for him.

I have often wondered if because of my faith I just did not fit into that environment. There was at least one instance when the plant manager made a very disparaging remark about those of us who were followers of Christ.  I am not bitter because my firing led to the opportunity to work for the mission board and to travel overseas.  God eventually worked about my situation which has allowed me to grow in my faith.

We-

Churches are not exempt from wanting to respond strongly to those who have hurt them.  We have had our own struggles with divisions and conflicts.  To be honest we have not always handled them well.  There are probably still some wounds resulting from the way that members have treated each other that need to be healed.  We also have to understand that it is our failures that sometimes bring about conflict.  As finite human beings we all too often leave God out of the life of the church until we find ourselves in a situation from which we cannot extract ourselves without God’s intervention.  His working out solutions will only come when we turn the control of our lives over to Him. It is not necessary to go into details, but it is important that we learn to respond to such situations in a Christ-like manner.  God tells us that we are not take revenge against anyone.  God will ultimately be the final judge and arbiter of every matter.

Genesis 27:30-31

Jacob left in the nick of time with Isaac’s blessing ringing in his ears.  No sooner had he departed from his father than Esau came in from his hunt.  He prepared the game and took it into his father so he could receive the promised blessing.

1. What do you think about the timing of Jacob’s departure and Esau’s arrival?
2. In what way was Esau carrying out his end of the bargain?
3. Why would he not suspect that Jacob would commit the act of deception before Isaac?
4. What are some instances when you thought that you had gotten away with a particular sin?

Genesis 27:32-33

At that point Isaac was a confused and shaken man. What was to be made of the events that were occurring?   He immediately wanted to know who it was that had brought another meal and wanted to be blessed. Esau tried to clarify things by exclaiming that he was Isaac’s first born son.

Isaac then asked a very obvious question.  From the way he stated it one can tell that he was very distraught.  He knew in that moment that he had been deceived.   There also came to him how his own lifestyle had set the tone for the family. Since he and his whole family were living apart from God, one could only expect for them to live according to the values of the world.  The damage had been done the blessing according to the world had been given to the wrong person. It could not be revoked. He wanted to know who had beaten Esau to the punch and brought the meal and received the blessing.

1. Why was Isaac shaken with the arrival of Esau?
2. What were his questions to Esau that indicated his confusion?
3. What do you think might be going through Esau’s mind at that point?
4. Why did he emphasize the fact that he was the first born of Isaac?
5. What is obvious from Isaac’s statement?
6. Why did he say that the one who had received the blessing would be blessed?

Genesis 27:34-36

Esau’s initial reaction was to weep bitterly.  He knew that all was lost for him if his father did not have a blessing for him also.  Isaac’s response would have torn the heart out of him as it would have any man. At that moment Isaac realized that he had been deceived. He used strong words in describing the actions of Jacob.  His younger son had taken, in an underhanded way, the blessing meant for Esau.  The pathos in Esau’s voice leaps off the pages of the Bible as he realized what he had lost.  The meaning of Jacob’s name, one who supplants, was used as Esau spoke of what his brother had done.  He had

• Taken his birthright
• Taken away his blessing.

His claims were only half true.  As was written earlier he actually sold his birthright to his brother for some bean soup.  His final plea to his father was to see if there was a blessing that he could receive. Even if there were more blessings to be given they would not carry with them the significance of the one given to Jacob. One can see that Jacob had been given everything that his father had, position, power and possessions.

1. What was Esau’s immediate reaction?
2. How would you have handled such a situation if it happened to you?
3. Why did Isaac only realize at that moment that he had been deceived?
4. What one thing did he forget in this whole event that maybe would have kept all of these events from happening?
5. How did it dawn on Esau the magnitude of what he had lost?
6. In what way was Jacob innocent of Esau’s downfall?
7. What do we see in the way that he described his brother?
8. Why would any blessing given to Esau by Isaac not have the same significance as the one Jacob had received?

Genesis 27:37

Isaac’s answer to Esau’s plea had to be crushing to one who was so confident in his own abilities.  All that he had hoped to gain from his father had now been given away. According to Isaac, Esau and all of his relatives would serve his brother.  Not only that but Isaac with the blessing, had asked that Jacob reap all the benefits that this life had to offer.  As far as Isaac was concerned there was nothing else to give to Esau. 

1. Why would the statement by Isaac be so hurtful to Esau?
2. What did the blessing mean for Esau’s future?
3. What had been given to Jacob?
4. Why was there nothing else that Isaac believed that he could do for Esau?

Genesis 27:38

Esau did not give up.  He did not want to walk away from his father empty-handed.  Again he wanted to know if there was not one other thing that Isaac had to give.  It turned out to be a highly emotional time for Esau as he wept because of all that had happened.  His last plea indicated the deep need in his life to have meaning.

1. Why did Esau not give up?
2. What did he expect his father to do about something that was irreversible?
3. What did his reaction show about how much he valued the blessing?

Genesis 27:39-40

Isaac did respond to the plea from Esau.  It is sad to say, they were not the words that Esau was expecting to hear. They were pretty blunt and could have been very discouraging. It is obvious from what has been written that Esau could not truly expect a blessing because of the fact that he had disqualified himself from even deserving one.  His father promised him that

• He would not be able to provide for himself from the soil as the land where he lived would be infertile.
• His life would be filled with warfare.
• For a while he would serve his brother.
• After a period of time he would no longer depend on Jacob.

 

1. Why did Isaac even respond to Esau’s pleas?
2. In what ways was the words spoken to Esau different from those to Jacob?
3. In what ways did the promises to Esau fit his character?
4. What disqualified Esau?

Genesis 27:41-45

Esau’s reaction is what would be expected from a godless man.  His plan was to wait until his father died and then to kill his brother.  What he could not get legitimately he would strive to acquire by violence. Here again is a display of his character. Rather than moving on he was one who held grudges when he did not get his way.

1. Why would one expect Esau to react as he did?
2. Why would his plan, if carried out, get him what he desired?
3. What does this tell us about his character?
4. Why are holding grudges detrimental to one’s life?

Genesis 27:42-45

Once again Rebekah steps in to the fray.  She heard of Esau’s threats and decided she knew what needed to happen to correct it.  Her plan was for Jacob to go and spend a few days in the home of her brother, Laban, in Haran.  In her mind it would only take that length of time for Esau to cool down and Jacob would be able to return home. To think that Esau would forget what had happened to him in a short period of time was ludicrous.  The excuse that she gave Jacob was that she did not want to lose both of her sons on the same day. Her ill conceived ideas cost her the respect of one son and would now lead to the loss of the son who she loved.  She should have considered that possibility before the episode even began. As far as the Bible indicates at the end of this episode would be the last time she would ever see Jacob. 

1. Why did Rebekah think she could undo all of the problems she had caused?
2. How could she believe that Esau would forget the events that had just occurred in a short period of time?
3. What would be the cost to Rebekah for her part in the deception?
4. In what way did Rebekah lose both of her sons?
5. Why would she want Jacob to go all the way to Haran in Syria for safety?

Genesis 27:46

  Rebekah could not carry out her scheme with the approval and assistance of Isaac. As weak and old as he was he was still the head of the family and any major decision still had to come from him.  Her approach was that she did not want Jacob to marry one of the local women.  To have that happen would take all meaning from her life. Notice she did mention the events that just occurred.  She played on the fact that Isaac also was not pleased when Esau had married a Canaanite woman.

1. Why did Rebekah now approach Isaac to get her wish?
2. What was her real motive?
3. In what way does this discussion still show her lack of respect for Isaac?
4. In what way was her reason a way of protecting Isaac?
5. What did she not bring up?
6. What was her reasoning for sending Jacob away to Haran?

You-

• Consider your attitude towards someone who has hurt you, what does the Scripture call you to do about it?
• Remember it is not what happens to you that matters but the way you deal with it that makes all the difference.
• Reflect on the words spoken by Isaac to both Jacob and Esau.  Even though the blessing was meant for Esau, Jacob went on to prove that he was more deserving of it than Esau.
• What words do you want others to say about you?
• Strive to be worthy of the words of God that say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
• Do not let events in your life destroy the righteousness and holiness to which God calls you.

We-

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:27 is easier said than done.  God calls us to be forgivers and forgetters.  The church certainly is not exempt from having to deal with situations that cause us to rely on God’s strength to get us through them.  Jesus over and over gives instructions of how we are to handle situations in which we have either wronged someone or they have hurt us in some way.  Each and every time He directs us to be reconciled to our brother or sister.  In Ephesians Paul wrote that our attitude is to be one of, “Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. Even on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  Let this be our heart.  It is better to suffer than to take revenge.  That is what Christ calls us to do.

Additional notes:

DM-After Jacob had stolen the blessing meant for Esau, Esau must have come to the stark realization of what he had so flippantly given up for a bowl of stew.                    (Gen. 27:36-38; Heb. 11:30)                                                                                             

GC-Favoritism, deception, jealously and hatred have no place in a Christian home.  By these attitudes and behavior many homes have been torn apart.                                   (Gen. 27:2-5, 8, 11)

C-Jacob deceived his father and stole Esau’s blessing thus making first in the family although he was the younger of the two brothers. Now the package was complete Jacob had both the birthright and blessing.  It would appear that he was set for a long successful life once his father died. (Gen. 27:6-30, 33-35)

WM-Sometimes you never appreciate what could have been yours until it is not longer available to you.

C-Esau partly because he despised his birthright, selling it to his brother and partly through the deception of Jacob could now only receive the blessing due to the second son.  At this point all rights and privileges had become the property of Jacob.                  (Gen. 27:34-40)

C-What would your reaction be at such a turn of events in your life?  Esau began going through the grieving process that occurs when such a traumatic experience has taken place in a person’s life.  Part of that process is the emotion of anger.  In this kind of mindset he planned to kill his brother after the death of his father. (Gen. 27:41)

WM-There was no genuine love among the members of Isaac’s family as shown by their treatment of each other. (Gen. 27:41-46)

C-Rebekah caught wind of Esau’s plans.  This brought about a number changes in the life of this family.  They took place in rapid succession because of the explosive nature of the situation.  They were:

1. Jacob was sent away in reality to protect him.  However, it was done under the pretence of searching for a wife from Rebekah’s family back in Syria (Aram).
2. Rebekah lost the trust, respect and affection of Esua.
3. She for practical purposes also lost Jacob.  There is no indication that she ever saw him again.
4. Esau took revenge on his mother and father because Jacob was gone by marrying additional local wives.  This added to the hurt his parents were experiencing.
5. Jacob had to leave the family environment in he had always lived.
6. He began a journey which carried with it inherent risks and uncertainty.

In the final analysis what did Rebekah and Jacob achieve from all of the planning and carrying out the deception on Isaac and the consequences that each of the family had to endure. (Gen. 27:42-46; 28:1-9)

RT- Humanly speaking, the solution for ridding oneself of an obstacle that may be blocking our path has not changed in all of these thousands of years.  After the fall we see it in the murder of Abel.  Following in Cain’s footsteps Lamech then kills two people.  Now we get a glimpse of anger and revenge in the words of Esau as he made plans to killed Jacob after his father’s death to regain the birthright and blessing he had lost.   (Gen. 27:41)

RT-Did Rebekah truly believe that Esau’s anger would go away in a few days?  The reality was that this situation had been brewing for a long time.  The stealing of Esau’s blessing by Jacob was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  The problem was that both brothers were guilty of playing on their parent’s favoritism.  It is easy to say that surely Isaac and Rebekah must have seen how they were favoring one son over the other. Out of this kind of family environment there had to be a great deal of competition as each of the brothers vied for the love of both of their parents.  The Scripture is very specific in its description that each parent had a favorite son. (Gen. 27:43-44) 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 24

The Supplanter at Work

Genesis 27:1-29

Me-

All of us have deceived someone at some point in our lives.  In my own life I have pretended to be what I was not.  To be hypocritical is a form of deceit.  In order to get a position I am sure that I have built myself up to impress the human resources person.  There have been a couple of times that I found myself in a situation over my head because I thought that I knew more than I actually did.  One time in particular I made such a move because the place I was working had a freeze on promotions and my family needed more money, because we wanted to send our children to private school.  Fortunately, because there was eventually a need for which I was more qualified I was able to move into another position.  The one person I have found that I cannot fool is God.  I will always be guilty before Him anytime I vary from what is true about my life.  The saying, “Your sins will find you out” is very true.  It certainly has been so in my life.

We-

Churches cannot escape this sin.  How often have we promoted ourselves by inflating the attendance or have given a false impression about the quality of what we do.  One of the biggest falsehoods of which many churches is guilty is the assumption that they are a friendly church when the only people with whom they are friendly are those already there and not a guest coming through the door. 

One of the aspects of church life that needs to be mentioned is how we present ourselves to a potential new church leader.  All too often it would appear that we totally have our act together when in reality we may be coming loose at the seams.  To keep from being like Abraham and his descendents, let us be a church full of integrity in the way we present ourselves to the world.

Genesis 27:1-4

Isaac had reached the age when he realized that he needed to turn the reigns over to a new generation.  He was blind and old and did not know how much longer that he might live.  With the reality of the finiteness of life before him he called Esau, his oldest son, to him.  It is interesting that before he would give the blessing to him, Esau was required to fix his father one of his favorite dishes of wild game. 

It may not be important but there is no indication that Isaac was aware of the deal that Esau had made with Jacob previously.  He had given the birthright to his brother and in that regard was not entitled to the blessing that he was about to receive.  He had given away the rights to two thirds of Isaac’s possessions. This is one of the areas in which Esau had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing.  One other has already been mentioned in the previous lesson.  He had married Canaanite women.  The third and probably the most important had to do with the prophecy given to Rebekah concerning the two boys before they were born.  Through those words God indicates that it was to be Jacob and not Esau who would receive His special blessing.

In spite of all these factors, Isaac was going to bless Esau anyway because of tradition and the fact that Esau was Isaac’s favorite son.

1. What are some of the driving forces in our lives that cause us to make decisions one way or another?
2. How much is age a factor in the way we make decisions?
3. What do you think of Isaac’s plan to bless Esau in spite of the fact that he had disqualified himself from receiving God’s blessing?
4. What do the verses show us about Isaac?
5. In what ways was Esau disqualified to be blessed?

Genesis 27:5-10

Rebekah heard the conversation between Isaac and Esau and set in motion a plan of her own to make sure that it was Jacob and not Esau that received the blessing.  Remember that Rebekah loved Jacob more than she loved Esau. For her to decide to deceive Isaac shows a lack of respect for her husband.  One has to wonder if there was ever the kind of love that was mentioned in Genesis 24:67 when it talked about Isaac’s love for Rebekah, but nothing of her love for him.

Because Jacob was complicit in the deception shows a lot about his character.  He had learned well from his parents the art of deception.  It is clear that he was a very ambitious or would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.  Although he went along with the plot it was completely Rebekah’s plan.  She had probably been looking for the right opportunity for her to advance Jacob’s position.  Isaac played right into her hands with his decision to have Esau go hunting.

To make her plan work she was going to prepare a meal for Isaac from the goats that Jacob was to bring her.  Her command to Jacob was to take it into his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.

1. Why did Rebekah dream up the devious scheme to deceive Isaac?
2. Why was her plan so important to her?
3.  What would indicate that she was looking for just such an opportunity?
4. How did Isaac play right into her hands?
5. Why was Jacob in agreement with what she was doing?
6. What does this say about the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah?
7. What does this kind of favoritism do to a family?

Genesis 27:11-12

In all of the planning there arose one small problem.  Esau was a hairy man while the Scriptures say that Jacob was a smooth man. It is important to note that Jacob showed how unscrupulous he was by his response to Rebekah.  He was only worried about getting caught in their scheme, not by the fact that what they were doing was wrong.

1. Why was Jacob only worried about getting caught in the deception?
2. Why did he not have a problem with the deception he and Rebekah were planning?
3. What does this show about the relationship between he and his brother Esau?

Genesis 27:13

Little did she know at the time but her words would be prophetic to the events that were to occur.  It may be jumping ahead a bit but there is no indication that Rebekah ever saw Jacob again after the fallout from this episode. She called down a curse upon herself and a curse she got.

1. How far was Rebekah willing to go to promote Jacob’s future?
2. Why do we have to be careful about the words that come from our mouths?
3. How did what she said come true?

Genesis 27:14

Up to that time what the two were planning was just that, planning.  When Jacob went to get the goats he and Rebekah stepped over the line of being guilty of sinning against Isaac, Esau and God. 

1. At what point did the planning become sin?
2. What was the sin they committed?
3. When do we find ourselves guilty of sinning?

Genesis 27:15-17

Although Isaac could not see, Rebekah still made sure that Jacob was dressed for the part.  She provided him with Esau’s clothing. To compensate for his smooth skin she took the skins of the goats on his hands and at his neck.  To complete the deception she gave Jacob the meal to take into his father.

1. Why did Rebekah feel that it was necessary to dress Jacob as she did?
2. How did she try to fool Isaac since Esau was a hairy man and Jacob was not?
3. What are some of the ways we use to hide our true identity?
4. Why is it wrong to do so?

Genesis 27:18-19

With all of the preparations made, it was time for Jacob to go to his father and receive the blessing meant for Esau.  When he went into his father and gave notice that he was there, Isaac sensed something was not right by asking Jacob who he was.  Jacob told his first lie, identifying himself as Esau.

1. What was the final step to get Isaac to bless Jacob?
2. What did Isaac sense something was not right?
3. In what way did his lying show disrespect for his father?
4. In what ways have you lied to gain what you have wanted to happen?

Genesis 27:20-24

Isaac was still not certain of the identity of the person before him.  He first asked a question, wanting to know how his son had been able to complete the assignment of killing and preparing a meal of wild game.  When he answered his father he invoked God’s name by claiming that it was He who had give him success. Secondly, he commanded Jacob to come close to him, so he could determine the identity of his son by the smell of the outdoors on his clothing. He also felt the places that Rebekah and put the goat’s skins.

The trickery of the two worked.  Isaac was confused by what the two had done, for he said the clothing and hands are like Esau, but the voice belongs to Jacob.  The fact of the clothing was enough to convince him because he had no other way of identifying him.

Although Isaac blessed Jacob because he could not recognize him, after giving the blessing he asked one more time whether he truly was Esau.  Jacob’s answer at this point had to be that he was.  Otherwise he would have been unmasked as the deceiver and liar that he was.

1. Why was Isaac still uncertain about his son’s identity?
2. What were the ways by which he thought he could identify his son?
3. What was the lie that Jacob told? 
4. Why was it so offensive?
5. If he had known his children better, what would have been a dead give-away that the person before him was not Esau?
6. Why did Isaac finally bless Jacob?
7. Why did he wait until he had given him the blessing before asking him once more about his identity?
8. In what ways have you possibly taken advantage of someone that did not know that you were not telling the truth?

Genesis 27:25-28

At that point there was nothing else Isaac could do but have Jacob bring him the meal to receive the blessing as promised.  Jacob obeyed his father and brought it to him. It appears that Isaac still was not sure of what was going on.  He commanded Jacob to come close once again and give him a kiss.  Once again he obliged his father.  When he did Isaac assured himself that it was Esau because he again smelled the garments which carried in them the smell of outside world.  At that point his blessing included the mention of the fact of the clothing.  It was almost as if the blessing came to Jacob because of Isaac’s love of the outdoors.  As mentioned before he was living vicariously through Esau and blessed him for a life that did exist for him. 

1. Why did Isaac bless Jacob after he had brought the meal to him?
2. Why did he try once again to assure himself that it was indeed Esau before him?
3. Why did Jacob no longer speak?
4. In what ways was he living vicariously through Esau?
5. In what ways do we live vicariously through others?
6. What may be the end results of living this way?

Genesis 27:28-29

The blessing included both financial success but also leadership over the family from that point on.  The essence of what Isaac said applied to one in an agrarian society.  The one that carried with it more importance and would not really occur in Jacob’s life time was the second part of the blessing.  In the future through Jacob’s line, particularly in David and his descendent Jesus all nations and his people

• Serve him.
• Bow down to him
• Call him master

The final words were the same as given to Abraham earlier:

• Those who cursed him would be cursed
• Those  who blessed him would be blessed

Jacob had achieved what he desired.  He had both the birthright and the blessing. His ambition superseded his regard for his brother’s feelings and show disrespect for his father.  If the commandments had been in place he would violated the admonition to honor father and mother.  He obviously broke the ones about lying, stealing, coveting and dishonoring God.  Although, Isaac had given the blessing, would God honor it?  God was silent at this point.  This was a blessing of one man conferred upon another.  Although, Isaac referred to God, it was truly Isaac’s desire for his son Esau and not Jacob.

1. What were there two separate parts to the blessing?
2. What did each of them cover?
3. What was the difference between the blessing given by Isaac and the one received by Abraham?
4. What were the most important points of the blessing?
5. Why were they important?
6. Why was God silent while all of this was taking place?
7. When can we expect Him to be silent in our own lives?

You-

1. Think about an incident when you have tried to deceive someone.  If you have not done so, ask for forgiveness and make it right with that person.
2. Consider ways in which you have not regarded the well-being of others.  Ask for forgiveness if you have not done so.
3. Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have dishonored your parents.  Age is not a factor.
4. Remember the times when you let your ambitions bring about division between you and others.  As for forgiveness if you have not done so.
5. Always being a blessing to others in the integrity of your heart.

We-

We have not even come to the consequences of the actions of these two people and can already sense trouble ahead.  Let each of us give consideration to what the results will be of any decisions we might make as a follower of Christ or the church as a whole.  We must never do anything for the wrong motives that might bring disgrace on our Lord.  God really does expect for us to be totally above board in all of our action.  Remember the things we do have eternal consequences.  The way we act sometimes might indicate that others may think differently. Our thoughts and deeds should be those which will cause God to bless those things we do and are planning to do. He will be silent if we try to deceive ourselves or others to bring about the desires of our own hearts.  To wait on Him will carry with it much greater rewards

Additional notes:

Jacob began as a grabber or supplanter and had all of the attributes that at any time of history make one successful.  He had ambition, drive and did not mind using any means to achieve his goals.  In today’s society he would be considered a successful man when viewed by those outside the family.  He was a driven man who saw what he wanted and went after it with a vengeance.  Sometimes to achieve his end he had to overlook how his actions might advice he heeded was that which was in his best interest, even when his actions were detrimental to his relationship with others.  He deceived his father, stole his brother’s blessing and caused mistrust between his parents.  When Jacob met God at Bethel, his life slowly began to change into one who:

1. Feared God
2. Promised God his life and for God to have complete ownership of what he might acquire in the future.
3. Lead to his willingness to become a servant to gain Rachel and Leah to be his wives.
4. Developed patience to wait for results rather than forcing others to give in to his desires and ambitions.  The twenty years he served Laban was a prime example of this attitude shift.
5. Had communion with God in dreams, visions and face to face.
6. Followed God’s directives especially when it came to material gains.
7. Gave God credit for who he was and what he had been given.
8. Faced up to the consequences of his earlier actions.  He never forgot them as is seen with the real possibility of seeing his brother again.  To his credit he was not as much afraid of personal harm but what might happen to his family.  He put family above personal safety.
9. A man who had such a personal relationship with God that he could truly give thanks in even the most difficult times.                                                                  

BL- We studied Genesis chapter 27 (ALL OF IT!), as Isaac’s family continued their dysfunctional ways(boy, could they make a great soap out of these peoples’ lives, or what?).  This week, Rebekah overheard Isaac preparing to bless his eldest son, Esau, as soon as Esau returned from the hunt.  Rebekah, determined that her favorite son, Jacob, should receive the blessing, cooked up a scheme (couldn’t resist!) to deceive Isaac. She prepared Isaac’s favorite stew and dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and some hairy goatskins in order to pass him off as his brother. Isaac, who was now blind, fell for the trick and blessed Jacob instead of Esau with just about everything he could think of!  Now that patriarchal blessing might not seem significant to us, but in those days, great importance was attached to it–they believed that God’s hand was in it (and it WAS!) and that it directly affected the future of the individual who was blessed.  Evidence of the blessing’s importance can be seen in Rebekah’s and Jacob’s use of trickery to obtain it and in Esau’s and Isaac’s anguish over giving it to Jacob. Once Isaac realized his “mistake,” he blessed Esau, too, but Esau’s blessing was far less bountiful than the one that Jacob received.  This was all, of course, a part of God’s plan–He had prophesied that the older son would serve the younger before the boys were even born–but the way in which Jacob obtained the blessing was not in accordance with His ways. Rebekah and Jacob would end up paying a great price for manipulating God’s will, as we shall see in later chapters. Buddy pointed out that people today are often guilty of this same faulty thinking–we believe that if we are successful in reaching goals that we have set for ourselves, then God’s hand must be in it. While it is true that God DOES have a plan and a purpose for each of us, His plans may not be the same as ours!  Moreover, with God, the ends NEVER justify the means–He cares very much how we reach the go!
als He has planned for us.  If our methods are not in accordance with His (i.e., in keeping with His Word), then we, too, will suffer as Jacob and Rebekah did–with broken relationships to God and others, with worry, fear, even physical problems.  God loves us, and He will discipline those He loves in order to teach us to wait on Him!  Are the goals that you and I have set for ourselves in keeping with God’s goals for us?  Are the methods we are using to obtain them in accordance with His Word?  There is a lot we can learn from the life of Jacob–which is why the “Old” Testament is never really old!

C-Isaac’s physical condition comes into play as the next episodes of his family unfold.  With old age came blindness.  This fact played into the hands of Rebekah as she plotted to have Jacob receive the blessing due Esau.  How the relationship had changed over the years from the time Isaac and Rebekah loved the boys equally.  Now there was a competition and division between them.  Isaac loved Esau because he was a man’s man.  He lived vicariously through Esau’s love of the outdoors and his hunting skills, abilities Isaac had never possessed.  In lifestyle he was more like Jacob than Esau.  That is probably the reason he gravitated towards Esau.  We generally do not like to be around those completely like us because they always remind us of the attributes we do not like about ourselves. (Gen. 27:1, 12; Ps. 78:36; 144:11; Prov. 24:28; 26:19; 27:6; 30:8)

WM-Both Jacob and his mother Rebekah, lacked integrity.  To get what they both wanted for Jacob they were willing to deceive and lie to Isaac and even invoke the Lord’s name as part of the ruse.  They acquired the blessing for him, but at a great cost.  Rebekah lost her son because he had to flee for his life never to return during her lifetime.  Esau took  revenge on his family and married another Ishmaelite. (Gen. 27:

TM-Rebekah’s part in the deception of Isaac shows an attitude of anything goes.  Her actions provide us a glimpse of the personality trait that most likely had a profound influence throughout Jacob’s life.  God’s word tells that she loved Jacob more than Esau, so naturally she would look out for what she would have perceived as his best interest.    (Gen.27:5-29)

UE-Rebekah conspired with Jacob to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob thus depriving Esau of his rightful blessing. (Gen. 27:5-29, 33-36)

TM-Deception brings heartache, anger, mistrust and division in families, churches and other organizations.  (Gen. 27:5-46)

M-Often the desire to excel overshadows what is right.  Jacob succumbed to his mother’s ambition for him and his own drive to succeed in carrying out the scheme to deceive his father. (Gen. 27:8-29)

DM-Rebekah’s part in the deception would change her life forever.  It was her defining moment.  She is probably remembered for this one act than anything else she did in her life. GC-Jacob should not have deceived his father, not because he was afraid of being caught but because it was wrong. She:

1. Influenced Jacob to take part in her scheme
2. Lost the trust of her husband.  Surely he would come to know that Jacob could not have accomplished the deception alone
3. Angered Esau to the point that he planned to murder his brother. He also married more heathen women as a way to retaliate against his parents
4. Never saw Jacob again that can be found in the Scriptures.  Later only Isaac is mentioned.

We have to wonder as she reflected on her actions was it truly worth it committing such an act of deception. (Gen.27:5-41)

 

Lesson 23

Genesis 26

Like Father Like Son

Me-

When I was younger I use to say, “If I had my life to do over I would do things differently.”  However, as I have become older I realize that if there was a chance to redo my life I probably would have made the same mistakes over again. The one thing I would not change about my life; I would have married my wife over again.  It ranks close to the top of the best decision I ever made.  The only other one that is of more importance is becoming a follower of Christ. 

The reason nothing would have changed has to do with the personality and abilities which God gave to me, many which I did not use to the fullest.  In order to reach the point in life where one understands what God wants to do with him or her comes only from experience.  It is a fortunate person who knows what they want to do with his life from the very beginning.  Circumstances often lead us down a life path that we did not expect. 

Even though I became a believer at a young age, there was no obvious growth until many years later.  If I could do it over I would want my life to be one of constantly focusing on what is important.  There is only One who meets that criteria.

We-

The church certainly is not exempt from making the same mistakes over and over again.  The one thing that stymies our advancement is constantly looking back at what might have been.  If we can get past what we cannot change because once done a deed cannot be undone.  There is nothing wrong at looking at the history of the church.  We are what we have made of ourselves to be.  As we look back we can understand our present situation.  The past is not where we want to remain, however. Paul in Philippians tells us to let the past be the past.  Our marching orders are what he said in the words to follow. We are called to, “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)  The question is where do we want to be, rehashing old stuff or looking to see what God wants to do with His church?

God-

Genesis 26:1

It was almost like déjà vou.  Isaac found himself in the throes of a famine just like his father had experience previously. He then begins to make a trek south east to find water to provide for his flocks and herds.  Like Abraham before him he came in the land of Gerar to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines.  This was not the same man with whom his father had dealings.  Abimelech was most likely a title, like Pharaoh.

1. How is this like the incident that we saw with Abraham’s first journey away from the land of Canaan?
2. Why did Isaac see a need to move?
3. Why would he go to the same land that his father had gone before?
4. Why would the man who was king allow Isaac to stay there?

Genesis 26:2-5

God stopped him short of going into Egypt which evidently was his intent.  The Lord shared several things that would be important in the life of Isaac. First was the warning to stay out of Egypt.  If he did so God would:

• Be with him if he sojourned where He wanted him to stay.
• Bless him.
• Give the land to Isaac and his descendents.

God then reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham which included the promise that he would:

• Have many descendents.
• His descendents would possess the land.
• Bless the nations through the descendants.

The covenant was established with Abraham because he had obeyed God by keeping His charge, commandments, statues and laws.

1. What is different about Isaac’s travels and that of his father?
2. What was Isaac’s intent?
3. How do we know what he planned to do?
4. What was the reason God shared with Isaac the plans that He had for him?
5. Why was it important for God to reaffirm the promises made to Abraham with Isaac?

Genesis 26:6

Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar.  He did not go down to Egypt as his father had done before him.

1. In what ways did Isaac obey God?
2. Why did God not want Isaac to go down into Egypt?

Genesis 26:7

Surely Isaac would have heard of events involving Abraham when he travelled to Egypt and Gerar.  Both times Abraham called Sarah his sister, which showed a lack of faith on his part and created problems for his hosts, Pharaoh and Abimelech..  It is obvious that he did not truly believe the promises God had made with him.    

His son followed in his footsteps and used Rebekah because he feared for his life.  He called her his sister which was an outright lie, unlike Abraham.  It should be clear by this time that both Abraham and Isaac put themselves in a possible dangerous situation by being where they should not have been living among a hostile people. Isaac’s insecurity and timid nature led him to put   his wife in a vulnerable position to protect his own life. 

1. What did Isaac learn from the recounting of Abraham’s trips into Egypt and Gerar?
2. Why did he think he could get away with such a masquerade?
3. What should he have learned from the stories of his father?
4. What does it show about the character of both men?
5. What was different in Isaac’s situation than that of his father?

Genesis 26:8-9

One thing that may not be apparent at first from the text is that God did not intervene as He had done with Abraham.  A good reason for His absence is that the purity and integrity of the line of Abraham was not in jeopardy by the actions of Isaac and Rebekah.  God did not come to Ambimelech to warn him as He had before.  After a period of time, Abimelech actually observed  Isaac “caressing his wife.”  Isaac was not as discreet as his father and openly continued to relate to Rebekah as his wife.

Abimelech’s reaction was as would be expected from one who had been deceived by Isaac’s actions..  He did even give Isaac a chance but accused him immediately of the deception he had tried to carry out.  Isaac, lamely spoke of the fear he had of being killed.  Abimelech would have been offended and let Isaac out of the possible consequences of his action.  He had actually put in jeopardy the reputation of all the people of Gerar and would have brought great guilt on the people of Gerar if someone had taken Rebekah as a wife.

Once again, God protected one of the Patriarchs even when Isaac had purposely lacked faith and tried to take matters in his own hands. Ambimelech could have killed Isaac for what he had done but instead he warned all the people not to touch Rebekah,

1. Why did God not intervene in this situation?
2. What was Abimelech’s relationship with Rebekah?
3. What was Isaac’s attitude during this whole episode?
4. How did Abimelech discover what Isaac was doing?
5. What was the response of Abimelech?
6. How did his character differ from that of Isaac’s in the way he handled the matter?

Genesis 26:12-14

Moving on from the episode with Abimelech, Isaac returned to his agrarian background.  God gave him a great harvest.  As a result of the blessing of God, he became a very wealthy man owning flocks, herds and people.  His many possessions caused the Philistines to become very envious of him.

1. What did it take for God to begin to bless Isaac?
2. What was the reason for the blessings poured out on Isaac?
3. What is the evidence that God was with him in his endeavors?
4. Why did the Philistines become jealous of Isaac?

Genesis 26:15-17

One of the ways the Philistines showed their dislike for Isaac was to stop up all of the wells that Abraham had dug.  Without a doubt, Isaac would have needed the water to keep his animals alive.  Abimelech joined with his fellow Philistines and ordered Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.  He acted out of fear.  With his great wealth Isaac had become more powerful that Abimelech himself.  Isaac obeyed him and moved into the valley of Gerar.

1. How did the Philistines show their contempt for Isaac?
2. Why would they haave felt that way about Isaac?
3. Why were the wells so important to Isaac?
4.  Why did Abimelech issue the command for him to leave?
5. What may have been the real reason he commanded Isaac to leave?
6. Why did Isaac stay in the area of the valley of Gerar?

Genesis 26:18-22

Isaac made every attempt while in the Valley of Gerar to provide water for his flocks and herds by digging again the wells that his father had previously dug. He even gave them the same names.  Each time he completed one of the wells the Philistines came and claimed it as their own.  In a way they were correct for Isaac was sojourning in their land.  It was also a way to accomplish getting Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.

The first well that the men of Gerar took from him in the valley, he named Esek, meaning contention.  The second well was also claimed by his adversaries he called Sitnah because they showed contempt for him.  Finally after those tries, Isaac discovered water and called the well Rehoboth, because the Philistines did not quarrel over it.  Rehoboth means broad places.  He had found a place where he could live in peace and be fruitful. God was given the credit for providing “room” in the land where Isaac believed that his family could become fruitful.

1. Why was water so important to Isaac?
2. Why did the men of Gerar continue to seize the wells he had dug?
3. By what right could they claim the wells of their own?
4. In what way did the names he gave for the wells reflect what was taking place?
5. When Isaac dug the well he called Rehoboth, why did the Philistines leave him alone?
6. In his mind, who was responsible for the peace he experienced?
7. What had been the hindrance of his family becoming fruitfull?
8. How had that changed?

Genesis 26:23-25

Only after Isaac moved from the land of Gerar to Beersheba in the Negev of Canaan did the Lord once again speak to Isaac.  While he lived in Gerar he was out of the will of God because it was the land of Canaan that had promised to Abraham as an inheritance.  Isaac had left the land of promise and had gone into Gerar.  When God appeared to him upon his return he identified Himself as the God of Abraham. Next He dealt with the insecurities and fears that were part of Isaac’s personality.  He assured him that He would leave Isaac but would always be with him.

Here the writer indicated that God only spoke of part of the covenant relationship with Isaac.  There is no discussion of possession of the land.  The only promise made at that point that Isaac would receive the blessings of God and he would have many descendants.  That promise was given not for Isaac’s sake but because of the relationship that God had with Abraham.  In a way Isaac had done nothing to deserve what God was going to give him.

Isaac then built an altar and worshipped God.  It was in that place that Isaac decided to pitch his tent.  To indicate his plans to stay there he and his servants dug a well to provide for his needs.

1. Why did God not speak to Isaac while he was in Gerar?
2. What are some of the situations that have occurred in your life when God seems to be silent?
3. What did it take for God to once again communicate with Isaac?
4. What was the order of the words of God?
5. Why did He present Himself to Isaac in that way?
6. What were important parts that were omitted from the promise that had been given to Abraham?
7. Why did God not promise Isaac those things?
8. Why did God say that what was going to occur was for the sake of Abraham?
9. What does that say about Isaac’s relationship with God?

Genesis 26:26-33

Abimelech approaches Isaac.  To show the seriousness of the visit he brought along with him an adviser named Ahuzzath and Philcol the commander of his army.  Isaac by that time was in no mood to have any dealings with the men.  His statement to them said it all.  He wanted to know why they had come after commanding him to leave their city state. 

They had come because Isaac had become more powerful than they were. It was obvious to them that was God protecting him and had increased his wealth in spite of their attempts to discourage and chase him away.  Knowing that God was on the side of Isaac they wanted to make sure that he would do them no harm.  Isaac did not want conflict and readily agreed to oath they asked of him.  He then made a feast for them and sent them away peacefully.

1. Why did Abimelech approach Isaac?
2. Why would a king be afraid of one family?
3. Why did Isaac agree to the terms they presented to him?
4. What does this show about the character of Isaac?

With the final relationship with Abimelech behind him he could now give full attention to providing for his family.  On the very day that he sent Abimelech away in peace his servants came with the news that they had found water.  He gave the new well the name Shibah called the place where the well was located Beer-sheba.

1. Why was it important for Isaac to be completely separated from the Philistines?
2. What was the good news for Isaac upon the departure of Abimelech?

Genesis 26:34-35

Esau continued to move away from God.  Abraham had sent his servant to get a wife from Nahor’s family because he did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman.  Esau went against that tradition and married Judith and Basemath both of whom were from Hitite family when he was forty years old.  They were Canaanites.  His marriage to those two women grieved his parents.

1. How did Esau prove his distain for the idea of marrying only women from Abraham’s family?
2. How does it show that he was drifting away from God?
3. Why was it so offensive to his parents that he married Hitite women?
4. In what ways could this be understood as being unequally yoked?
5. In what ways did he dishonor his parents by his actions?

You-

• For young people you have the opportunity to take a good look at what God has given you in the way of Spiritual Gifts, talents and passions so that you may live your life in complete service to Him.
• Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have failed God and repeatedly committed the same acts over and over again?
• Learn to follow the example of men and women who truly live according to biblical standards.
• For all followers of Christ be sure that you separate yourself from those who will lead you astray.
• For those considering marriage, do not become entangled with unbelievers.  The Bible calls it be unequally yoked to the ungodly. 

We- 

When we consider the problems that affected Isaac’s life, many of those came from making wrong choices.  We have to make sure that we do not compromise the principles that God has given to us.  Isaac learned much from his father, Abraham, that was good but, he also picked up on actions that bordered on the unethical.  We are not to do what other denominations and churches do just to grow.  All of our actions need to be based on God’s word.  To do otherwise will destroy our witness to the community. God calls us to be holy and perfect. Let us not fail Him.

Additional Notes-

BL-In chapter 26, Isaac repeated his father’s mistake of lying about his relationship to his wife. Once again, an unbeliever, Abimelech, reprimanded a believer, Isaac, for sinning!    People haven’t changed any over the centuries.  We SHOULD be better, because we have the example of Christ to follow and the Holy Spirit living within us.  When we allow ourselves to drift away from God’s word, it doesn’t take long before the currents of the world begin sweeping us away!  How careful are you and I to spend time EACH day with God in prayer and Bible study?  Sin is a lot like the plaque on our teeth.  It doesn’t take long for it to build up and calcify and then, BOY is it painful to have it removed. The chapter concluded with Isaac’s peaceful resolution of a problem with jealous Philistines.  They continued to fill up the wells as quickly as he dug them.  Each time he would simply move on and dig another.  The final result was a blessing from God and a peace treaty with the Philistines.

C-Isaac moved his family to Gerar because of a famine in the land of Canaan.  He followed in his father’s footsteps lying about his relationship with Rebekah.  (Gen. 26:1)

E-God met with Isaac and gave him clear instructions not to go down to Egypt but to remain where he was.  If he did so, God would be with him and bless him. To him and his descendents The Lord was going to give the land he promised to Abraham.  There were aspects of all that He laid out for Isaac

1. He was going to affirm the same oath with him as had with his father.
2. His descendents would be multiplied
3. Descendents would be given all the land.
4. All peoples would be blessed through his seed.

Each of the things would take place because Abraham had

1. Obeyed God
2. Kept His charge, commandments, statutes and laws.                                                     (Gen 26:2-5)

C-All of the promises made to Abraham by God were transferred to Isaac.  The only condition that he was given was that he would continue to obey God. (Gen. 26:2-6)

GC-What greater example can we have than Abraham.  Of him God declared,    “Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. (Gen. 26:5)

WM-Some of the lessons Isaac learned from the life of Abraham were the wrong ones.  When he moved to Gerar, like his father before him, deceived the people telling them that Rebekah was his sister because of fear of being killed. (Gen. 26:6-9)

M-Isaac used the same tactic his father had carried out in preserving his life.  He was driven more by fear than faith in what God had told him. (Gen. 26:7, 9)

TM-Through the example we have in Isaac we learn that some people never heed the lessons of those who have gone before them. (Gen. 26:7:11)

C-Isaac moved away from Abimelech to the valley of Gerar. (Gen. 26:17)

C-His move was in order to find water.  The men of Gerar had contended with him over the wells he dug until he found water in the well he called Rehoboth. (Gen. 26:18-22)

E-What a comfort and assurance it must have been for Isaac having faced adversity to have God come to him and make several statements concerning him.  The things shared were;

1. That He was the God of Abraham.  The same God who had cared for his father was now going to be with him.
2. That Isaac need not fear for He was with him.
3. He would receive the blessings of God.
4. Isaac’s descendents would multiply. 

All of this was done for the sake of Abraham who God called His servant.  Having heard all of these things Isaac built an altar to the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

C- He then moved to Beersheba where the Lord appeared to him to bless him.  Isaac built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

GC-Isaac needed to learn the lesson that he did not need to fear even in a foreign godless nation because God was with him. (Gen. 26:24; Ps. 145:18; Prov. 3:25-26; Is. 8:12; Is. 41:10, 13-14)

M-Isaac built an altar and called on the Lord out of thankfulness of his heart. (Gen. 26:25)

UE-Physical evidence was proof enough for Abimelech that Lord was with Isaac had prospered him. (Gen. 26:28-29)

BL- We looked at Genesis 26, vv. 34-35.  There we saw that Esau married two Hittite women, which brought grief to his parents.  These marriages demonstrate further Esau’s disregard for spiritual matters, since he did not look for or marry a woman who shared his family’s spiritual background.  These choices practically guaranteed that his offspring would not be brought up in a God-fearing household, since mothers have an enormous influence on their children’s spiritual upbringing.  Nor did Esau seem to care what his parents thought about his marriages, even though parents of that time and culture often chose their childrens’ spouses for them.  By these actions, and by his willingness to sell his birthright for a pot of stew, Esau showed that he had a PROPENSITY (or inclination) to disregard spiritual concerns in favor of the here-and-now.  Esau was a sensual person who tended to live for the gratifications of the moment, thereby fulfilling the prophecy that God gave Rebekah before her sons were even born.  Jacob, on the other hand, did value the blessings of his father and grandfather; and while God did not approve of the trickery Jacob used to procure those blessings, it pleased Him that Jacob desired them. Praise God that when He looks at believers, it is through the shed blood of Christ and He sees us as a finished project, even though we all have a LOOOOONNNGG way to go (at least I do!) A good question to ask ourselves, however:  when God looks at you and me, does He see someone who is wrapped up in the concerns of this world, or someone who is “just passing through” on the way to the next?  Are we “of the world,” constantly looking to gratify our sensual natures, or we “in the world”–doing what needs to be done, but making time for God in our daily lives, as well? 

TM-The very thing that Abraham had sought to avoid in the life of his family took place with one of Isaac’s sons, Esau. The children of the covenant were not to marry those outside of the family.  For Esau to do so once again shows how easy it is to compromise with the ungodly of this world. (Gen. 26:34-35)

C-Esau married when he was forty years old.  His wives were women of Canaan.  His marriages brought grief to his parents because he had married outside of the family. (Gen. 26:34)

M-Esau showed a total disregard for the covenant relationship between God and Abraham by marrying a woman from the heathen tribes in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 26:34-35)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 22

A New Era

Genesis 25

Me-

One of the things that I find most meaningful in my study of the Bible is trying to understand the personalities of the people found in its pages.  There is almost every type of person to be found.  I particularly want to discover how their actions impact how God interacts with the nation of Israel.  There are certain personalities like Joseph, Jesus and Paul that I want to emulate.  Others like Jacob, Esau, Isaac and even Rebekah do not represent the character traits that to me are a good witness for God.  To me this is one of the important reasons to stay in God’s word.  I want to be like those with whom God is well pleased.

We-

We see in this one chapter the different qualities of people that in this case are all descendents of one man, Abraham.  We can certainly learn that just because the father, in this case of Abraham, is a godly man does not mean that his descendents will follow in his footsteps.  We as a church give birth to multiple generations who are under our care.  The church needs to understand who it is in order to minister to the members.  Most of all the quality of integrity that was missing in the people in chapter should be dominant in our interaction with each other.  The one other quality that is even more important is unbiased, impartial love.  If we just have those two attributes we will touch many lives.

God-

Genesis 25:1-4

After the death of Sarah, Abraham took a wife named Keturah, which possibly means incense or make incense.  In his old age he sought companionship.  Isaac was married and Ishmael had been sent away.  The Bible says, that “the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)  It is interesting to note that although he was concerned about the purity of his family through Isaac, he himself married one who was of the land of Canaan. Through her, Abraham had six sons.  The well-known among them was Midian who would intermingle with the family of Ishmael and would later become the enemy of Israel. Three generations of sons are listed in these verses.

1. Why would Abraham take another wife after the death of Sarah?
2. Why would he think of having more children?
3. Why was he more concerned about the wife of Isaac than he was about his own new wife?

Genesis 25:5

Even though Abraham had other children, which would have included Ishmael, Isaac had been declared the heir by God.  Isaac was not the first born, but he was the child of promise who would receive the spiritual blessing from God and also the things that had been promised to Abraham by God.

1. Why was Isaac declared the heir of all Abraham possessed?
2. What future blessings did the actions of Abraham portend?
3. Why did God skip the first born Ishmael and give the inheritance to Isaac?
4. At that point what would Isaac actually be getting from his father?
5. What was the most important part of what he was to receive from Abraham?

Genesis 25:6

Abraham did not leave his children by Hagar and Keturah empty handed.  While he was living he did two things.

• He gave them gifts.
• He sent them away from Isaac to the east.  This was to insure that there would be no question in anyone’s mind that Isaac was the true heir and recipient of all his father had.

 

1. What did the treatment of his sons by his concubines show us about Abraham’s character?
2. Why did he send them away to the east?
3. What does this emphasize about the position of Isaac in the eyes of his father?

Genesis 25:7-8

At the age of one hundred seventy-five Abraham died.  The writer tells two final things about him.

• He lived to a good old age. None of his descendents to follow attained the length of his life. 
• He died satisfied with all he had accomplished. High on the list would be his relationship with God and secondly would be assurance of his posterity through Isaac.

 

1. What does the description of Abraham tell us about him?
2. How did it give us a picture of his life?
3. What do think you would like to have written on your tombstone?
4. How does your life reflect what was said about Abraham?

Genesis 25:9-10

This is the only time in their adult life that Isaac and Ishmael were together.  Here were the men representing the two worldviews, spiritual and secular, came to bury their father.  It was from a mutual love and respect for Abraham that this meeting took place.  Even though Ishmael had been sent away, primarily because of Sarah, he still had great affection for the man who had been his father for his formative years.  In these verses great care is given to make sure the reader knows that it was in the very place that Abraham had bought from Ephron that he was buried.

1. What brought the two half- brothers together?
2. What was the one thing that they had in common?
3. How could Isahmael have still loved a man who had sent him away from the only home he had ever known?
4. Why did the writer go to such lengths to describe the burial place of Abraham?

Genesis 25:11

Right after the description of the burial, Moses writes that God now began to bless Isaac.  He was the child of promise, not Ishmael. It was through him that the covenant made by God with Abraham would be carried out.  Once again Isaac returned from Hebron to Beer-lahoi-roi.

1. Why did Moses take that opportunity following the death and burial of Abraham to tell us about the blessing of God on Isaac’s life?
2. What does this tell us about Ishmael?
3. Why was it important to declare the clear distinction between the two men?
4. What does it say about the covenant relationship established by God?

Genesis 25:12-16

Ishmael, in comparison to Isaac, is described as “Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid, bore to Abraham.” As promised to Abraham, Ishmael was to become a great nation.  He had twelve sons who were called princes among their people. Although the nations formed by his children are mentioned only one generation of his genealogy is listed. It would appear that God’s narrative now would begin to focus on His chosen people?

1. How was Ishmael characterized by Moses?
2. Why did he describe Ishmael the way that he did?
3. How was the promise to Abraham fulfilled in Ishmael?
4. Why was only one generation of Ishmael given to us?
5. What does this say to us about where God would now be focusing with His narrative?

Genesis 25:17

Ishmael’s life lasted one hundred thirty-seven years.  Of his death the writer said, “He breathed his last.”  There was no mention of the quality of life seen in the eulogy of Abraham.  Ishmael just died without reference to any relationship to God or anything spiritual having taken place in his life.  He just died and experienced what all other men face but in his case without God.

1. What was missing from the record given of Ishmael’s life?
2. What does that indicate that he gained from living in Abraham’s home for many years?
3. What kind of commentary is the description for a man who lives in rebellion to God?
4. Which of the two eulogies given to us in this chapter might represent your life?
5. What can you do about it?

Genesis 25:18

All of the sons of Ishmael’s sons lived in the areas now dominated by the Muslims.  Their land was located east of Egypt in the Arabian Peninsula and up into the lands east of the Jordan River. The impact of his descendents can best be described in the last words of this verse.  Moses wrote that, “He settled in defiance of all his relatives.”  His people have been a destructive force in this world from his time to the present day.  To read history one will see how his descendents through Mohammed has attempted to gain control over the entire earth. 

1. Who are the descendents of Ishmael today?
2. How has Ishmael and his descendents fulfilled the prophecy given to Hagar in Genesis 16:12?
3. By looking at Isaac and what God was doing through his life how can we be assured that the covenant will be fulfilled through his blood and spiritual descendents?

Genesis 25:19-20

The focus of the narrative now returns to Isaac.  The rest of the Bible will speak of his descendants down through the time of Christ and what resulted from God coming to earth in the form of man.  The genealogy begun here is very short.  Isaac is Abraham’s son.  He married Rebekah, the Aramean, when he was forty.  Although the event of Abraham’s death has been shared, he was actually one hundred forty years old at the time of the marriage and would live to the time when his grandson Esau and Jacob would have been fifteen years old.

1. Why did Moses give us the genealogy of Ishmael, after the record of Abraham’s death, before returning to Isaac?
2. Why did Moses not give the full genealogy of all of Isaac’s forefathers at this point?
3. Why was it strange to write about Abraham’s death when he would be alive for thirty-five more years from the time of Isaac’s marriage?
4. Why did the writer once again go into such detail about Rebekah?

Genesis 25:21

For the first nineteen years of their marriage Rebekah did not have children.  Even if she had been very young when she married Isaac she would be in her mid thirties by that time.  Isaac prayed for her and her dilemma and God answered his prayer and she became pregnant.

1. Why did Rebekah have to wait so long before she was to have children?
2. Why did God answer Isaac’s prayer at that particular time?
3. What does this story tell us about what God might be doing in our lives?
4. How do you deal with the fact that God’s timing is always best?
5. How do you handle that fact?

Genesis 25:22-23

Rebekah’s pregnancy was difficult to say the least.  The movement of the babies was so violent within her that she wondered what was going to happen to them and even to her.  Finally she sought answers from God.  God told her what was to happen in the future with the two boys.

• The children were to be the fathers of two nations.
• That the descendants of one would be stronger than the other.
• The older descendants of the older child would serve the younger.

 

1. Why would Rebekah be concerned about the violent movement of the two babies?
2. Why did see inquire of God?
3. What was the importance to her of the words spoken by God?
4. Why did God allow her know what was going to take place in the future?

Genesis 25:24-26

Finally the day of the birth came.  Esau was born first.  He received his name because he was covered with red hair.  When Jacob was born he came out holding on to his brother’s heel.  His name symbolized one who would supplant or take the place of the other person. Isaac and Rebekah had waited twenty years for the birth of children.  He was sixty years old.  Rebekah’s age is never given unlike Sarah.

1. Why did the first born receive the name Esau?
2. What did the Jacob tell the world about him?
3. What does Jacob mean?
4. Why was it important to know the age of Isaac?

Genesis 25:27

As the two boys grew into manhood they became two entirely different people.  While Esau became a hunter who was not always successful in his hunts as shall be seen shortly.  He probably felt more comfortable being in the outdoors away from people.  This would indicate that he was not very sociable. 

Jacob on the other hand was pictured as a quiet man who stayed close to home living in a tent and probably helping with the flocks and herds owned by his father.

1. What impression do you take away from the above descriptions of each man?
2. How could two men from the same family be so different?
3. How do their personalities fit into the prophecies given to Rebekah?

Genesis 25:28

This verse is a turning point in the history of God’s people.  Like all too many families Isaac and Rebekah were divided in their affections for the two sons.  Isaac was living vicariously through Esaus who was the kind of man that Isaac would like to have been.  Although not particularly mentioned in the last lesson, he was a passive man who allowed others to make decisions for him and do the things that he could not or would not do for himself.  What a shallow reason for loving someone is given here.  The writer says, “Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game.”

Rebekah, on the other hand, loved Jacob. The reason for the favoritism she felt toward Jacob was not given.  Possibly, she showed more affection toward him because she did not care for the lifestyle of Esau.  She, too, was living a life through the personality and actions of Jacob.  All that follows in the rest of Genesis stems from the inter-family competition and ambition of each person involved. 

1. Why do the words in this verse represent a turning point in the history of Abraham’s family?
2. What do you think of the reason that Isaac loved Esau?
3. Why are we not given the reason Rebekah loved Jacob?
4. In what ways may the prophecy concerning the two boys given to her influenced Rebekah’s feelings toward Jacob?
5. What is the problem with divided love?

Genesis 25:29-34

Immediately the competition for supremacy in the family is played out.  Jacob used the appetite of his brother to gain what he wanted.  Esau was willing to give up his rightful place in the family to meet his physical needs.  He cared more about a full stomach than taking his position as future head of the family.  Jacob was no better because he was willing to deprive his brother of some of the food he had prepared to usurp that position and buy the birthright from his brother.  The Scripture indicates that the birthright meant nothing to Esau.  All he cared about was livingly according to his worldly desires.  This event was so unnecessary because God had already established a future for Jacob.  He did not have to take matters in his own hands and just treat his brother so unfairly. 

1. What do you think of the attitude of each brother?
2. What was the worldview of each man?
3. How did each fail in being men of integrity?
4. Why was Jacob able to wrest the birthright away from Esau?
5. Why was it so important to Jacob and not to Esau?
6. Why was this act not necessary?

You-

• Take the time to discover who you are.  (This can be done through the Life Development Classes offered by the church).
• Study the Bible to discover the attributes that are pleasing to God.
• Deal with each person with integrity from the youngest person to the total stranger that comes across your path.
• Always do what you do from a position of godly love (Agape)

We-

We have a real opportunity to show the world what people who are Christ followers are like.  Jesus called us to be light.  We are admonished to walk in the light.  As the world looks at us they should see God’s love permeating everything we do.  If we allow the world’s standards to creep into the body we can be assured that our witness will be destroyed.  Just remember if it happened to the descendents of Abraham it can happen to any of us.  Let us remain steadfast in our faith and never succumb to the world.

Additional notes:

BL- We began by looking at vv. 1-18 of Genesis 25, in which Abraham took a new wife, Keturah.  Although he provided all his children by her with gifts (probably starter flocks) before his death, he sent them away to ensure that the bulk of his estate, and most importantly, the promise of the Covenant, would go to Isaac unchallenged.  Abraham died at age 175 and was buried with his beloved Sarah.  These verses also trace the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar. 

C-Abraham married Keturah after the death of Sarah.  He had more children by her.     (Gen. 25:1-4)

C-Isaac received the full inheritance from Abraham except the gifts that his father had given to his other children by his concubines.  Once he had provided for them Abraham sent them away from Isaac to the east.  This would reduce the conflict that he had experienced with Lot. Out of jealousy his brother may have also turned on him causing him great harm. (Gen. 25:5-6)

RT-Only Isaac remained near to his father out of all of his children. (Gen. 25:6)

C-The great patriarch Abraham died.  Only Isaac, the child of promise, was left to carry on the family name. (Gen. 25:7)

C-As far we know the only time that Isaac and Ishmael came together as grown men was to bury Abraham. (Gen. 25:9)

UE-Surprising that Ishmael would return and along with Isaac bury Abraham especially after the way he had been treated as a young man. (Gen. 25:9)

C-Ishmael as promised became the father of the leaders of twelve tribes.  Those tribes settled from Havilah to Shur, east of Egypt next to Assyria. (Gen. 25:12-18)

 

 

 

Lesson 21

A Wife for Isaac

Genesis 24:15-67

Me-

As I have reflected over these last two lessons about the marriage of Rebekah to Isaac one thing stands out. The servant of Abraham bathed everything he did in prayer. Back when my wife and I were planning to get married, I cannot remember either of us asking God for guidance in the major decision we were about to make.  Our years together have proven that He intended for us to be together, but how assuring it would have been if we had truly gone to him in prayer. Like so many young people we based our decision on how we were attracted to each other.  The one thing that we did have going for us was the fact that we were both Christians.  Even with that fact we by not including God we are taking a chance on our future life together.

We-

We as a church should look to the example of the servant.  God admonishes us to leave to chance.  The servant prayed because he was in uncharted territory.  Joshua back in the Old Testament told the Israelites to prepare” for you have not passed this way before.” (Joshua 3:4) Each new step we take as a body should be done only after we have spent a great deal of time in prayer.  If we will do that we can then wait to see what God is going to do.  The servant waited as he watched to see if Rebekak’s actions prove that his prayers had answered.  As our prayers come to fruition we will see that God has truly been at work in our midst.

Genesis 24:15-20

Rebekah came on the scene carrying her water jar.  The writer gave a full description of the young woman that makes clear that she could be the one to become Isaac’s wife.  Some of the characteristics were more important than others.  She was depicted as

• The daughter of Bethuel.  She definitely was of the right family.
• Beautiful
• A virgin

Immediately the servant approached her and began to dialog with her according to his previous prayer.  He asked for a drink of water. She responded with the offer of water.  When he had drunk then she watered his camels as well. 

1. Why are we given such a complete description of Rebekah?
2. Why did the servant decide to approach her?
3. How did she respond to his request?
4. Why did she offer to water his camels as well?

Genesis 24:21

As he watched the scene unfolding before him, he stood silently by.  It is obvious he did not jump to the conclusion that she was the answer to his prayer.  He would need further verification that the event was not just a coincidence. It certainly in part answered his prayer for guidance.

1. Why did the servant stand by silently watch the activity of the young woman?
2. Why did he still question whether God had answered his prayer?
3. What does it show about the character of Eliezer?

Genesis 24:22-26

When the young maiden had finished her task, the servant gave her a ring and two bracelets because of her kindness to him.  He asked two questions. The first was the most important to his mission.  He asked about her family. Depending on her response he would possibly have the answer to the third request made in his prayer. 

He had already seen the example of her hospitality and so he asked if it would be possible to lodge with her family that night.  Rebekah shared that she was the daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother.  She also said that he would be welcome in their home.

1. Why did the servant give gifts to the girl, especially when he was not sure if she might be the future wife of Isaac?
2. Why did he ask the next two questions?
3.  Why was the first the more important of the two?
4. What would the answer to the second tell him about the girl and her family?

Genesis 24:27

Upon hearing the word from Rebekah declaring that she was the daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor the servant responded in worship.  He

• Bowed in worship
• Blessed God for showing continual lovingkindness to Abraham.
• Spoke of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises.
• Thanked Him for guiding him to the house of Abraham’s brothers.

 

1. What provoked the worship of the servant?
2. What does each of his statements tell of his own relationship with God and his loyalty to Abraham?
3. To whom did he give the credit for a successful journey and how did he express it?
4. Looking at the statements which of them stand out in your own attitude towards God when He has answered a prayer that you have spoken?

Genesis 24:28-32

In a round-about-way the servant was invited to stay with Rebekah’s family.  Evidently, a male member of the family had to extend the invitation.  It may have actually been Laban’s home. After seeing the gifts given to her and hearing from Rebekah, he ran to where the man was waiting. Obviously Laban was impressed and called him “blessed of the Lord.”  Laban then took him home and took care of his needs after a long journey.  He then not only provided for the camels, but also unloaded them as well.

1. Why did Rebekah not extend an invitation for the servant to stay with her and her family?
2. What impressed Laban? (A clue of his character as will be seen later)
3. How did he show hospitality to the stranger?
4. How should our reasons for inviting someone into our home be different than those of Laban?  

Genesis 24:33-36

The servant wasted no time in stating the reason he had come to Aram.  He declined the offer of food until he had shared his whole story.  Given permission, he explained that he had come under the direction of Abraham. It was important for Rebekah’s family to know the financial condition the family into which she was to be married.  They need not worry because Abraham was a wealthy man with all the comforts of life.  Not only was the father rich but the son born to him through Sarah would inherit all that his father possessed.

1. Why did the servant want to state his business before even eating?
2. Why was it important to give a full description of both the wealth of Abraham but also Isaac?
3. Why was both Abraham and Sarah mentioned?

Genesis 24:37-41

After telling them about Abraham’s family he then recounted the details of the conversation that had taken place between Abraham and himself which had led him to the city of Nahor. Especially important was Abraham’s statement. He was sure that God would, “Send His angel with you to make your journey successful.”  Not to appear too overconfident the servant also shared that if for reason his journey did not result in taking a bride for Isaac he would be free from his commission.

1. Why did the servant believe it was important to hear the conversation Abraham had had with him?
2. Why would Abraham believe that the journey would be successful?
3. Why did he leave the door open to the possibility that the chosen person would not agree to the marriage?
4. Why was it important for the servant speak of the last words of Abraham?
5. What impression did the servant want the family to have of Abraham and his representative?
6. What did the last two statements say about Abraham?
7. How should we approach those to whom we have been sent with the gospel?

Genesis 24:42-48

Following all of the background material that led up to what had occurred the day he arrived in Nahor, he told them of his prayer and how Rebekah had responded in the everyway as he had prayed.  According to her actions, he believed that she was the one chosen to be Isaac’s wife.  The fulfillment of his prayer caused him to:

• Bow Down
• Worship the Lord
• Bless the Lord

All was done because God had guided him on the right path to the very place at the right time to meet up with Rebekah.

1. Why did the servant repeat the events of the day after Rebekah had already told her family what had happened?
2. After all that had taken place, why did there seem to be some questions in his mind about Rebekah?
3. What caused such a spontaneous outburst of worship?
4. How do we respond when something awesome takes place in our lives?
5. What incident in your life was so fantastic that you could not wait to tell others about it?

Genesis 24:49

To use a modern term, after all was said that needed to be said, the servant was ready to close the deal.  He wanted to know with all the evidence before all of them, would they decide in a way that his mission would end in a positive way.

1. What more could have the servant said, in order to get an answer from Rebekah’s family?
2. What other conclusion could the family draw than the one presented?
3. What would have kept them from deciding to let her go?
4. What issues did they need to resolve among themselves?
5. When have you been in a position that it was obvious that God wanted you to follow a certain course of action but you still hesitated?
6. What caused you to delay?

Genesis 24:50-51

The servant had done all he could do. The decision was now in the hands of the family. They could find no reason to keep Rebekah from becoming the wife of Isaac.  It appears Rebekah had no say so in the decision.  Her father and brother were willing to send her away based on the words of a total stranger.

1. What indication do we have that the servant had presented a solid case for his master?
2. Why was Rebekah not consulted about the decision?
3. In what ways have others sometimes made decisions for you without understanding or having any regard for your desires or feelings?

Genesis 24:52

Once again the servant bowed down and worshipped God upon hearing the decision of Laban and Betheul.

1. What was the reason that the servant worshipped God?
2. What does this show about his character?
3. How often do you stop and thank God for all of the different things He has done for you?
4. How close do you come to the example of Paul who said he prayed without ceasing?

Genesis 24:53-54a

Once the decision had been made it was time to celebrate.  The servant presented gifts to Rebekah and to her family out of gratitude for what had taken place.  He and his men then could relax with their hosts and ate and drank.  They spent the night with the family which now would have even a closer relationship than before.

1. Why did the servant wait to bring out the gifts he had with him?
2. What did the people celebrate?
3. Why is it important for we as followers of Christ to fellowship and celebrate together?
4. Why did the writer emphasize the fact that the servant and the men with him spent the night?

Genesis 24:54b-56

Sometimes things look different after sleeping on a decision that one makes.  In the morning the servant was ready to return to Abraham.  As far as he was concerned everything had been settled and he could be on his way.  Laban and Milcah, the mother, then asked for the servant to delay his return so they could have a little more time to spend with Rebekah.  This would indicate that they were having second thoughts about their quick decision. Wisely, the servant did not allow that situation to happen.  He immediately stated that he was ready to return home because it had been agreed that Rebekah would go with him.

1. Why did Laban and Milcah seem to have a change of heart about the decision?
2. Why did they want to delay the servant for a few days?
3. How did the servant handle the situation?
4. How often have you made a decision in a short span of time that you regretted after having slept on it?
5. What will help us to be ready to make decisions that are thrusts upon us?

Genesis 24:57-59

After the original decision had been made for Rebekah to go back to Canaan with the servant without consulting her, as part of the delaying tactic, the family called Rebekah to find out what she wanted to do.  They were probably hoping she would say no, but instead she agreed to go with the man. Once Rebekah said she would go, there was no choice, but to let her make the journey.  To provide for her needs along the way they sent her nurse with her.

1. Why did the family now consult with Rebekah after the decision had already been made to send her away?
2. What did they hope to gain by asking Rebekah what she wanted to do?
3. What does Rebekah’s decision tell us about her character?
4. What safeguard did the family provide for her for the trip?

Genesis 24:60-61

As is done in churches today when someone is going on a mission trip or a new ministry they are sent off with a prayer and a blessing on their work.  Each one is unique to fit the occasion. The same was true as the family sent Rebekah away.  They wanted for her to have many descendants and strength to overcome any enemy that might come against her. With the blessing ringing in her ears she and her maids set off for Canaan with the servant of Abraham.

1. Why is it important that we bless those going out into the mission fields here and overseas?
2. What did happiness look like for Rebekah in the minds of her family?
3. What was the essence of the prayer?
4. How do we know when our blessings are truly of God?

Genesis 24:62-67

Isaac, at the time of taking Rebekah as his wife, was living in the Negev and had been at Beer-lahai-roi, the very place where Hagar had one of her encounters with God.  The writer indicated that he was taking a stroll in the evening.  The New American Standard says that he was meditating, although the exact meaning of the word is unclear.

The servant evidently knew where to find him because the caravan came to the place where he was living.  At the same time that he saw the camels coming, Rebekah got the first glimpse of the man who was to be her husband.  She wanted to know who the man was coming towards them. The servant explained to her that it was his master.  Since the marriage had not taken place she covered herself with a veil. Isaac was brought up to date concerning all that had taken place in Aram.  As a sign of the consummation of the marriage Isaac took Rebekah into his tent which had belonged to his mother Sarah. Because of his love for Rebekah, Isaac was comforted following his mother’s death.

1. How did the servant know to find Isaac?
2. Why was he no longer living with his father Abraham?
3. How difficult would it have been to establish a marriage under the conditions described above?
4. How were the two able to accept the arrangement by Abraham?
5. What does it say about the relationship Isaac had with Sarah to be still grieving after three years?
6. How do you see God working throughout this whole narrative?
7. What examples can you see in your own life where God has been active in some event in ways you might not have expected?

You-

• Spend time in God’s Word to learn from the examples of how God sometimes works in the background and sometimes openly in the lives of people.
• Be willing to take risks in order that God’s purpose can be worked out in and through you.
• Actively seek God through prayer before making, especially important decisions?
• Be truly willing to wait on God to bring about the resolution.

We-

The church has been given a tremendous responsibility which far exceeds the one given to the servant of Abraham.  We are commissioned to make disciples to be wedded to Christ as His bride.  This can only be done as we are faithful ourselves as part of His church.  An important part of knowing how to carry out the mission is to spend time seeking His will and purpose for us by passionately meditating on His word and in prayer. Then we are to wait on Him to see how He is going to use us to carry out the Great Commission.  Let us truly desire to be used by Him.  If we do God’s will to bring success to our endeavors.

Additional notes:

TM-Abraham was a great influence on those under his care, as we see by the prayers and worship of his Eliezer. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26-27, 42-45, 48, 52)

UE-How many of us, if we were truly honest with ourselves, expect to get exactly what we seek when we pray?  Do we not usually pray in a general way even when we appear to be individualizing the request?  We say things like_________if it is Your will etc.  Here we have the servant of Abraham praying about a certain person and the specific action that person would take as a sign that God had indeed brought him success in his venture.  Then the unexpected happened.  Along came Rebekah and fulfilled the prayer down to the last detail.   Here was the right girl showing up at the right time doing the right things.  Could we all agree that this was definitely a God thing?                           (Gen. 24:12-24, 26-27, 42-27, 52)

GC-Abraham’s servant understood that all tasks should be undertaken only after time had been spent in earnest prayer.  He also remembered to give thanks once his assignment was complete. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26, 27)

RT-It is obvious from the way that Abraham’s servant lifted his requests to God that Abraham had truly impacted the man’s life by godly example. (Gen 24:12-14, 27, 48)

RT-Success should be predicated on our desire to serve the Lord and in doing so, to be a servant of others.  Success is never for our own glory but for the Father’s. (Gen. 24:12)

RT-The servant sent by Abraham shared with Rebekah’s family how God had blessed him.  Abraham in turn had given Isaac all that he had.  (Gen. 24:36)

C-Bethuel was willing for his daughter to travel to Canaan to become the wife of Isaac.             (Gen. 24:50-51)

TM-It is all too often a fact that once our prayers are answered we forget to thank God when our requests are fulfilled.  Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, set an example for us.  Upon hearing that Rebekah was willing to go with him, he bowed down at worshipped in an attitude of gratitude. (Gen. 24:52

C-Rebekah received many gifts from Abraham by the hand of his servant. (Gen. 24:53)

C-She was willing to leave her family and homeland to go with a man she did not know to a strange land to marry a man she had never met.  What courage she had to go on such a journey.  What faith she had that the servant was telling the truth and everything would turn out as he had said. (Gen. 24:53-61)  Would this occur that much today?

M-What a power example of faith is displayed by Rebekah in this situation.  What was her motivation for taking such a risk?  Which of the following do you think might best suit her reason for going to Canaan?:

1. she saw it as a challenge to be tackled
2. a new adventure
3. Great opportunity to leave home
4. To go live with a godly man and get away from a pagan society
5. A better way of life.
6. The men looked like they were honest
7. She believed the story of Isaac’s wealth and saw it as a way to improve her lot.

These are some of the reasons that people do what they do today.  Whatever her thinking she did go with the strangers from another land.

DM- Rebekah’s decision to go with Abraham’s servant set in motion what would occur between Jacob and Esau many years later. (Gen. 24:16-18)

C-Isaac married Rebekah a girl that he has never met. (Gen. 24:67)

C-It was Rebekah who helped Isaac get over the death of his mother.  His love for her brought the comfort he needed. (Gen. 24:67)

 

 

Lesson 20

Plans for a Wedding

Genesis 24:1-14

Me-

Back when I was teaching in the youth department one of the things that I tried to emphasize to the young people was do not get involved with unbelievers.  Sadly some of them did not give heed to what was being taught.  I truly believe each of them thought that they could change the person with whom they had begun a relationship. I know of at least one who has since divorced her husband and has never remarried.  Rather than seeing the un-churched come to Christ they almost always pulled the believers away from the church.  Very few of those who had grown up in the church returned.

We-

In our anything goes society there is a real danger that our young people can so easily be led astray by the ungodly.  This can happen in the strongest Christian family unless they are taught and understand the dangers of following their hearts rather than following God.  They are being constantly bombarded on every side by the entertainment world and the media that tells them to give into their emotions and let nature take its course.  That path will only lead to unhappiness in the long run.  God has a plan for each young person and part of His plan includes finding a godly person with whom one could spend their lives serving God together.  As Deuteronomy 6 tells us we need to help the young people in our care to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word.

The question we have to ask ourselves is, Are we setting the kind of examples for them that they want to follow?  Remember they are watching us. Whenever we compromise the way we live by trying to walk in two different worlds, the spiritual and the secular, the results will be catastrophic.  A young person can see through someone who is not genuine in a heartbeat.  If they conclude that we are not true followers of Christ, they will drift away from church and get involved in what the world has to offer.

What I have written does not imply that we are to have nothing to do with unbelievers.  Both Jesus and Paul spoke of the fact that we are to continue to live in this world.  The difference between those who have rejected God and followers of Christ is that we are to be in the world and not of it.  The only way we can witness to others is to be where they are.  It is only when we become entangled in their ways and build strong relationships with those who are able to mislead us that we are going against God’s warning about those associations.

God-

Genesis 24:1

 

Although the Scriptures do not give Abraham’s age here, he would have been about one hundred forty years old.  He was described as one advanced or stricken in years. God had truly blessed him with great wealth and long life, but after the death of Sarah he probably began to be reconciled to his own mortality.  Not knowing when the end would come for him, he had one last major task to accomplish. In order to assure the posterity of his family, the time had come to find a wife for Isaac. There is no indication that God was leading him to take that step, but as will be seen He was working behind the scenes.  Moses had already written of the genealogy of the one who would eventually become Isaac’s wife.

1. Why does the Bible emphasize Abraham’s physical state at this time?
2. What would have brought him to point of realizing his own mortality?
3. Why did the writer mention the blessings that God had poured out on Abraham?
4. What are differences in the focus of young people and those who are much older?
5. What would have concerned Abraham at this point in his life?
6. What was the last piece missing that would make his life complete?
7. Without consideration to age what are some of the things that you want to accomplish?
8. How would those thoughts be different if you realized that you only had a short time to live? 
9. What would be important in that situation?

Genesis 24:2-4

Abraham called his most trusted and oldest servant to carry on a very important assignment. This was to be a mission that Abraham could not trust to just any of his servants. He had be assured that the man chosen would be have the ability to accomplish the task Abraham was about give him.  Although not named here most commentators believe the servant was Eliezer of Damascus. 

The practice of commanding the servant to place his hand under the thigh may seem strange in today’s culture.  In that day it indicated the procreative power and recognition of the fact that Abraham was the patriarch through whom the family would continue and be established. That act showed the seriousness of the task ahead for the servant.  He was to swear not to take a wife for Isaac from among the godless Canaanite women.  Isaac’s wife was to come from Abraham’s family that had remained back in Aram (today’s Syria).

1. Why would he entrust such an important task to a servant?
2. Why was Eliezer specifically chosen?
3. Why did Abraham not go himself to get a wife for Isaac?
4. What was the symbolism of the placing the hand under the thigh?
5. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to marry one of the local women?

Genesis 24:5-7

Abraham went into great detail with Eliezer about the journey he was being asked to take. He was also given the reason he was going. He was to look for a maiden from Abraham’s family back in Aram who would be willing to return with him to marry Isaac. To make sure that he would fulfill the desires of his master the servant then asked a legitimate question. He wanted to know the lengths to which he was to go to obtain a wife for Isaac. He asked Abraham if he should not succeed in convincing one of the girls in the family to come with him did he have permission to take Isaac back to Aram to see if by doing so they would be successful. Abraham was adamant in his rejected of that idea. 

The explanation to Eliezer would have cleared up any doubt about his task.  God had commanded Abraham to leave his family and to go into Canaan which God promised to him as an inheritance.  He then encouraged the servant by telling him not to worry God would give him success by sending an angel ahead of him to prepare the way.

1. Why did the servant raise the question about the success or failure of the mission?
2. Why did Abraham not want Isaac to go back to the place from which Abraham had left sixty-five years earlier?
3. Why did Abraham take the time to emphasize his reasons?
4. What encouragement did Abraham give to Eliezer?
5. What lesson can we learn from the encouraging words of Abraham?

Genesis 24:8

The oath that was to be taken by the servant had an escape clause.  He was not to be held responsible for the possible actions of others. If the woman refused to come with him he would be freed from the oath.

1. Why was the escape clause important to the servant?
2. What does this indicate about Abraham?
3. What was the one thing that could not be guaranteed?
4. In what ways do you sometimes hold people to impossible conditions?
5. What is the one thing you must understand about how people might react to a request that you might make?
6. How do you handle rejection of your ideas?
7. In what ways do you look at them as a possible learning experience?

Genesis 24:9

It was only after he had received an explanation and answer to his question, did the servant agree to take on the mission given by Abraham.  He then placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham just affirming the oath.

1. Why did the servant question Abraham about the mission?
2. Why did he wait until he had heard Abraham’s response before he agreed to take the oath?
3. What lessons can we learn from the actions of Eliezer?

Genesis 24:10-11

The servant journeyed to the city of Nahor. He had been carried many gifts from Abraham to be presented to the prospective bride. Arriving in Nahor in the country of Aram, he waited by the well of the city waiting for the young women to come out to get water. Being from Damascus in Aram he would have known the customs of the land.

1. Why did Abraham send gifts with the servant?
2. What was the purpose of waiting at the well until evening?
3. Why did the young women wait until evening to get water?
4. In what way do we see the advantage of Eliezer being the one to make the trip to Aram to search for a wife for Isaac?

Genesis 24:12-14

At this point the servant wisely seeks God’s help.  Trying to find the right woman would have been like searching for a needle in a haystack.  He wanted to make the right decision.  His prayer was threefold.  He asked:

• For God to give him success
• That lovingkindness be shown to his master
• That the right girl be identified by certain criteria.  If she offered to not only give him water but to draw water for his camels he knew that she was the one God had chosen for Isaac.

 

1. Why did the servant seek God’s assistance?
2. What were the parts of his prayer so important?
3. Why did he ask for the answer to his prayer to be manifested in a certain way?
4. How does this speak to the way we should pray?
5. How do our prayers sometimes lack the boldness that is seen here? What is usually the result of such prayers?

You-

• Develop for yourself a clear understanding from Scripture what it means to be unequally yoked.
• Do not compromise your virtues when working with young people.
• Help those involved with unbelievers to see that type of relationship is not within the will of God.
• Approach decisions to be made and actions to taken with the wisdom of Eliezer.
• Remember you and I have a great responsibility to make sure that each person grows into a Christ-like person.

We-

We can learn something from both Abraham and Eliezer.  Abraham understood that without children being born to Isaac the promises of God could not come to fruition.  In the same way each of us who are followers of Christ must realize that without new believers the church will eventually die.  He could have stayed home and hoped that somehow the right person would show up to marry Isaac.  Realizing that was not likely to happen he took the initiative to send his servant to Aram to get a wife.

Eliezer understood the critical nature of the task he was being given.  He wanted to make sure that he was clear about every aspect of Abraham’s instructions.  Only when he felt that he and Abraham were on the same page was he willing to make the journey.  We have been given God’s instruction manual, concerning how we are to live and make good decisions.  God expects us to be of one mind with Him before proceeding with any actions affecting the lives of young people and new believers.  Let us only continue on life’s journey when we know what God wants us to do.  If we will do that we can expect success in the ministries of the church.

Additional Notes:

BL-Chapter 24 was also studied briefly. In this chapter we saw how Abraham followed God’s plan for finding a wife for Isaac. Since Abraham was so old, he appointed his oldest servant to this task. The servant followed Abraham’s explicit orders to not have Isaac marry any of the Canaanite daughters. Instead he was instructed to return to Abraham’s father’s household in Nahor, Mesopotamia and return with a wife from there.

            After the long journey, the servant prayed for success in this endeavor.  The servant meeting Rebecca at a local well there answered the prayer.  Rebecca was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, Nahor and his wife, Milcah.  Buddy then led us in to a profound discussion about why Abraham barred Isaac from marrying a Canaanite daughter. Our discussion revealed that like Abraham, we too have the responsibility to keep our children from practicing the lifestyles and worship practices that offend God. Isaac’s wife had to be one who willingly agreed with God’s plan for Isaac’s and his offspring’s lives.

If Isaac had wed a Canaanite daughter, her lifestyle, including the worship of false gods would have compromised Isaac’s descendant’s dedication and service to the God of Israel.

Likewise, each of our families at Bethany Place also must guard against similar compromises to our worship practices and godly living. One needs only to look at other churches’ policies, worship practices and members’ lifestyles to see how vitally important it is for us and our families to maintain a closer and purer relationship with God on a daily basis.

M-Being motivated to take a certain action comes from an understanding and sensitivity to the fact that God is in the process of accomplishing something in one’s life.  Abraham knew that God was establishing a people through him.  To have his son marry one of the women from the godless society in which he lived might abort God’s plan for His people.  He also had faith that if God were to lead his servant to a certain person to be Isaac’s wife he could be assured that He was choosing the right person to continue His purpose for Abraham’s family.  Hopefully, when confronted with the same situation that each of us would take the same amount of care in making sure the relationships that our children develop are the ones God would want for them.  Our children should be encouraged to look for a mate who will have the same value system that they do.                              (Gen. 24:1-8, 12-14, 40, 48)

GC-Abraham may not have understood the concept of unequally yoked of which Paul spoke, but he was making sure that the son of promise would not marry outside of the family.  What prompted him to make this decision?  Was it God’s words that the locals would one day be destroyed because of their sin? (Gen. 24:3; Neh. 13:23-30)

TM-Abraham had believed God that the land on which he was dwelling was the place where he was supposed to stay. Isaac was not to go back to Nahor because his inheritance was in the land of Canaan.  Ur represented a retreat into and a compromise with a pagan society.  Abraham knew that the temptation to become a part of society would be too strong for Isaac to resist. (Gen. 24:5-7)

TM-Abraham was a great influence on those under his care, as we see by the prayers and worship of his Eliezer. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26-27, 42-45, 48, 52)

GC-Abraham’s servant understood that all tasks should be undertaken only after time had been spent in earnest prayer.  He also remembered to give thanks once his assignment was complete. (Gen. 24:12-14, 26, 27)

RT-It is obvious from the way that Abraham’s servant lifted his requests to God that Abraham had truly impacted the man’s life by godly example. (Gen 24:12-14, 27, 48)

RT-Success should be predicated on our desire to serve the Lord and in doing so, to be a servant of others.  Success is never for our own glory but for the Father’s. (Gen. 24:12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 19

Inevitable Changes in Life

Genesis 23  

Me-

One of the things that I have learned over my life time is that change is inevitable.  All I have to do is look in the mirror to see the results of the aging of my body.  No longer can I do the things that I once took for granted.  I once was able to run a mile in less than six minutes now I would be fortunate to walk a mile in twice that time. 

There are some decisions that have dramatically affected my life.  Accepting Christ ranks at the top of list.  When my wife and I got married who knew that we would now be celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary.

As I reflected on the lesson that we will be discussing today, I have been reminded of the finiteness of life.  As we get older we begin to lose family and friends.

Spiritually, I am a much different person than I was when I accepted Christ at nine years old.  Over the years as I have grown in my walk, God’s word has taken on greater importance.  What started with many starts and stops has become a passion as I try to spend time in His word every day.

We-

The church is not exempt from changes.  Although many would like for everything to remain static, there has never been a time from the beginning of the church to the present when it is facing many new challenges. If we think about it, the reason the church has flourished has been its ability to take the unchangeable truth found in God’s Word and adapt it to the ever changing culture in history.

We are now members of a church that is built on the foundation of the faith of those who have gone before us.  Each of them faced challenges and upheaval taking place in society and held firm to his or her faith that we might have the place where we worship, study and serve.  What is the legacy that we are going to leave the next generation?  The only thing that should never be altered is God’s Word.  Other than that one immutable thing all else is up for adaptation to the world in which it will serve and proclaim the message of Christ.

God-

The lesson will begin with the death of Sarah.  Next week the marriage of Isaac will be covered as he moved from the relationship with his parents to taking on a new role of husband to Rebekah.

Genesis 23:1-2

Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years.  The marriage of Abraham and Sarah had lasted for sixty-two years. The family at some point during that time had moved from the land of the Philistines and came to live in the city of Hebron.  Hebron later would play an important part in the lives of Caleb and David.  It was while they were living in Hebron that she died.   

Abraham went into her and mourned her passing with weeping.  The loud lament that is seen in the New Testament at the death of Lazarus and others was a formal way of expressing grief.  Once this, for lack of a better term, ceremony was complete Abraham rose and went about the task of finding a proper burial place for Sarah.

1. Why are we given Sarah’s age?
2. What had happened since we last left the family?
3. What was the importance of the city of Hebron in the history of the Israelites?
4. In what ways have we not changed much in the way we mourned for our love ones?
5. What is different for us?

Genesis 23:3-4

Abraham had no other option but to go to the people living in the land to find a place to bury Sarah.  He approached them with the acknowledgment that he was dependant on them because he was a stranger and sojourner in their land.  In this statement he admitted that he had no property and was living in their land temporarily as an outsider.  Hebron was not his home in contrast to the Hitites to whom he was about to request for final resting place for the dead. 

Even though the text reads, “Give me a burial site,” this did not imply that Abraham expected to receive anything for free. He fully intended to enter into a contractual agreement for the land.

1. Why did Abraham go to the Hitites to obtain a burial spot for Sarah?
2. What did he mean by using the terms stranger and sojourner?
3. What kind of attitude did he exhibit before the citizens of Hebron?

Genesis 23:5-6

The answer given by the Hitites reflected the high regard they had for Abraham.  They first addressed him as lord which would be equivalent to sir today.  Then he was called a mighty prince.  There are two possible translations of the word.  Both prince and Elect of God would show the recognition by the people that Abraham was truly blessed by God.

Out of respect for him they offered him the best of the land.  They went so far as to tell him that no one would deny him the right to bury his dead wherever he desired.

1. How do we know that the Hitites respected Abraham?
2. What did they mean by calling him “Mighty prince?”
3. Why did they offer him the best of the land?

Genesis 23:7-9

Out of gratitude Abraham rose up from the place where he had been sitting as he spoke to the men in the gate and bowed before them as he made his formal request.  The spot he had chosen belonged to a man named Ephron. He asked for the cave of Machpelah located at the end of a field. Here Abraham made it clear that he expected to pay full price for the land.

1. Why would the Mighty prince bow before the people of Hebron?
2. What was his request?
3. What did Abraham say that indicated that he did not expect the cave be given to him?
4. Why did he not name a price?

Genesis 23:10-16

Although Ephron made an offer to give Abraham the cave, everyone in that day would have known that was not his intention.  In fact he would have probably become angry if Abraham had taken him up on his offer.  Both Ephron and Abraham knew that Abraham did not have other options.  He had to bury Sarah.  Rather than haggling Abraham immediately said again that he would pay the full price. 

What appeared to be generosity on the part of Ephron was really a ploy to get the price he wanted for the land.  Whether it was a fair price, Abraham paid it willingly before witnesses so there would be no question of ownership later on. It was a practice at that time that if partial payment was made on a piece of property that the original owner could come back and reclaim it.  Abraham wanted to make sure that he had the title free and clear.

1. Why did Ephron offer to give Abraham the cave if he did not really plan to do so?
2. What did Abraham do by refusing the gift and stating once again that he plan to pay for it?
3. Why did Abraham not haggle over the price of the land?

Genesis 23:17-18

The entire contents of the field including the cave and all vegetation were deeded over to Abraham.  All of the people of Heth who entered the gate of the city witnessed the transaction. God had promised that He would give all of the land to Abraham as a possession and yet he now owned one little strip of land.  Here was the man whose family would one day control all of the land and he had to pay for the one small spot in all the land to bury his wife.

1. Why are we given such a complete description of the land Abraham bought?
2. Why was it important for so many people to witness the transaction?
3. What is the irony of this whole event?

Genesis 23:19

After the transaction was complete, the writer indicates that only then did Abraham bury Sarah.  The exact location of the burial site was given.  It was in the field of Machpelah facing towards Mamre which was the other name for Hebron.

1. Why did the Moses give such a detail description of the place where Sarah was buried?

Genesis 23:20

Moses repeated the fact that Abraham had bought the land and it was deeded over to him.  The land was to be used as a burial site and nothing else. Abraham had a possession in the land that God would one day give to His people. 

1. Why did Moses tell us once again about the sale of the property?
2. Why did Moses write that the land was deeded over as a burial site by the Hitites?
3. What does this transaction indicate about His plans for His people?

You-

• Think back on the events that stand out in your life both good and bad.  In what ways do you believe God was working through them?
• What changes are you willing to make that others may benefit from your actions?
• What have been some of the most difficult times in your life? How did you handle them?
• Be willing to continue to grow in God’s grace.
• When your time is finished on earth, what would you like your legacy to be.

We-

Abraham faced a very difficult time in his life with humility and courtesy.  By doing so he was able to work out the solution.  We can learn from him.  Remember, that people who are our guests every Sunday are looking to see how we behave.  If we are courteous to each other and show genuine love then they will respond in a positive way. Our actions do truly reflect the character of our church.  Let us keep it as our responsibility to show that we truly have a relationship with God and are thankful for what He has for us.  One last thought that comes from looking at Abraham.  More than any other attribute of our church the world is watching to see how we handle adversity and conflict. May the world recognize that God is truly living in our lives.  We may not be called The Prince among men. Better than that let us all to be called little Christs.

Additional Notes-

BL- The lesson last Sunday began with a brief look at Chapter 23 which covered the death and burial of Sarah, Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother. Sarah was 127 years old when she died in Hebron, Canaan. This meant that Isaac was 36 years old (127-91).

            Abraham approached the Hittites living there about purchasing a lot for the burial site. A deal was struck and Sarah was buried in a cave there. This was the first time Abraham became a legal landowner in the Promised Land. This also was the beginning of Israel’s roots as a nation being planted in Palestine.

C-Sarah died at the age of 127 in Hebron. (Gen. 23:1-2)

C-As with all of mankind, Abraham mourned the loss of his life-long companion.                  (Gen. 23:2)

C-Abraham became a land owner upon purchasing the field and the cave of Machpelah near Mamre became his.  There he buried Sarah and there he and Jacob would also be buried.  This piece of land is all that he, Isaac or Jacob ever owned in the land which his descendents would possess as their inheritance from God.  (Gen. 23:6-17, 20)

 

 

 

Lesson 18

The Test of Faith

Genesis 22  

Me-

My wife and I have often said that we just cannot imagine what it would be like to lose a child.  Experts say that second to the loss of a spouse, the death of a child is the second most devastating thing that can happen to a family.  Fortunately, I have never experience such an event in my life. 

 Because we live in a fallen and broken world where so much evil is taking place, many families have seen their sons and daughters go off to war never to return.  Others have seen their children gunned down in the streets.  Whether a person has sacrificed his or her life for our country or a principle does not lessen the pain. 

Even with the tragedies listed above, I am thankful that I live in a country where I am not required to put my family in harm’s way.  I am also blessed that I still have religious freedom to worship as I please without the fear of persecution of me or my family.  If that day ever comes, I pray that I will remain faithful and leave the results in God’s hands.

We-

We are beginning to see the day when we as followers of Christ are being called on to make choices about our faith that we have never seen before in our nation.  No longer is the church or its members respected as it has been in times past.  In many parts of the country we are being demeaned by politicians, educational institutions from grade schools through colleges and universities.  Society is slowly eating away at the foundations upon which the country was built. It does not take much imagination to see the day when we will have to make choices and sacrifices that will affect the future of our families and nation.

Abraham found himself having to make a choice.  Some of the decisions he made in the past were questionable and showed a lack of faith on his part.  Today we will see how he handles the most difficult choice that any man is called to make.

God-

Genesis 22:1

The author starts this chapter by referring to all of the events that had occurred previously.  What was done before in the life of Abraham will now stand in stark contrast to what was about to take place.  None of the past decisions on his part would come close to the one he would be required to make.  God was about to test his faithfulness as never before.

1. What are the events to which the writer is referring?
2. Why did he mention them at all?
3. What does it mean when Moses said that God was about to test Abraham?
4. What is the difference between a test and a temptation?

Genesis 22:2

Abraham was told what the test was to be.  He was to take Isaac on a three day journey to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering. Here is seen the foreshadowing of the events in the life of Christ. 

• He spent three days in the tomb after His death.
• Mount Moriah is the place where David made the offering to stop the plague, where the temple was going to be built in the heart of the city of Jerusalem.  Sacrifices were continually made in that place as part of the Jewish religion.
• Jesus was offered up as the perfect sacrifice for us.

The question was to be how he would respond to the command of God?  The test was greater than any he had faced before.  It would cost him everything that was dear to him.

1. What the test to be for Abraham?
2. How was this different than anything he had experienced before?
3. In what way does this foreshadow the events in Christ’s life?
4. In what ways do you believe that you have been tested by God?
5. What would be your response to a command from God to do something akin to the act He commanded Abraham to carry out?  Of course we would not be commanded to sacrifice a child as he was, but the test would fit who we are and the circumstances of our life.

Genesis 22:3-5

Abraham put into motion all of the actions necessary to carrying out God’s command. Along with Isaac, two of the servants made the trip with Abraham.  Of course neither of the other three knew the purpose for the journey.  Leaving nothing to chance he took the wood for the sacrifice with him. 

Arriving at Moriah, Abraham instructed the two servants to remain with the donkey.  He then shared with them that he had come to that place for worship.  Only Abraham and Isaac were to take part in the worship.  Although he had been commanded to sacrifice Isaac, he indicated that he expected that both he and Isaac would return for the trip home.

1. Why do we have no indication that Abraham ever questioned the command of God but immediately set out on the journey?
2. Why did he not include the others in on the purpose for the trip?
3. What was the purpose for carrying the wood for the sacrifice with him?
4. Why should Abraham expect that he and Isaac would return after worshipping God?
5. When your faith has been tested how did you show that you trusted God with the results?

Genesis 22:6-8

If the narrative is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ, the first picture that is given is that Isaac bore the weight of the wood upon which he would be placed in the same way that Christ carried the cross upon which he would be crucified.  Abraham also took a knife and the material with which to start the fire. Then Abraham and Isaac proceeded to the place where the sacrifice would be made.  Although at that point it became obvious that some kind of offering was to be made, he asked his father about the lamb that was normally sacrificed, since they had no animal with them.  His answer provides another picture of Christ.  He said, ”God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” Having had his question answered they went on together.   

1. What are some of the parallels in this narrative to the death of Christ?
2. What are some of the thoughts that may have been going through Isaac’s mind?
3. How could Abraham say that God would provide the lamb when he had been distinctly told to sacrifice Isaac?
4. What did Abraham believe?
5. Why did he not just say to God, “I get it, we don’t have to go any further with this event.”
6. Why would that not have been enough for God?

Genesis 22:9-12

Even though Abraham may have believed that God would intervene and provide him with an alternative he prepared Isaac as the offering.  He first built an altar for the sacrifice, put the wood on it and then laid Isaac on the wood.  As with other offerings Abraham was about to kill his son with the knife when the angel of the Lord, the very one who would one day suffer and die for man’s sin, called out to Abraham commanding him to spare the life of Isaac.

The test was over and Abraham had passed.  He had been willing to give up the one who was the most precious to him, the one in whom he lay all hope for posterity because God had called him to do so.  The faith that began in chapter 12 was fully manifested in this chapter.  God then said to him, “I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  God, The Father, would one day allow His only Son to die on the cross.  He did not even withhold His own Son from that horrible death because of His love for mankind.

Salvation for all men who choose to follow Christ is summed up in John 3:16 where the writer said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”  Unlike the offering of Isaac, The death and resurrection of Christ has impacted mankind down through the ages.

1. Why did Abraham continue with the preparations even thought he believed that God was going to intervene in some way?
2. What did he believe that God was going to do?
3. How had Abraham passed the test even though he did not complete the sacrifice?
4. How does his actions compare with what God did with His own Son?
5. Why is John 3:16 so important to each of us?

Genesis 22:13-14

God did provide the lamb for the offering.  All Abraham had to do was look around to find the ram caught in the thicket.  What Abraham had hoped for had come to fruition.  The ram became the substitute sacrifice in place of his son. In the same way Christ became the substitute for every man who deserves to die because of sin.

He then named the place, “the Lord Will Provide” which in the Hebrew is YHWH- jireh. God had indeed provided what Abraham could accomplish on his own.

1. Why was it necessary for there to be a substitute for Isaac?
2. What did Abraham discover when he looked around?
3. How does the ram symbolize Christ?
4. Why did Abraham name the place, YHWH-jireh?
5. What had God really provided for Abraham?
6. Why does man need a substitute?

Genesis 22:15-18

When God again spoke to Abraham a second time, He once again affirmed the importance of Abraham’s faith as shown by his willingness to give up Isaac.  God repeated the covenant components that Abraham had heard before.  This time it would take on a new meaning.  He had an heir through whom the blessings could take place.  Because of his obedience:

• God would greatly bless him.
• His people would be so many that they could not be numbered.
• The land of his enemies would be given to his descendants.
• All the nations would be blessed through his seed.

 

1. How would hearing God’s promises, repeated once again have a greater meaning for Abraham than earlier in his walk with God?
2. Which of them were meant not only for him but for us today?
3. How did God bring about the fulfillment of them that causes us to rejoice in reading them for ourselves?

Genesis 22:19

This verse almost seems anti-climatic after dwelling on the events that had just taken place.  It seems there was no impact on the little group that had made the journey. It is interesting that the Scripture only mentions Abraham returning to the men.  Isaac had almost been offered up as a burnt sacrifice, and he is not even mentioned.  After Abraham came to them, they just went back to Beersheba where Abraham continued to live.

1. Why do you think the writer did not give more emphasis to the return trip?
2. How would you feel if you had been involved in such dramatic events and nothing was said?
3. How do you think that the incident changed Abraham?
4. What effect do you think this might have had on the relationship between Isaac and his Father?

Genesis 22:20-24

Abraham heard that his brother Nahor and Milcah, his wife, had some children.  Some of whom would play an important part in Isaac’s and Jacob’s life.  Bethuel the youngest son had a daughter named Rebekah. The inclusion of Nahor’s family was for the exclusive purpose to introduce her. Others are mentioned including some born to Nahor’s concubine, Reumah.

1. Why did the writer tell us about the children of Abraham’s brother Nahor?
2. Why was Rebekah specifically mentioned in the list?
3. What was the purpose of including the listing of Nahor’s family?
4. Who was missing from the listing found here?

You –

• How have you handled times of testing in your own life?  Have you trusted God to bring you through them or placed blame on Him for not keeping you away from difficulties?
• Look to God’s word for examples like Noah, Abraham, Job, David, Paul to see how they handled their time of testing. 
• Think about how much stress plays in your feeling defeated rather than victorious in the face of great crisis’s in your life.
• Look at words like refuge, fortress, hiding place that David used when he found himself in difficult circumstances.  How do these terms reflect your own sense of God’s presence when you are facing difficult times.
• Decide to live in Christ’s strength to gain victory in times of testing.  See 2 Cor. 12:9-10.

We –

In a way, we are living in some of the most difficult times for the church. With everything that is happening, it seems that we no longer have anywhere to turn to relieve the stress of just trying to make it in the world day after day.  All around us all of the virtues on which we have stood for centuries are crumbling.  There appears to be a new crisis every day.  In every arena those who we thought we could trust disappoint us.  Of great concern, is the trouble that families are facing that they have never experienced in the past.  With all of this in mind what are we to do.  The answer as we have seen in our study today is to remain faithful to God in the face of any adversity in our lives. Probably few of us have had to make the kind of decision that confronted Abraham.  We are called to remain steadfast and resolute as all believers have in the past.  God’s Word and prayer are still the greatest defense against situations and people who do not have our best interest at heart.  In every circumstance God still loves us.  Everything He allows in our lives is for our good. See Roman 8:28-29 to understand God’s thoughts about each person who belongs to Him.   

Additional Notes:

BL In chapter 22, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, who was now a young lad.  Even though God had told Abraham that Isaac was the child through whom God’s promises to Abraham would come true, Abraham trusted that God would  somehow preserve Isaac’s life and obediently set out for Mt. Moriah.  His utter faith in God is exemplified by the words of v. 3, in which he said, “We (meaning he and Isaac) will worship and then we will come back to you.”  Isaac, too, was obedient to God’s and Abraham’s command and willingly laid down for his father to bind him.  At the last minute, the angel of the Lord (probably Christ) called out to Abraham and stayed his hand.  God says in v. 12, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”  Then God provided a ram for Abraham’s offering instead of Isaac!
  This action was a real turning point in Abraham’s life.  It showed how Abram, who only partially obeyed God’s command to leave behind his land, his family, and his possessions in Ur, was willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING–his son, his promises, his future–because God has asked it of him.  This unreserved willingness to please God demonstrated how completely Abraham trusted God–and God was very pleased with the way Abraham had responded.  In vv. 15-18, He reiterated His covenant with Abraham and told him “all the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me.”  Just think what would have happened if Abraham HAD NOT obeyed God.  There would be no blessing, no Jesus, no salvation–YIKES!)  Abraham had moved from a position of reluctant obedience to complete surrender all because he had passed this ultimate test of faith.  For that reason God poured out His blessings on him.  In what area of your life might God be asking you and I to exhibit faith in our walk with Him this week? 
 
RT-Up to this point Abraham had pretty much followed a path of his own choosing.  Now God stopped him in his tracks and said in essence you will not do things My way if you are going to truly be called Mine. (Gen. 22)

RT-Looking at what Abraham did from a different perspective there is a question that Abraham is to be praised and honored for his willingness to offer up Isaac as a burnt sacrifice.  It took that extreme measure for God to finally get his full attention.  He had previously not heeded the words of God by going about his own business in his own power and ability.  If God was to bless the nations through him, He had to be assured that Abraham truly trusted Him with everything he had. (Gen. 22:1-12)  M-In following God’s command to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham showed to all of us the fact that our actions always need to be in complete concert with what God would have us do.  Abraham knew because God was the One directing him to take that action that there must be a purpose for Him doing so. (Gen. 22:1-12)

UE-God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son. What makes this more amazing is the fact that He send him on a three day journey to a specific place to carry out the act. (Gen. 22:1-5)

UE-Abraham continued to believe that somehow his son would be spared and they would make the trip back home together.  Even with this strong faith he was filling to face the possibility that God would take his son.  In a way God did receive Isaac because Abraham was willing to relinquish him to God. (Gen. 22:5-8)

RT-Possibly Abraham’s attempt to sacrifice Isaac was God’s way of removing from him the last vestige of would be a practice in the pagan religions with which he would be familiar both in Ur, Haran and now in Canaan.  By finally submitting the Lord God could now establish a covenant of the enduring inheritance in which his descendents through Isaac would become God’s children. (Gen. 22:1-12)

E-Abraham experienced God as no other man in the Bible did.  God called upon him to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He was instructed to offer his son as a burnt sacrifice.  He proceeded in obedience and did exactly as God had commanded him. (Gen.22:1)

DM-God spoke many affirming words to Abraham over the years since he left Ur.  Abraham would experience a great deal in his life but never heard the ones that came to him at the time he had been willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  Abraham needed to come to what might be considered the defining moment in his life when he was willing to surrender everything he held dear and sacrifice the one who was his only true hope for posterity, Isaac.  At this decisive moment in his life, God spoke and said, “I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” This was the very moment that Abraham’s life from one who thought only of his self-preservation to total commitment to the fact that God was truly in charge of his life and the events surrounding him.  Abraham believed that God would provide the lamb or give Isaac back to him. (Gen. 22:8, 10-12, 16-18; Heb. 11:17-19)

UE-God waited to last second to spare Isaac who was as good as dead and gave him back to Abraham. (Gen. 22:10-12)

UE-God demands complete commitment from his people even to giving up everything that is important to them in this world.  They are commanded to relinquish all for the gain of the greater treasure of being His.  How many of us even come close to doing what Abraham was called to do? (Gen. 22:12-13)

M -From our prospective we can see the reason for this event.  It is found in the statement, “I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Gen. 22:12)

C-What some consider Abraham’s greatest test of faith came when God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac.  This one event would solidify his relationship with God.  God said to him, “I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Gen. 22:1-12, 16)

RT-Giving up all we deem important to receive the greater treasure that comes from being that living sacrifice ready to serve Him.  (Gen. 22:1-12; Rom. 12:1-2)

GC-God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience by commanded him to offer of Isaac. (Gen. 22:1-12)

GC-We are to obey God even when what He is asking to do is very difficult.  It was because Abraham had trusted God in small things that his faith was strong enough to offer his son. (Gen. 22:8)

RT-It is only in laying our lives on the altar and slaying ourselves as an offering to God that we show that we truly fear Him.  He expects us to withhold nothing from Him.  Abraham realized that with the offering of his son that in a way he would die also since no one would be left to carry on his name as God had promised. (Gen 22:9-12)

WM-Why did it take the extreme measure by God calling on Abraham to sacrifice to finally get a total commitment from him?  It sees that He had not been able to break through the shell of self-preservation so He decided to take from him the one person other than Sarah he held dear.  Through Isaac, he could expect posterity.  Take that one thing away from him and finally all he had left was God.  That is exactly what God wants from each one of us.  He wants to strip away all that hinders us from loving and trusting Him completely. (Gen. 22:12, 16)

WM-What are our Isaacs that keep us from having relationship with God that He wants from and for us. (Gen. 22:16)

GC-We must reach a point when we give everything up for God.  He who does not love God more than family or self cannot be His disciple. (Gen. 22:12, 14)

GC-Abraham loved God to the point that he was willing to give up his only son if God called him to do so. (Gen. 22:12)

UE-God supplied the lamb for the sacrifice in place of man.  He has indeed provided a way from death to life for mankind in His Son. (Gen. 22:13-14)

 RT-Jesus was the provision on Mt. Moriah of which Abraham spoke. (Gen. 22:14)

C-Learning to obey God’s voice brought blessings not only to Abraham but all mankind through one of his descendents, Jesus Christ. (Gen. 22:15-18; Gal. 3:8-9)

UE-God will only bless when we hold nothing back from Him but give Him our all.    (Gen. 22:16-18)

RT-Only when there is nothing else between us and God can we truly receive His blessings. For Abraham it was his Isaac, representing all that man could hope to have in the world.  The question then becomes for us what are our Isaacs? (Gen. 22:16-17)

DM-It was only after Abraham had offered the substitute for Isaac did God speak to him and made one of the greatest promise of all that could be given to man.  He would be the ancestor of the Savior of the world. (Gen. 22:16-18)

E-Following the test which Abraham has passed, the Lord appeared to him and told him what would happen through him.

1. He would be blessed
2. God would multiply his seed
3. His seed would possess the gate of his enemies
4. The nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed because of his obedience. (Gen. 22:15-19)

C-Abraham returned home with the son who was to be sacrificed and with the promise of everlasting blessings. (Gen. 22:19)