#62 Rebekah Leaves Home Genesis 24

Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well. So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying "thus the man spoke to me," that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well. And he said, "come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels." Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. Food was set before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told about my errand." And he said, "speak on." So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. Now my master made me swear, saying, 'you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; but you shall go to my father's house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.' And I said to my master, 'perhaps the woman will not follow me.' But he said to me, 'the Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father's house. You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.' And this day I came to the well and said, 'O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, "please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink," and she says to me, "drink, and I will draw for your camels also," - per her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master's son.' "But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, 'please let me drink.' and she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, 'drink, and I will five your camels a drink also.' So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also.' Then I asked her, and said, 'whose daughter are you?' And she said, 'the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. and I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master's brother for his son. Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left." Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "the thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the Lord has spoken." And it came to pass, when Abraham's servant heard these words, that he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth. Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. And he and the men who with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, "send me away to my master." But her brother and her mother said, "let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go." And he said to them, "do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master." So they said, "we will call the young woman and ask her personally." Then they called Rebekah and said to her, "will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go." So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: "our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; and may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them." Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed. Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. And Isaac wing out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, "who is this man walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "it is my master." So she took a veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.  Genesis 24:29 -67 NKJV

A beautiful story, and how wonderful to be the servant on such an errand. How faithful a friend he was, not only to his master, but also to his master's son. It is a relief and a blessing to know that God goes before us and we have but to trust, pray, obey, and say what he wants us to. The outcome belongs to Him, and ours is the burden which he has made light. The burden of delivering his word, and taking care not to alter it in preference of acceptance. They received it well but then upon reflection wanted to delay in acting upon it. Abraham's servant stayed steadfast to the errand and Rebekah came willingly. 

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#61 Rebekah Genesis 24

Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went out to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. And he said, "O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, 'please let down your jar that I may drink,' and who shall say, 'drink, and I will water your camels' - let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master." Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden who no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. then the servant ran to meet her and said, "please give me a little water to drink from your jar." She said, "drink, my lord." And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking." So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half a shekel, and tow bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, "please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?" She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor." She added, "we have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night." The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, "blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen." Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things. Genesis 24: 10-28 ESV

Abraham's servant returns to Mesopotamia, the land of Abraham's kin, and there talks to the Lord. He requests a sign to verify that he has found the right girl to be Isaac's wife. He petitions asking God to remember his steadfast love to Abraham. God has been with Abraham so far, please allow his servant to continue in this love on Abraham's behalf. 

He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:3 ESV 

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#60 Oath Genesis 24

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "please put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son form the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac." And the servant said to him, "perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?" But Abraham said to him, "beware that you do not take my son back there. The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, 'to your descendants I give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there." So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. Genesis 24: 1-9

As the oldest servant, Eliezer would have been the first in line to inherit Abraham's possessions if he would have had no children. 

Abraham stresses the seriousness of the task he is asking his servant to perform by having him participate in a formal oath. He invokes the name of God, that his servant understand that this between them, before the God of heaven and earth. He has Eliezer put his hand under his thigh which is apparently a gesture signifying that the oath taker understands he is in a covenant and accepts the responsibility to perform what is asked of him. 

The contact has one clause of release, and that is if the girl refuses to return with the servant. Abraham seems confident that this is in God's will as he declares that His angel will go before the servant. 

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#59 Sarah's Passing Genesis 23

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, "I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." The Hittites answered Abraham, "hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead." Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. and he said to them, "if you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place." Now Ephron was sitting amon the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of the city, "no, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead." Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "but if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there." Ephron answered Abraham, "my lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth 400 shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead."Abraham listened to Epron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, 400 shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of the city. after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place. Genesis 23 ESV 

The only woman's age to be mentioned in the Bible is Sarah's. I don't believe the significance to rest in matriarchal status but more so in reflection upon the miracle of the age she was when she gave birth. In chapter 17 vs. 17 Abraham says in his heart, "shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" She lives 37 more years after this and has now passed, leaving a mourning Abraham.

Abraham goes to the local settlers and negotiates for a piece of property owned by a man named Ephron. Ephron offers to give him the land, but Abraham pays for it by weighing out 400 shekels of silver.  This is about 11 grams or less than half an ounce of silver. Since he weighed it out this would appear to be in a time before standardized coin currency, and the shekel then would be based on standardized weights and scales. This was done at the gate of the city before the merchants and other witnesses.

He can now bury his dead.

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#58 Believe, Obey Genesis 22

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time form heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. Now after these things it was told to Abraham, "behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel." (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. Genesis 22: 15-24 ESV

Here, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham and states again, "because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son." Everything we are and all that we have belong to God. If we truly believe this, that God is real, that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our stead, then our actions will testify to our Faith. As one writer so well puts it:

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "you have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2: 14-26 NKJV

Faith had already been accounted to Abraham when By faith:

1. obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance Hebrews 11:8 NKJV
2. dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, Heb. 11:9 NKJV
3. And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Gen. 15:6 NKJV

When we truly believe, it is evidenced by our walk. Does the man or woman of faith pass his fellow man, leaving him naked and hungry? Does he tell him to "name it and claim it", "be warmed and filled?" We are told that, "faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Abraham left the place he knew, he lived in the place of promise as a stranger, and died not seeing the multitude of descendants God had promised. We often take a warped view of faith. "If you would have believed harder, then your child would not be sick. If you visualize that new car and have faith, not doubting, then you will get that new car." I hear people say things like this and even attempt to relate it to the story of Abraham, but ask yourself: What were the things Abraham hoped for, and where did his hope come from? The substance and confidence of Abraham's hope was in the promises of God. Abraham believed in, hoped for and waited on God's promise. When he doubted, or could not see, he took matters into his own hands, and relied upon his own wisdom. It was in those moments, he deceived others, saying, she is my sister, or even offered God an alternative plan, in one from his house ,or in his son, Ishmael. Faith does not go untested by doubt, but rather and most humbly finds it way back to the cross. Faith believes in the promises of God and ask for help with the unbelief of man. It is tied to a changed heart, one that now has love and the desire to obey God. It's spirit is evidenced by the works of God justifying the believer, and sanctifying him through the work of Christ.

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#57 "Your son, your only son" Genesis 22

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, form me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide", as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." Genesis 22: 1-14 ESV

God tested Abraham. I remember reading this as a small boy, and accepting that God was testing Abraham's faith. As a young man, who thought himself to have outgrown God and fables, I thought ,"what kind of warped and twisted God is this?" What could have possibly been going through poor Abraham's mind at this time? It was not long after this that I read again, and the Bible does not leave me  here to my own imagination, no, rather God's word tells me what Abraham thought:

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11: 17 - 19 ESV

God tells him to take Isaac to the land of Moriah. Moriah is associated with what would later become Jerusalem, and he is to take his son, his only son, and offer him there as a sacrifice. Abraham obeys without delay, but it will not be till the third day that they arrive. I don't know, but something about this story sounds familiar.

It is too long of a journey not to think. This is the God who made a covenant with me. This is the boy through which He said my seed would be called. I thought my wife could not have this child because her womb was dead. God breathed life where there had been none. I recognized God as the Creator, and knew better what that means. What He says He will do. Has he ever broken His word? When I heard the voice of God, but looked and saw only circumstances, He was still greater. After all of this I have learned to trust not in my own understanding, nor in what I see now, but on the Word that God has spoken to me. He asked so I must do. He promised so I believe.

Abraham is questioned by his son, and he answers that God will provide for Himself the lamb. It reminds me of a song we use to sing when I was little, "Tell me the story of Jesus." God has foretold Messiah's coming all the way back to the fall. He has demonstrated that sin brings death and that the wages of sin is death. The people sacrifice those animals that are approved or called clean. It is here, now, with Abraham's knife wielding hand, raised above his "only son", that we now see the substitutionary atonement introduced. It is the plan of God all along, but here we have the picture. More important then the land, bigger than a nation, beyond the child now laying on the wood, Abraham is stopped by the voice of God, and the substitution is made.

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#56 Place of the Oath Genesis 21

And it came to pass at the time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt." And Abraham said, "I will swear." Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech's servants had seized. And Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today." So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. And abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?" And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they be my witness that I have dug this well." Therefore he called the place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days. Genesis 21: 22-34 NKJV

Abraham makes an oath with Abimelech, the king of the region, who recognizes that God is with Abraham. Abraham has been silent on an ongoing issue concerning resources. Abimelech's men have seized a well and the king is apparently unaware. Water would be a significant resource to herders and Abraham's silence on the matter is probably to keep peace as a guest on this land. The king has left him an opening in this conversation to which Abraham seizes as opportunity to raise issue. They make a treaty there and name the place, Beersheba, "well of the oath or well of the seven." 

Why the seven? I have been searching this out and found that the Hebrew word for oath comes from the same root as the Hebrew word for seven. Abraham also plants a tree here in the place of this oath, he is settling here and at peace with his neighbor. Abraham has shown patience this time, and instead of creating conflict by asserting himself or demanding justice from a sense of entitlement as God's prophet, he waits on God's timing and receives not only justice but a recognized place in the land. 

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NKJV

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9 NKJV

As one writer has put it, "Meekness is not weakness, it is power under control."

Christians have the truth in them, they are part of the New Covenant, and waiting upon the return of Christ, but instead of demanding our rights now, He has asked who is the least among you, who can be a servant? Our attitudes and actions are to be no longer shaped by those around us, or by our material resources. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to proclaim the gospel of Christ to His glory and honor, not our own. 

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#55 The laughter of Ridicule Genesis 21

So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, "cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bond woman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac." And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham's sight because of his son. But God said to Abraham, "do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of   the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation to the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed." So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, "let me not see the death of the boy." So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. and God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "what ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation." Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Genesis 21: 8-21 NKJV

Ishmael is caught scoffing, or in the Hebrew, the laughter of ridicule, Sarah is offended and demands the removal of Ishmael from the settlement. He is about 17 years old at this time, and Abraham, though close to Ishmael and uncomfortable with Sarah's demand, sends both Hagar and Ishmael away. God speaks to Abraham before this course of action, and settles his reservations. He has promised to make a nation from Ishmael, but like the tower of Babel, it is neither His covenant nor His command, so He is asking Abraham to trust Him with the life of his firstborn. Abraham acts in obedience by faith in God's word, and the angel of the Lord visits Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness. "In Isaac your seed shall be called," yet, "what ails you Hagar?', and 'lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation."

This is the same visitor from before, the "Messenger of Yahweh", who reveals Himself as God both to Abraham, in the earlier passages preceding the destruction of Sodom, and later to Moses within the context of Exodus 3. The angel appears to Moses in a flaming bush and then is identified by the writer as Lord, followed by a quote from the messenger in vs. 6 saying, "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham," identifying Himself.

This is an amazing passage that draws on God's Sovereignty, His will, the divine nature of Messiah, and the separation of the flesh. There are days here either way you go, but I will leave the reader with this:

• Are Sarah's words and behavior from a pure heart? No, they cannot be because she does not have a pure heart. Remember there are none righteous, our righteousness is accounted to us only by faith. It is Sarah's natural instincts towards her child that rise up against one who is not happy about the miracle she has just received. 
• Is Ishmael's response warranted? From the physical point, through worldly eyes, it would seem so. He is by man's tradition, the eldest son, and even though of a bondwoman, without the birth of Isaac, he would be the heir. Ishmael has the circumcision of the flesh and is yet not part of the circumcision. Later, Paul, in Galatians 4 will use the historical story of Isaac and Ishmael as an analogy in defense against the teachings of the Judaizers, or those who would turn from grace back to the law. Ishmael cannot see the big picture and acts according to his feelings.
• Abraham's seed will become a blessing to all nations, and through the separation of the flesh, we ,who believe in Christ, will be grafted into the vine. It is the inward circumcision of the heart that allows enemies to now be friends, and to interpret the natural in view of the spiritual and eternal promise of God. Many of Ishmael's children come to Christ even now, and many Christians are still tempted to return to a justification not of grace but of works. 
• God is Sovereign, so witness to all men, as you were born a sinner like all men. Trust God in every situation, and try to see it through eyes that have been opened, and understand with a mind that has been renewed. Pray for peace, but know that it is only the peace of God that is true and everlasting. 

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#54 Who would have said? Genesis 21

And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him - Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age." Genesis 21: 1-7 NKJV

The Lord God kept His promise, just as He said. There was no more waiting or wondering how this could be or Who this God is to say such a thing. Over 2000 years before the birth of His own Son, God shows Abraham that His word is truth. Sarah laughs again, but this time for joy and as the testament of God's power and His promise. So how will the Savior come 2000 years later? How will a virgin be able to give birth? He has opened up the womb of one who has never had children and is past the time of children. He is God.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8 NKJV

God is revealing Who He is to those who can't see. Man lives in the natural world and God is affirming to Abraham His place above nature. There is nothing higher than Himself, and therefore no one or anything to which God can swear by. His word is the ultimate authority, what He says He will do, there is nothing too difficult for God.

So now Abraham and Sarah have a son whose name means - He will laugh.

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#53Afraid To Tell The Truth Genesis 20

And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife." But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'he is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this." And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours." So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "what have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done." Then Abimelech said to Abraham, "what did you have in view that you have done this thing?" And Abraham said, "because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, 'this is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me "he is my brother." Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, "see, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you." Then to Sarah he said, "behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody." Thus she was rebuked. So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife and female servants. Then they bore children; for the Lord had closed up the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Genesis 20 NKJV

I have been told that, "the truth is a luxury, and usually known for a short time to those who are willing to lose everything. It is not afforded to those who would govern or trade." Hence, we hear sayings like, "its just business. I had no choice. Change. Deny, deny and when all is said and done, deny." I have seen those same leaders demand an integrity from their people that they themselves do not own. There are jobs in government built upon and around lies. What Abraham did is nothing foreign to our world now. Satan was the father of lies and those born into sin practice the lie from the very earliest use of language. He gives very good and legitimate reasons for lying: thought you didn't fear God, thought you would kill me, and technically she is also my half sister so that's like only half a lie. The fear of death was definitely a strong motivator, but this is not the first time, and there is still that covenant between Abraham and God. The temptation to lie is understood, but the follow through seems so unnecessary at this point. We saw what happened earlier in Egypt, and God does not just rescue Sarah from Pharaoh, He calls His great prophet out on it too. It is the same here, and in front of everyone Abraham is once again rebuked by the heathens. This had to be more than a little embarrassing. 

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2Corinthians 4:2 NKJV

Once we have walked into God's covenant there is no more need to lie. It is a lie to think there are those places outside His govern, and removed from the light of His truth. God knew the temptation before you ever chanced upon it. You are free from the lie, the truth has set you free, so now we need to walk in the light. 

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#52 Taboo Genesis 19

Then Lot when up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave. Now the first-born said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth. Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father." So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn wing in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, "Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you may go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father." Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day. Genesis 19:30 - 38 NKJV

It said that Lot was afraid to dwell in Zoar. I am not sure if this was because of the people there, or possibly the similarities between sin in that city that took Lot back to the conversation with the angels and Sodom. He may have feared that judgment was imminent here also. He flees with his two daughters to the mountains, and this time without an escort.

I remember, as a small boy, reading what happens next, and feeling quite appalled. It was a shock to someone born in my time and a long standing Taboo. We live in a time of little excuse, past the time of the Patriarchs and original sin, in view of both Moses' law, and the fulfillment of the law in Christ. I was an arrogant little fella and thought, "thank God, I am not a sinner like those sinners." However, as an adult I read this in view of a certain light or possibly a shadow, of the knowledge of good and evil. In a spiritually dead world, Lot's daughters did not have the structure of Levitical law, nor the Word of God that I now read from. They had this knowledge though, that I don't have this, and in the city they were from people take what they want. But they also had an element of the knowledge of wrong doing, since in order to get this now, they would have to get their father drunk. They were left to their own  moral devices, and appear to live strictly in view of today. Whatever check of conscience came to them they were easily able to put away, justify their actions, contrive a plan, and bypass their father's possible objections by getting him drunk. You ask, why doesn't God come down and talk to us like He did with our forefathers? Is it any wonder, why he had to back then? This was before the written law, and it builds the case against man's ability to live as a law unto himself. He knows right from wrong, but only by degree and with the knowledge that comes from a dead spirit and the wisdom that springs forth from a depraved and wicked heart. It is not the righteousness of faith, and man will always find away to justify himself to the image of a god made in man's image. 

God does not build His church on the wisdom or morality of men. The Bible makes no attempt at hiding the sins of our parents. It is not a worship of elders, of "good men", or based upon man's ability. I cannot judge Lot, his wife, or his daughters, since we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin has already been judged, and the wages of sin is death. The law will come not to save men, but to reveal sin to man, and to send those who can see running for the cross. So yes, God talked to them and sent angels, He showed them His power in judgment, and His patience in grace. Did man stop sinning? No. Did it make him want God? No. Are we so far off from the logic of Lot's daughter's?  No. We can justify a lot of things to ourselves, and we are all born enemies to the righteousness of God. 

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#51 Salt Genesis 19

Then the men said to Lot, "have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city- take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it." So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, "get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!" But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city." And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "escape for your life! Do not look behind you or stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed." Then Lot said to them, "Please, no, my lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." And he said to him, "see, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. Genesis 19:12-29 NKJV

"Have you anyone else here?" Apparently not, and the ten that God and Abraham had earlier discussed    would be hard to find. Lot's son-in-laws do not take him seriously, and his daughters probably go more out of respect for Lot then for fear of God's certain wrath. Lot himself, is described as lingering when the men take hold of his hand and those of his wife and daughters. According to the people of the city he has acted as a judge, yet it would seem that he has possibly acted the hypocrite in this as well. His heart is lingering, his judgment is tainted, and he is in love with the things of the world. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV

This is another passage that has caused me to lean toward a Rapture. God removes Lot before He destroys the city, spares the city that Lot is going to and has spoken for, the angels pull him out of the city, and God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out. I believe that God will remember Jesus, and that He will pull His people out. It is then that sin will be unchecked by the Spirit of God and the testimony of those who believe. This will be a sign and those chosen will come to Him even in this, but the outcry against this world is great even now. Even now there are those who would like to profess with their mouth, but like Lot's wife, there heart is held by Sodom. 

Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10 NKJV

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#50 Sodom Genesis 19

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed  himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, "where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally." So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof." And they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men reached out their hands and Pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door. Genesis 19:1-11 NKJV

Lot extends a courtesy to the two angels, to stay with him and wash their feet. It was probably customary of the time, but it also says that he was insistent when they said no and offered to sleep in the square. The angels take Lot up on his offer and he makes them a feast. 

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2 NKJV

Before the men retired to lay down for the evening, the house was surrounded by the men of the city. It is emphasized, young and old, and from all corners; the city was morally and corporately corrupt. They did not hide their intentions in any way, but demanded the men to be sent out to them, so they could know them sexually. Lot tries to protect the men, and in vs. 8 gives this as the reason they are under his roof. He has brought them there for their protection. This explains the insistence in verse 3, and gives light to Lot's knowledge of the moral condition of the city in which he lives. It is like the time before the  flood, and also gives reflection and insight to God's words in Genesis 11:6, And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they purpose to do will be withheld from them." The whole, of this city, has turned away from God, and they are tired of Lot pointing this out to them. 

Lot asked the men of the city not to do "so wickedly", which gives indication of the state of Lot's own heart. He has been compromised in his own understanding of sin, and is allowing that the rape of his daughters, would be somehow more forgivable. He is protecting the strangers, who I don't think he knows to be angels at this time, but is making a compromise that shows him to be more comfortable with some types of sin. 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 NKJV

These things have already been judged. It is not for us to condone what God has called sin, which we do in our attempts to be politically correct. You are in no way less a sinner or nearer redemption for your lack of practice of any of the above manifestations of sin. You are a sinner, and therefore separated from God, by birth, and therefore anyone act would manifest itself part of the whole as listed above. It is a strange doctrine in much of the church today that would suggest a belief in God's word, and yet condone that which He has condemned. You may come off to the world, in a way that suggests more love because of your new christ, but you have not loved them at all. How can it be love, if it sacrifices the truth? How can it be love if it denies those things that necessitated the cross? God loves you, and so do I, I pray that our eyes will be opened and that we will want Him the way He is, and that we will find His truth the way He intended. There is no excuse for hate of persons in any of this; we are all guilty, so tell the truth in love.

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#49 Intercession Genesis 18

Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He  has spoken to him." And the Lord said, "because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know." Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" So the Lord said, "if I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes." Then Abraham answered and said, "Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would you destroy all of the city for lack of five?" So He said, "if I find forty-five, I will not destroy it." And he spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose there should be forty found there?" So He said, "I will not do it for the sake of forty." Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there." And He said, "Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord; Suppose twenty should be found there?" So He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty." Then  he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: suppose ten should be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten." So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place. Genesis 18:16-33 NKJV

The men from the previous passage are not just here to see Abraham and Sarah; they are also on a mission. When they were done with their meal and discussions, two of the visitors leave and Abraham stays standing before the Lord, Who has disclosed His intent to investigate the outcry against Sodom. This disclosure is not necessary for God to carry out justice, but rather to develop Abraham in the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice. 

The disclosure is immediately followed with intercession from Abraham to God on behalf of the Sodomites. Abraham starts with the number 50, 50 righteous men, but in humility and probably with the realization and knowledge of Sodom's sin, he pleads 5 more times for more mercy. The final number is ten, and God will not destroy the city if he finds this remnant of believers here. Abraham's Nephew, Lot, lives here with his family, and it is possible that Abraham thought ten to be a sufficient number between Lot, his daughters, his wife, sons in law and extended family. Surely, in all the city, God would find 10 who still believed, 10 who still feared God. I think we should all pray for those who are lost in their sin. God's word is clear that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; it is also clear that righteousness was accounted to men by faith, and not of themselves.  If we are not praying for the lost, if we are instead standing in judgment of that which has already been judged, then we are not humble before God. If we are not praying for them, then we are saying there is no hope for them. 

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#48 "Is anything too hard for the Lord" Genesis 18

Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said." So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal and make cakes." And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" So he said, "here, in the tent." And  He said, "I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son." (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" And the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'shall I surely bear child, since I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh!" Genesis 18: 1-15 NKJV

Sarah echoes the same doubt of her husband in the preceding chapter. Abraham offers God an alternative heir, once again, but this time in Ishmael. This again defies neither logic nor reason, and indicates just how naturally impossible it would be for Sarah to have children. God reveals to Abraham that He is not ignorant of the thoughts of his heart, and in doing so is making Abraham aware that God also understands the situation. 

Sarah is called out in the same manner, and lies to God, because she was afraid. She is also now aware that God is not walking into this blindly, and if He knows the thoughts of His creation then He also knows that her flow has been stopped for quite some time. Sarah lives in the natural world, and I hear men say that it was easy for them to believe in God back then, because our parents were simple and not as advanced as we are today. Scripture tells a different story, the patriarchs faith did not go unchallenged by their doubt. 

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:23&24

There is no difference between our parents and us. It is easy for men to believe in all ages, whether that belief be to a god, a religion, humanism, the intellect or anything other than that which is by faith in the One true God. Sarah's womb is dead, just like we are all born spiritually dead. God will have to breathe life into her womb, and He, who created all life asks, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" 

Men still run after signs and so called prophets and healers. They want to see a miracle, but not by the Word of God. We live in the age of the greatest miracle ever known to man, the miracle of salvation. God help us with our unbelief.

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