https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024&version=KJV
It is Sunday and I have more time to devote to studying the Bible. We left off with chapter 18 where Abraham had interceded with God not to destory the righteous with in Sodom and Gomorrah to spare them.
In chapter 19 we two Angels were sent to Sodom where Lot was staying with his family. Lot took in the Angels into his home. This caused problems as the Sodimites demand to meet them. Instead of allowing them within his dewelling he offered up his two daughters instead. (This is custom of Middle Eastern hospitality and that women where seen lower place then men).
Moving forward Lot still questioned the Angels and did not trust the messengers was more concern about himself then what was about to happen and to get to a safe place. (This is where you see Lot not trusting the Lord nor what the Angels where telling him). They were warned not to look back and Lot’s wife did and instead of keeping moving up to the mountains. Then you have the daughters who lay with their father and become pregnant by him. The Lot did the same as Noah and got drunk on wine both had consequences of their actions along with their children.
In chapter 20 we see again where Abraham told Sarah to say I am your brother and I will say you are my sister. This happen before in Genesis 12:10-20.
In chapter 21 we have the Birth of Isaac unto Abraham and Sarah. The name Isaac means He Laughs or May God Smile. Abraham obeyed God when he command him to circumce his son at 8 days old. Remember that Hagar (bondwoman) previously gave birth to a son Ishmael who is now a teenager. Sarah demands that Abraham to banish Ishmael. Abraham is grievous about his son. The Abraham receives a direct word from the Lord and to listen to Sarah and that he will make Ishmael a nation as he is off his seed.
In chapter 22 we have The Offering of Isaac. This is a great story for so much is to learned by it. Now you may think what is so great about thr offering of Abraham’s son Isaac… Below insert a clip from my Bible and then will explain what happens in 22.
Verse 2:God tells Abraham to take his son to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice.
Verse 3: take note he rose and took his son and 2 sevants with them. He didn’t stop to question God and not do so. He simply trusted God and obeyed His command.
Verse 5: take note that Abraham has the 2 sevants to wait behind saying he and his son will go yonder and worship and come to you again. He said nothing about his son not returning that they both would return.
Verse 7 & 8: Isaac is wondering where the lamb was that is to be sacrificed. Abraham tells him God will provide himself a lamb.
Verse 11-13 Abraham prepared the alter and bound his son’s hands picked up the knife to slay him. Before he did so the Angel of Lord says not to lay a hand on the child neither do anything to him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing as you not withheld your son, thine only son from me. (Important to understand that we tend to hold on to a person tighter than we should when they are not ours they belong to God. We need to remember to surrender them back to God as they are His.)
Verse 13-24 because of Abraham’s obedience to God he is rewarded. First God provides the sacrifice which he demand of Abraham (vs.13-14) Abraham names the place The Lord Will Provide. Second God provides assurance of His promise (vs.15-19) assurance of blessing. Finally God provides for future needs (vs.20-24).
Abraham went with the intention to sacrifice his son to God. Later we come to see God sacrifice’s His son Jesus to come to earth to be born unto Mary and then later crucified at the cross and to rise again 3 days later. Jesus was sent because of our sins to die in our place. Abraham was stopped before he took his son’s life. Jesus died so that we may have life this is speaking of eternal life not breath of life. Jesus paved a way for us to go to heaven. We have to first admit we sin believe in Jesus and confess our sins. To be born again which is not physical but spiritual. What an amazing story in chapter 22 which gives a glimpse of what was to come.
In chapter 23: The death and Burial of Sarah is where Abraham seeks a place to burry his wife. Normally you took your loved one back to homeland to be burried as was custom to keep track of family roots which meant he would have had to gone back to Ur where they came from. As he wasn’t looking backwards but moving forward he to in the present circumstances and paid a great deal to have his wife burried in the cave there.
Now we have caught up today’s chapter 24. Verse 2: It might seem odd to ask a servant to place hand under one’s thigh but it was customary in Abraham’s day. Here in verses 1-67 God is mentioned 17 times thou he never speaks is still main character. It is in some cultures today and back then for the parents to provide and seek prospects of a spouse for their loved ones. Since Abraham is very old he cannot make the journey back to his homeland to seek a bride so he sends his servant to do so.
This was no simple journey for the servant. As it took months to travel and hundreds of miles to go to Mesopotamia. The servant seeks God’s guidance on behave of his master to show kindness so that he would know which damsel to take back as a bride for Isaac. God showed and that it was to be Rebekah daughter of Nahor brother of Abraham. Verse 27 he gives thanks becuase God provided and ansered his prayer.
The story is about God’s faithfulness. He protects and guides the servant on his journey and He(God) brings Rebekah along with just the right servant-spirit to the well at just the right time.
Amazing story of how God provides and meets our needs at just the right moment and His timing.
God bless you and your loved ones.
Kirsten's Christian Corner 