Gen. 25. God’s Sovereignty

Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. ~ Gen. 25:8

Altogether, Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. ~ Gen. 25:17

Today, we say that believers have “gone to be with the Lord”, but remember, at this point in time, Jesus had not been resurrected; so rather than joining Him in Heaven, believers went to a place that Jesus called Abraham’s Bosom.  Jesus talks about this place in Luke 16:19-31 and I believe this is what “gathered to his people” means.

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

The LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.” ~ Gen. 25:21-23

This good husband prayed on his wife’s behalf. I love that! And I think God did too. Certainly God’s promises for Isaac were going to come to pass, but it was fitting for Isaac to remind God of his waiting in faith. When Rebekah was concerned about her babies, she went to the Lord. His answer was specific, and indicative of His sovereign will reigning supreme in the affairs of mankind.

So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. ~ Gen. 25:24-26

The name Esau means “hairy”, and the name Jacob means “heel catcher” or “supplanter”. Can you imagine if we named babies according to their birth circumstances today? Our children might be named “Feet First”, “Fourteen Hour Labor”, or “That Makes Two”!

So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. ~ Gen. 25:27-28

Parents demonstrating favoritism causes so many problems in families. In Esau’s case, he was rash and rebellious, an impulsive man of action rather than words — and Isaac let him get away with it. In Jacob’s case, he was a conniver, a deceitful man who used manipulative words to achieve his goals, rather than action — and Rebekah let him get away with it.

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”
So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. ~ Gen. 25:29-32

The name Edom comes from the word “red” and seems to refer to the color of the chili that meant more to Esau than his birthright. The significance of the birthright was the privilege of having the Messiah as one’s descendant, and the promise of God’s blessing. But God and His promises did not seem real to Esau, so he did not value them, and therefore he chose to do things his own way rather than God’s way.

Perhaps this explains the saying, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated”, if Jacob represents faithfulness and Esau faithlessness.  Isn’t this the same issue we saw exemplified with Cain and Abel?  Compare: Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:10-15.  He is the potter; we are just the clay.

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Gen. 26. God’s Blessing

There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. ~ Gen. 26:1-6

Isaac had been living in Beer-lahai-roi, which, it is believed, was about 60 miles south of Gaza. According to Google maps, Gerar was about 15 miles southeast of Gaza, and this town, where the King of the Philistines, Abimelech lived, was where Isaac now traveled. God reiterated that all the land in Canaan belonged to the offspring of Isaac (not Ishmael or the sons of Keturah), and confirmed his covenant with Isaac.

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth. And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. ~ Gen. 26:12-17

The Philistines envied Isaac and all the blessings that God had bestowed on him. Isn’t this one of the reasons that people have persecuted the Jews throughout history?

Then he went up from there to Beersheba. And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well. ~ Gen. 26:23-25

Beersheba was about 20 miles southeast of Gerar. At this place, Isaac worshiped the Lord, and we see his reconnection with the Lord as the basis for his faith.

Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”
But they said, “We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.’”
So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.  Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. ~ Gen. 26:26-31

So the Philistines and Isaac’s family were at peace in the time of Abimelech. We saw earlier that Abimelech was righteous before God, and here again, he demonstrates godly wisdom and his belief in the Lord and His sovereignty.

It came to pass the same day that Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” So he called it Shebah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day. ~ Gen. 26:32-33

The name Shebah means “oath” and Beer means “well”.  It’s so cool that many of these places, like Beersheba, are still on the map today. And how awesome that God has preserved His Word for us, with all these records intact. My idea of heaven is having the time to learn everything we always wanted to learn. I’d like to delve into this a lot more!

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah. ~ Gen. 26:34

Here is further proof of Esau’s rebellion against authority. He married two women who were outside the Hebrew faith, which brought sorrow and strife to his parents.

Gen. 22.  The Sacrifice.

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Take now 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.” ~ Gen. 22:1-2

The name “Moriah” means “ordained by God”, but scholars speculate that the name may also suggest that the mountain was in the land of the Amorites.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” ~ Gen. 22:3-5

Abraham clearly believed in God’s power to raise Isaac from the dead. He confidently asserted, “WE WILL come back…”   Interesting that this took place on “the third day”, which we also associate with Jesus’ resurrection.  Worship is directly associated with sacrifice.  That’s probably a sermon all by itself…

So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. ~ Gen. 22:6-8

With curiosity, Isaac asks the obvious: Where is the sacrifice? Take note of Abraham’s faith-filled words: “God will provide”. This passage is also a prophecy, which foretells of the time when God will, in fact, provide a sacrificial Lamb — God Himself in the flesh — to take away the sins of the world.

 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ~ Gen. 22:9-10

This verse doesn’t tell us what Isaac’s reaction was to this situation; but as a parent, I hope that Abraham explained to Isaac about God’s faithfulness and provision, His mighty promises for them and their descendants, and God’s power to raise the dead, if necessary. I think he probably did, because Isaac evidently was obedient and did not rebel against his father’s will, or the will of God. So verse 10 leaves us hanging, with the deadly knife lifted and ready to strike the tender flesh — to slaughter — his dear child.   They say hindsight is “20-20” — perfect vision — and so now, we can see that Isaac was a symbol of Jesus’ future sacrifice, and Abraham represented the steadfast faithfulness and over-arching love of our Heavenly Father.  By that I mean, an unconditional, deep-seated, tough but nurturing love.

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
So he said, “Here I am.”
And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” ~ Gen. 22:11-12

To me the concept of “fearing God” is when you fully acknowledge God, you know He is real, and you take Him completely seriously, in full knowledge of His capabilities, and this knowledge compels you to worship and obey Him.

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” ~ Gen. 22:13-14

Abraham believed and spoke the words “God will provide”, and now, we see how this came to pass. Some people think that our words can be like a magical incantation, so whatever we pray for, we should “speak into reality” by using those words to make it happen. But we are not the puppetmaster and the Lord our willing puppet! When Abraham spoke these words, they were evidence of his covenant relationship with God — he was stating a fact based on God’s own Word when he promised that through Isaac, Abraham’s offspring would be innumerable. Furthermore, Abraham did not try to tell God how He should provide the answer, but trusted God to handle the situation as He saw fit.

Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” ~ Gen. 22:15-18 

In Genesis 18, God indirectly referred to His intention to use Abraham and his offspring as vessels through whom all the nations would be blessed (referring of course, to His only Son, Jesus), but here He states it directly to Abraham, in response to Abraham’s unfaltering obedience.

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Gen. 23.  Sarah is “Gathered to Her People”. 

Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. ~ Gen. 23:1-2

Even in her old age, Sarah was cherished and honored by her husband.

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Gen. 24.  Isaac Gains a Wife.

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. ~ Gen. 24:1

The Lord blesses us as believers all the time; it just isn’t always according to our plans!

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 from 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.” ~ Gen. 24:2-4

Abraham did not want his descendants influenced by the Canaanites, who worshiped false gods; therefore, he knew his son must not marry one of them, but rather, a woman who believed as he did in the one true God. Even then, it was not wise for believers to be yoked together with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14).

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. ~ Gen. 24:7

Abraham explains that his actions are based on the truth of God’s promise, and his belief in that truth.

Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” ~ Gen. 24:10-14

Now we see that the servant was also a believer, because he prays earnestly to God, and asks that God show him the what His will is concerning the wife for Isaac, trusting that God will show him what to do.

And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. ~ Gen. 24:15

God already knew what was in the servant’s heart, and had Rebekah coming that direction ahead of time!

And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”

So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.” Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”

Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. And he said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” ~ Gen. 24:19-27

Rebekah does exactly what the servant had prayed the intended wife of Isaac would do, and then the servant discovers that she is part of Abraham’s extended family! When he realized this, he was humbled before God’s mighty power, and worshiped Him, demonstrating again by his thoughts, words, and actions that he was a believer.

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.” ~ Gen. 24:49-51

Rebekah’s family acknowledge God’s sovereignty and allow her to leave their home, so that she can marry Isaac.

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.” ~ Gen. 24:60

This is not just a prayer of blessing, but also a prophecy; for Rebekah would become part of the line through whom Jesus would be born. I believe there is a lot of power in blessings, so I take them very seriously when I give them to my children and my grandchildren, and I always base them squarely on God’s promises for his people.

And Isaac went 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 that 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. ~ Gen. 24:63-67

This is a charming story of the anticipation of young lovers, the modesty of the new bride-to-be, and the beginning of their new life together. The words “and she became his wife, and he loved her” are so simple, yet so beautiful. And Isaac’s mourning was turned into gladness.

Gen. 19.  Judgment falls on Sodom and other cities in the valley

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. ~ Gen. 19:1-3

Lot must have realized right away that these men were special in some way, and perhaps he even knew that they were angels; nevertheless, he feared for them because of the evil in Sodom. He treated them with the utmost respect, care, and consideration.

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.” ~ Gen. 19:4-5

Puritan-influenced thought has historically condemned the men of Sodom because of their sexual orientation.  While it is true that the Word clearly states that God is against same-sex relationships, His Word also shows that these people in Sodom had much bigger problems. They had no sense or sensibility; no subtlety or self-control. Their words were brutally violent, and directed toward visitors to the city, whom should have been received with hospitality and kindness. Notice what the Word says about Sodom in the book of Ezekiel:

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. ~ Ezekiel 16:48

And what does Paul say in Romans?

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

The people of Sodom and the cities in the surrounding valley had chosen evil over good, and as a result their lives were totally consumed by “all unrighteousness”. These passages in Ezekiel and Romans should give all believers food for thought. When we are overflowing with riches and luxury, yet do not reach out to help those in need; arrogant and proud of our possessions, our accomplishments, and our success, yet blind to the millions who are hungry, hurting, or unhealthy around the globe… we are as guilty as the citizens of Sodom. When we boast; when we are disobedient to our parents; when we are unforgiving (or any of the behaviors mentioned above)… we are behaving like those who hate God and have completely turned their back on Him.  Let’s think about that.  I need to think hard about that.

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. ~ Gen. 19:6-10

Lot attempts to reason with the unruly mob outside his home, but they turn his pleas into opportunities to criticize him. This is so like the world today, isn’t it?  That’s why you can’t win souls by telling people how wicked they are. You can’t influence them for good when you’ve been acting as if you are better than they are. And God knows the truth: Without Jesus, we are all wicked sinners, and our righteousness is no better than used toilet paper. Even with Jesus, we continually fall down into the gutter, and have to run back to the Cross for His gracious forgiveness.

Then the men (angels) said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-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. ~ Gen. 19:12-14

If there was any doubt in Lot’s mind, it should be gone, since the angels have now told him outright who they are, why they are there, and Who sent them. But when he tries to convince his married daughters and their husbands, his pleas fall on deaf ears. God isn’t real to them, so they think that Lot is a crazy old fool — good for a laugh, anyway.

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 nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” ~ Gen. 19:15-17

Even though the time of judgment was imminent, Lot lingered. Was he thinking about the daughters he had to leave behind? Or was he worrying about the important business deals he had to abandon, his costly slaves and animals in Sodom, or the collection of fine furnishings in his home? But the angels literally took hold of Lot and his family and physically pulled them outside the city. The words of the angel reveal that Lot and each person in his family had reached a crossroads. They had to make a choice. In essence, the angel was telling them that to save their spiritual lives, they had to be willing to relinquish everything that belonged to this earthly life. Let’s compare this to the words of our Lord.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ~ Matthew 16:24-26

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.” ~ Gen. 19:18-20

Poor Lot still does not get the big picture, and he reveals his lack of faith in his fearful words; but God is merciful and patient with him.

And he (the angel) 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. ~ Gen. 19:21-22

The name “Zoar” means “small, little”, and this city was spared only because of Lot’s request.

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. ~ Gen. 19:23-26

After being so merciful, why did God punish Lot’s wife just for looking back? It seems like such a natural, curious thing to do; yet, her action must have revealed where her heart was and therefore, what her choice was.

I wonder what she was thinking…  

Did I lock the doors?  …I forgot to tell the servants what vegetables to serve for dinner…   The goat was marinated and ready to roast, and the mayor himself was coming to dine…  Whatever will he think of our sudden departure…   I should have brought the shawl my mother gave me…   And my jewelry!   If only I had brought a supply of nuts and dates, a little honey and wine…   And my lovely new indigo gown with the golden trim…   

“He who desires to save his life shall lose it.”

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Gen. 20.  Another look at the marriage relationship

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 Gerar 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.” ~ Gen. 20:1-3

What kind of a man allows his wife to be taken by another man just to save his own skin?  What if he never saw her again?  Was he OKAY with that?  And to me, it seems that Abraham, when he acted in fear, was demonstrating a lack of faith in God’s promises — the promise of a son who would produce innumerable descendants (one of whom would be the Messiah), and the promise of resurrection after his temporary sojourn in this life.

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.” ~ Gen. 20:4-5

Abimelech referred to the evil cities that were destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah when he asked God, “Will you destroy another city also?”, so even though he lived a distance away, in “the South”, he was aware of what had happened and why.  God does not contradict Abimelech’s statement that his nation is “righteous”.

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.” ~ Gen. 20: 6-7

God testifies to the integrity and innocence of Abimelech; but isn’t it interesting that God says that He withheld Abimelech from sinning against Him? In the Lord’s Prayer when we say “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”, do our words indicate that we relinquish our own rebellious choices and want Him to withhold us from sinning against him? May it be so!

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. ~ Gen. 20:14-16

I didn’t really get what this passage was saying, why such a huge payment had to be made and how that rebuked Sarah, so I looked it up in some other versions. This translation is much more clear:

NLT: And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”

Still odd, since I don’t really know the customs and beliefs of that time so many millenia ago; but evidently that was the right response.

So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. ~ Gen. 20:17-18

This is evidence of God’s faithfulness, of his close relationship with Abraham, and his care and concern for Abraham’s family. Why was God so concerned that no other man lay with Sarah, specifically? Read on…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gen. 21. The birth of Isaac and the expulsion of Ishmael

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—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. ~ Gen. 21:1-4

God demonstrated His faithfulness and His ability to do the impossible. Then, in obedience, they named the child Isaac and had him circumcised as instructed, for he was the child of promise, the one through whom the Messiah would be born. And looking on, Hagar, who had already produced a son for Abraham, must have felt slighted, rejected, and wronged. It may have been hard for her to remember that she was not the wife, but merely a servant.

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 bondwoman 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 of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” ~ Gen. 21:8-13

Abraham was not happy about the strife between Sarah and Hagar. Perhaps he was willing to let both boys inherit, even though Isaac was given a special destiny by God. But God knew that the strife would continue; so he told Abraham that he had to send Ishmael away. This must have been heartbreaking for Abraham, but he was learning to obey God in all things.

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. ~ Gen. 21:14-16

Perhaps Hagar did not know of God’s promise regarding Ishmael, because she honestly thought that the two of them were bound to die there in the Wilderness. Life as a servant was probably looking pretty good right about then; but God had other plans for her and the boy.

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. ~ Gen. 21:17-21

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Isn’t it funny how we rely so on our human senses, when so much is going on that we are unable to detect?  There was a well of life-giving water there; but she was not able to see it until God opened her eyes.  What blessings are all around us, right under our noses, yet we wail and cry out to God to bless us? What solutions to problems has God already provided, but we fail to notice because we are too busy complaining about the status quo?

The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”

Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”

And the Angel of the LORD said to her:
“ Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the LORD has heard your affliction.
He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”
~ Gen. 16:9-12

Hagar has been cast off by Sarai after acting too “uppity”. But God comforts Hagar with the knowledge that her child will, like Abram, be the father of a great nation.  Unfortunately, he will also be like a wild beast, fearing others and considering all of them his enemy.

History has shown that Ishmael’s descendants are the same; their isolationist policies and harsh social and religious customs keep them cut off from the rest of the civilized world.

Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” ~ Gen. 17:3-8

Time Magazine: September 30, 2002

God first lays out what He intends to do as His part of the covenant. He changes Abram’s name to Abraham. I hope He changes my name too!

• Aurelia Sage
• Seanna Claire
•  ???

He reiterates that He will be their God — God’s desire is to be our “exceedingly great reward”, loved and appreciated for Who He is.

He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. ~ Gen. 17:12-13  

God graciously includes not just Abraham’s descendants in His covenant, but also any servants or slaves who are part of His household. This is a first, but also a foreshadowing of God’s ultimate plan.

Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

 

And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

 

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

 

And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”

 

Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

 

But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” ~ Gen. 17:15-22

This military standard is from the ruins of the royal tombs at Ur of the Chaldees in ancient Mesopotamia. The standard is about 4500 years old and one of the earliest representations of an ancient Sumerian army. It has two sides, one depicting war and the other depicting peace. The ‘War’ panel shows chariots, each pulled by donkeys, which would trample enemies; infantry with cloaks carrying spears; enemy soldiers being killed with axes, while others are paraded naked and presented to the king who holds a spear. The ‘Peace’ panel depicts animals, fish and other goods brought in procession to a banquet. Seated figures, wearing woolen fleeces or fringed skirts, drink to the accompaniment of a musician playing a lyre.

Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
~ Gen. 12:1-3

God wanted Abram to demonstrate his faith and his obedience by leaving the polytheistic environment at Ur.  He reminded Abram of his intention to bless those who follow Him, and to empower those believers to be a blessing to others.

Abraham's Journey

And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD. ~ Gen. 13:14-18

God’s promise is sure, but it’s a very futuristic promise. Abram won’t see this come true in his lifetime!

Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. ~ Gen. 14:14

Interesting how quickly we went from all people being descended from Noah’s sons to nations with different languages, and now we see master and servant relationships. Didn’t these people realize they were all distant cousins?  Hey — doesn’t this mean that WE are all distant cousins?  Hmmmm.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said,

“ Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all. ~ Gen. 14:18-20

In the passage preceding this one we find that things have escalated to the point that the different kings are battling one another, so Abram goes out and whoops ’em all. Afterward, he has a little celebration with Melchizedek, the king of Salem (now called Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High. Interesting titles — who was this guy, really?  I wonder if the bread and wine were significant?  Also, notice how Abram gave a tithe (tenth) of all he had to the Lord by giving that offering to his representative on Earth.  

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. ~ Gen. 15:1-6

Abram was so confident in his fellowship with the Lord that when God told him, I am your “exceedingly great reward” (and what more could you ask for), Abram expressed his personal concerns!  He wanted to know where the child of promise was. Who would be the “appointed seed” in this generation? With God’s reassurance, Abram believed in what he could not see, and this gave him a righteous standing before God. Bible scholars call this “imputation” and it is found ONLY in Christianity. In no other religion is “grace… through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) the only way to attain righteousness before a holy God.

Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.

Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” ~ Gen. 15:12-16, 18-19

Abram had a dream that filled his spirit with “horror and great darkness”. How terrifying to learn that your descendants will become slaves for 400 years! 

But God has His reasons for this painful interval in Hebrew history — He intends for His people to know firsthand what it is like to be humble and rejected, so that they will have learn to have compassion on those who are oppressed and weak. Furthermore, He assures Abram that the story will end well, both for his descendants and for him personally, and he seals it with a covenant, giving the Hebrews possession of all the land from the the modern Wady el`Avish (60 miles south of Beersheba) to the Euphrates River!

I did some research to try to find out something I’ve never really understood — who the Palestinians are, and what is the basis for their claim on this area of land. Essentially, they claim to be descendants from the original Canaanites that inhabited the land before the Jews returned from slavery in Egypt.

Associated Press: Palestinian children from the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank pose for a photo after playing for Holocaust survivors in Holon, Israel, Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

The “promised land” has been conquered over the years by a wide range of peoples, including the Israelites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, the Greeks under Alexander the Great, Romans and Byzantines, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and the British.

After WW2, Israel held out against Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, becoming a nation in 1948; however, the Gaza Strip was left under Egyptian control, and the west bank remained in Jordan’s possession.

Fighting continued between Egypt, refugee Arabs in the countries surrounding Israel, and the Jews until 1967 when Israel took hold of the Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, Arab East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Golan Heights.

The Palestinian Liberation Army had been established by refugee Arab Muslims in 1965, and following Israel’s victory, they continued to attack Jewish territory in attempts to “redeem Palestine”. In spite of a series of peace summits, unrest and violence continue in Israel to this day.

But according to God’s promise, all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates belongs to Israel.  And more important still, Jesus loves and died for the redemption of both the Israelites and the Palestinians. 

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ~ Gen. 8:11

The dove with the olive branch has always been a symbol for peace. Maybe this symbolizes the end of the ritual cleansing of the Earth and therefore the initiation of restored fellowship between God and man.   Peace between heaven and earth.

And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” ~ Gen. 9:12-15

In addition to establishing restored fellowship, God renewed His covenant with mankind, and even today, the symbol for God’s faithfulness is the rainbow.

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech… And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.  ~ Gen. 11:1, 4-5

I happened upon some information about the Hammurabi Stele Replica, which is in the Iran ‘Bastan’ National Museum. Hammurabi was the first ruler of Babylon, and is known for the detailed laws that were recorded on this stele, which are called “Hammurabi’s Code”. The translation of the introduction to the code was the most interesting to me, because it depicts a society much like what we see described in Genesis 11. Here is the translation, and a lovely picture of the relief on the stele.“When Anu the Sublime, King of the Anunaki, and Bel, the lord of Heaven and earth, who decreed the fate of the land, assigned to Marduk, the over-ruling son of Ea, god of righteousness, dominion over earthly man, and made him great among the Igigi, they called Babylon by his illustrious name, made it great on earth, and founded an everlasting kingdom in it, whose foundations are laid so solidly as those of heaven and earth; then Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared god, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak; so that I should rule over the black-headed people like Shamash, and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind.

Hammurabi, the prince, called of Bel am I, making riches and increase, enriching Nippur and Dur-ilu beyond compare, sublime patron of E-kur; who reestablished Eridu and purified the worship of E-apsu; who conquered the four quarters of the world, made great the name of Babylon, rejoiced the heart of Marduk, his lord…”

Although Hammurabi lived around 1792-1750 BC, the city of Babylon was named for this is the same false God “Bel” as the city of Babel. Read the end of Hammurabi’s ostentatious description of himself: “the Sublime, who humbles himself before the great gods; successor of Sumula-il; the mighty son of Sin-muballit; the royal scion of Eternity; the mighty monarch, the sun of Babylon, whose rays shed light over the land of Sumer and Akkad; the king, obeyed by the four quarters of the world; Beloved of Ninni, am I.”

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 propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. ~ Gen. 11:6-9

And so began the development of diverse cultures and peoples such as we see today.

Description of this picture:  U.S. Army Capt. Gwynne E. Kinley, right, and Air Force Maj. Pauline Lucas, both from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, help an animal health worker use an auto injector during a veterinary civic action project on the island of Socotra, Yemen, Feb. 26, 2007. The objective of the project was to teach women on the island basic animal husbandry techniques to improve the country’s overall livestock health and productivity, as well as educate other villagers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carrie Bernard)

So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~ Gen. 4:6-7

Whenever I’m tempted to be dissatisfied, disgruntled, or angry — I can remember these words, “sin lies at the door”. Interesting how God tells us “you should rule over it”. Where sin is concerned, we always have a choice.

Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. ~ Gen. 4:19

This is the first place I found where someone decided an extra wife was a good idea.

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. ~ Gen. 4:25-26

Eve’s reference to the fact that “God has appointed another seed” indicates that she knew this child was fulfilling a specific purpose. Eve may have actually thought that Seth would be the Messiah! Certainly she understood that God would send a Savior to pay the price for sin, so that true fellowship with God could again be restored. And she was right in the sense that Jesus was born from Seth’s lineage.

Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. ~ Gen. 5:21-24

Enoch is an enigma to me… what was he like, that God singled him out? What was his life like? All the Bible reveals to us is that he “walked with God”. He must have been something really special, because the inference is that he never died, but rather just walked right into heaven with the Lord. Someday I’ll meet this guy!  Lord, are there any Enochs walking around on Earth today?

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. ~ Gen. 6:5-12

Notice that Noah is described similarly to Enoch, but with more detail: “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord…   Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.   Noah walked with God.”  

And in contrast, God observed that every intent found in the hearts of the rest of mankind was evil!

“And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” ~ Gen. 6:17-18

God’s covenant relationship with man is revealed.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  ~ Gen. 1:26

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” ~ Gen. 1:27-28 

When God speaks of Himself in the plural sense, this is indicative of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I love how the very first thing God did after He created man and woman was to bless them!

The second thing He did was give them the responsibility of taking care of the Earth and all its creatures.  Hmmm…. 

man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ~ Gen. 2:24 

Looks like God originally planned for one man and one woman to share a marriage.  This is in harmony with God’s theme of faithfulness, and also provides a safe haven for children born of the marriage. 

The whole concept of family is meant to be a much stronger bond than we take it to be today.  In our selfishness, we don’t want to be burdened with the troublesome relationships of our family members; however, I believe that in doing so, we miss out on a tremendous blessing of God.  His Kingdom is based on the concept of His creating a family of adopted sons and daughters. 

He has a very high regard for the family, beginning with the marriage where two become one.  This “one flesh” concept makes it clear how deep that commitment is meant to be; divorcing your mate is like ripping out your own beating heart.

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” ~ Gen. 3:2-3  

Eve is a bit confused about what God’s directions entail; in fact, she makes it more stringent than He intended. This reminds me of a lot of churches whose members add to God’s Word in terms of what obedience to Him is all about. For example, the unscriptural expectation that everyone must be dressed in finery to come to church…

Jesus consistently reached out to the poor, the unclean, and the most sinful. He encouraged them to draw close to Him and learn of God.

So the LORD God said to the serpent:
“ Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.” ~ Gen. 3:14-15

Here is the first Messianic prophecy that is plainly spelled out in the Word.

The word “Genesis” is Greek for “origin”, and accordingly this book explains the beginnings of everything except God.   

The book was written by Moses. In chapter 3, Satan is exposed as the enemy of God and the deceiver of the human race.  Satan attacks the book of Genesis for several reasons:

• Witness of a divine Creator and creation
• Divine promise of a Redeemer
• Bible that is “God-breathed” and therefore divinely inspired
• The book’s scientific accuracy
• Literal testimony to human sin as deliberate disobedience to God
• Its infallible truth and foreshadowing of the Messiah was confirmed by Jesus in John 5:46-47

In verse 15 of this book, we see the prophecy of Satan’s defeat and eventual doom. 

What beginnings are found in Genesis?

ch. 1.  The natural universe as well as our world
ch. 1-2  The human race
ch. 3  Sin and death
ch. 3  Promise of redemption
ch. 4 Family life
ch. 4-9 Man-made civilization
ch. 10-11 Nations of the world and diverse languages
ch. 12-50 Hebrew race

The book begins with “God” and ends “in a coffin”. It’s a history of man’s failure and God’s plan of redemption.

Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. ~ Romans 5:20

Most Important People:

• Abraham
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Joseph

Most Important Themes:

• Eternity: before the beginning and after the end
• Creation: the handiwork of God
• Abel’s Sacrifice: the road to redemption
• Enoch’s Relationship: walking in the Spirit
• Noah’s Obedience:  faith in action
• Abraham’s Faith: worship, trust, obey
• Isaac’s Joyfulness:  child of promise
• Jacob’s Surrender:  favor with God and man
• Joseph’s Service:  power with God and man

God’s Plan:

1. Generation — In the beginning God (v. 1:1)  God, Adam
2. Degeneration — Now the serpent (v. 3:1)  Satan
3. Regeneration — Now the Lord (v. 12:1)  Noah

Sovereign Grace Overcomes Man’s Failure:

• Ideal environment (Eden)
• Rule of conscience (From the Fall to the Flood)
• Patriarchal Rule (Noah to Joseph)

The Messiah in Genesis:

1. Seed of woman (v. 3:15)
2. Jacob’s ladder (v. 28:12)
3. Judah’s scepter (v. 49:10)
4. Entrance into the safety of the Ark (vs. 7:1, 7)
5. Joseph’s promotion from pit to throne (vs. 37:28, 41:41-44)

Five Patriarchal Fathers:

1. Abraham
2. Isaac
3. Jacob
4. Joseph
5. Job

Important Places:

1. Eden – The Garden of Beginnings
2. Ararat – The Mountain of the Ark
3. Babel – The Dispersion and Diverse Languages
4. Ur of the Chaldees – Abram Called Out
5. Canaan – Promised Land
6. Egypt – Temporary Home

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT:  Three Covenant Fathers

A. Abraham — Genesis 12:1-3

¹ The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 

² “I will make you into a great nation
       and I will bless you;
       I will make your name great,
       and you will be a blessing.

 ³ I will bless those who bless you,
       and whoever curses you I will curse;
       and all peoples on earth
       will be blessed through you.”

B. Isaac — Genesis 26:1-5

¹ Now there was a famine in the land—besides the earlier famine of Abraham’s time—and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar.

² The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live.

³ Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.

⁴ I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring  all nations on earth will be blessed,

⁵ because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws.”

C. Jacob — Genesis 28:13-15

¹³ There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.

¹⁴ Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

¹⁵ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

From Family (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) to Nation (Exodus) with Joseph as the link between the two.  Joseph is the Messianic Patriarch, with at least 130 parallels between his life and the life of Jesus. 

OUTLINE of GENESIS:

CREATION  (Gen. ch. 1-2)

A. Jesus the Creator

1. John 1:1-3
2. Hebrews 1:1-3

B. The Holy Spirit — Gen. 1:2

THE FALL (Gen. ch. 3-4)

A.  Innocence in the Garden — God’s presence and fellowship 

B.  Free will — power of choice when tempted by Satan

C.  Failure to withstand outward temptation

1. Sin entered the world
2. Mankind became separated from God
3. The Earth was cursed
4. Sorrow was known

D.  God’s provision

1. Blood sacrifices to cover sin
2. The Sabbath is holy
3. Marriage is sacred
4. Tithing observed

E.  Life in the Antediluvian World

1. Herdsmen: Dwelt in tents, raised livestock
2. Musicians: Harp and organ
3. Artificers and manufacturers:  Brass and iron
4. Builders: Constructed cities

THE FLOOD (Genesis ch. 5-9)

A.  Failure to withstand inward temptation

B.  Evil threatened to destroy the good, so God acted decisively to take the first step toward a chosen nation.

C.  Noah warned mankind for 120 years as he was preparing the Ark, and 7 days passed once they boarded the Ark before the floodwaters came. 

D.  God’s mercies were refused so those left behind had to perish. [the Ark was an example of Christ — if you aren’t “in Christ”, you are not saved]

E.  The purified earth was replenished by 8 individuals.  First thing they did after stepping on dry land was to build an altar and worship God.

F.  God gave mankind power to govern the Earth — the first institution of human government (and instituted capital punishment).

G.  Life in the New World according to Sir Charles Marston, famed archeologist

1. Euphrates River is central to early life, surrounded by country known as Shinar, Chaldea, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, or Iraq.  A desert land with two main rivers flowing toward the Persian Gulf:  the Tigris and Euphrates.
2. Two civilizations unearthed in the desert from around 5000 BC:  the Sumerians and the Semites.  The Semites are descendants of Shem, Noah’s son, and one of the branches of this family is Abraham’s line, the Hebrews.
3. Archeological evidence found for the flood includes not only geological, physical evidence, but also written proofs. 

BABEL (Genesis ch. 10-11)

A.  God commanded the people after the flood to spread across the Earth, and replenish the population, but instead, they tried to build a giant empire independent of God at Babel.  They did not want to submit to God’s authority, according to famed Jewish historian, Josephus.

B. Noah’s family exited the Ark in Armenia then people traveled back toward the plain of Babylonia, where the Tower of Babel was constructed.

C.  God divided the people by language, according to their place in Noah’s family line. 

• Shem:  Descendants settled in Arabia and to the East
• Ham:  Descendants settled in Africa
• Japheth:  Descendants settled in Europe

THE CALL OF ABRAHAM  (Genesis ch. 12-38)

A.  God’s reasons for appointing a chosen people

1. To entrust with the Holy Scriptures
2. To bear witness to the Lord to all the other nations
3. To watch for and one day welcome the long awaited Messiah

B.  Abram, the Altar Builder

1. Called “the friend of God”
2. God made a covenant with him
3. Promise that his family would become a great nation
4. This nation would be God’s chosen people

C.  Isaac, the Child of Promise

D.  Jacob = Israel, Great Man of God, Father of 12 Tribes

DESCENT INTO EGYPT (Genesis ch. 39-50)

~ The Story of God’s Overruling Providence ~

A. Joseph sold into slavery at age 17

B.  Became ruler of Egypt at age 30

C.  Brought his Hebrew family to Egypt at age 40

D. The Hebrews lived in Goshen

• Flourished and grew in numbers
• National identity developed
• No intermarrying with outsiders