BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

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)

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 17

God’s Promises Never Fail

Genesis 21

Me-

My impatience does not constitute God’s failure on my behalf.  Although there have been many times in my life when I have asked God to do something, I have learned a difficult lesson that He may give the desires of my heart but it will be according to His perfect timing.  Because I went to Him for direction He often has kept me from jumping into a situation for which I was not qualified to handle.  One of my first full time jobs was as an insurance agent.  I did not go to Him for guidance but took the job to escape a job that seemed to have no future.  For a whole year I was miserable and a failure at what I was doing.  Being an introvert did suit me to go out and sell anything much less life insurance.  I have learned over the years to wait on the Lord.  When I do good things will come.  They will come because God never fails to fulfill His promises to His children.

We-

To reiterate what has been said previously in other lessons, it is never a good thing to try and get ahead of God.  If we will stop being so busy and listen and wait on God, He will work out His purpose for our lives.  It has been said that for a church to change direction takes about seven years.  In today’s culture that seems like a life time.  When compared with the twenty-five years that Abraham and Sarah had to wait for the promised son, seven years does not seem so long.  The time we wait is not to be wasted but, is to be spent in prayer and preparation of our hearts for all God wants to do for the church.  When the time comes the result will be greater than anything we could do on our own.

God-

Genesis 21:1-5

Abraham and Sarah had waited, sometimes impatiently and with missteps, but they had waited non-the-less.  The time had arrived for God to do as He had promised.  He remembered Sarah and she conceived giving birth to a son in her and Abraham’s old age.  As had been commanded to him, Abraham named his son Isaac which means laughter. 

Obeying the covenant of God, Isaac was circumcised on the eight day.  Once again the writer emphasizes Abraham’s age at one hundred years old.

1. What if Abraham and Sarah had decided they were too old to have a child and decided not to even try?
2. What would that say about their faith?
3. Why does the writer specifically say, “The Lord took note of Sarah?”
4. Why does the writer speak of Abraham’s age twice in these verses?
5. Why was the child named Isaac?
6. What was the importance of the act of circumcision?

Genesis 21:5-7

From the response of Sarah, it is evident that this was an extra special event in their lives.  Not that any birth into a family is not a blessed occasion, but never had a child been born to a woman the age of Sarah.  She expressed her own personal joy when she said that God had brought laughter into her life.  She also knew that those who knew her circumstances would also be happy for her and Abraham. Once again the age of the couple is mentioned.

1. What is seen in the response of Sarah to the birth of Isaac?
2. Why was the event so special?
3. What did the birth of her son mean to her?
4.  What does the statement that God brought her happiness tell us about the years before his birth?
5. Why would she believe that others would share in her happiness?
6. What is God trying to tell us in His inspired Word by continuing to mention the age of the parents?
7. What should seeing what God did for Abraham and Sarah say about how He views and lives?

Genesis 21:8

The writer now tells that Isaac passed from babyhood to childhood.  He no longer had to depend on Sarah for nourishment.  He would at that point come under the leadership of his father. Upon the occasion of the milestone, Abraham gave a great feast in his honor.

1. What was the occasion that prompted the feast?
2.  Why was this an important time in the life of Isaac?

Genesis 21:9-10

The uneasy truce that had lasted for over fourteen years came to end.  Sarah saw, what she concluded as Ishmael mocking or persecuting Isaac. Other commentators see the incident as playful interaction.  Whatever took place does not matter.  In the mind of Sarah it was time for Hagar and Ishmael to go.  Isaac was the promised heir, the covenant child, and there was no room for Ishmael. 

1. Why had the truce between Sarah and Ishmael lasted for fourteen years?
2. What changed?
3. In what ways was Sarah possibly over sensitive?
4. In what ways would her reaction to be expected?

Genesis 21:11-13

Abraham was not of the same mindset with Sarah.  Ishmael was his son in the same way that Isaac was. Just because Isaac was the child of promise did not mean that there was not a place for Ishmael in the family.  God had to convince Abraham that this was all in His plan.  He was not to be distressed but to listen to his wife.  Abraham could live with the words because God promised to make Ishmael into a great nation.

1. How did Abraham differ from Sarah?
2. What changed his mind?
3. What convinced Abraham to listen to Sarah?
4. Why would Abraham accept what God had said to him?

Genesis 21:14-16

The next morning Abraham obeyed God and sent Hagar and Ishmael away.  He provided provisions for them to take on their journey.  The description of what happened next was appropriate.  They wandered around in the wilderness of Beersheba.  It is obvious that the two had no direction or destination.

Evidently, Hagar had forgotten the promises made about her son.  When the provisions ran out, she thought that both of them were going to die.  Because she could not bear to watch Ishmael die she moved some distance away and began to weep.

1. How did Abraham try to make sending Hagar and Ishmael easier?
2. What was the problem for Hagar?
3. What indications are in the text that she had forgotten the promises made to her by God concerning her son?
4. Why did she leave him alone?
5. What do you think of her actions?
6. When have there been occasions in your life when you were directionless?
7. In what ways did God show Himself to you in those circumstances?

Genesis 21:17-18

God, however, had not forgotten Hagar and Ishmael.  He called out to Hagar asking what was bothering her.  God immediately gave her encouragement and instruction to get her son.  She was to take his hand. God was going to make him into a great nation.

1. What does verse 17 say to us?
2. If God had forgotten Hagar what would that say about Him?
3. Why did God first tell Hagar not to be fearful about the future?
4. Why did He expressly give her instructions about what to do?

Genesis 21:19-21

Once God got her attention, she saw something that had not been apparent to her in her time of grief.  She was shown a well from which she was able to refill her water skin.  She also gave a drink to Ishmael

As promised before Ishmael was born, God was with him.  From that time forward Ishmael lived in the wilderness and became an archer.  Hagar took a wife for him from the land of her birth, Egypt.

1. Why could she not see the well at first?
2. What did God do that allowed her to see the well?
3. What examples are given that indicate that God was with him?
4. How does his occupation fit what God had promised for him?
5. Why did Hagar take a wife from Egypt?

Genesis 21:22-24

Abimelech and the commander of his army, Phicol, came to meet with Abraham.  Even though they were pagans they still recognized that God was with him. Their request to him was for fair dealings.  According to Abimelech, he had treated Abraham with respect and all he was asking was that he do the same with all of the Philistines under his rule.  Abraham agreed to do so.

1. Why did Abimelech come to Abraham?
2. Why did he need to bring the commander of his army with him?
3. What was his request?
4. Why did he feel it necessary to make such a request?
5. What was his justification?
6. What was Abraham’s response?

Genesis 21:25-31

Although Abraham was willing to agree with the covenant between he and Abimelech, all was not well between the two parties.  The servants had taken from Abraham a well that he had dug.  Abimelech shared that he was unaware of the event.

To confirm the covenant Abraham gave to Abimelech some livestock.  Then to validate that he was telling the truth about the well he, set aside seven ewe lambs to give to Abimelech. Abraham then named the place where they made the oath, Beersheba, which can either mean well of oath or well of seven.  Either would have been appropriate since he gave the seven lambs as a witness.

1. Why would Abraham make an agreement with a man like Abimelech whose servants had taken a well from him?
2. How believable was Abimelech’s denial that he knew of the actions of his servants?
3. How did Abraham show that he was a better man than Abimelech?
4. In what ways was the name of the well appropriate according to either of the meanings?

Genesis 21:32-34

Once the covenant was sealed by the actions, primarily on the part of Abraham, Abimelech and his commander returned home. Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree as a sign of the covenant.  Then he once again called on the name of the Lord.  The writer then indicates that he remained in the Negev of the Philistines for some time.

1. Why did Abimelech feel at ease at the thought of returning home?
2. Why did Abraham plant the Tamarisk tree?
3. Why did Abraham remain in the land?

You-

• Remember that no matter what your age or circumstances it is never too late to serve the Lord.
• Make a list of the things that you believe that you are capable of accomplishing and pray about how God may use them for His glory.
• Always remember that what might seem impossible to you is not so with God.
• Think about the times that your life seemed to have no direction or was a disaster.  What did you want God to do during those times?  How did He answer your prayers?
• In difficult situations remember that you belong to Christ and are to act accordingly.
• Learn to not take matters into your own hands as Sarah did.  All too often it will cause hurt in the lives of many people.
• Know that God loves individuals for whom we may have little regard.

We-

God has given us today.  What are going to do with it?  He has promised to lead a church which is willing to believe in the promises made through His Word.  Others may read this but I believe that God has given our church a new opportunity to serve Him.  He has breathed new life into the body.  We have real reasons to praise Him for what He is doing and wants to do through His bride the church.

Let us seize the day while the window is still open.  In our hearts we desire the change that He wants to take place so that we may impact the community around us in a way we have never done before.  Lets us remember that each person He brings to us He does so for us to nurture and disciple. 

Additional Notes

BL- In chapter 21, Isaac, whose name means “laughter,” was born.  In vv. 8-9, Sarah grew fearful of Hagar and Ishmael again, so she directed Abraham to cast them out of the camp.  God told Abraham to obey Sarah send Hagar away.  In the desert, Hagar thought she and Ishmael would die, but the angel of God called to her and her eyes are opened to see a well nearby.  Ishmael grows up in the desert under God’s protection and became an archer, thus fulfilling the promise God made to Hagar in chapter 16.  Chapter 21 concludes with a treaty made between Abimelech and Abraham, allowing them to coexist peacefully.

UE-Long after the time of child bearing had passed for her, Sarah was finally given a son in her old age.  Isaac the child of promise was born to her when she was 90 years old and Abraham was a hundred. (Gen. 21:1-3; Heb. 11:11-12)

UE-The promise made to Abraham concerning a son was fulfilled.  To him and Sarah was born the son of laughter, Isaac.  Sarah was well past child bearing years.  When Isaac was born it has given to us such a beautiful picture of what God can do with a person dead in sin with no hope of new birth apart from His miraculous working in his life.     (Gen. 21:1-3)

M-Abraham did not send Ishmael and Hagar away unit he was assured that the young man would be protected and blessed by God. (Gen. 21:1-15)

E-After Hagar and Ishmael were forced to leave Abraham’s camp, the Lord appeared to her and reaffirmed the covenant He made with Hagar years before.  According to the Lord’s words, Ishmael was to become a great nation.  The first sign that this was true, that rather than Ishmael dying as she thought when their water ran out, God opened her eyes and she saw a well from which she was able to fill her pouches for the journey ahead. (Gen. 21:3-9)

DM-We are still reaping the consequences of the birth of Ishmael and then the sending of him and Hagar away.  We do not know the influences on his life that occurred after he left the home of Abram which made the prophecies made to him become true.             (Gen. 21:10-14)

UE-God was specific about the choosing Isaac through whom the lineage would be established and not Ishmael. (Gen. 21:12)

C-Ishmael and Hagar were sent away for the final time after he had mocked Isaac.  Even though it grieved him to do so once again Abraham received the promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. (Gen. 21:12-14; Gal. 4:33)

M-This time when Hagar was sent away from Abraham’s camp God did command her to return as He had done previously.  It was now time for Ishmael to become a man and make a life for himself.  His was not to be the same life or was he to have the same responsibilities as Isaac.  He was to learn what would be his place in this world according to the prophecy given to Hagar in chapter 16:11-12 and to Abraham in these verses concerning him. (Gen. 21:13, 18)

C-After Ishmael was separated from Abraham by being sent away Hagar also received the assurance from God that Ishmael would become a great nation.   (Gen. 21:18)

RT-Abraham evidently dwelled in the land of the Philistines for a period of time.  He made a covenant with Abimelech not to harm him in any way. (Gen. 21:22-24)

UE-Even the heathens among whom Abraham lived recognized the hand of God in whom they did not believe was on him prospering him in all he did. (Gen. 21:22)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 16

Impact of a Decision

Genesis 20

Me-

I cannot count the number of times over the years that I have been told, if I mention to someone about a habit they have, “what I do only affects me and no one else.”  As much as any of us might like to think that is a true statement, nothing could be further from the truth.  I would go so far as to say that even if I decide not to make a decision in a given situation that non-decision will still impact those around us. 

For Instance, one who smokes may not be aware or care that the effect of second hand smoke has devastating health consequences.  But, on a more personal note, what about spiritual choices I make?  I have heard a statistic from somewhere that each of us will impact the lives of ten thousand people.  The ripple effect of choices I make do have lasting results.  If I say I am a follower of Christ but act like He does not live in me then I will, very possibly, turn people off from coming to Christ.

We-

Churches can make decisions that will either draw people to Christ or cause them to reject Him forever.  One of the most important issues facing the church today is what we believe about the Bible.  Is it the infallible Word of God or just a nice collection of myths and stories?  Sadly, many churches have drifted into liberalism causing many to marginalize Christians because they are now just like the rest of society.  There are other aspects of what a church does that will cause a person to want to become a member of that particular community of believers.  They may include:

• Are the members genuinely and intentionally friendly and loving towards new people and each other?
• What does the building and grounds look like?
• What does the church truly believe about God’s Word and how does it influence the daily walk of its people?

I used the word intentional because whatever we do for Christ must reflect a strong desire to serve Him.  Abraham had been judged as righteous because of his faith.  His actions sometimes did not reflect a man who truly believed God would protect him and fulfill His promises to him. Today’s lesson is about one of those lapses on his part.

Genesis 20:1

For some unknown reason Abraham decided to move.  God’s silence would indicate that He was not directing Abraham to leave Mamre.  As he travelled towards the Negev he used the same route that he had taken when he went into Egypt.  After spending time between Kadesh and Shur his journey ended up in Gerar in the land of the Philistines.

1. What could have been the reason that Abraham moved?
2. How do we know this was not in God’s plan for him?
3. How does his move resemble some of the decisions we make?

Genesis 20:2

Once again Abraham, when confronted with the unknown, told the people of the city that Sarah was his sister.  It resulted in Abimelech, the king in Gerar, taking Sarah as one of his wives. It may seem strange that a man would take a woman who was ninety years old to be his wife.  There may be two underlying factors for such a move on the part of Abimelech. The first may have been that it was a marriage with economic ramifications. It would have been obvious that Abraham was a very wealthy man.  Abimelech could have easily decided that it suited his purpose economically to make an alliance with that wealthy individual who had taken up residence in his territory.

The second reason was the important one as it pertains to what followed his decision.  He may have believed that as king he had the right to take anyone that he wanted to be his wife.  It would have made no difference about her marital state, although in the case of Sarah, Abraham had used deception to protect himself.  Abimelech made rules to suit himself.

1. Why did Abraham use the same old ploy with Abimelech of calling Sarah his sister?
2. Why would his decision seem more reprehensible this time than when he went into Egypt?
3. Why did Abimelech take Sarah as a wife?
4. Why was it economically to his advantage to take her as his wife?
5. What would  be the other reason for him to make Sarah his wife?

Genesis 20:3

God intervened in the situation.  His words to Abimelech were very strong.  God saw what he had done as a sinful act deserving death.  Adultery was a capital crime at that time in Middle Eastern culture.  In his mind, as will be seen shortly, he had done wrong by taking Sarah into his harem.  One commentator spoke of his actions as having kidnapped her.  Because of that one deed he was told that he was as good as dead in God’s eyes.   .

1. Why did God intervene?
2. What were the accusations that God brought against Abimelech?
3. How might God view the taking of Sarah as kidnapping?
4. Why did God view Abimelech as dead?

Genesis 20:4-5

Fortunately for Abimelech he had not had relations with Sarah. This might also be an indication that this was a marriage to bring about an alliance with Abraham. At that point Abimelech began to defend himself in view of God’s words to him. He pointed out several things that would prove his innocence in the matter.  As will be repeated below his defense was based on his own standards and rules for life and the way he would treat others.

• He considered himself blameless and was only concerned that God might destroy the whole nation.
• Abraham had brought about the current status by stating that Sarah was his sister.
• He was a man of integrity
• He was innocent of any wrong doing.

 

1. What was the one fact that would save Abimelech and his people?
2. What was his defense to God?
3. In what ways do you see Abimelech’s side of the story as valid?
4. In what ways was he have guilty before God?
5. What does this say about Abraham that he would put his wife in such a compromising position?

Genesis 20:6

God’s response to Abimelech indicated how much He had played a part in the incident.  He first acknowledged that Abimelech was speaking the truth, as he saw it.  Agreeing with the king that he had made the decision based on his standards did not lessen his guilt.  Abimelech’s responses had been from man’s perspective.  He was the one who had set the standards and made the rules by which he could make any decision.   

God then let him know that it was He, not Abimelech, who had kept Sarah safe from any advances the king may have made toward her. God had stopped him from sinful desires or even allowing him to touch her.  It was very important for Sarah to remain pure to maintain the legitimacy of the promised baby to born to her. There had to be no question that the boy would be Abraham’s son and no other man.

1. What did God indicate about Abimelech?
2. Who was actually in charge of the situation?
3. Why did God protect Sarah from Abimelech?
4. What was important about the purity of Sarah?

Genesis 20:7

To show that he was a man of integrity, Abimelech was to return Sarah to her rightful husband.  Then for the first time God indicated that Abraham held the status of prophet.  As a prophet he would pray for Abimelech that he might live.  To disobey God would surely bring death to him and everyone who were part of his family.  There may have been another reason to have Abraham pray for him.  By doing so Abraham would also have to confess his part in that whole episode that had put the future and his wife in jeopardy. 

1. How could Abimelech show that he believed the words of God?
2. Why would Abraham now be called a prophet by God?
3. How does his behavior match up with your picture of a prophet?
4. What kind of witness was Abraham to that pagan king?
5. Why did God indicate that Abraham was to pray for Abimelech to bring about his rescue from the consequences of his wrongdoing by taking Sarah?
6. What lesson was Abraham to learn from this situation where he was called on to pray for another man who could have potentially defiled his wife?

Genesis 20:8

Abimelech immediately responded to God’s command by calling all of his servants together to share all God had said.  As one would expect when they heard his words great fear fell upon them.  This would indicate that they understood that they had committed a great sin against God.  If they had known in their own minds that they were innocent there would have been no fear of God’s judgment on them.

1. Why did Abimelech immediately call his servants together?
2. How did Abimelech’s action show that he took word of God seriously?
3. Why did his servants become fearful?
4. Why did they not just disregard the words of Abimelech?
5. What does the fear show about their part in the actions of Abimelech?

Genesis 20:9-10

After making sure that his servants would not do anything that would bring judgment on he and his nation, Abimelech then called for Abraham.  He wanted to know why Abraham was willing to jeopardize his whole nation.  His first question was, “What have you done to us?”  Then, he asked, what had the people done to him to cause him to bring the sin upon them that cause them to be under God’s wrath?  Finally, he wanted to know if Abraham had experienced any problems with the way he had been treated.

1. What did Abimelech want to hear from Abraham?
2. If you had been in the same situation, what would you have asked of Abraham?
3. How did Abimelech view himself and his people? In what ways was it legitimate?
4. In what ways did his questions reflect a victim’s mentality?
5. In what ways was he as guilty as Abraham?

Genesis 20:11-13

Abraham’s response can be summed up in one word, self-preservation.  First he told that he was afraid of what the people might do to him.  Then he went on to share had he used his wife for the self-serving purpose of remaining safe. What he actually said was the truth, she was indeed his half-sister, but the fact remained that he used that relationship because of his lack of faith.

1. What do you think of Abraham’s response?
2. What does it show about his faith?
3. What does it show of his regard for Sarah?
4. How would you feel if someone used you like he did his wife?
5. If you were an Abimelech, what would your thoughts be about Abraham’s God?

Genesis 20:14-15

Abraham was treated with respect out of the fear that Abimelech had of God.  He would have been afraid to have done anything different.  Underlying all of this was the protection of God for Abraham and Sarah.  His plan for mankind was not going to thawrted by the bad decisions of that couple.

Ambimelech did not send him away empty handed but actually increased Abraham’s wealth by giving him sheep, oxen and more servants.  He even allowed him, unlike the Egyptians, to remain in the land.  More importantly for both men, Sarah was returned to Abraham as God had commanded.

1. Why did Abimelech treat Abraham with such respect?
2. Why did he give additional people and livestock to Abraham?
3. Although mentioned last, why was it important that Sarah be returned to Abraham?
4. Why did he not chase Abraham out of the land as the Egyptians had done?

Genesis 20:16

Although not mentioned the gift of one thousand pieces of silver to Abraham had a two-fold purpose.  First, it would be a reminder to Abraham of the sin he had committed by putting his wife in a compromising position. Secondly, as the Bible states, it was for the vindication of Sarah. If there was to be a victim in that whole incident it would have been she.  She really had no choice in the matter because she was under the rule of her husband and then became Abimelech’s wife not by her choice.  She was, in the mind of Abimelech, was exonerated from any shame by the payment to her husband. Notice that Sarah did not receive the money, but it did purchase her release from any guilt.

1. Why did Ambimelech give Abraham one thousand pieces of silver?
2. In what ways was Sarah the only victim in that whole incident?
3. What did this do for Sarah?
4. In what way does this symbolize what Christ has done for us?

 

 

Genesis 20:17-18

As God had directed, Abraham prayed for Abimelech and his household.  While Sarah was in his harem neither his wife nor his maids were able to have children.  Once Abraham prayed for them they were healed and could again have children.

1. Why was it necessary for Abraham to pray for the household of Abimelech?
2. How did that act remind Abraham of his part in what was occurring in the household?
3. When does prayer work?
4. Why was his prayer effective?
5. What type of prayer is this and what does it show us about that type of prayer?

You-

1. Before making any move you need to make sure that it is one that God will approve.  If God is silent the best advice is don’t do it.
2. Remember that any decision you make will have an impact on others.
3. Remember your lifestyle does influence the way others view God.
4. When praying for others, make sure that you have first confessed your own sins first, then make intercession for them.

We-

Like every other time in history we have our own set of issues with which we must deal.  Sadly, the church as a whole has not held true to the teachings of the Scripture.  Today there seems to be a greater attack on the Word of God than ever before.  Smaller and smaller percentages of people in many countries who attend churches keep dwindling. 

In the midst of all of this conflict our mandate to serve Christ faithfully has never changed.  We are to be a body who has decided to never compromise with the world. It is so easy to give into the pressures to accept a liberal theology which allows many variant lifestyles.  God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Unlike Abraham in the lesson today, if we remain faithful to the truth our witness to the world will be effective.  The world is looking in on us.  Let us make sure that what they see in our behavior is Christ-like in every aspect of the church’s life.  The standards are high but so is the reward if we reach people with the saving grace of God’s Word.

 

Additional Notes:

BL- Once again as he had done in Egypt, Abraham repeated his previous sin by moving out of the land God promised him.  In the Negev region, Abraham was no longer sure of God’s protection and felt afraid, so he passed Sarah off once again as his sister.  Sure enough, the local king took a shine to her (although she was pregnant and 90–now, THAT’S a miracle!) and procured her for his harem. However, God protected Sarah (and the baby she was carrying by

1. sending Abimelech a warning in a dream
2. and temporarily preventing Abimelech and his wives from having children (20:17-18).

When Abimelech confronts Abraham, Abraham tells him in v. 11 that he assumed there was no fear of God in Abimelech’s country.  How often do we use an equally lame excuse for not bearing witness of Christ’s love in our neighborhood, workplace or other places we go.  We assume God could not possibly be there with us and so we are fearful to speak of Him.  However, this lesson shows us that God IS with us, wherever we go, even when we defy His will.  Rather than chastising us directly for doubting Him, He will sometimes use non-Christians to do it! (Gen. 20)

UE-As surprising as it might be God had to protect Sarah a second time because of the folly of Abraham.  He allowed her to maintain her purity even when Abraham had once again was willing for a pagan to take her to be his wife.  It would have served him right if God had taken here from him and allowed her to remain as Abimelech’s wife.  God however had a greater plan for the world and permitted Abraham, though undeserved to be a part of it. (Gen. 20:1-7)

C-Abraham moved once again.  This time he settled in the land of Gerar. As had happened during his trip to Egypt this act once again put him and Sarah at risk.  His decision showed a lack of faith on the part of Abraham. (Gen.20:1-2, 11-13)

WM-As they travelled from place to place Abraham asked Sarah to pretend to be his sister.  We know that he believed in God but even after 20 some years he still was not sure that His promises that He would protect him from those who had the power to take his life.  What does it take for man to completely trust God with his very life?  That was exactly what God wanted Abraham to do. (Gen. 20:2, 5, 11-12)

E-God reveals Himself to man in many different ways.  Whether it is in a dream, as Abimelech the king of Gerar experienced, sitting a church building, walking on a street or other ways God still expects each of us to respond in obedience to Him.  Abimelech although a godless man certainly understood the message received in a dream.  He then confronted Abraham with his deception of claiming Sarah was his sister. (Gen. 20:3-18)

RT-In order for Abraham to pray for Abimelech and his people he had to look at how his actions had brought about the need for prayer.  It would cause him to take responsibility for what he had done. (Gen. 20:7)

UE-Why was it that an unbeliever like Abimelech would be the one who would have to remind the one who God had called righteous of what is right and wrong.  He said to Abraham, “You have done things to me that ought not to be done.” (Gen. 20:9)

WM-To be fearful in spite of the awesome promises like God made to Abraham is a sin. To be fearful and take your own path through life is an act of disobedience.                (Gen. 20:11)

WM-To use others for self-preservation is a selfish act.  It shows little or no regard for another person.  Abraham was willing to take the chance of allowing others to take Sarah as a wife for his own benefit. (Gen. 20:11-13)

RT-Abraham’s response to Abimelech’s question shows how utterly wrong he had been in judgment of the people of Gerar. (Gen. 20:11)

C-After the episode with Abimelech, king of Gebar, Abraham was advised to move away from Gerar. (Gen. 20:15)

 

 

 

 

Lesson 15

A Doomed City, a Wasted Life

Genesis

Me-

I have offered wondered if my witness has made any impact on those around me. Conversely I should give as great a consideration of how the world influences my thoughts and behavior.  It is so easy to slip ever slowly away from God like the frog in the kettle until I might not even recognize how far I have departed from God’s standards.  All I have to do is look at the things I condone to gauge how my life is going.  Hopefully, as I stay in God’s Word I am shielded from many of the attitudes and actions that would not be pleasing to God.

As I look around at society I am saddened by the things I see.  It was mentioned a couple of weeks ago about the idea of “I never thought I would see the day.”  Many of the things I never thought would happen are taking place all around me.  The state of man as found in the city of Sodom is more of a reality than has ever been in place in this country in our history.  The depravity of man is shown by the compromise of the very core of what would make a nation   moral and righteous.  Today America compromises and condones behavior that God describes as an abomination in His sight.  Those who are part of the homosexual movement openly flaunt their lifestyle and demand that all of us, including followers of Christ, go along with their agenda.  Such decay can only bring the eventual judgment of God.

May I be part of the solution to making this a better world by holding to God’s standards.  May I also try to be a witness for Him in such a way that hearts will be directed to Him.

We-

How does a church know if it has infiltrated and impacted a community?  One way would be to go to businesses and ask them if they can tell you where is so and so church. Their answer will be a clear indicator of what the church has accomplished for the kingdom in the lives that live and work in close proximity to its location.

Just as each of must ask how the world affected us individually, we must also ask, in what ways are we being influenced by the world?  All we have to do is to look at the things in which we take part.  How do we spend our time? What are the things we read and watch?  The answers to these two questions will say a lot about us.  Many so called churches today condone the lifestyles already mentioned because they no longer take God’s Word as having the final say in their actions.  We must stand as a fortress against the evils that we see all around us.  To compromise with the ways of the world is only to weaken our impact. Sodom is one of the examples of a man who fell so far because he put himself in the place where he just went along with the crowd because it was easier than standing up for what was right.  We shall see the results in this lesson of such a lifestyle.

God-

Genesis 19:1-2

In chapter 18:2 three men approached Abraham, now two of them came to Lot in the form of angels.  Their mission had changed to one of verifying what was taking place in Sodom and so they now appeared as angels. 

They found Lot sitting in the gate of the city.  The gate of the city was the place where all the activity of governing would occur.   His presence there meant that he had become part of the leadership of the city. He had moved from the outskirts to becoming a citizen of the city.

Only Lot recognized them as angelic beings. He bowed down to them and invited them into his home for the night.  Lot had moved from dwelling in a tent to living in a house in the city.  He made an effort to show hospitality to the two men just as Abraham had done.  The difference between the two events was the reluctance of the two men to stay with Lot.  They did not wish to partake of the hospitality of one living among the wickedness found in Sodom.

1. Why did the men now appear in Sodom as angels rather than men?
2. Why did only Lot recognize them as such?
3. What did the presence of Lot in the gate indicate about him?
4. Why did the angels not want to accept the hospitality of Lot?

Genesis 19:3

Finally after much urging from Lot they went to his home.  Unlike the effort made by Abraham the meal was pretty plain as indicated by the fact that they were given unleavened bread.  Lot did not put forth a lot of effort to entertain the angels.

1. Why did it take a great deal of urging for the angels to go with Lot?
2. Why would Lot continue to urge them to stay with him?
3. What does the meal show about his attitude towards his guest?

Genesis 19:4-5

As the angels prepared to spend the night, the citizens old and young gathered at the door of Lot’s house.  Their expressed purpose was to have sexual relations with the angels.  The fact that the men were of every age group and every part of the city, showed how pervasive the homosexual lifestyle was among the citizens. 

1. What does the demands of the men show about the condition of the hearts of the men of Sodom?
2. Why did the writer mention the fact that both old and young were there?
3. In what ways did the actions of the citizens show the urgency of Lot’s request that the angels spend the night at his home?
4. What did he know about the people?
5. Why did he continue to live among them if this was the normal behavior of the men of    Sodom?
6. What other things might have be done by the citizenry?  See Ezekiel 16:49-50)

Genesis 19:6-7

Lot, trying to be a good host, tried to dissuade the men from performing such abominable behavior.  At least he still recognized what they were about to do as a wicked act.  Notice, however, he even called them brethren in his efforts.  He had now become such a part of the city that he saw the men almost as kinsmen.  How far he had fallen.

1. Why did try to protect his guests?
2. What tactics did he use?
3. What does it mean for him to call the men brethren?
4. What was the one redeeming aspect of all Lot said?

Genesis 19:8

After trying to reason with the men, he then reached a new low.  He offered to sacrifice his two virgin daughters to those godless men in order that he might protect his guests.  He was more concerned about losing face than he was in protecting his own daughters.

1. Why was he willing to give his daughters to the men who would surely have abused them in unimaginable ways?
2. What does it say about Lot that he was willing to give his daughters to those men?
3. What could he have expected would be the end results?
4. What were the possible consequences of his relationship with the daughters after this incident?

Genesis 19:9

The situation became dangerous for Lot.  Not only did the men not listen to him, but became very hostile. Here the men who he thought were his friends now accused him of being an alien and trying to become their judge.  Their answer to his pleads were to do to him what they had planned to do to the angels.

1. How did the situation become dangerous for Lot?
2. How did their answer reflect how they felt about Lot?
3. What were the two accusations made against him?
4. At what point would Lot have understood that he was not going to get the men to listen to him?
5. What happens when a mob mentality takes over a group?

Genesis 19:10-11

Lot was saved by the actions of the two angels.  As the men of the city pressed in around Lot with the intention of breaking down the door to get to the two men inside, the angels reached out and pulled him into the house. They then caused a blindness to fall upon all of the men, young and old.  With no one to lead them in their blindness, they tired themselves out looking for the door. Those men who were seemingly in control and about to bring bodily harm to Lot and the angels were now reduced to helpless blind creatures.

1. How did the two men save Lot’s life?
2. What was the purpose of the men to become blind?
3. What their actions indicate to the men of the city?
4. Why go to all of the trouble to save Lot who had gotten himself into the dangerous situation?
5. How does this relate to what God does for us at times?

Genesis 19:12-14

The behavior of the men was all the evidence that the angels needed for God to destroy Sodom. What they had heard was true.  The city was indeed full of iniquity.  Although homosexuality was rampant in the city there were other reasons that the city was about to be judged.  Ezekiel wrote of the citizens,

          Behold this was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she and her daughters had arrogance,           abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

Lot was given the opportunity to save his family, including the men who were betrothed to his daughters before God rained down judgment on the city.  When he went to his son-in-laws they did not believe him and thought him to be joking with them. Having failed he returned home. 

1. What was Lot’s response to the news that the city where he was living was about to be destroyed?
2. Why would God give the ungodly son-in-laws the opportunity to be saved from the destruction to come?
3. What evidence did the angels have of the iniquity of Sodom and Gomorrah that would justify the destruction of those cities?

Genesis 19:15-16

As the dawn broke over Sodom the last opportunity for the city to repent was gone.  The angels now commanded Lot to take his family and leave unless he wanted to be swept away in the destruction that was to come.  For some reason Lot hesitated and had to be forcefully removed by the angels and carried outside the city.  One may surmise that Lot had become so closely identified with the city or that he did not believe, like the son-in-laws, that God would actually punish it for its sins he could not bring himself to leave.  The only reason given for the salvation of Lot and his family was that the “compassion of Lord was upon him.” 

1. How do we know that opportunity for Sodom to repent was gone?
2. Who were the only people who were going to be saved from the punishment to come?
3. Why was Lot allowed to live?
4. Why did Lot hesitate about leaving Sodom?

Genesis 19:17

Once the angels had brought Lot and his family out from the city, they gave him several commands which were for his benefit.  They were

• Escape for your life
• Do not look behind you. To look behind was to say that Lot’s heart was still in Sodom.
• Do not stay in the valley.  Moving into the valley was the beginning of Lot’s downfall.
• Flee to the mountains

If the instructions were not followed completely then Lot could be expected to be destroyed along with all the others in the city.

1. Why did the angels give such explicit commands?
2. Why were they only to look forward towards their destination and not behind them?
3. What was the importance of leaving the valley and going into the mountains?
4. What are the kind of things we try to hold onto even though we know to do so does not please God.

Genesis 19:18-22

It is an amazing thing that Lot tried to bargain with the angels.  Notice he first tried to flatter them before making his request.  Surely he could have not believed that to go to the mountains would be the end of him.  More likely he had become so use to the conveniences of city life that the thought of facing a difficult situation was not wanted he wanted to do.  Fortunately, for him God indeed had compassion and allowed him to do as he had requested.  Lot’s new temporary home would be the city of Zoar.  God wanted to make sure that Lot was completely out of harm’s way before destroying the cities of the valley, Sodom and Gomorrah.  Because of Lot the city of Zoar was to be spared.

1. How often have you tried to bargain with God to be able to do something you have wanted to do even though you soon discovered it was not in your best interest?
2. Why would Lot think that problems would follow after him, if he went into the mountains?
3. What may have been the underlying reason for his reluctance? 
4. Why did God allow him to go to Zoar?
5. Why was Zoar spared the wrath of God?

Genesis 19:23-25

Once, Lot was safely in Zoar, God brought about the promised judgment on all of the cities of the valley.  Fire and brimstone rained down on all of the inhabitants, completely destroying all who lived in that area.

1. When did the punishment fall of all the cities of the valley?
2. Why did God use such extremes means to destroy the people of those cities?

Genesis 19:26

Lot’s wife made one fatal mistake.  She disobeyed the command of God and looked back from Zoar towards Sodom and was instantly turned into a pillar of Salt.

1. What was the wife’s fatal mistake?
2. What might be some of the reasons she looked back toward Sodom?
3. Why would she have forgotten God’s command so quickly?
4. Why was she turned into a pillar of salt?
5. How many times have you looked back to the things in your past when God has forgiven you of them and told you only to look forward towards a new tomorrow?

Genesis 19:27-28

Abraham went to the spot where he had conversed with God and looked down towards Sodom. Seeing the fire from a distance, he may have wondered whether Lot had been saved from the inferno. Because there were less than ten righteous men in the whole city and thus the destruction from God’s hand, had Lot survived?

1. Why did Abraham return to the spot of his conversation with the Lord?
2. What may have been the thoughts going through his head?
3. What did he know for sure because judgment had come to Sodom”
4. What was his hope for Lot?

Genesis 19:29

Here is found the real reason that God’s saved Lot.  It was not because of any righteousness found in Lot.  He had proven himself unworthy of God’s mercy.  God remembered His covenant relationship with Abraham.  Even more than that, He loved Abraham because he was a man of faith who truly relied of God.

1. What did Lot do to deserve the mercy of God?
2. In what ways had he proven him unworthy to be saved?
3. Why did God allow him to escape the judgment that came upon Sodom?
4. What does it mean that God remembered Abraham and because of that one fact saved Lot?
5. Why are we to continue to make intercession for those we know are without Christ in their lives?

 Genesis 19:30

Lot left the city that he thought would be his refuge.  He and his daughters went up from Zoar into the mountains because he was afraid.  The writer does not give the reason for his fear but there may be at least a couple of reasons.

• Seeing his wife turned into salt may have indicated that he no longer felt safe in Zoar.
• The citizens knowing that he had come from Sodom may not have welcomed him with open arms out of fear for their own safety.

The man whose wealth once paralleled that of Abraham was now broke, afraid and homeless.  He and his daughters took up residence in a cave.  His bad decisions had brought him to this position in life.  Sadly, his troubles were not going to end with his relocation.

1. Why did Lot go into the mountains after being so adamant about going to Zoar?
2. What were his fears that kept him from staying in the city?
3. What led to Lot winding up living in a cave in the mountains?
4. What brought him down?

Genesis 19:31-38

The daughters of Lot decided that their chance of ever getting married and having children was gone.  To keep the families name alive they decided to get their father drunk and then to have sexual relations with him.  The oldest lay with her father the first night and the youngest went in to him the second night. Both women became pregnant by their father.  Each gave birth to a son.  One was named Moab, the father of the Moabites.  The other was named Ben-ammi, who became the father of the Ammonites.

1. What brought the daughters to the decision they would never find a husband?
2. How did they take matters into their own hands?
3. In what way was it the final disgrace for Lot?

You-

• From the lessons we have learned from the life of Lot determine to pray before making important decisions.
• Do not put yourself in a position where you have to compromise your beliefs.
• Do not try to hold on to those things that may separate you from God.
• Intercede for those who are either lost or have drifted from God.  See James 5:19-20

We-

The evangelist D.L Moody would not authorize a biography to be written about him during his lifetime. His fear was that he might do something at the end of his life that might destroy all the work he had done in his many years of serving the Lord. Each of us should be aware that without constant vigilance we may find ourselves in the same position. We can either be like an Abraham who remained faithful all of his life or Lot who began well but ended up destitute.  The last record we have of this pitiful man is committing incest with his daughters. 

How do we remain faithful?  God has a plan for us.  It is found in Psalm 1.

• Do not walk among the ungodly.
• Delight in the Word of God.
• Meditate on His Word day and night.

In Joshua God also gives him the pattern for being successful in his endeavors.

• Be strong and courageous.
• Do everything according to the Word of God.
• Make the Word a part of every waking moment of your life
• Meditate on His Word day and night

(Joshua 1:6, 8-9)

Finally Psalm 119 tells us how a young man shall live in purity. He is to:

• To keep it according to God’s word.
• Seek God with all of his heart.
• Never wander from God’s commandments.
• Memorize God’s word
• Be teachable.
• Psalm 119:9-12

If we are willing to follow these directions straight from God’s Word we will show that we belong to Him.  We will be like the men and women of faith as found in Hebrews 11.  It is a decision that each of us must make. 

Additional Notes-

WM-Rather than being a force for good Lot had become assimilated into the society of Sodom and was in a position of leadership. (Gen. 19:1)

WM-One of the evils that was part of the culture of Sodom and evidently of Gomorrah was homosexuality.  A society that has thrown off the basic sexual restraints is a godless place where wickedness prevails. What direction is the U. S. taking in this problem?    (Gen. 19:4-5, 7)

DM-It was the decision of Lot to move to Sodom which set in motion the events that would be devastating to his family.

1. Compromise with a pagan society (19:7)
2. Death of his wife (Gen. 19:26)
3. Incest with his two daughters which produced who were the father two nations, Moab and Ammon who eventually became enemies of Israel. (Gen. 19:31-38)   (Gen. 19; Luke 17:32)

C-Evidently by the time God was going to bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot no longer had herds and flocks.  With his move to Sodom he was not living a nomadic life as a shepherd. (Gen. 19:1)

RT-The older men of Sodom had a bad influence on the younger men.  They all, young and old, came to take part in the perverse, immoral activity. (Gen 19:4-5)

M-The people of Sodom exemplifies a society driven by the unnatural lusted associated with homosexuality and other displays of immorality which flow out from a heart filled with wickedness. (Gen. 19:4-5, 7)

 RT-By calling the Sodomites his brothers shows that Lot had developed a close relationship with the people of that city.  It appears that he had become a leader among them. (Gen 19:7)

WM-Lot lacked respect for his daughters.  He would was willing for them to be raped by the immoral men outside of his home. (Gen. 19:6-8)

WM-The men of Sodom were beyond being helped by God because of the total depravity found in their city. (Gen. 19:9)

UE-God concerned Himself with one man and his family who had chosen to live in such a corrupt place like Sodom.  We would more likely have said that he should not have been living there in the first place.  The expectation was that he would probably have been influence by those around him.  God however shows He does care about the righteous man no matter the circumstances in which he finds himself.                         (Gen. 19:12-16, 29)

RT-When we compromise our lifestyle and become like the world around us as Lot had done, then the word of the Lord will sound like a joke coming from our lips.  (Gen 19:14)

RT-Godless men do not believe that God will bring judgment on them.  This is the reason they live the way they want. (Gen. 19:14)

C-Lot lost everything when Sodom was destroyed except his two daughters.  His wife had been changed into a pillar of salt when she turned to look at the city once more to see what was happening.  This would seem to indicate that she still had a longing to be in this decadent city and wanted to turn back even when she was commanded to only look in the direction that she was heading. (Gen. 19:15-26)

RT-Early in Genesis we have a clear picture of mercy.  Lot with each of his one of his decisions, carrying him further and further away from God certainly did not deserve the compassion shown to him and his family.  For the sake of Abram, God saved Lot.    (Gen. 19:16)

GC-The specific command to Lot and his family was to turn their back on sin and not to look back so that it can longer hold you as its slave and face death.                                Gen. 19:17, 26; Rom. 6:12-14; 1 Peter 4:2-3)

WM-Evidently Lot’s wife did not believe that God would also destroy her if she looked back on Sodom.  Whatever caused her to turn around ended with her becoming a pillar of salt.  We can only surmise her death came as a result of not letting go of all that Sodom had offered her. Looking at what has just been said, what did a place like Sodom would be so enticing that one was willing to die for it?  What is worth your own life?          (Gen. 19:17, 26)

WM-The fear of what man might do to him was greater than the fear of the Lord as Lot tried to negotiate with God. (Gen. 19:19-23)

GC-When the situation in which you find yourself gives every indication that God is not to be found in it and the realization that it is not going to change, you need to totally separate yourself.  God saw that Sodom was not going to alter its behavior and must be destroyed.  To keep His word to Abraham not to destroy the righteous with the wicked, He provided a means of escape for Lot and his family. (Gen. 19:22)

M-Lot’s wife is an example of those who try to hold on to the past with all of its sin and refuse to move forward in obedience to God.  They will not accept the grace that God has extended to them. If I may do a little play on words, they become crystallized in their thinking and life. (Gen. 19:26)

RT-There were not ten righteous men to be found in Sodom and Gomorrah, including the men to whom Lot’s daughters had been promised in marriage.  Therefore those cities came under God’s judgment and were destroyed. Since they could not be saved, God brought Lot safely out of the catastrophe because of His special relationship with Abraham not because of any goodness found in Lot. (Gen 19:29)

C-Lot went from being a rich man with many possessions to living in a wicked city to becoming a cave dweller. (Gen. 19:30)

M-Fear drives people to take certain actions.  In the case of Lot it drove him to the mountains.  He found that he could not even stay in the city of Zoar the place where he sought a refuge after the destruction of Sodom.  His daughters fearing the absence of children committed incest with their father.  The results of those decisions were to have long-lasting consequences as the two nations born out these sinful unions would eventually become the enemies of Israel. (Gen. 19:30-38)

WM-The daughters of Lot certainly did not leave behind the immoral behavior they had witnessed in Sodom but committed incest with Lot to have children.  Their offspring became enemies of Israel. (Gen. 19:31-38)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)