Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
21:13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.
God's promises are so binding that because he had promised to bless Abraham's offspring it meant he had to bless Ishmael.
21:13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.
God's promises are so binding that because he had promised to bless Abraham's offspring it meant he had to bless Ishmael.
22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Actually I think God already knew that Abraham would not withhold his son. It was Abraham that needed to know. Abraham needs to know he is as committed to God as the pagan nations (who actually go through with child sacrifices) are to their gods.
Once Abraham knows he would do anything for God, he is free. His faith is a done deal. If God hasn't told him what to do next he can do anything he likes because he knows that when God does speak he will obey.
22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Actually I think God already knew that Abraham would not withhold his son. It was Abraham that needed to know. Abraham needs to know he is as committed to God as the pagan nations (who actually go through with child sacrifices) are to their gods.
Once Abraham knows he would do anything for God, he is free. His faith is a done deal. If God hasn't told him what to do next he can do anything he likes because he knows that when God does speak he will obey.
23:6 "Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead."
Abraham had favoured with the surrounding nations but he insisted on paying for Sarah's burial plot. It was the first piece of property Abraham owned in the land God was going to give him. It was a taste of things to come.
23:6 "Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead."
Abraham had favoured with the surrounding nations but he insisted on paying for Sarah's burial plot. It was the first piece of property Abraham owned in the land God was going to give him. It was a taste of things to come.
24: 6-8 “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said… ‘To your offspring I will give this land’…Only do not take my son back there.”
Tricky, Abraham wanted Issac to have a wife from his family but he did not want Issac to return to his family because God's promise was connected to the land. Better to stay in the land of promise and be wifeless.
Reminds me of the words of the song, Stay. "Here I'll stay, forever." We also need to commit to staying in God's promise despite what we may have to give up to do so.
24: 6-8 “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said… ‘To your offspring I will give this land’…Only do not take my son back there.”
Tricky, Abraham wanted Issac to have a wife from his family but he did not want Issac to return to his family because God's promise was connected to the land. Better to stay in the land of promise and be wifeless.
Reminds me of the words of the song, Stay. "Here I'll stay, forever." We also need to commit to staying in God's promise despite what we may have to give up to do so.
25:20,26 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah…Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
God is never in a hurry!
Rebekah received a double blessing – twin boys.
25:20,26 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah…Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
God is never in a hurry!
Rebekah received a double blessing – twin boys.