Read Exodus 20:3-17
5) a) List the Ten Commandments. b) Meditate/pray – let God’s Spirit inspire you – write down what God is saying to humanity in each of the ten commandments. The first four really stood out for me.
1st commandment – Relates to God’s authority over man - No one else is to have authority over me but God. No one is to control my life but God. Not money, not spouse, not children, not job
2nd commandment – Worship - I am not to worship anyone or anything but God.
3rd commandment – Vain – Hebrew – empty, worthless; I am to respect God. I am to have deep reverence for God. Evidence of this – How I use his name. I am not use it to express my feelings about something (surprise, anger). His name is not to be used as an adjective/adverb. Not to be used flippantly in conversation. See Yahweh article in last week’s handout on how the Jews respected God’s name.
4th commandment – Follow God’s example. “Holy” means to set apart/be different. One day of the seven day week is to be different than the others. Rest one day out of seven.
6) Do you notice a division within the Ten Commandments? The first four are concerned with relationship between humanity and God. The last six are concerned humanity’s relationship with one another. Focus on the first four commandments:
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Story of the Bible pt. 1
Ta biblia ta hagia, "the holy books"), which derived from biblion ("paper" or "scroll,” the ordinary word for "book"), which was originally a diminutive of byblos ("Egyptian papyrus"), possibly so called from the name of the Phoenician port from which Egyptian papyrus was exported to Greece.
Biblical scholar Mark Hamilton states that the Greek phrase Ta biblia ("the books") was "an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe their sacred books several centuries before the time of Jesus," and would have referred to the Septuagint. The Online Etymology Dictionary states, "The Christian scripture was referred to in Greek as Ta Biblia as early as c.223."
1) What does the Bible have to say about itself?
Exodus 31:18 – When He (God) had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:15-16 - Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other. The tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets.
Deuteronomy 4:13 - So He (God) declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
Deuteronomy 9:10 - The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God is the author of the Bible.
2600 times in the Bible, you see this refrain – “The Lord says” or in the King’s English “Thus saith the Lord!”
Hebrews 1:1 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways …
Luke 1:70 – As He (God) spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old …
Numbers 12:6-8 – He (God) said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:1-4 – The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign …. Now the word of the LORD came to me saying …
Micah 1:1 – The word of the LORD which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God spoke His Word to men.
The men God spoke to – Shepherds (Amos), fishermen (Peter), kings (David, Solomon), priests (Ezekiel, Ezra), government officials (Daniel), and a doctor (Luke.)
Mark 12:36 – David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
II Peter 1:21 – for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God’s Holy Spirit inspired men to write down His Word.
Define inspire/inspiration – expire means to breathe out. Inspire means to breathe in
Literal translation in II Timothy – God breathed – God breathed His Word into man. What image does that produce? Mouth to mouth resuscitation. Gives life.
Hebrews 4:12a – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
If you were to summarize the above verse, what would you write?
God’s Word is full of life and energy
Active – literal translation energy
Review our summaries. Put them together to write an overall summary of what the Bible says about itself.
The Bible was authored by God and was spoken to men whom inspired by God’s Spirit wrote down His Word. God’s Word is not dead, but is full of life and energy.
Last sentence is very important. The words that God spoke to Moses, Jonah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Paul did not “die” when a book was completed. God’s was not just for the person/people/nations He was speaking to a thousand years ago. He is speaking to us as well in Jonah, Micah, Genesis, Nahum, Romans, Colossians, etc. To say otherwise, is to say God’s Word is dead. To believe otherwise, is to believe that God’s Word is dead. If that’s the case, might as well throw the Bible in a trash can.
2)Why did/does God speak to humanity through the Bible? What is He saying to humanity?
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You.
II Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4: 4 – But He (Jesus) answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
If you were to summarize the above verses, what would you say? Purpose of God’s Word – Draw humanity to obedience to Him so that they might find life and purpose.
Disobedience – death and uselessness
Biblical scholar Mark Hamilton states that the Greek phrase Ta biblia ("the books") was "an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe their sacred books several centuries before the time of Jesus," and would have referred to the Septuagint. The Online Etymology Dictionary states, "The Christian scripture was referred to in Greek as Ta Biblia as early as c.223."
1) What does the Bible have to say about itself?
Exodus 31:18 – When He (God) had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:15-16 - Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other. The tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets.
Deuteronomy 4:13 - So He (God) declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
Deuteronomy 9:10 - The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God is the author of the Bible.
2600 times in the Bible, you see this refrain – “The Lord says” or in the King’s English “Thus saith the Lord!”
Hebrews 1:1 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways …
Luke 1:70 – As He (God) spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old …
Numbers 12:6-8 – He (God) said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:1-4 – The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign …. Now the word of the LORD came to me saying …
Micah 1:1 – The word of the LORD which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God spoke His Word to men.
The men God spoke to – Shepherds (Amos), fishermen (Peter), kings (David, Solomon), priests (Ezekiel, Ezra), government officials (Daniel), and a doctor (Luke.)
Mark 12:36 – David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
II Peter 1:21 – for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God’s Holy Spirit inspired men to write down His Word.
Define inspire/inspiration – expire means to breathe out. Inspire means to breathe in
Literal translation in II Timothy – God breathed – God breathed His Word into man. What image does that produce? Mouth to mouth resuscitation. Gives life.
Hebrews 4:12a – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
If you were to summarize the above verse, what would you write?
God’s Word is full of life and energy
Active – literal translation energy
Review our summaries. Put them together to write an overall summary of what the Bible says about itself.
The Bible was authored by God and was spoken to men whom inspired by God’s Spirit wrote down His Word. God’s Word is not dead, but is full of life and energy.
Last sentence is very important. The words that God spoke to Moses, Jonah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Paul did not “die” when a book was completed. God’s was not just for the person/people/nations He was speaking to a thousand years ago. He is speaking to us as well in Jonah, Micah, Genesis, Nahum, Romans, Colossians, etc. To say otherwise, is to say God’s Word is dead. To believe otherwise, is to believe that God’s Word is dead. If that’s the case, might as well throw the Bible in a trash can.
2)Why did/does God speak to humanity through the Bible? What is He saying to humanity?
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You.
II Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4: 4 – But He (Jesus) answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
If you were to summarize the above verses, what would you say? Purpose of God’s Word – Draw humanity to obedience to Him so that they might find life and purpose.
Disobedience – death and uselessness
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 7 - Covenant Tested
When Abraham and Isaac reached their destination, Abraham proceeded to build the altar, arranged the wood on the altar, bound Isaac, and placed him on the altar. No evidence that Isaac put up a struggle. He took out his knife, raised it, and was about to bring it down to slay his son when he heard a voice from heaven cry out his name. Abraham stopped immediately and said “Here I am.” Throughout his test, Abraham was always listening. No matter the level of stress/anxiety Abraham was experiencing his ears were open to hearing from God. Lesson there for us.
8. What reason did God give to Abraham as to why He wanted Abraham to go through this experience? What was the purpose of God’s test? Repeat definition of test with emphasis on what is in bold - the method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. In this test, God is using the sacrifice of Isaac to test the presence, quality, or genuineness of something in Abraham. It was a trial whose purpose was to find the quality of something in Abraham. What was that something? That Abraham feared God; therefore, he would obey and trust God no matter what if even it meant the life of his only son Isaac. Fear of God defined – healthy recognition of the sovereignty/supreme authority of God. As Job put it – God gives and God takes away. Abraham learned that God gives, God takes away, and God gives back (See question 10) God tested Abraham to determine the presence, quality, and genuineness of Abraham’s faith/obedience to Him and Abraham passed the test successfully. Method of testing – Abraham was to sacrifice his one and only son whom he loved dearly – Isaac. Abraham had failed this test in the past. He did not always have faith that God would protect him or his family (see Genesis chapter 12.)
9. Why did God choose this method (sacrificing Isaac) to test Abraham? Another purpose for a test is to teach. What God was teaching to Abraham was the Gospel – the good news of salvation. Read Galatians 3:7-9. God was showing Abraham how He would bring about salvation to humanity. The near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows a similar event that would take place thousands of years later. A Father would one day lead His Son … His one and only Son whom He loved … to be sacrificed. The event would occur in the same vicinity that Abraham offered Isaac. The Father would lead His Son, not for three days, but for three years, on His journey to the mountain. Just as Abraham’s son carried wood that lead to his death, God’s Son carried wood that would lead to his death. When the journey ended, there would be no angel crying “Stop!” There would be no substitute found to sacrifice in the Son’s place. This Son died. Consequently, the plan of salvation that was put into motion through Abraham’s obedience to God’s call came to a successful conclusion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants would now be passed down to us. That blessing is salvation through Jesus Christ.
10. Why was Abraham willing to go through with the sacrifice of his son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the death despite the fact that up to this point no one had ever been raised from the dead. Other examples of Abraham passing the test. Genesis 22: 5, 8. How was Abraham able to have such faith? His faith was steeped in God’s promise that through Isaac His covenant with Abraham would be carried out.
11. Verse 13-14 - What did Abraham do? Worshipped God. Even after the difficult emotional/spiritual test God had put he and Isaac through. Would you have responded to God in the same way?
Read verses 15-19
12. What did the angel say to Abraham? Repeated the covenant. Why God will keep His covenant with Abraham? Abraham obeyed.
And God did keep His covenant with Abraham.
Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Twelve sons
Descendants become the Twelve Tribes
Nation of Israel
Death of Sarah at age 125. Abraham remarries has more children. Before he dies gives children by second marriage their inheritance and they move east. Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac is 75. Abraham lived long enough to see his grandchildren – Esau and Jacob.
APPLICATION
Read the following verses to determine a common reason why God tests His people.
Exodus 16: 4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people , "Do not be afraid ; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.
Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
VII. Conclusion
Why did God choose Abraham? Why did God choose an old man who was a nobody from a nobody people to make His covenant with … to initiate His plan of salvation? Remember I Samuel 16: 7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." What did God see in the heart of Abraham that would have God choose Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat. Number one has to be Abraham’s faith. Followed by obedience. Heart of worship (built many altars). Wisdom and integrity (battle with kings). Love (Lot, Ishmael). Justice (Sodom). There were negative characteristics that God saw in Abraham’s heart. Some major flaws – Passing Sarah off as his sister, the Hagar incident (listened to Sarah rather than God, lack of compassion for Hagar and Ishmael). God saw the good and the bad in Abraham’s heart and yet He still chose to make His covenant with Abraham. God looked beyond Abraham’s shortcomings/flaws and saw what was good and right and said “I choose Abram!” Common theme in Scripture. When God looks at your heart, what does He see?
8. What reason did God give to Abraham as to why He wanted Abraham to go through this experience? What was the purpose of God’s test? Repeat definition of test with emphasis on what is in bold - the method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. In this test, God is using the sacrifice of Isaac to test the presence, quality, or genuineness of something in Abraham. It was a trial whose purpose was to find the quality of something in Abraham. What was that something? That Abraham feared God; therefore, he would obey and trust God no matter what if even it meant the life of his only son Isaac. Fear of God defined – healthy recognition of the sovereignty/supreme authority of God. As Job put it – God gives and God takes away. Abraham learned that God gives, God takes away, and God gives back (See question 10) God tested Abraham to determine the presence, quality, and genuineness of Abraham’s faith/obedience to Him and Abraham passed the test successfully. Method of testing – Abraham was to sacrifice his one and only son whom he loved dearly – Isaac. Abraham had failed this test in the past. He did not always have faith that God would protect him or his family (see Genesis chapter 12.)
9. Why did God choose this method (sacrificing Isaac) to test Abraham? Another purpose for a test is to teach. What God was teaching to Abraham was the Gospel – the good news of salvation. Read Galatians 3:7-9. God was showing Abraham how He would bring about salvation to humanity. The near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows a similar event that would take place thousands of years later. A Father would one day lead His Son … His one and only Son whom He loved … to be sacrificed. The event would occur in the same vicinity that Abraham offered Isaac. The Father would lead His Son, not for three days, but for three years, on His journey to the mountain. Just as Abraham’s son carried wood that lead to his death, God’s Son carried wood that would lead to his death. When the journey ended, there would be no angel crying “Stop!” There would be no substitute found to sacrifice in the Son’s place. This Son died. Consequently, the plan of salvation that was put into motion through Abraham’s obedience to God’s call came to a successful conclusion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants would now be passed down to us. That blessing is salvation through Jesus Christ.
10. Why was Abraham willing to go through with the sacrifice of his son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the death despite the fact that up to this point no one had ever been raised from the dead. Other examples of Abraham passing the test. Genesis 22: 5, 8. How was Abraham able to have such faith? His faith was steeped in God’s promise that through Isaac His covenant with Abraham would be carried out.
11. Verse 13-14 - What did Abraham do? Worshipped God. Even after the difficult emotional/spiritual test God had put he and Isaac through. Would you have responded to God in the same way?
Read verses 15-19
12. What did the angel say to Abraham? Repeated the covenant. Why God will keep His covenant with Abraham? Abraham obeyed.
And God did keep His covenant with Abraham.
Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Twelve sons
Descendants become the Twelve Tribes
Nation of Israel
Death of Sarah at age 125. Abraham remarries has more children. Before he dies gives children by second marriage their inheritance and they move east. Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac is 75. Abraham lived long enough to see his grandchildren – Esau and Jacob.
APPLICATION
Read the following verses to determine a common reason why God tests His people.
Exodus 16: 4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people , "Do not be afraid ; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.
Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
VII. Conclusion
Why did God choose Abraham? Why did God choose an old man who was a nobody from a nobody people to make His covenant with … to initiate His plan of salvation? Remember I Samuel 16: 7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." What did God see in the heart of Abraham that would have God choose Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat. Number one has to be Abraham’s faith. Followed by obedience. Heart of worship (built many altars). Wisdom and integrity (battle with kings). Love (Lot, Ishmael). Justice (Sodom). There were negative characteristics that God saw in Abraham’s heart. Some major flaws – Passing Sarah off as his sister, the Hagar incident (listened to Sarah rather than God, lack of compassion for Hagar and Ishmael). God saw the good and the bad in Abraham’s heart and yet He still chose to make His covenant with Abraham. God looked beyond Abraham’s shortcomings/flaws and saw what was good and right and said “I choose Abram!” Common theme in Scripture. When God looks at your heart, what does He see?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 7 - Covenant Tested
Genesis 21:1-7 – Covenant confirmed with birth of Isaac.
Genesis 22:1-19
Read verse 1
“After these things ….” A significant period of time has passed between chapters 21 and 22. See last verse in chapter 21. Probably years. Isaac perhaps a young teenager.
1. What was God’s reason for visiting Abraham? He wanted to test Abraham. The word test in Hebrew is “nasa” – pronounced nawsaw. It means “to test, to prove, put to the test.”
2. What is the purpose of a test? The method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. Are tests easy? There is a level of stress/anxiety that comes with tests. That level depends upon the method used for testing. In chapter 22, God gives Abraham a test. As we read, be thinking about the definition of test.
Read verse 2-14
3. What did God tell Abraham to do? What method did God use to test Abraham? Hold off giving reason for test until question 8. Do you find how God phrased the wording of the test interesting? If you read this Scripture in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), it would read like this: Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac. God piles it on.
4. What was Abraham’s response? Similar to his response to God’s call to leave Haran back in chapter 12. He probably told Isaac and his servants they were going to the region of Moriah to offer a burnt offering to God and no more. Isaac and the servants may have thought it unusual that Abraham had brought wood for the sacrifice but no animal to sacrifice. Region of Moriah – according to tradition is where Jerusalem is located today. The mountain on which Abraham would offer Isaac as a sacrifice is where the Jewish temple was built – the Temple Mount.
5. During the three day journey, if you are Abraham, what’s going through your mind? What is your level of stress/anxiety? Emotional and spiritual. Abraham probably is questioning God. Wanting answers from God. What ever anxiety and stress Abraham is feeling, he continues to do what God has told him to do without hesitation. Lesson there for us.
6. What did Abraham say to his servants? We will worship and we will return. What does that tell you about Abraham? How is he doing in regards to the test so far?
Abraham and Isaac walk for a while. Isaac breaks the silence.
7. What obvious question did Isaac ask Abraham? Where’s the lamb that is to be sacrificed? What was Abraham’s response? God will provide. How is Abraham doing in regards to the test so far? And the two kept walking.
Genesis 22:1-19
Read verse 1
“After these things ….” A significant period of time has passed between chapters 21 and 22. See last verse in chapter 21. Probably years. Isaac perhaps a young teenager.
1. What was God’s reason for visiting Abraham? He wanted to test Abraham. The word test in Hebrew is “nasa” – pronounced nawsaw. It means “to test, to prove, put to the test.”
2. What is the purpose of a test? The method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. Are tests easy? There is a level of stress/anxiety that comes with tests. That level depends upon the method used for testing. In chapter 22, God gives Abraham a test. As we read, be thinking about the definition of test.
Read verse 2-14
3. What did God tell Abraham to do? What method did God use to test Abraham? Hold off giving reason for test until question 8. Do you find how God phrased the wording of the test interesting? If you read this Scripture in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), it would read like this: Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac. God piles it on.
4. What was Abraham’s response? Similar to his response to God’s call to leave Haran back in chapter 12. He probably told Isaac and his servants they were going to the region of Moriah to offer a burnt offering to God and no more. Isaac and the servants may have thought it unusual that Abraham had brought wood for the sacrifice but no animal to sacrifice. Region of Moriah – according to tradition is where Jerusalem is located today. The mountain on which Abraham would offer Isaac as a sacrifice is where the Jewish temple was built – the Temple Mount.
5. During the three day journey, if you are Abraham, what’s going through your mind? What is your level of stress/anxiety? Emotional and spiritual. Abraham probably is questioning God. Wanting answers from God. What ever anxiety and stress Abraham is feeling, he continues to do what God has told him to do without hesitation. Lesson there for us.
6. What did Abraham say to his servants? We will worship and we will return. What does that tell you about Abraham? How is he doing in regards to the test so far?
Abraham and Isaac walk for a while. Isaac breaks the silence.
7. What obvious question did Isaac ask Abraham? Where’s the lamb that is to be sacrificed? What was Abraham’s response? God will provide. How is Abraham doing in regards to the test so far? And the two kept walking.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 6: Abraham – Intercessor
Define intercessor – someone who pleads on another’s behalf
Summarize Genesis 18:1-15 - God and the three visitors. Sarah’s reaction to the news she will bear a son in one year.
Genesis 18:16-33
1) What information does God share with Abraham? He’s going to pay a visit to Sodom and Gomorrah personally to determine if they are as wicked/sinful as He has heard. Walk the streets and see it with physical eyes. If they are, He is going to wipe them off the face of the earth. What if God personally walked Colonial Heights/Richmond/your neighborhood/your home? What is your reputation? What is God hearing about you?
2) Why does God share this with Abraham? Vs. 19 – God has chosen Abraham and his descendants to be His champions of righteousness and justice in the world – end result they would be blessed. Sodom and Gomorrah were the complete opposites of Abraham. Champions of sin/depravity in the world – end result they would receive God’s judgment. Point out whose responsibility it was teach God’s commandments – Abraham, the parent. Not church’s responsibility.
God did not have to share this information with Abraham but He did. Why? Why should Abraham be concerned with the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah? His nephew Lot lives in Sodom.
3) In verses 23-32, what does Abraham proceed to do? Act as an intercessor on behalf of Lot and any other righteous people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. Understand something … this would be like a Jew during WW II praying for God to spare Berlin, Germany if at least10 godly Jews lived in the city. Or a Christian praying for God to spare Las Vegas, Nevada (nickname Sin City) if at least 10 godly Christians lived in the city.
4) How would you characterize the discussion between God and Abraham? Abraham’s questions and God’s responses? Abraham – humility; God – patience. God owed Abraham no answers. Could have said to Abraham: “FYI … I’m on my way to destroy S & G. See ya.” But He didn’t. God had developed such a rapport/harmonious relationship with Abraham, He felt like He could share anything with Abraham.
5) What did Abraham appeal to in God? God’s sense of justice – doing what is fair. It was Abraham’s belief that if God destroyed S & G and if the cities had as many as 50 or as few as 10 righteous people were destroyed along with them, that was not just/fair. Therefore God was an unjust/unfair God. Look at how Abraham phrases his argument. Read vs. 25. Remember God chose Abraham to command his descendants to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and JUSTICE. In this event Abraham proved/confirmed to God that He had chosen wisely. Abraham was a man of justice.
6) How does the discussion end? God departed for S & G; Abraham returned to his home perhaps hoping that there were at least 10 righteous people living in S & G for Lot’s sake.
7) What do you learn about Abraham’s character here? Man of humility, justice, and great love (for Lot – someone who rarely, if ever, returned his uncle’s love). If you were Abraham and God broached you about what He was going to do to S & G, how would you have responded? “Fine with me! They deserve it! Two less enemies I have to worry about. Lot deserves to be wiped out with them. He made his bed in Sodom. He chose to live there … he can die there as well!” But Abraham did not respond that way. A great example of why God made His covenant with Abraham.
8) What do you learn about God’s character here?
Lot's story - Read Genesis chapter 19
The two angels enter Sodom. They warn Lot that God is about to destroy Sodom. He and his family need to leave now. Lot was slow in leaving. Although he knew Sodom to be extremely wicked and it tormented him (read II Peter 2:7-9) there was something about Sodom that appealed to him. He couldn't let it go. Whatever that appeal was, it was going to cost him and his family their lives if they didn't leave. The angels practically had to drag Lot out of the city. They warned Lot and his family not to look back on Sodom as the destruction or they would die as well. As God rained down destruction on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters fled to the mountains. Lot's story ends with his daughters getting him drunk and committing incest with him. Lesson - Remember, Lot chose to live in Sodom. When his uncle Abraham gave him the choice of the land (Genesis 13), Lot chose to pitch his tents near Sodom because the land was beautiful. Didn't matter that Sodom had a well-known reputation for wickedness. It was not long before Lot found himself living IN Sodom. Consequences of Lot's choice - a) Spiritual stress/anxiety - He was tormented by the wickedness around him day and night. b) Lot's wife and daughters came under the influence of Sodom's wickedness, namely sexual immorality. His daughters were raised in this wicked environment. They continued to practice sexual immorality after Sodom was destroyed. Always remember that the consequences that come with the choice you make, to pursue godliness or wickedness, do not impact just you. The consequences will impact those around you as well.
Summarize Genesis 18:1-15 - God and the three visitors. Sarah’s reaction to the news she will bear a son in one year.
Genesis 18:16-33
1) What information does God share with Abraham? He’s going to pay a visit to Sodom and Gomorrah personally to determine if they are as wicked/sinful as He has heard. Walk the streets and see it with physical eyes. If they are, He is going to wipe them off the face of the earth. What if God personally walked Colonial Heights/Richmond/your neighborhood/your home? What is your reputation? What is God hearing about you?
2) Why does God share this with Abraham? Vs. 19 – God has chosen Abraham and his descendants to be His champions of righteousness and justice in the world – end result they would be blessed. Sodom and Gomorrah were the complete opposites of Abraham. Champions of sin/depravity in the world – end result they would receive God’s judgment. Point out whose responsibility it was teach God’s commandments – Abraham, the parent. Not church’s responsibility.
God did not have to share this information with Abraham but He did. Why? Why should Abraham be concerned with the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah? His nephew Lot lives in Sodom.
3) In verses 23-32, what does Abraham proceed to do? Act as an intercessor on behalf of Lot and any other righteous people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. Understand something … this would be like a Jew during WW II praying for God to spare Berlin, Germany if at least10 godly Jews lived in the city. Or a Christian praying for God to spare Las Vegas, Nevada (nickname Sin City) if at least 10 godly Christians lived in the city.
4) How would you characterize the discussion between God and Abraham? Abraham’s questions and God’s responses? Abraham – humility; God – patience. God owed Abraham no answers. Could have said to Abraham: “FYI … I’m on my way to destroy S & G. See ya.” But He didn’t. God had developed such a rapport/harmonious relationship with Abraham, He felt like He could share anything with Abraham.
5) What did Abraham appeal to in God? God’s sense of justice – doing what is fair. It was Abraham’s belief that if God destroyed S & G and if the cities had as many as 50 or as few as 10 righteous people were destroyed along with them, that was not just/fair. Therefore God was an unjust/unfair God. Look at how Abraham phrases his argument. Read vs. 25. Remember God chose Abraham to command his descendants to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and JUSTICE. In this event Abraham proved/confirmed to God that He had chosen wisely. Abraham was a man of justice.
6) How does the discussion end? God departed for S & G; Abraham returned to his home perhaps hoping that there were at least 10 righteous people living in S & G for Lot’s sake.
7) What do you learn about Abraham’s character here? Man of humility, justice, and great love (for Lot – someone who rarely, if ever, returned his uncle’s love). If you were Abraham and God broached you about what He was going to do to S & G, how would you have responded? “Fine with me! They deserve it! Two less enemies I have to worry about. Lot deserves to be wiped out with them. He made his bed in Sodom. He chose to live there … he can die there as well!” But Abraham did not respond that way. A great example of why God made His covenant with Abraham.
8) What do you learn about God’s character here?
Lot's story - Read Genesis chapter 19
The two angels enter Sodom. They warn Lot that God is about to destroy Sodom. He and his family need to leave now. Lot was slow in leaving. Although he knew Sodom to be extremely wicked and it tormented him (read II Peter 2:7-9) there was something about Sodom that appealed to him. He couldn't let it go. Whatever that appeal was, it was going to cost him and his family their lives if they didn't leave. The angels practically had to drag Lot out of the city. They warned Lot and his family not to look back on Sodom as the destruction or they would die as well. As God rained down destruction on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters fled to the mountains. Lot's story ends with his daughters getting him drunk and committing incest with him. Lesson - Remember, Lot chose to live in Sodom. When his uncle Abraham gave him the choice of the land (Genesis 13), Lot chose to pitch his tents near Sodom because the land was beautiful. Didn't matter that Sodom had a well-known reputation for wickedness. It was not long before Lot found himself living IN Sodom. Consequences of Lot's choice - a) Spiritual stress/anxiety - He was tormented by the wickedness around him day and night. b) Lot's wife and daughters came under the influence of Sodom's wickedness, namely sexual immorality. His daughters were raised in this wicked environment. They continued to practice sexual immorality after Sodom was destroyed. Always remember that the consequences that come with the choice you make, to pursue godliness or wickedness, do not impact just you. The consequences will impact those around you as well.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 5 - Covenant Further Defined
Define covenant - a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. In this case the parties are God and Abram. In this chapter, God provides Abram with more detail about the nature of their solemn agreement. What God agrees to do for Abram and what Abram agrees to do for God particularly the latter (Abram.)
Genesis 17:1-8
1. How old is Abram? 99. The event in this chapter takes place 13 years after the Hagar incident. The promised son still has not been born. Abram once again needs a booster shot of faith from God. God appears to Abram in his time of need.
2. How does God refer to Himself? God Almighty. In the Hebrew, translated El Shaddai. Define almighty – unlimited power. Why does God refer to Himself this way to Abram at this time? Abram is 99. Sarai is 90. It’s going to take a God with unlimited power to enable them to have a child.
3. What requirement does God give to Abram in relation to the covenant? Walk before me and be blameless. This is the spiritual requirement of the covenant. Why? God emphasizes the importance of Abram being obedient/holy particularly after the Hagar incident. What did God mean by “walk before me”? Abram was to be God’s herald to a world dominated by sin. In order to carry out that call, Abram had to be blameless/holy. He didn’t do a good job of it during the Hagar incident.
4. vs. 5 – What significant moment happens to Abram? God changes his name to Abraham. Why? To better reflect the promise made in the covenant (multitude of descendants.) Abram – “exalted father”; Abraham – father of multitude/many. The name change could also be God’s way of offering Abraham a fresh start after the Hagar incident. Abraham has clean slate.
Genesis 17:9-14
5) What is the second requirement God gives to Abraham in relation to the covenant? Circumcision. This is the physical requirement of the covenant. What was its purpose? Outward/physical expression of obedience to God. See vs. 11 – Finalizing/sealing of the covenant between Abraham and his descendants and God. Circumcision would be a constant reminder of the covenant agreement. Read Romans 2: 28-29. Unfortunately, over time the Jews placed more emphasis on the physical requirement of the covenant than they did on the spiritual requirement. Today, physical circumcision is no longer required. Christ fully met the physical requirement of the covenant when he shed his blood at Cavalry. Spiritual requirement still valid today. Are Christians guilt of the same thing? Emphasize the external and deemphasize the internal.
Genesis 17:15-22
6) What all did God say in reference to Sarai? Name change. See answer to quest. 4. Point out that this is the first time God says that Sarah will be the one to bear the promised son.
7) What is Abraham’s response? Laughter. Why did he respond this way? He and Sarah were now 99 and 90.
8) What did Abraham petition God? Let Ishmael be the promised son. Why? Perhaps impatience. Ishmael already born and is now 13. Wouldn’t be long before he’s married off and taking over the family business and having children. Abraham and Sarah have a child now … they’ll have to wait longer for the child to grow up. Moreover, Abraham loved Ishmael. He was his firstborn son.
9) What was God’s response to Abraham? No. What else did God tell Abraham? He’ll have a son by Sarah and will name him Isaac – “He laughs” Why? Perhaps as a constant reminder to Abraham of his reaction to God’s almighty power. Emphasize that God said “My covenant” not “our covenant” or “Abraham’s covenant”. God is the sole author of the covenant. Attempts by Abraham to make edits to a covenant God had written (ex. Hagar incident) only led to pain/failure. There is a lesson there for us.
10) When will the child be born? One year. God finally gives Abraham a date. Also, God reassured Abraham that he will not forget Ishmael.
APPLICATION
God does not tell us everything He is going to do for us up front/at the beginning. Why? For one thing our limited brain would not be able to comprehend it all. More importantly, we would be less dependent on God during the journey. We would have no need of faith. That’s a dangerous place to be. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. What God does during our journey is tell us what we need to know at that time/moment so that we can mature. Result – we are better able to comprehend the journey.
Genesis 17:1-8
1. How old is Abram? 99. The event in this chapter takes place 13 years after the Hagar incident. The promised son still has not been born. Abram once again needs a booster shot of faith from God. God appears to Abram in his time of need.
2. How does God refer to Himself? God Almighty. In the Hebrew, translated El Shaddai. Define almighty – unlimited power. Why does God refer to Himself this way to Abram at this time? Abram is 99. Sarai is 90. It’s going to take a God with unlimited power to enable them to have a child.
3. What requirement does God give to Abram in relation to the covenant? Walk before me and be blameless. This is the spiritual requirement of the covenant. Why? God emphasizes the importance of Abram being obedient/holy particularly after the Hagar incident. What did God mean by “walk before me”? Abram was to be God’s herald to a world dominated by sin. In order to carry out that call, Abram had to be blameless/holy. He didn’t do a good job of it during the Hagar incident.
4. vs. 5 – What significant moment happens to Abram? God changes his name to Abraham. Why? To better reflect the promise made in the covenant (multitude of descendants.) Abram – “exalted father”; Abraham – father of multitude/many. The name change could also be God’s way of offering Abraham a fresh start after the Hagar incident. Abraham has clean slate.
Genesis 17:9-14
5) What is the second requirement God gives to Abraham in relation to the covenant? Circumcision. This is the physical requirement of the covenant. What was its purpose? Outward/physical expression of obedience to God. See vs. 11 – Finalizing/sealing of the covenant between Abraham and his descendants and God. Circumcision would be a constant reminder of the covenant agreement. Read Romans 2: 28-29. Unfortunately, over time the Jews placed more emphasis on the physical requirement of the covenant than they did on the spiritual requirement. Today, physical circumcision is no longer required. Christ fully met the physical requirement of the covenant when he shed his blood at Cavalry. Spiritual requirement still valid today. Are Christians guilt of the same thing? Emphasize the external and deemphasize the internal.
Genesis 17:15-22
6) What all did God say in reference to Sarai? Name change. See answer to quest. 4. Point out that this is the first time God says that Sarah will be the one to bear the promised son.
7) What is Abraham’s response? Laughter. Why did he respond this way? He and Sarah were now 99 and 90.
8) What did Abraham petition God? Let Ishmael be the promised son. Why? Perhaps impatience. Ishmael already born and is now 13. Wouldn’t be long before he’s married off and taking over the family business and having children. Abraham and Sarah have a child now … they’ll have to wait longer for the child to grow up. Moreover, Abraham loved Ishmael. He was his firstborn son.
9) What was God’s response to Abraham? No. What else did God tell Abraham? He’ll have a son by Sarah and will name him Isaac – “He laughs” Why? Perhaps as a constant reminder to Abraham of his reaction to God’s almighty power. Emphasize that God said “My covenant” not “our covenant” or “Abraham’s covenant”. God is the sole author of the covenant. Attempts by Abraham to make edits to a covenant God had written (ex. Hagar incident) only led to pain/failure. There is a lesson there for us.
10) When will the child be born? One year. God finally gives Abraham a date. Also, God reassured Abraham that he will not forget Ishmael.
APPLICATION
God does not tell us everything He is going to do for us up front/at the beginning. Why? For one thing our limited brain would not be able to comprehend it all. More importantly, we would be less dependent on God during the journey. We would have no need of faith. That’s a dangerous place to be. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. What God does during our journey is tell us what we need to know at that time/moment so that we can mature. Result – we are better able to comprehend the journey.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 4 - The Hagar incident
Read Genesis 16:1-6
Abram in his mid-80's and Sarai in her mid-70’s. Still no child. God has yet to fulfill his promise. Sarai experiences her crisis of faith.
1) How did Sarai get a servant from Egypt? Read Genesis 12:12-20. Pharoah gave Sarai and Abram servants before they left Egypt. Abram's Egyptian trip is about to come back to haunt him.
2) What did Sarai tell Abram to do? Sleep with her handmaiden Hagar. Why? Sarai blamed God for her failure to bear children. It’s been 10 years since God promised Abram an heir.
3) What did Abram do and why did Abram do it? Took Hagar as his wife and slept with her. Did Abram consult God and ask Him if that was part of the Plan? Have a discussion with Sarai about whether or not her plan was a good idea? No. He listened to the voice of Sarai. No hesitation in Abram. Those of who have spouses. How much influence does your spouse have over the decisions you make? I don’t mean what color paint to use for the bathroom or what you drink, Coke or Pepsi. I’m talking about life-impacting decisions – financial (buying a house) and spiritual (sin or not to sin). Ex. Visit to Egypt. Abram used his influence as Sarai’s husband to cause her to do something that was wrong. Now, Sarai’s using her influence as Abram’s wife to cause him to do something wrong. How are you influencing your spouse/someone close to you? Positive or negative? Holiness or sin? Who should have the greater influence in a relationship? You, your spouse/friend/family member, or God?
Factor influencing Abram’s decision to have a child by Hagar is what God said to Abram in Genesis 15:4. Abram probably believed this is how God’s promise would be carried out. God said that he would have a child from his own flesh, not Sarai’s.
4) What happened? Hagar got pregnant immediately.
5) What problems arose from Hagar’s pregnancy? Tension within Abram’s household. between Sarai and Hagar and between Sarai and Abram. Despised/contempt – Two ways to interpret this word. 1) to make light of. Hagar began to rub it in Sarai’s face that she was pregnant and Sarai was not. 2) to treat with contempt. Hagar angry at Sarai for getting her pregnant. She did not choose to be with child. Who did Sarai blame? Abram. Why? He was the one that got Hagar pregnant. It’s so easy to blame others for our mistakes.
6) vs. 6. What was Abram’s response to Sarai? Sarai, you deal with her however you please. What is your opinion of Abram’s response? What did Sarai do? Abuse Hagar
7) What image of Abram do we gleam from this incident? Weakness as a husband/spiritual leader, impatience, lacking wisdom, lack of compassion
8) What lessons are we to learn from the “Hagar incident?” PATIENCE. Wait upon the Lord. Allow God to work out His plan for us in His timing. If we become impatient and try to carry out God’s plan on our own, the outcome will not be good. Negative consequences in the immediate and far reaching future. Impact Abram’s impatience – immediate: friction in the family (Sarai vs. Hagar; Sarai vs. Abram; Ishamael vs. Isaac) and friction between God and Abram (see in Genesis 17); Far-reaching future (Genesis 16:11-12) – According to Islamic tradition, the Arabs are descendants of Ishmael. Enemies of the descendants of Isaac – the Jews/Israel. Hit hard – Impact of sin can be felt for generations/centuries. Your sin does not just impact you, but impacts others around you. In the same way your obedience to God/your righteousness does not just impact you, but can impact others around you – your spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.
Summarize the rest of the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Rest of chapter 16 - Sarai kicked Hagar out of the house. She ran into the wilderness. An angel from God told her to go back to Sarai. Moreover, the angel told Hagar that she would have a multitude of descendants. Her son Ishmael would be constantly in conflict with his others especially his kinsmen (Isaac and his descendants the Jews); ch. 21:8-21 - After Sarai (no Sarah) gave birth to Isaac, she kicked Hagar and Ishmael out of the house. They fled to the wilderness. Hagar and Ishmael were dying of thirst. She walked away from her son not wanting to watch him die. An angel came and showed them a fountain of water in the wilderness. God told them that Ishmael would be the father of a great nation. Islamic tradition says this great nation is the Arabs. ch. 25:12-18 - Ishmael's descendants settle in Havilah and Shur - modern day Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Abram in his mid-80's and Sarai in her mid-70’s. Still no child. God has yet to fulfill his promise. Sarai experiences her crisis of faith.
1) How did Sarai get a servant from Egypt? Read Genesis 12:12-20. Pharoah gave Sarai and Abram servants before they left Egypt. Abram's Egyptian trip is about to come back to haunt him.
2) What did Sarai tell Abram to do? Sleep with her handmaiden Hagar. Why? Sarai blamed God for her failure to bear children. It’s been 10 years since God promised Abram an heir.
3) What did Abram do and why did Abram do it? Took Hagar as his wife and slept with her. Did Abram consult God and ask Him if that was part of the Plan? Have a discussion with Sarai about whether or not her plan was a good idea? No. He listened to the voice of Sarai. No hesitation in Abram. Those of who have spouses. How much influence does your spouse have over the decisions you make? I don’t mean what color paint to use for the bathroom or what you drink, Coke or Pepsi. I’m talking about life-impacting decisions – financial (buying a house) and spiritual (sin or not to sin). Ex. Visit to Egypt. Abram used his influence as Sarai’s husband to cause her to do something that was wrong. Now, Sarai’s using her influence as Abram’s wife to cause him to do something wrong. How are you influencing your spouse/someone close to you? Positive or negative? Holiness or sin? Who should have the greater influence in a relationship? You, your spouse/friend/family member, or God?
Factor influencing Abram’s decision to have a child by Hagar is what God said to Abram in Genesis 15:4. Abram probably believed this is how God’s promise would be carried out. God said that he would have a child from his own flesh, not Sarai’s.
4) What happened? Hagar got pregnant immediately.
5) What problems arose from Hagar’s pregnancy? Tension within Abram’s household. between Sarai and Hagar and between Sarai and Abram. Despised/contempt – Two ways to interpret this word. 1) to make light of. Hagar began to rub it in Sarai’s face that she was pregnant and Sarai was not. 2) to treat with contempt. Hagar angry at Sarai for getting her pregnant. She did not choose to be with child. Who did Sarai blame? Abram. Why? He was the one that got Hagar pregnant. It’s so easy to blame others for our mistakes.
6) vs. 6. What was Abram’s response to Sarai? Sarai, you deal with her however you please. What is your opinion of Abram’s response? What did Sarai do? Abuse Hagar
7) What image of Abram do we gleam from this incident? Weakness as a husband/spiritual leader, impatience, lacking wisdom, lack of compassion
8) What lessons are we to learn from the “Hagar incident?” PATIENCE. Wait upon the Lord. Allow God to work out His plan for us in His timing. If we become impatient and try to carry out God’s plan on our own, the outcome will not be good. Negative consequences in the immediate and far reaching future. Impact Abram’s impatience – immediate: friction in the family (Sarai vs. Hagar; Sarai vs. Abram; Ishamael vs. Isaac) and friction between God and Abram (see in Genesis 17); Far-reaching future (Genesis 16:11-12) – According to Islamic tradition, the Arabs are descendants of Ishmael. Enemies of the descendants of Isaac – the Jews/Israel. Hit hard – Impact of sin can be felt for generations/centuries. Your sin does not just impact you, but impacts others around you. In the same way your obedience to God/your righteousness does not just impact you, but can impact others around you – your spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.
Summarize the rest of the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Rest of chapter 16 - Sarai kicked Hagar out of the house. She ran into the wilderness. An angel from God told her to go back to Sarai. Moreover, the angel told Hagar that she would have a multitude of descendants. Her son Ishmael would be constantly in conflict with his others especially his kinsmen (Isaac and his descendants the Jews); ch. 21:8-21 - After Sarai (no Sarah) gave birth to Isaac, she kicked Hagar and Ishmael out of the house. They fled to the wilderness. Hagar and Ishmael were dying of thirst. She walked away from her son not wanting to watch him die. An angel came and showed them a fountain of water in the wilderness. God told them that Ishmael would be the father of a great nation. Islamic tradition says this great nation is the Arabs. ch. 25:12-18 - Ishmael's descendants settle in Havilah and Shur - modern day Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
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