Read Genesis 20:1-18
Abraham continues his journey as a nomad and
lived temporarily at Gerar. It is here he repeats his original lie to Abimelech
in proclaiming Sarah to be his sister (remember ch.12 when he told the same lie
to Pharoah in Egypt?). You’d think he had learned by now. Kind of reminds us of
ourselves, doesn’t it? How many times have you or I repeated the same sin over
and over before we finally learned? God is so merciful and gracious.
Text questions
1. Recall
that all we have studied thus far has occurred before Moses gave the Ten
Commandments and before the Exodus from Egypt. The question is: How did men
know what was right and what was wrong? Both in Gen.12 and 20 there was a
scenario played out whereas a man lied concerning his wife saying she was his
daughter.
Answer: when man ate of the tree on
knowledge of good and evil from then on man has engraved in his heart the difference
between right and wrong. The theme is replete throughout the Scriptures.
2. What
type of man was Abimelech? A pagan? Or a believer in the God of Abraham?
Answer: the text is silent on that
issue, save what is revealed about him as he addressed God by His proper name Adonay, which means sovereign or master
[speaking in the divine sense]. He also pleaded for mercy with God. Abimelech
knew enough about God that he obeyed when told if he disobeyed both he and his
house would die.
Similarities
The text has so many similarities with Genesis 12:
·
Abram lied to protect Sarai; so also in Ch.
20
·
God revealed to Pharoah the evil plan of
Abram and spoke to Abimelech in a dream
·
God spared both rulers
·
Both Pharoah and Abimelech gave riches in the
form of livestock servants and silver. Abimelech offered any land to dwell in
as a token of integrity and as a vindication of Sarah’s honor.
Abraham’s prayer
Abraham interceded on behalf of Abimelech as the Lord had
closed up the wombs of his wife and all the wombs (servants and children) of
his house so that all in Abimelech’s house would bare children.
·
Recall, if you will, in 1 Sam.1:1-28 whereas
Samuel’s mother, Hannah, was barren and besought the Lord for a man child and
the Lord answered and she gave birth to Samuel.
·
Psalm 113:9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of
children.
·
Psalm 128:3-6 Your wife will be like a fruitful
vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your
table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless
you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your
life! May you see your children's children!
·
Isaiah 54:1-17 “Sing, O barren one, who did not
bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who
is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the
curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your
cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and
to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the
desolate cities. “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for
you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the
reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your
husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your
Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
·
Isaiah 54:1-17 Sing,
O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who
have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than
the children of her who is married, says the Lord. Enlarge the place of your
tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold
back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread
abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the
nations and will people the desolate cities. Fear not, for you will not be
ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget
the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember
no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the
Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. ...
·
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold,
children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like
arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the
man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks
with his enemies in the gate.
·
Genesis 25:21 And
Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord
granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
·
Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when
she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
·
Luke 23:29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, Blessed
are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!
·
Genesis 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her
sister. She said to Jacob, Give me children, or I shall die!
·
When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb,
but Rachel was barren.
These Scriptures underscore the
following:
·
It is the
Lord God that closes the womb
·
Likewise
it is He that opens the barren womb
·
Our Great
and Mighty God is thrilled when children are born
·
Children
are a blessing and an heritage from the Lord God
·
Never
under estimate the power of prayer!
God
is faithful
Read Genesis 21:1-34
Thirteen years have elapsed since the
birth of Ishmael but Sarah is yet barren… but the long wait is over and it’s
curtain call!
2For
Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the time set of
which God had spoken to him.
·
After all these years of waiting; lies to
rulers by Abraham; two rulers spared by God; a surrogate mother giving birth;
not to mention years of desert living the nomadic life.
·
Both Abraham and Sarah are well past child
bearing years; Abraham 100 years, Sarah 90 years.
·
The birth of Isaac occurred at the very time
God had appointed.
·
Isaac named: (Heb. ‘he laughed’)
·
Isaac circumcised the eighth day [eight is
the day of new beginnings].
As we progress through this chapter a number of new
things happen:
·
Hagar and Ishmael are cast out: 9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian,
which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. There is a parallel between the
story here and contemporary life as a Christian it that often we are mocked as
Christians for our belief. It is because of this we must “cast away” former
friends and acquaintances perhaps even relatives because of their mocking of
our values. Rm.15:4 For whatsoever things
were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. There are many lessons to be
learned through studies in the OT.
·
12…for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. This relates God’s purpose
for the casting out of Hagar and Ishmael. Remember, Ishmael represents the
flesh and fallen nature of humanity, and as such cannot inherit God’s promises.
Ishmael was the product of Abraham’s flesh, Isaac was the promise of God
through Abraham’s faith in God’s Word.
·
13
And also to the son
of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. So
God has not entirely abandoned Ishmael, he is Abraham’s seed; He who is
faithful and able also promises Ishmael to be a great nation…Islam.
Abraham’s loving care is shown in his preparation for
sending Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness with provisions of bread and
water. In this scenario Abraham represents our heavenly Father who cares for
the world sending the rain upon the just
and the unjust Mt.5:46c.
Some vainly attempt to
assert that certain ancient events are to be duplicated even today. However,
they are in serious error. Events such as this happen because of divine purpose
and design: God had a specific plan, unlike any other, for the Patriarch and
his family. None of us could possibly assert that we are to propagate in our
golden years to produce a line which fostered the coming Messiah and was to be
the holy nation through which a select people [select not because of their holy
lifestyle] rather because of a promise made to one man, Abraham, would be
called the children of God, and be
set up as an example to the whole world as an example of holy living through
obedience to the Holy Word of God.
·
Ishmael grows up in the wilderness of Paran,
becomes an archer, Hagar finds him a wife from Egypt. Analogy: we are not to
intermarry with unbelievers, only those within the house of God. Doing so is
hazardous to the union and children, and can prove detrimental to our
relationship with our Heavenly Father.
The remainder of the chapter deals Abraham’s covenant
with Abimelech. It appears they highly respected each other.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. As
you ponder the story of Abraham and Abimelech, what comes to mind in regards to
their relationship?
2. What
opinion/s are you now forming about Ishmael and his descendents?
3. Who
is it that closes and opens the womb?
4. What
blessing of God does Ishmael have?
5. Why
did Hagar and Ishmael need to be cast out of Abraham’s house?
6. Does
god hate Ishmael? Explain.
7. What
part of Abraham’s character is displayed here?
8. Why
is it dangerous to believe ancient events such as Abraham, Sarah and Isaac can
be duplicated?
9. What
lessons can be learned from the relationship between Abraham and Abimelech?
10. What
characteristic/s of God are manifest here?
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
Book ordering
information: WestBow Press 1-866-928-1240 ext 5022 or click on bookstore
Bible
Studies
Crossroads
of Life
Making Tough Decisions Using Biblical
Principles by Richard Godfrey
WestBow Press—division of Nelson
Publishers
Richard has
been an avid student and teacher of the Bible for over thirty years, and has
written Bible studies for over ten years, emailing them across the country to
friends and relatives. He and his wife, Diane, love to travel and enjoy
spending time together with their family, and fellowshipping with other
believers.
Richard wrote Crossroads of Life primarily because he
was always a terrible decision maker and had the desire and need to improve
dramatically in this important area of life. Secondly, it was recommended by a
doctor as treatment for a mild traumatic brain injury suffered in a car and
semi-tractor trailer accident. Thirdly, it was a God given mandate to help
others who suffer from lack of good decision-making skills.
Every day
Richard encounters people who have very poor decision-making skills. Even
worse, they continue to make the same mistakes over and over expecting
different outcomes, not unlike myself. It is exciting to share the principles
with others and experience their success stories. The principles are applicable
not only to tough decisions, but also to situations we encounter in our daily
schedules. Crossroads of Life
provides the tools to make great decisions while building self confidence,
improving relationships, fosters an environment of study and worship, and demonstrates
the relevancy of the Scriptures in our daily lives.
When Richard
and Diane began to apply the steps in Crossroads
of Life, they immediately began to see changes in their marriage. The
steps, over time, have become almost second nature to follow. It is for these
reasons Richard has set a goal of reaching one million people with the message
of Crossroads of Life. Aired
on KLTT 670AM 12/31/2011 and KLVZ 810AM 1/13/2012
In His
service to serve you
Richard Godfrey
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