BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 14

Sign of the Covenant

Genesis 17-18

Me-

Sadly, one of the easiest things that I do as a follower of Christ is to be inconsistent in my prayer life.  When my life is in crisis mode I call out to God fervently for answers to get me out of the situation.  I know He hears those pleas because there have been times that I can see that He has intervened in my life and brought resolution.  So why is it when things are going smoothly I have a tendency to let prayer no longer be a priority?  It should be obvious that God is no less interested in me when things are going well than when my world is falling apart.  I find that prayer must become intentional act otherwise I could go for days without doing it. It is almost like in my actions I become self-sufficient and in way telling God that I can handle my life without Him being involved on a daily basis.

We-

Churches can develop the same mindset of self-sufficiency.  When attendance is good and the offering is adequate we have a tendency to depend on what we can accomplish on our own.  The devil likes nothing better than to lull us into a sense of complacency.  We go merrily along developing programs and strategies without regard to the fact that they may be contrary to God’s purpose for the church. 

Only when things begin to come unglued do we call out to God to fix the situation.  Even then we might still ignore Him and try to work out the answer all by ourselves.  When we do that the problem will only get worse and worse.  It is God’s church and without His constant care and oversight we can never fulfill the purpose for which He has established a particular body.  Let us not go one moment in the life of the church without be intentionally focused on Him and His desires for the body.

God 17:1

For thirteen years God was silent. During that time Abram may not have felt he needed the close relationship that he had before.  He had everything that God had promised except the land.  The land would not be his and his descendents for over four hundred years, but an heir had been born to him. 

After that period of time God once again spoke to Abram.  He was called to a standard of holiness.  The word blameless, indicated that Abram was to be complete, perfect, mature and a man of integrity in his relationship with God.

1. Why did Abram not hear from God for thirteen years?
2. What are some reasons that we sometimes do not call on God?
3. What does it mean to be called to walk a blamelessly?

Genesis 17:2–8

Part of the covenant God previously was once again shared with Abram.  He promised to multiply Abram’s descendents.  In response Abram fell down on his face in worship.  God continued on with his words to him.  He once again confirmed the covenant by changing Abram’s name, exalted father, to Abraham, father of a multitude. The covenant was to be an everlasting one that would continue down through all generations following Abraham.  Then God returned to the promise that the land of Canaan would be given to his descendents

1. What part of the covenant was a confirmation of what God had promised previously?
2. What does the change in his name indicate about Abram?
3. Why does God repeat the covenant so many times in different ways?

Genesis 17:9-14

God established the ritual of circumcision as a sign of the covenant that He had with Abraham and his descendents.  Everyone associated with Abraham and his descendents were to be circumcised.  Every male child whether born into the family, slave, alien or sojourner who lived among the Jewish, people would be required to be circumcised.  Notice this act does not tell us the state of a man’s heart, but only that he was a descendent of Abraham.

1. What was the significance of the ritual of circumcision?
2. Who was to be included in those required to be circumcised?
3. What does this not say about the heart?

Genesis 17:15-17

Then came what had to be a shock to Abraham.  He was going to have a child by Sarai.  With this word God also changed the name of Sarai, my princess, to Sarah, a princess. She was to be “the mother of many nations.”  Abraham responded by laughing.  There may have been two reasons for the laughter.  It may have been because he could not believe his ears.  It may also have come from a heart full of joy that Sarah’s shame would be removed by giving birth to a son.

1. Why would Abraham have been shocked by the news that Sarah would have a son?
2. What did his laughter indicate about how he felt when he heard the news?
3. Why might his response be one of joy?

Genesis 17:18-21

Abraham loved Ishmael and did not want him to come up short in what God was promising.  It also showed that Abraham was still not sure about the promise of a son through Sarah.  In his mind the blessing would still be realized through Ishmael. 

God responded immediately by promising certain things but at the same time emphasizing that the covenant would be established through Isaac the son of Sarah. The future of Ishmael as God promised that he:

• Blessed
•  Be fruitful and multiply
• Would be father of twelve princes
• Be made into a great nation.

What God did not promise was the land or the covenant to be had by Ishmael.

1. Why did Abraham want God to take notice of Ishmael?
2. What did this say about his understanding of a child being born to Sarah?
3. What was not included in the promise of Ishmael’s future?
4. What did this indicate to Abraham?

Genesis 17:22

God’s conversation was finished with Abraham.  He had nothing else to say at this point?

1. Why did God end His words at that point?
2. What else could Abraham have expected to be said?
3. What was Abraham to do at that point?

Genesis 17:23-27

Abraham followed through on God’s command to begin the ritual of circumcision.  Not only was Ishmael circumcised but Abraham and all those who were member of his household.

1. What does this act show about Abraham?
2. What indication do we have that Ishmael ever had a relationship with God?
3. Why does cutting of the flesh have nothing to do with what takes place in the heart? See Jeremiah 31-34; Romans 4:9-12

18:1-8

Here is an example of what is referred to as a “Theophany.”  A Theophany is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament.  The Lord and two others appeared in the place where Abraham was staying in Mamre.  There were two purposes for the appearances:

• To reaffirm the promise of the coming of Isaac. This time not only did Abraham hear but Sarah heard for the first time the news.

Abraham treated the men with the kind of hospitality that was the norm in the Middle East.  He provided water for washing and food and drink for refreshing. Hospitality to strangers was important in those days because there was no such thing as hotels or restaurants where a weary traveler could rest.

1. What is a Theophany?
2. Why did they appear at this particular time?
3. What does the treatment of these men say about Abraham?
4. Why was hospitality so important during that time period?
5. In what way does this show us how we are to treat strangers? See Hebrew 13:2

Genesis 18:9-11

It is obvious that when the Lord asked about the whereabouts of Sarah that what He was about to say was for her ears also.  He was promising a son through Sarah to be born the following year. Although Abraham probably did not know it, Sarah was just inside the tent listening to all that was taking place.  Her natural reaction upon hearing the word was to laugh in disbelief.  She knew that she was too old to have a child. The Lord wanted to know why she laughed.  He seemed to imply that she should have known that nothing was impossible with God. The promise was then repeated.  Sarah, possibly, embarrassed because she had been caught listening, denied having laughed.  She was not about to get away with a lie because the Lord stated emphatically that she had indeed laughed. With that statement He ended  and ended the conversation with Sarah.

1. What indicates that the Lord had a message for Sarah as well as Abraham?
2. What was the promise?
3. Why did Sarah respond as she did?
4. What incident has occurred to you that you never thought could not take place?
5. What was your response?
6. Why did the Lord repeat the promise?
7. Why did He ask the question? “Is anything to difficult for the Lord?”
8.  Why did He reprimand Sarah?

Genesis 18:16-18

The men were about to depart and continue their journey to Sodom. They were headed there to check out the city.  As they were proceeding, Abraham was walking along with them.  It was at that point that the Lord decided to let Abraham in on what was about to occur.  His decision was based on several factors:

• Abraham was to become a great and mighty nation.
• In him all nations would be blessed.
• He was chosen by God.
• He would lead his family to walk in righteousness and do to justice.

All these things would be the fulfillment of all that God had promised to him.

1. What does the decision of the Lord to tell Abraham what was about to occur say about the man.
2. What were some of the factors that led to that decision?
3. What are the qualities seen in Abraham that should be present in fathers today?
4. Why are they so important?

Genesis 18:20-21

The things that the Lord decided to share with Abraham had to do with the conditions that existed in Sodom.  Although not said, He may have shared with Abraham because Lot was living in Sodom.  If judgment was to be brought against that city, He wanted to let Abraham know it was not done indiscriminately but only based on evidence gathered by this trip.  Once He determined if what He had heard was true then the Lord would know what needed to be done.

1. What was the important message that the Lord was about to share with Abraham?
2. Why did He tell Abraham the reason for the trip down to Sodom?
3. What does it say about how God brings about justice and judgment on a people?
4. In what way does God’s Word give us confidence that these actions are never capricious?

Genesis 18:22-33

As the two other men turned to leave, Abraham stood before the Lord.  Because of what he had heard, he sought some clarification of what God intended to do.  Abraham wanted to know the deciding factor that determined whether God would bring judgment on Sodom. Beginning with fifty people and working down to ten he had a sense of the length to which God would go to save a city.  This conversation showed the patience of God as He allowed Abraham to get it clear in his mind how far God would go.  Once the negotiations had ended and Abraham had received his answer, God departed.

1. Why did God allow Abraham to question Him as he did?
2. What does it show about the patience of God?
3. What does it show about His compassion?
4. How does His answers to Abraham line up with what is written in Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11;  and 2 Peter 3:9

You-

• Consider times when you thought you did not need God’s help in a particular situation.  What did you really discover about yourself?
• Think about the times that you depended on God’s help.  What were the results of your cooperation with God?
• Pray that you will have the same compassion that God exhibits to all people.                See 2 Peter 3:9
• Consider the sign of the cross as the sealing of God’s covenant with His children.

We-

We as church should always seek God’s direction in all that we do.  There should never be a time when we wonder if God is present in our midst. Abraham and his descendents were given circumcision as a constant reminder of the covenant that God had made with them as the chosen people.  We have the Holy Spirit working in our midst as the sign that we are now part of God’s chosen people through His Son.  If we continue to seek Him, He has promised never to leave us.  It is imperative that whenever we gather as His people that we call upon Him for guidance.

Additional Notes:

M-Man has always had the opportunity open before him to “walk before Me (God) and be blameless.  It is to that man the blessings of God will come.  Abram’s response was to fall on his face in awe and reverence before Him. (Gen. 17:1-3)

C-God once again called for Abram to examine his life.  He was called to walk blameless before God.  This would confirm the covenant God had made with him.  As a result his name was changed to Abraham, which means father of a multitude.  This was not only described him but what God intended to do through him. (Gen. 17:1-8)

E. God appeared to Abram and gave him certain instructions and promises.  He even changed his name at that time.  He restated the command for Abram to walk blameless before Him.  The covenant given was conditional, based on Abram’s willingness to obey God.  He was going to establish His covenant with Abram and multiply his descendents on the face of the earth.  When Abram fell on his face in worship, God affirmed His covenant relationship with Abram and changed his name to Abraham.

To reinforced what God had said He repeated that the land would be given to Abraham’s descendents.  Abraham was to keep God’s covenant.  The sign of this relationship was that all of Abraham’s descendents would be circumcised.  This included those who were living in the midst of his people. (Gen. 17:1-13)

GC-To walk with God and be blameless is the criteria He commands in order to receive the benefits of His covenant that he has made with us as our God. This life is to be one that does not bring blame and shame to yourself of God.                                             (Gen. 17:1-2, 8; 5:22, 24; 6:9)

UE-God entered into an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendents.  There were two parts to the covenant:

1. God would multiply the descendents to the extent that they would become a great nation.
2. They would be given the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.             (Gen. 17:2, 7-8, 13)

GC-As Abram received the news of the covenant that God was making with him, he fell on his face with humility that the God who created the universe had such regard for mere man. (Gen. 17:3)

M-The covenant relationship between God and man is attended by pain and calls for complete commitment.  For Abraham it was circumcision, for us it is the anguish brought about by the acknowledgement of our sin and the cost of it to God.  For Him it was the pain of seeing His own perfect Son die on the cross.  The circumcision of the flesh and rending of our hearts are only signs of the new relationship with God and a life to be lived in and for Him. (Gen. 17:9-10)

GC-The sign of the covenant that God made with Abram was circumcision. It was to signify both Abram’s faith in God and God’s faithfulness to Abram.  In reality it was more than a physical sign but of God’s ownership of the heart.                                    (Gen. 17:9-14, 22-26; Lev. 12:3; Ps. 25:10; 78:10, 37; Rom. 4:11)

RT-It was at this point in his life that God changed his name from Abram to Abraham to reflect the promise that he would the father of a great nation. (Gen. 17:5)

C-Sarai also had her name to Sarah, meaning princess.  She was to be the “mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” (Gen. 17:15)

UE-It was inconceivable that man of 100 years old would become a father.  Even more impossible was for a woman of 90 to give birth to a child.  God however is not limited by human mortality and frailty nor do years on a calendar mean anything to Him.  What He determines will happen will surely occur.  Therefore, Sarah was going to have a son even though neither Abraham nor Sarah believed at first it could happen.                           (Gen. 17:15-22; 18:10-15)

 M-It is our lack of faith in what God can do that causes to question His power and authority to even alter what to us seems impossible. (Gen. 17:16-17)

WM-Abraham’s response to the promise of God of a son through Sarah showed a lack of faith that God can accomplish what man considers impossible. (Gen. 17:16-19, 21)

UE-That God would bless a people who in the future would become avowed enemies whose goal in life would be to destroy God’s chosen people. (Gen. 17:18-20; 21:13, 18)

M-To know that God hears us gives to us a real sense of purpose. (Gen. 17:20)

E-The Lord appeared to Abraham at Mamre.  He had some words for him. Some those were bad news and some were good.  The good news was the promise of a son through Sarah.  Sarah’s response, as one might expect, upon hearing the incredulous words of the Lord was to laugh.  How could a woman, who would ninety years old by the time the child would be born have a child?  The Lord repeated the promise giving it validation.  Then as the other two men started off to Sodom the Lord made a decision to share with Abraham the possible fate of that city.  He determined to speak with Abraham about the matter because of the special relationship He had with him.  The Lord said several things:

1. “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do.”
2. “Abraham will become a mighty nation through whom all people will be blessed.”
3. God has chosen him
4. “He will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.”
5. The Lord would bring on him all that He had spoken about him.

After the Lord settled this issue He told Abraham what He was going to do in Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness.  Here we begin to see the compassion of Abraham as he interceded for the people of those two cities.  As he pleaded he was given the assurance from the Lord that they would not be destroyed if as few as ten righteous people could be found in them. (Gen. 18:1, 10-33)

GC-We too can approach the Father and make intercession when we have judged righteous through our faith and have been obedient to Him. (Gen. 18:23-33)

BL-What would you do if three angels showed up at your front door.  Abraham entertained them at his camp.  One of the angels is thought to have been the pre-incarnate Christ (known as a “Theophany”) because He appeared in a recognizable form but spoke to Abraham as the Lord. The angels told Abraham that Sarah would have a son.  Then two of them headed towards Sodom, while the Lord stayed behind to reveal to Abraham what He is about to do.  Abraham remained “standing before the Lord” (v. 22), meaning he interceded for “stood in the gap” for the righteous inhabitants of Sodom.  After some discussion, the Lord agreed to spare Sodom if He could find ten righteous people in it.

BL-In chapter 19, the two other angels arrived in Sodom, where they met Lot sitting in the gate.  Lot insisted that they spend the night in his home because he knew how wicked the inhabitants of his town had become. (Notice he had moved from Abraham’s territory to a location near Sodom (13:12) to a home within the city.) The men of Sodom came to Lot’s house and demanded that he send the visitors out so they could have sexual relations with them, revealing just how wicked this city had become.  Lot argued with them until the angels pulled him back inside and blinded the men outside the door.  Then they told Lot to warn his family to flee because God was about to destroy the city. Lot warned his future sons-in-law, but they only laughed, thinking he was joking. (Evidently, Lot was not as highly regarded for his righteousness as he had hoped! How often do we congratulate ourselves on our own righteousness because we have compared ourselves to the standards of others, rather than the standards of God?) Even Lot hesitated before leaving in v. l6.  He foolishly tested God by assuming his home and life would be spared.  Finally, Lot, his wife, and two of his daughters fled, but Lot begged the angels to let him go to a nearby town, claiming that the mountains were too far for him to reach.  The angels agreed, and Lot and his daughters escaped.  Lot’s wife however looked back and was changed to a pillar of salt, which indicated that she was too fond of her old life to leave it behind.  Lot and his daughters eventually headed to the mountains.  There, his daughters got Lot drunk and had sexual relationship with him because they are afraid that they would never find anyone else to carry on the family line.  From these pregnancies came the Ammonite and Moabite people, who proved to be thorns in the sides of the Israelites for centuries. 

We must remember how easy it is to become insensitive to the sin around us.  As followers of Christ we need to “stand in the gap” and uphold the standards of God.  Lot tried to straddle the fence between God’s way and the world’s way, but his utopia became a disaster–not only for himself, but for his wife, his daughters, and their descendants.  We can’t have it both ways. In what areas do you and I need to realign our values with those of God? (Gen. 18) 

M-Because of Abraham’s relation with the Lord part of his nature was to be hospitable to strangers. (Gen. 18:2-3)

WM-Like her husband, Sarah did not believe God would give her a son.  She lied so she would not offend her guest in the things they had spoken. (Gen. 18:9-15)

GC-Both Abraham and Sarah had a difficult time believing that two old people could have a son.  They learned that man must never put limits on God.  All things are possible with Him. (Gen. 18:14)

UE-God conversed openly with the man Abraham.  He even allow him to negotiate with Him concerning the fate of Sodom. (Gen. 18:16-33)

TM-Evil will ultimately face judgment.  Abraham was to teach his household to “Keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.”  It was therefore important how God views evil.  (Gen. 18:17-19)

GC He was chosen by God and commanded to keep his family within God’s domain by obeying Him and doing righteous.  Only then would God do for Abraham what he desired to do.  It was up to Abraham. (Gen. 18:19)

M-The characteristics with which the Lord described Abraham as one who would command his household “to keep the ways of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, “was born out by Abraham’s conversation with the Lord speaking out for justice for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  He, unlike many of today, was interested only in fairness not the destruction and oppression of others. (Gen. 18:19, 23-25)

GC-With courage and humility Abraham stood before the Lord and made intercession for the people for Sodom.  We too are to stand before God until we are assured of His answer.  What would have happened if Abraham had stopped with the request to protect fifty people? (Gen. 18:22; Ps. 106:23)

RT-The question that may be asked of people throughout the Scriptures is for what or who do you stand.  For example Abraham stood for the people. (Gen. 18:22)

GC-Wherever God’s people dwell there is His spirit is also, providing opportunity for the unsaved to turn from their sinful ways to become righteous men. The righteous are to be the example to turn hearts to God. (Gen. 18:23; 1 Kings 8:43; Prov. 25:13)

GC-Abraham was concerned that justice be tempered with mercy that the innocent not suffer unjustly. (Gen. 18:23; Prov. 18:5; 31:5, 8-9)

RT-It was important to the Lord that Abraham clearly understood that He does not act arbitrarily or in a capricious way.  (Gen 18:23-32)

GC-As we look at the discourse between God and Abraham, we can be assured that God does listen even when we go to Him time and again. (Gen. 18:25-32)

GC-We must remember our place of unworthiness in relationship to the Father.  It is only because of his grace that we are allowed to make intercession and know that He hears us. In essence that is exactly what Abraham was doing. (Gen. 18:27; 32:10)

GC-We are to pray then wait as we turn the situation over to God to act as He sees fit.  (Gen. 18:33)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 13

Loss of Hope

Genesis 16

Me- David Jeremiah recently wrote a book titled, “I Never Thought I would See the Day.”  In it he spoke about several things that he did not expect to see happen in his lifetime. Some of the subjects concerned the state of the economy, morality and the rise of Islam.

Picking up on that theme I never thought I would see the day when a president of the United States would openly condone homosexuality. It may seem strange to be speaking of this in light of the events in the life of Abram and Sarai. My thought is that it is not strange at all. Looking at God’s Word and having done quite a bit of reading of history, it is obvious that any deviation from God’s standard of one man and one woman married for life, brings about devastating consequences to any society.  One of the factors of the downfall of Rome and other nations was the breakdown of the family structure.

One of the things that is happening as a result of the violation of God’s foundation of the sanctity of marriage is the proliferation of children being born out of wedlock.  Another factor is the increase of children living in single parent homes.  Having come from a broken home I can relate to the suffering that takes place when a husband and wife decide to end a marriage. Contrary to what some may think, there are no winners when this happens. There are psychological and emotional scars, and even that can last for a lifetime.  Our view of God as a loving Father might be skewed as children see the anger and hatred that can grow over things like child custody and division of property.  Even worse children are hurt when one parent just walks away never to be heard from again. Sadly statistics show that these children generally do not have a promising future. Many of them end up in poverty or involved in crime. I do consider myself one of the fortunate ones.  My mother worked very hard to provide for my brother and me and to make sure that we did not get mixed up with the wrong crowds. Through her example both of us finished high school and I went on to college.  I have also been blessed with a wonderful wife and family.  

We are reaping the whirlwind that is spoken about in the Scriptures. No one wins when we disobey God.  I do not think I am stretching what is to be seen in this chapter of Genesis.  Over the next few weeks we will see how decisions about family relationships have impacted the world down to this day and time.

We-

Churches are certainly not exempt from playing a part in what is happening in our nation.  With the rise of liberalism we find that many churches are condoning lifestyles that would have brought horror to those of past generations.  There are even some denominations that have gone so far as to ordain homosexual leaders.  Many of us think nothing of young people living together and even having children before getting married.  All of these things are contrary to the desires of God for His people and will eventually lead to His judgment unless we change direction.  Multiple verses in Scripture reference how sacred God holds marriage. Malachi 2:14-16 and Hebrews 13:4 are just two places that God speaks of marriage.

 God-

Genesis 16:1

Implicit in this verse is almost a sadness and resignation that Sarai was not going to have children. By this time she was in mid-seventies and well beyond child-bearing years.  She knew that for a woman to be unable to provide an heir for her husband was a disgrace.  Both she and Abram could well have started questioning what God was up to at that point.  Moses for the first time mentions Hagar, the Egyptian maid of Sarai, who is going to play a significant role in the life of Abram.

1. What was the writer trying to convey with this verse?
2. Why would Abram and Sarai begin to question God?
3. Why is Sarai’s barrenness mentioned?
4. How would this reflect on the worth of a woman?
5. Why would the name of a maid even be mentioned?

Genesis 16:2-3

Because Sarai could not have children she gave Hagar to Abram as a wife.  She did this hoping that the maid would provide Abram with an heir and thus remove the stigma that came from not having children.  This was an acceptable practice in the pagan world but not acceptable according to God’s plan for marriage. Abram and Sarai did not wait on God but took matters in their own hands.  Abram had given God ten years to fulfill His promise and nothing had happened so the couple moved ahead.  There is no indication that they went to God for an answer to their dilemma.

1. Why did Sarai give Hagar to Abram was a wife?
2. What did she hope to accomplish?
3. How did this violate God’s standard for marriage?
4. In what way was this action a compromise with the ways of the world?
5. How long was long enough for Abram and Sarai to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise?
6. What one important component did they leave out with their decision?

Genesis 16:4

Their plan was successful or was it?  Hagar soon became pregnant with Abram’s child.  When she discovered that she was expecting she began to despise Sarai. In her mind she was now better than Sarai.  Not only had she become Abram’s wife but now was going to provide him with an heir.  The result was that she now looked down on Sarai as being inferior.

1. From a human prospective how was the plan successful?
2. What were the results of Hagar becoming Abram’s wife?
3. Why did she begin despise and ridicule Sarai?
4. What does this show us about violating God’s plan for marriage?

Genesis 16:5

Sarai’s complaint to Abram indicated that she did not feel too secure in the relationship.  Now the maid was acting more like the wife and the wife like the maid. In her mind all the blame lay with Abram because evidently he was not consoling Sarai in her time of distress. 

1. Why did Sarai go to Abram concerning Hagar?
2. Why might she be feeling somewhat insecure at that moment?
3. If Sarai was right about Abram being responsible for the situation in what ways was she right?
4. What would have been the proper way for Abram to handle the situation?

Genesis 16:6

In essence Abram told Sarai that she was still his wife and Hagar was still the maid.  She was still responsible for the actions of Hagar.  Once this was said, Sarai began to treat the soon to be mother of Abram’s child with some civility but was so harsh with her that Hagar felt it necessary to flee to escape the situation.

1. What did Abram do for Sarai by telling her that Hagar was still her maid?
2. What does it show about Sarai that she began treating Hagar harshly?
3. Was she justified in her actions? Why or why not?
4. How did Hagar handle the difficult time she was having?
5. What would it accomplish?

Genesis 16:7-9

As Hagar fled she was met by an angel.  He asked her two questions:

• Where did you come from?
• Where are you going?

Hagar was only to answer one of them.  She stated that she was running away but could not say where she was going. The angel then commanded her to not only return to her mistress but also to once submit to her as before the time she got pregnant.

1. What was the purpose behind the two questions asked by the angel?   
2. Why did Hagar respond as she did?
3. What would be gained by just running away?
4. Why was it important for her to return to Abram’s home?
5. Why was she commanded to submit to Sarai?
6. In what ways have you tried to run away from something only to be stopped?
7. How difficult was it to return to the place from which you left?

The word of encouragement given to Hagar was in the form of a prophecy concerning the son she was carrying. First she was commanded to name him Ishmael, which means “God hears.” The final words from the angel described the kind of man Ishmael would be.  He said of him:

• He would be like a wild donkey of a man
• His hand will be against everyone
• All men will be against him
• Would live east of his brothers

The description is of the Arab world.  Ishmael was the father of the Arabs.  They have been the sworn enemy of the Israelites to this day.

1. Why was the child to be named Ishmael?
2. What is the importance to us today of the description of Ishmael and his descendants?
3. Knowing what is happening in the world today, what do you think of Abram’s and Sarai’s decision? Why?
4. What have been the consequences of that one decision?

Genesis 16:13-14

The response of Hagar would indicate that only the present meant anything.  All of the talk about what would occur in the future meant little to her.  She was more interested in the fact that God had talked with her and she had survived.  The spring where she carried on the conversation was named “Beer-lahai-roi” which means the well of the living one who sees me.

1. Why did Hagar seem to ignore the prophecies concerning her son to be born?
2. What was the impact of this meeting on Hagar?
3. From what she experienced at the spring why was she willing to return and submit to Sarai?
4. What has been the importance of these prophecies in the history of mankind?
5. How can we relate to them?

Genesis 16:15-16

It is obvious that Hagar obeyed the command of the angel.  She returned and gave birth to a son whom Abram named Ishmael just the angel had stated.  Moses states that Abram was eighty-six at the time of the birth of his son.

1. Why did the writer indicate the age of Abram at the birth of his son?
2. How long had he waited for son after leaving Ur of the Chaldees?

You-

• Write down what you believe about

1. Marriage
2. Divorce
3. Cohabitation
4. Homosexuality

• Consider how your beliefs line up with God’s Word
• Pray about those beliefs
• Pray about any time you may have wavered in your understanding of how God views each of those areas.

We-

God tells us that His Word never changes.  Just because society begins to accept certain positions on Marriage etc. does not make it right.  We as followers of Christ are to never compromise living according to God’s Word.  We must remember that although we can never condone behavior which is in direct opposition to God’s standards we are never to reject the person who is caught up in sinful living. Although we may not be able to do anything else we can pray that God will intervene in the situation and turn individuals from their sinful lifestyles.  Let us continue to love the person as Christ would love them but at the same time hating the sin that has enslaved them as Christ did.

Additional Notes:

BL-In Genesis chapter 16, Abram believed God would make him the father of many descendants, but he allowed Sarai to convince him that they needed to help God out!  Sarai talked Abram into conceiving a child with Hagar, her Egyptian maid (a practice that was not uncommon in those days among Eastern peoples). The plan backfired when Hagar began to despise her mistress.  Sarai mistreated Hagar, who ran away, but God’s angel sought Hagar out and urged her to return to her mistress.  He gave her a promise concerning her son, whom she was to name Ishmael.  Encouraged, Hagar called the Lord “the God who sees me” and returned to Abram’s camp to bear his son. (This is a good example of how God extends His love to all who will believe on Him, not just His “chosen” people of Israel.)

WM- Sadly, Sarai was just as much a part of this scheme as Abram.  When it did not work out according to her plan she became angry and blamed Abram for the situation in which they found themselves.  In a way she was right.  As head of the household he could have shown that he trusted God to give them a son even when it defied the laws of nature.  His words to her should have been a simple, wait on God.  In what ways have we shown that we are just like Abram and Sarai?  When was the last time you refused to wait on God’s timing before making a decision?  What was the result? (Gen. 16:1-2, 5)

WM-Abram lacked the patience to wait for God’s perfect timing in giving him a son.  Instead he took matters into his own hands and Ishmael was born.  This short-sighted decision his brought much grief in his own family and to the world ever since. (Gen. 16:4, 15)

C-Hagar was given to Abram by Sarai as his concubine to bear him a she was barren. This one act not only changed the status of Hagar but set in motion events that still have ramifications down to this present time.  For Ishmael would become the ancestor of the Arab world who are in conflict with God’s chosen people Israel to this day. (Gen. 16:1-4)

GC-Abram had to learn not to run ahead of God, but to wait for His perfect timing.  As he learned and we are still experiencing, the consequences of not waiting can be devastating.     (Gen. 16:1-10; Prov. 14:15-16)

M-Man often seeks to dethrone God by assuming His sovereignty over his own circumstances.  This activity brings with dire consequences. (Gen. 16:2-4)

C-The immediate consequence of this situation came after Hagar conceived.  She began to look down on and despise Sarai.  Her reaction was to complain and then mistreat Hagar until she ran away.  (Gen. 16:4-6)

M-One of the easiest ways to handle difficult situations for the short term is to run from them.  One such incident involved Sarai and Hagar. In it we see that God does not want us to flee from hard times.  His desire is to give us victory in them.  To never confront difficulties makes a person into weaker individual and possibly an emotion cripple. (Gen.16:6-12)

M-One who flees from the difficulties of life usually has no direction or purpose in his life.  They only know what they left behind, not what might lie ahead for them with all of the future may hold for him. (Gen. 16:8)

E-When the Lord came to Hagar as she fled from Sarai, He did not remove her from a difficult situation but sent her back but with a promise.  Why did God have her return? What could be gained by living under such tension?  What guarantee would she have that Abram and Sarai would even let her return?  Back to the promise, she was to have a son and through him there would come many descendents.  He also indicated the kind of man he would be:

1. A donkey of a man
2. At odds with everyone
3. His home would be east of his brothers

With this promise in hand Hagar did return to Abram. (Gen. 16:6-16)

C-An angel encouraged Hagar to return and be submissive to Sarai.  The angel also indicated to her that her son would be the father of great nation and kings would be among his descendents. (Gen. 16:7-14)

C-Abram became the father of Ishmael at the age of 86. (Gen. 16:15)

 

 

 

Lesson 12

Trusting in God’s Promises

Genesis 15

Me-

After the City of Richmond annexed the part of Chesterfield County where we lived and began busing school children from one side of town to another, my wife and I decided to move.  We began working with a realtor and put a contract on a lot in Chesterfield County with anticipation of building a new home.  Very soon there was also a contract put on the home in which we were living.  Then the problems came.  None of the lots in the subdivision would perk and so there was nowhere to build a home.  We were literally at that point between a rock and a hard place.  Our decision was to not move at that time, but we already had a contract on our house.  It was a situation completely out of our hands.  As we prayed about it the realtor went to the couple buying our house and explained the problem.  By the grace of God they were willing to back out of the contract and we were able to keep our home.

Later we did move to Chesterfield.  That however is a different story for another time. What we learned during that time is that no circumstance is bigger than God.  What appeared to be impossible, from a human perspective, worked out to the benefit of all parties.  God was the only One who could have brought about such an ending.

We-

We in the church often get ourselves into a dilemma because we do not spend enough time in prayer and waiting.  From a human perspective we often think that we have the answers for the way the church should act.  What usually happens is division and strife within the body.  God has promised to use His church to impact the world.  Unless we follow His plan the results will be less than what He wanted them to be.  Recently I have seen how decisions that once would have been made in haste are now carrying out with unity.  We have learned to wait on the Lord and make sure that the whole congregation understands and can see the benefit of the decision. 

Abram at times was an example of both camps.  When he waited on the Lord the results turned out for his benefit.  When he decided to take matters into his own hands many suffered.  We should always err on the side of making sure we are carrying out God’s purpose for the church when any issue comes before us.

God-

Genesis 15:1

It was only after the events which occurred at that point in time that God once again speaks to Abram.  Those things to which the writer would have referred would have included:

• The breaking of all ties with Lot. 
• The proclamation by Abram of the sovereignty of God in verse 22 of chapter 14.  In that verse he had “sworn to the Lord God Most High” his intentions not to owe allegiance to any man including the king of Sodom.

God then spoke to him insuring him of His protection which Abram had already experienced and would find reassuring in the future. Abram also received the promise of great reward in the future.

1. Why was it important for Abram to break ties with Lot?
2. What did Abram finally understand about his nephew?
3. Why did Abram’s remarks to the kingdom of Sodom open the door for God to once again make promises to him?
4. In what ways are these same promises available to us?

Genesis 15:2-3

In Abram’s response can be read the heartache of a man who had come to realize that all the possessions in the world would be worthless with having a descendant born to him to whom he could pass it own.  From Abram’s perspective, possibly being too old to father a child through Sarai, one of his servants would be the recipient of all his wealth.”

1. What does Abram’s response show what truly is important to him?
2. What statement made by him indicated that he had possibly lost hope in having a child?
3. What kind of opportunity did this open for God to show his faithfulness to Abram?

Genesis 15:4-5

The answer to the last question shows that God was still working in the life of Abram.  He was not only going to be the father to a son but his descendants would be so many that they could not be numbered. God was telling Abram to think beyond anything that he could imagine. Nothing was impossible for God to accomplish.

1. What was the answer to Abram’s question about having a child of his own?
2. Why did God give an answer that extended beyond just the one son?
3. What does this say about God?

Genesis 15:6

God’s declaration to Abram was the turning point for mankind.  Because of the belief of one man that God is trustworthy to carry out all that He has promised, Abram and all of his descendants who have that same faith are viewed as being in right standing with God.  Paul refers to this incident in his discussion of the Law versus Grace in Romans 3 and Galatians 3:6.  This one act of faith was declared as the door into a relationship with the Father.

1. Why was this one verse so important in the life of Abram?
2. What does it mean for us today?
3. Why was Paul able to use this verse in his discussions with the followers of Christ at Rome and in Galatia?
4. How does this verse diminish any claim of finding salvation through works?

Genesis 15:7-11

Once again God restated the promise to Abram that all the land would one day be possessed by his family. Abram asked God to validate his promise. God used a ritual that was part of that culture in ratifying a contract.  Abram would recognize the physical sign that he being asked to perform.  He did as God commanded and prepared the heifer, goat, ram, turtledove and young pigeon in the prescribed manner. To protect the sacrifice Abraham had to chase away the birds.  Often the image of birds connotes those who ravage the kingdom. 

1. Why did God have Abram prepare the animals as a confirmation of His promise?
2. Why did God not just tell Abram what He was going to do?
3. What affect did this have on the relationship between God and Abram that we read about in verse 6?

Genesis 15:12-16

Abraham falls asleep when the sun went down. The extreme darkness was a perfect setting for the words that God was about to bring to him.  Even though the descendants would eventually inherit the land that Abram had seen when God told him to look around, there was going to be a period of four hundred years when the Israelites would live in the land of Egypt.  After the four hundred years Egypt would be judged for the treatment of them.  The reason given for the delay was the fact that “iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”  When the time was fulfilled the Israelites would return after four generations each lasting one hundred years.

1. Why did God come to Abram after a deep sleep came on him?
2. Why was it necessary for the Israelites to spend time in Egypt?
3. What were the two purposes for the four hundred years?
4. How would you respond to such a vision?

Genesis 15:17-19

Into the darkness came the light of God in the form of a flaming torch.  God ratified the covenant made with Abram. Once again He spelled out the content of the agreement by telling Abram the extent of the land grant.  It extended well beyond present day Israel to include all the land from the Euphrates to the Nile River encompassing some three hundred thousand square miles of territory. He even told Abram the names of the people who would be conquered and were inhabiting the land when the Israelites returned from Egypt.

1. How did God ratify or seal the covenant with Abram?
2. What did the torch represent?
3. What was the territory that would be given to Abram’s descendants?
4. What part of that territory does the nation of Israel possess today?
5. What does it mean for the future of Israel?
6. Why must the nation not give up any of the land on which they now live?
7. What were the two things promised to Abram in this chapter?
8. Which of the two held more importance for Abram? Why?

You-

• Think about some of the things you have requested from God.  In what ways do you believe he has answered them?
• Ask yourself, is your view of God too small when asking Him to do a work on your behalf?
• Think about something you dared not ask God because you were afraid that He might actually answer you.  Then what would you do?

We-

All too often we limit ourselves in the church by thinking too small.  It is as if we are afraid that if we dream big dreams or develop a God size vision that we can only accomplish that He might actually begin to fulfill the vision. If we want to be a person or a church that truly serves the purpose for which God has called us let us not think too small but pray that God will open our eyes to all of the possibilities He has for us. 

Abram asked for a son, but God was going to give him descendants beyond number and a land in which they would live that covers more territory than they possess today. How willing are we to see what God could do with us if we just think beyond what we are capable of accomplishing on our own.  How much of this world are we going to claim for God?

Additional Notes:

BL-Genesis chapter l5 describes the covenant God makes with Abram.  Notice how God’s promises became more specific and bountiful as Abram grew in his obedience to Him, which is the way He works with all His children.  In l5:1, God promised to be Abram’s shield.  He had already protected him during the war among the Canaanite kings.  In vv. 2-5, God reiterated His promise to give Abram a son from his own body and offspring as numerous as the stars.  Verse 6, which says, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteousness,” is a key verse in this passage.  Abram was no
more deserving of God’s blessings than any other person.  We have already seen he was a sinful man. Here God declares him righteous.  This was grace, God’s free gift to Abram.   It is the same gift that is available to all who come to God through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ.  Like Abram, we are all sinners and undeserving of God’s grace.  He thankfully bestows it on us when we place our faith and trust in Him.  In v. 8, Abram asked for a sign that God will keep His promises.  God commanded Abram to bring Him a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon.  Abram prepared the sacrifices and falls into a deep sleep, during which God reveals to him what the future holds for his
descendants.  God told Abram that his people will be enslaved in a foreign country for four hundred years, but then they will come out with great possessions.  This is, of course, a prophecy concerning Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, followed by the great exodus under Moses. Then God sealed the covenant between Himself and Abram by passing a smoking firepot with a blazing torch between the sacrifices, signifying that He
would keep His covenant with Abram. It was covenant that is completely one-sided, originated and kept by God.  All He asked was for Abram to trust Him.  Abram would not live to see the fulfillment of all God had shown him.  Finally, in verses 18-21, God gave Abram’s descendants all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates, a prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled in its entirety!.

GC-Abram had faced great odds in attacking the four kings who fought against Sodom and captured Lot. After his victory and receiving the blessing of Melchizedek, God appeared to him in a vision and said, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward will be great.” He was being told that he could trust in the Lord for protection, the very thing that he had already experienced. (Gen. 15:1)

E-After Abram had defeated the alliance of kings and rescued lot, God once again appeared to him.  He affirmed Abram and promised that He would reward him greatly. Abram considered all of God’s promises of little value without an heir.  God reiterated that he would indeed have a son born to him who would produce multitudes of descendents.  The true importance of this encounter with God came in Abram’s response.  The Bible says, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned him it to him as righteousness.” This transformation has affected all of Abram’s spiritual offspring to this very day.  These powerful words still leap off the pages of Scripture to this day.  To Paul they were of the upmost importance to those who believed through faith and not by works as he expressed in Romans. (Gen. 15:1-6; Rom. 4:3, 20-22)

RT-We are all too often enslaved by lack of faith.  God is able to take our limitations and make them limitless according to His purpose.  Surely, Abraham could not envision his descendents being as many as the stars in the sky when he had not yet even seen the promised child.  Lack of faith in God’s ability to accomplish all He desires is what hinders us. (Gen. 15:5)

RT-It was at this point that Abram believed God’s promises and God now viewed or judged Abram as righteous. (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6-7)

GC-It is by his faith in God through Jesus that a man is judged, viewed, looked upon by God is righteous.  Belief in God made Abram righteous in the eyes of God.                                        (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3, 5, 9, 23; Gal. 3:6)

C-Abram believed and it was “reckoned to him as righteousness.”  A right relationship with God results in His proceeding with His plan for our lives. (Gen. 15:6)

M-Abram truly heard what the Lord said and when he believed, God judged him as righteous.  The determination to know God will bring the reality of Him into one’s life.  When man truly seeks, God will reveal Himself to that individual. (Gen. 15:6)

GC- “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”  This tremendous statement of faith would be hard to accept without a sign.  We have the privilege that Abram did not have in the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Gen. 15:6, 8)

E-To answer Abram’s concern about future, God laid out before him the events involving the four hundred years that his descendents would spend in Egypt and the subsequent return to the land promised to him. (Gen. 15:8-21)

GC-Abram had a sensitivity to recognize God, to hear him and to respond to Him even when in a country like Ur when others did not have this awareness. He:

1. Talked with God (Gen. 15:8)
2. Had dreams and saw visions (Gen. 15:13, 17)
3. Was given prophecy (Gen. 15:13-16)
4. Feared God (had awe of) God (Gen. 15:12)                                                                        (Gen. 15:8-17)

C-Abram was told about what would happen in the future to his descendents during the four hundred years that they would spend in Egypt.  There was also the promise that they would return on possess the land of Canaan. (Gen. 15:13-14, 16)

C-God established a covenant with Abram and his descendents.  He promised that the land in which Abram then lived would given permanently. (Gen. 15:18-20)

UE-It is amazing that the creator and perfect God would judge a man as righteous based only on his faith.  (Gen. 15:6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 11

Trouble in Greener Pastures

Genesis 14

Me-

Choices made for the wrong reasons do lead to problems.  There was one warning that I always gave my sons once they reached their teenage years.  I said to them over and over, “If you are out all hours of the night you are looking for trouble.”  Time after time I have read of people who have put them themselves in danger because they were out in a place where they should not have been instead of being safely at home.

Just recently I heard of two young men who were involved in a fight outside of a night club. I don’t know if they were actual participants or not, the very fact that they were at the site put them at risk.  Somehow they got pushed out into the street where they were struck by an automobile.  One was killed. The other man was seriously injured.  What happened to them was totally preventable if they had made the decision to remove themselves from a volatile and as it turns out a dangerous situation. 

We-

I have often said that there is no perfect church.  Many seem to think there is such a place only to find that no matter where they go, they find imperfect people. There is also no church that at times does not have volatile situations arise that could possibly destroy it.  Where there are people we are going to find differences of opinion and often open conflict. One of the other things that I have said is “If one keeps leaving a church because of something they do not like they will either run out of churches or stop going altogether.” 

Our desire should be to overcome those issues.  This can be done only if church decides to move in the direction of truly trying to follow God’s word.  It is a difficult thing to fight off the tactics and schemes of the devil and remain true to the teachings of Christ.  More liberal bodies do not seem to have these struggles because they have drifted away from the word into a position of anything goes.  By doing so they cannot face the issues of the world in a Christ like manner.

All of this brings us to the point of what possibly could Lot do next?  Surely, he should be a position where he could be happy and successful.  The question is, can a person like him ever find satisfaction?  How could he stay out of trouble with his unsettled spirit?

Genesis 14:1-6

The narrative begins with the forming of two coalition armies being formed. In one there were four kings.  Two of leaders were Amraphel and Chedorlaomer along with other kings of city states located east of the Jordan River. There were armies from Shinar in present day Iraq and Elam that was in what in Iran today. Their opponents were five kings from the area of the Salt Sea now called the Dead Sea. They were led by the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah. This would be same as Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico having an army that was going to fight against Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell.

For twelve years the kings of the west had paid tribute to Chedorlaomer but in the thirteenth year stopped.  When the first war mentioned in the Bible ensued the cities attacked did not include either Sodom or Gomorrah.  The territory seem to lie mostly east of the Jordan and into the land of Ham.

1. What is the difference between the armies mentioned and those who go into battle today?
2. What was the reason for the war in the first place?
3. What does this tell us about the way the city states treated each other early in their history?
4. In what ways does it surprise us that Chedorlaomer did not immediately attack Sodom and Gomorrah during the first of the battles?

Genesis 14:7-12

The second wave of attacks included among other cities the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The two armies met in the valley of Siddim. As the battle went on the army of Chedorlaomer and Amraphel defeated the army of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The two kings fled and fell in to one of the many tar pits in the area. This caused disarray among the men and the army was scattered leaving behind a good deal of booty which Amraphel and Chedorlaomer took.  Among the prisoners who were taken was Lot and all of his possessions.

1. Why did it appear that there were two separate battles?
2. What do these events say about Lot’s decision?
3. What might have been Lot’s thoughts at that point?

Genesis 14:13-16

From all indications either Abram did not know about the war or he had settled down and did not intend to get involved with the problems of others that did not concern him. Abram first heard of the news concerning his nephew by one of the people who had fled from of the people who had been dislocated by the war.  It is interesting that this is the first time the term Hebrew is used to describe Abram.  Upon hearing of Lot’s situation he took the men of his household who he had trained, numbering 318, out to rescue his nephew.  His strategy was two-fold.  He would first use the element of surprise by attacking at night.  Secondly his small army was divided. Like Gideon he probably intended to surround the enemy.  His plan worked as he was able to defeat a much larger group of men with the few he had with him.  He also achieved the goal of rescuing Lot and his possessions.

1. What would indicate that Abram had no plan to get involved in the battles taking place to the south of where he was staying?
2. What changed his mind?
3. Why would he have trained his household in the ways of wars?
4. How could he expect to defeat a larger army with so few men?
5. What did he accomplish?
6. What does this incident show about the character of Abram?
7. To what lengths will you go to rescue a family member from a difficult situation?

Genesis 14:17-20

Upon returning from the battle two men who were totally different met him.  The first was the king of Sodom.  The other was Melchizedek, king of Salem and God’s high priest.  Much is said of Melchizedek as a type of Christ both in the Psalms and Hebrews.  Reference to “a type”  by theologians means that the individual described had the characteristics and attributes of the coming Messiah.  David mentioned him in Psalm 110:4.  The writer of Hebrews used that verse to expound on Christ being a priest not according to the Old Testament, but the promised high priest who was like Melchizedek. See Hebrews chapter 7 for the writer’s interpretation of this passage.

When Melchizedek appeared on the scene he brought refreshment for Abram.  More importantly, this man of whom so little is known blessed Abram, who was to be the first patriarch of the Jewish people.  After receiving the blessing Abram gave the priest a tenth of all he had captured from Chedorlaomer.

1. What do we know of Melchizedek?
2. What qualified him to the one to bless the future patriarch of the Jewish people? See Hebrews 7:7
3. What the essence of the blessing?
4. In what ways is Melchizedek a type of Christ?  See Hebrews 7
5. Why did Abram give a tenth of all he had acquired to the priest?

Genesis 14:21-24

Not to be outdone the king of Sodom offered to let Abram keep all of the physical booty in exchange for turning all of the people over to him.  He really did not have any claims to anything since he had lost the battle to king Chedorlaomer.  He needed people to be king.  It was better to have subjects than a bunch of stuff.

Abram responded by refusing to take anything for himself.  The reason was he did not want to be beholden to such an evil man who might claim that he was the one who made Abram rich.  The only part of the booty that would not be given back to the king was what his allies had eaten and captured.  He took nothing for himself.  Notice he did not even attempt to negotiate for Lot’s release.

1. What right did the king of Sodom have to anything that Abram had obtained during the battle?
2. Why would he be willing to give up the stuff in exchange for the people who had been rescued?
3. How different was this man than Melchizedek?
4. How differently did Abram deal with him than with the priest?
5. Why did he refuse to take anything for himself?
6. What does it say about Abram that he did not even negotiate for Lot?
7.  At what point do we have to let people, even family members, fend for themselves?

You-

• Think about a situation in which you got called up in what was going on even though you were an innocent bystander.  Reflecting on what happened, how would you possibly make a different decision?
• Think of a friend who would stand by you no matter what might be occurring in your life. Give thanks for that person and ask God to bless them.
• Thank God for strangers that may have interceded for you in the past.
• Ask God that you might be the person who is willing to come to the aid of someone in trouble.

We-

Each of us has found ourselves in situations over which we have no control.  We may be so overwhelmed that we are unable to even see how the issue can be resolved.  The old saying of not being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel would fit the circumstances.  We are so blessed when someone comes along side us to comfort and give moral support.  We should expect to find this kind of help from the church.  Within the body God has placed those who have the gift of mercy who are willing to step forward when there are times of crisis in a family or an individual’s life.  By doing so that person becomes a “type” of Christ to the recipient of the help.  May our church always be that kind of body of Christ to a hurting world.

(Although this lesson is a little shorter taking a look at the comparison of Melchizedek and Jesus as mentioned in Psalms and Hebrews will provide some insight.)

Additional Notes:

BL- In chapter l4, war broke out among the area kings and Lot and his household were taken prisoner.  Abram responded with 318 trained men and rescued Lot’s entire household.  As Abram returned home, he was met first by the King of Sodom, and then by Melchizadek, king of Salem. Little is known about Melchizadek, but he is identified here as a king and “priest of God Most High,” and Abram accepted the bread, the wine, and the blessing that Melchizadek bestowed on him. Abram, in turn, gaves Melchizadek a tenth of everything he had won in battle in gratitude for the victory God had granted him. (Interestingly, Hebrews 7 speaks of Jesus Christ as a priest “in the order of Melchizadek,” meaning that Christ came from a special line–not through Aaron and his descendants, the Levites, whom God appointed as priests in Exodus 28–but from a superior line in which the roles of king and priest were combined.)  However, when the King of Sodom tried to give Abram some of his war booty, Abram refused to have anything to do with it!  In doing so, Abram indicated that his allegiance was to God alone and he would have nothing to do with the sinful king of Sodom. (How often do we choose to indulge in the pleasures sin offers, rather than choosing the good things of God?) 

GC-Unlike so many today, Abram did not desert his family in times of distress and crisis. (Gen. 14:14-16)

 C-Abram assumed the role of a military leader in order to rescue his nephew Lot who by this time had moved to Sodom and got caught up in a war among several kings. (Gen. 14:14-16)

M-Abram refused to be under obligation to any man and especially the leader of an evil city.  This is a clear case of not to be unequally yoked to the world. (Gen. 14:22-24)

GC-Abram understood that he was to owe no man anything.  By refusing to accept any of the spoils of the battle he would not be under obligation to anyone but God.  Make no alliances with those who are evil or accept anything from them that may affect our witness.  We are to trust God to provide our needs. (Gen. 14:23-24)