Genesis 24

 

Genesis 24:1-27 – The Witness of the Servant

God has blessed Abraham and now he is old.  He needed to fulfill his responsibility to God for his family.  God had given him the land He had promised for him and his offspring.  Now he needed to find a wife for his son, Isaac.  He wanted to get a wife who believed and worshiped God. 

Abraham’s main concern was that Isaac would take a wife from the Canaanites who didn’t believe or worship the one true living God.  So he sent his servant back to his country to find a wife.  Abraham had the servant swear by the Lord to get a wife from his own family.  He also wanted to make sure the servant did not take Isaac back to his country with him.  Probably because Abraham thought he might stay and that was not God’s plan.  He needed him to stay in the land God had given to them.  (Gen. 24:1-10).  Apparently Abraham anticipated that he might die while his servant was gone, so he made the instructions perfectly clear.

Choosing a spouse is always a big deal.  God’s best plan for believers is to be united in marriage with another believer.  The Bible says to not be unequally yoked together.  “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” – 2 Cor. 6:14.  If you are unequally yoked together, marriage will be much more difficult.  But if you are already married to an unbelieving spouse, 1 Cor. 7:12-16 tells us you are to stay with them.  You can demonstrate Christ to them in your marriage and perhaps win them over.

A person may check all the boxes in looks, wealth, is well-mannered, and is good natured.  It means nothing if they don’t belong to the family – God’s family.  Some unbelievers appear to have principles and morals, but you should still no marry them.  You don’t share similar values of beliefs or the most important thing – faith.  They may go to church, but if they are not saved, they should be disqualified.

We should also pray for our children’s spouses to come.  Ask God to send just the right person for your child.  Pray that they are prepared to be a spouse to your child and pray that your child is prepared to be a good spouse to them.  Pray that they be godly and love the Lord.  Ask to send them someone who is patient, kind, loving, compassionate, humble, and lives a life pleasing to God.  

We as Christian parents need to bring up godly children: teaching, training and disciplining our children.  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” – Prov. 22:6.  “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope”. – Prov. 19:18a.  “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.” – Prov. 29:17.  “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” – Eph. 6:4.  “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” – Col. 3:21.  

Do you fulfill your responsibilities to your family?

What do you want to leave behind you as a legacy for your family?

What responsibilities do Christian parents have to their children?

How are they different from those of non-Christians?

The servant did as Abraham asked and took 10 of his master’s camels and left to find Isaac a wife.  He modeled dependence on God by praying and asking God to make his journey a success.  He had a tiring stressful trip and traveled 600 mile.  He arrived in the town of Nahor and stayed by the well outside the town.  “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.  See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.  May it be that when I say to a girl, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink, and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water our camels too’ – let her be the one you have chosen for our servant Isaac.  By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” – Gen. 24:12-14.  Notice he prayed specifically for what he wanted.  He cared nothing about the woman’s appearance.  He just wanted a woman of character, a woman whom God had chosen.  This teaches us we need to pray specifically for what we want.  God answered his prayer before he finished praying.  Wow!  I wish God would do that for me. 

Rebekah came to the well and said and did exactly what the servant had prayed to God.  He prayed that she would say and what she should do to show him that she was the right one.  By her offering to give him water and to water his camels showed him her character.  She was unselfish, kind, compassionate, hospitable, and had a servant’s heart.  

What is prayer?  It’s talking with God.  You don’t have to have fancy words or be eloquent.  You and your children love talking together.  We are God’s children.  He wants us to talk with Him.  He loves talking with us.  We need to pray specifically.  He cares about the details.  Take time for Him.  He is always available.

The servant asked Rebekah who she was and if he could spend the night in her father’s house.  She answered that she was the daughter of Bethuel, son that Milcah bore to Nahor and there was plenty of room in his house for him to spend the night.  The servant then bowed down and worshiped the Lord for God had led him to the house of his master’s relatives. 

How do you know if something is God’s will?  There are three things to look for to know God’s will:  1. There is an outward sign after prayer; 2. It is in His principles and His Word; 3. You have inward deep peace about the decision you’ve made.

You can have fear about making the decision, but still have peace.  When facing a decision, pray about it.  Then act in confidence when you make that decision.

Principle:  God reveals His will for our lives when we seek Him by faith.

Genesis 24:28-67 – The Willingness of the Bride

The servant told her family the whole story of his journey and why he had been sent by Abraham.  Rebekah’s family realized that God wanted her to marry Isaac.  Her brother, Laban acknowledged the one true God and agreed that Rebekah would go with him to be Isaac’s wife.  Rebekah also agreed.  The servant gave Rebekah gold and silver jewelry and clothing.  He also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 

The servant brought Rebekah to Isaac.  Isaac and Rebekah’s eyes met.  They were married and they fell in love.  What a beautiful love story.  Today we marry the one we love.  In bible times, they loved the one they married.

When looking for a mate, we should look for godly character qualities.   Look for someone who denies self and is focused on loving God and others.  Seek wisdom from godly parents and friends.  Marriage is the foundation for love; love is not the foundation or marriage.  Build a marriage on commitment.  The Bible commands us to love our mates whether we feel in love or not; the feelings follow if we obey.

Principle:  God will guide us when we walk with Him and are committed to His purpose.

I love this story.  Notice the parallels.  This story parallels with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and us.  Abraham represents God.  Isaac represents Jesus.  The servant represents the Holy Spirit.  The bride represents us.  The servant was sent by Abraham to find Isaac a bride.  God sends the Holy Spirit out to find a bride for Jesus.  We, the church are the bride of Jesus.  What lessons we learn!  I have heard and read this story many times and never saw the parallels until now.  We learn something new each time we read God’s Word.  Praise God for His Word!

Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Genesis 22 - 23

Genesis 22:1-10 – God Tests Faith

About 10 years later when Isaac was a young adult God gave Abraham the ultimate test.  “Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’” – Gen. 22:2.  His only son?  What about Ishmael?  He was his son, too.  Ishmael was the symbol of the old nature and Isaac was the new nature.  Ishmael needed to be removed just as our old nature needs to be removed as we put on our new nature in Jesus Christ.   How could a God of love command Abraham to sacrifice his only son?  God Himself sacrificed His only son, Jesus.  Mt. Moriah was also the place where Jesus was crucified.  God was testing Abraham’s obedience.  With this test it would remind Abraham of his true faith.  We are tested by God many times in our own lives.  Temptation is intended to make us fail and is from God’s enemy.  Tests are designed for success and God wants us to believe in Him.  Tests are designed just for each one of us as individuals. 

INTERESTING NOTE:  Muslims believe that Allah commanded Abraham to sacrifice Ishmael instead of Isaac.  Yet the Quran never names the boy.  The Torah names the boy Isaac 5 times.  One of these books is flawless and divine.  One encourages us to love our enemies; the other promotes conversion by force and Jihad or holy war.  Christians believe the Bible is the true Word of God.  It is filled with divine inspiration and has been vindicated countless times.

Abraham had many tests.  He was asked to leave his country; he was put in the middle of a famine; he gained material wealth; there was conflict in his household; he had to send Ishmael away.  This test was the hardest of all.  Abraham made himself available to hear God’s call and obeyed without question.

What does God have to do to get your attention?  

How will you respond, when He calls you?

Has God asked you to do something that you think is unreasonable?

Principle:  Faith sacrificially obeys God’s Word without explanation.

Abraham was focused on what he knew.  He knew God could be trusted.  He knew God would keep His promises and would make him a great nation.  So Abraham obeyed and “rose up early in the morning”.  We would have probably taken more time to pray and fast about this, but Abraham did not.  He simply obeyed.  He even “split wood for the burnt offering” himself even though he had servants to do that for him.  Maybe he wanted to keep his mind busy and not think about what is ahead.  Then it took 3 days to get to the place God had them to go.  This was more time to think about what he had to do.  It was an emotionally demanding journey.  I think this was all part of the Abraham’s test.  He told his servants to stay behind with his donkey.  He probably knew they would try to stop him.  Abraham knew God had a plan and he would not have to sacrifice Isaac, because he said to the servants, “We will worship and then we will come back to you.” – Gen. 22:5b.  He probably thought even if Isaac died, God would bring him back to life.

Abraham then had Isaac carry the wood for the burnt offering, just like Jesus carried the cross to His crucifixion.  Isaac asked, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” – Gen 22:7  Abraham replied, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” – Gen 22:8.  This again showed Abraham’s faith in God.  Both Isaac and Jesus were silent as they were led to the slaughter.

Principle:  God Calls believers to put Him sacrificially first. 

So far Abraham passed the test.  Now he climbed Mount Moriah, built an altar, arranged the wood, bound his son on the altar, and took the knife to slay him.  Isaac showed no resistance and could have run away, but he obeyed and had total faith in Abraham just as Abraham did in God.  Isaac was taught about God and His faithfulness.  He also may have heard Abraham tell the servants that they would come back to them.

God’s Word says He is to be first.   “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30. 

How is God asking you to put Him first?

We as Christians want to trust and obey God, but what about when it comes to important things in our lives like our possessions, our loved ones, our plans and dreams? 

Is He asking you to use part of that tax return or your savings for His purposes?

Are you willing to let go when He asked you to? 

Are you willing to sacrifice and be obedient in all area of your life?

What keeps you from believing and acting on the promises of God?

Genesis 22:11-19 – God Provides Sacrifice

The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham.  This seems to be the voice of God the Son Himself who is the unique messenger or Angel of the Lord.  “Do not lay a hand on the boy.  Do not do anything to him.  Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” – Gen 22:12.  What moment that must have been.   God knew He was first in Abraham’s heart.  Now Abraham knew God had supreme love for him. 

God provided a sacrifice for Abraham just as He always provides for us.  God did not want human sacrifice as the many pagan religions do.  Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket.  He took the ram and sacrificed it instead of his son. – Gen. 22:13.  Maybe this ram was there all the time and Abraham saw it as he approached to altar, but he didn’t try to catch it.  This may have been a temptation of Satan, but Abraham didn’t fall for it.  He waited on God.

God knew ahead of time what Abraham would do and He knows ahead of time what we will do, but He wants us to act out our faith.  Our faith is proven by our deeds.  We don’t have to prove our faith to God, but sometimes we need to prove it to ourselves.  He knows our hearts and wants us to pray even though He knows ahead of time what we are going to say.  He wants us to praise Him even though He knows ahead of time how we feel about Him.

Will you stop holding tight to things and hold them more loosely?

Will you trust God more?

How is God testing you?

How do you act out your faith?

God understands just what we are going through.  He Himself went through every trial and temptation we have and even those we haven’t gone through.  He did this through His Son Jesus.  God uses tests to test our obedience and commitment to Him.

In Gen. 22:15-16 the angel of the Lord called to Abraham.  We know this was the voice of God the Son Himself because the message following says, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord …”.  Why would He swear by Himself?  There is no one greater to swear by and to reassure Abraham of His promises and to make His promises clear.   

God reaffirms His promise to Abraham and added an additional promise. “I will surely bless you and make our descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.  Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” – Gen. 22:17-18.  Not just Israel will be blessed, but it refers to Jesus as the blessing for all nations.

Principle:  God provides what He requires.

Isaac was fully aware of his pardon when he heard God speak.  We are sinners and have been pardoned.  How is He that living atonement for you?  I am sure Isaac was never the same and neither are we.  How will you show your thankfulness? 

Genesis 22:20 – 23:1-20 – God Gives Hope

Sarah was 127 years old when she died.  She is the only woman whose age at death is recorded in scripture.  She died in Hebron which is about 40 miles from Beersheba.  Loss of a loved one is worthy of tears.  Abraham missed his wife.  Even in his grief we see his testimony in verse 3.  Abraham trusted God’s promise by wanting to buy land for the burial and asked Ephron the Hittite to sell some to him.  Ephron wanted to give it to him, but Abraham refused the gift and offered to purchase it instead.  So he sells the land with a cave to him for 400 shekels.  Abraham buries Sarah in the cave there.  The field and the cave were deeded to Abraham.  This land would belong to his descendants as God promised.

Principle:  Faith demonstrates hope for tomorrow in spite of today’s pain.

Abraham chose to live in the promises of God in the middle of his pain.  Abraham chose to live in hope.  God wants to use every ounce of your pain.  Our hope is beyond the grave.  All Abraham’s tests prepared him for this moment of grief.  He had unwavering hope.  His hardest days gave him strength.  He did not quit.  How will you invest in the promises of God when you hurt?  Abraham’s hard days has impacted us.  How do you impact others?

Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Genesis 20 - 21

We are living in times that make us unsure of our future.  With all the unrest throughout our world and with the pandemic everywhere, it’s no wonder people are living in fear.  Fear can paralyze us and keep us in our misery.   The Bible is very clear.  The world will become more dangerous and frightening as the end times approach.  The Bible is also clear that we are to “fear not” because God is always with us and will never leave.  To enjoy a peaceful life we need to be free from fear, worry, and anxiety.  We need to have faith and trust God.

Genesis 20:1-21 – Living in Fear

Abraham moved south to live just outside Canaan.  We don’t know why.  Maybe the ash from the burning of Sodom and Gomarrah affected the land where his animals grazed.  Maybe he finally sensed it was time to go releasing Lot to the Lord.  Abraham stayed in Gerar and again he lied and told the Abimelech king that Sarah was his sister.  Sound familiar?  She was a beauty at 90 years old and she was married to one of the richest and most influential men of the region.  Also being in Abimelech’s harem was probably a political statement.  Abraham was afraid and had weak faith in God.  He thought if Abimelech knew she was his wife, he would be killed.  So Abraham lied again as he did when he was in Egypt.  What was he thinking?  Fear can make us irrational.  This shows us that we as well as Abraham can slip back into old sinful habits. 

The king took her to be his wife, but God spoke to the king in a dream and told him she was a married woman and if he touched her he would be as good as dead.  He was to return Sarah to Abraham.  God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet and that Abraham would pray for him and his people.  Abimelech didn’t argue with God.  He gave Sarah back to Abraham.  Abimelech asked Abraham why he had done this to him.  Abraham said Sarah was actually his half-sister as well as his wife. (Gen. 20:11-12)  He tried to justify his lie by telling a half-truth, which is always a whole lie.  He indirectly blamed God for the problem by saying, “When God called me to wander from my father’s house…” – Gen. 20:13.  It is sad to see a pagan king in the right and a man of God in the wrong.  Abraham was still a man of powerful prayer and God’s mercy didn’t leave him even though he didn’t trust God the way he should have.

Abimelech was kind to Abraham even though he was deceived.  He gave Abraham sheep, cattle and money to show he was sorry for his actions.  Abraham took the gifts to show he didn’t blame Abimelech.  Abraham did suffer though.  He suffered shame and the loss of respect among the people and lost the opportunity to be a witness for God. 

God will protect anyone and anything that gets in the way of His plans.  No mistake of ours will stop God.  It’s clear in Gen 20:17-18 that the women in Gerar could not have children.  God sometimes causes women not to have children and at other times he gives children to women.  Why does He do this?  Maybe it’s in His plan even though we cannot always know His plan, but we can know it’s the plan that is best for us.  Maybe when at last a child is born, God is given the credit.  It shows how wonderful God is.  He wants to show His power.  God answered Abraham’s prayers and Abimelech’s people could have children again. 

What half-truths have you told?

Do you struggle with your sinful nature?

How has God been merciful to you?

Why does Abraham continue to be better off?  That's God's lavish grace.

Jesus took our place and died for our sins even when we don’t deserve it.  When he returns, we take our place in heaven with a rich inheritance.  That is lavish grace.

What are your insecurities - fear, jealousy, bitterness, anger, control?

How is fear stealing your faith?

Principle:  God's grace allows repeat offenders to confess and be restored.

Genesis 21:1-21 – Living by Faith

At last Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac just as God had promised and at the time He had promised.  It had been 25 years and God was faithful all along the way.  They were very happy, but Abraham’s other son, Ishmael was not.  Remember, Ishmael was the son of a slave mother, Hagar.  Ishmael knew he would never be as important as Isaac.  He became cruel to Isaac and mocked him.  Sarah knew there was jealousy and that there were would be many problems between them to come.  She also didn’t want Ishmael to oppose Isaac’s right to lead the family. 

So she took matters into her own hands again.  She told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.  Abraham was distressed and concerned for his son so this time he consulted God for guidance.  This time she was right and God told Abraham to listen to her.  Even though he loved Ishmael, Abraham obeyed God and sent them away with food and water.  He sent them away without any protection, probably because he must have believed God would protect and provide for them because that is what God had promised.

Abraham lived near Beersheba near the desert.  Hagar and Ishmael wandered into the desert, which was very hot and dry.  When the water was gone, the child became weak.  He was sure to die.  She felt hopeless and put him under a bush.  He began to cry, but God heard his cry.  An angel from heaven repeated God’s promise to her that He would bless Ishmael and for the second time God provided for them by showing them a well.  Why did God promise to bless Ishmael?  It was because as a descendant of Abraham, he was included in God’s covenant.  They continued to live in the desert.  Ishmael married and had 12 sons that became great nations just as God promised.  These are the nations of the Arab world.  

Will influences hinder your walk with God?

Has God asked you to do something as you study His word?

Do you want to give up?

Do you feel like Ishmael, crying because you need God’s help?

Are you hiding in your room with your tissues and chocolate?

Will you let God lead you?

Principle:  A life of faith in God yields ultimate joy, but can involve great pain.

Genesis 21:22-34 – Living a Testimony

Abraham was living his life was a witness and all the people knew that God was blessing him.  He had become very wealthy and had many servants.  There was a dispute between Abraham and Abimelech over a well that Abraham had dug and Abimelech’s servants had seized.  Abimelech didn’t want to battle Abraham so he asked for a peace agreement.  He knew how big Abraham’s God was and to fight with Abraham would be to attack his God.  Abraham also wanted peace so he gave gifts of sheep and cattle to Abimelech and there they made a treaty. Because they had sworn an oath there, they called it Beersheba.  Then Abraham planted a tree and called upon the name of the Lord.  He lived in the land for a long time.  This was the first time that Abraham claimed the land.  The planting of the tree showed that he would stay in the region. (Gen 21:22-34)

What physical reminders do you have to worship God?

Will others say you can be trusted?

Principle:  God faithfully provides so we can fulfill His purposes.

We all live a testimony to something.  Abraham was a man who didn’t do everything right, but God loved him and was faithful to him.  God is still faithful to us and still loves us, too even though we make mistakes. 

What is your life a testimony to?

How does your life show the presence of God? 

The world is watching how believers live their lives.  We don’t have to be perfect for the world to see God in our lives.  We may think we have to be perfect for God to use us as a witness.  When we try to be perfect, people can see that isn’t true.  They just call us hypocrites.

Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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