The chapters for today show us a transition for Abraham’s character and relationship with God. In Genesis 20, we witness Abraham repeated an earlier mistake. He takes matters into his own hands regarding his safety before Abimelech, lying about his relationship with Sarah and leaving her exposed to adultery. God steps in to prevent this, reproving Abraham through Abimelech in Genesis 20:9-10. Abraham does not sin because he acts to secure his safety, rather he sins by breaking God’s commands demanding honesty and protection of his wife. For a modern-day example, avoiding dangerous parts of the city at night does not communicate a distrust of God. Lying to the police to gain their protection at the expense of others they protect, that does. Sinning at its core says “God, I don’t believe that you actually have my best interests at heart, so I’m going to take another path.” Our story continues from there, and we see God follow through on His promise of a son. I have even heard it suggested that God used the experience with Abimelech to prepare Abraham for fatherhood. The concluding chapter for today demonstrates the shift in Abraham’s character referenced earlier, where Abraham’s trust in God has progressed to the point of willingness to sacrifice Isaac, confident that God could step in, raise the dead, or provide a new heir.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
In these chapters, we see God showing mercy to Abimelech in Genesis 20:6. Then, God follows through on His promise and Sarah gives birth to Isaac. After Isaac’s birth, God shows mercy again to Hagar and Ishmael. Finally, God blesses Abraham and Isaac by providing the sacrificial lamb, foreshadowing His provision of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb for all the world.
Instructions for Us
Today’s readings teach us a simple concept that is exceedingly difficult to implement; that is, trust God enough to follow His instructions – even if those instructions don’t look like the direction you want to go.
Biblical Connections
This passage foreshadows the coming of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
Laborious Understandings
These chapters don’t contain any particularly difficult concepts to grasp. Admittedly, if the story of Abraham and Isaac had gone differently, we would have something to talk about here, but it didn’t so we don’t.
Enjoyable Passages
Genesis 22:8 and its connection with God providing our sacrificial lamb has always been a notable passage for me.
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for Christ, the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
Confess to God those places in your life you defy Him, taking matters into your own hands.
Testing
Genesis 20-22
The chapters for today show us a transition for Abraham’s character and relationship with God. In Genesis 20, we witness Abraham repeated an earlier mistake. He takes matters into his own hands regarding his safety before Abimelech, lying about his relationship with Sarah and leaving her exposed to adultery. God steps in to prevent this, reproving Abraham through Abimelech in Genesis 20:9-10. Abraham does not sin because he acts to secure his safety, rather he sins by breaking God’s commands demanding honesty and protection of his wife. For a modern-day example, avoiding dangerous parts of the city at night does not communicate a distrust of God. Lying to the police to gain their protection at the expense of others they protect, that does. Sinning at its core says “God, I don’t believe that you actually have my best interests at heart, so I’m going to take another path.” Our story continues from there, and we see God follow through on His promise of a son. I have even heard it suggested that God used the experience with Abimelech to prepare Abraham for fatherhood. The concluding chapter for today demonstrates the shift in Abraham’s character referenced earlier, where Abraham’s trust in God has progressed to the point of willingness to sacrifice Isaac, confident that God could step in, raise the dead, or provide a new heir.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
In these chapters, we see God showing mercy to Abimelech in Genesis 20:6. Then, God follows through on His promise and Sarah gives birth to Isaac. After Isaac’s birth, God shows mercy again to Hagar and Ishmael. Finally, God blesses Abraham and Isaac by providing the sacrificial lamb, foreshadowing His provision of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb for all the world.
Instructions for Us
Today’s readings teach us a simple concept that is exceedingly difficult to implement; that is, trust God enough to follow His instructions – even if those instructions don’t look like the direction you want to go.
Biblical Connections
This passage foreshadows the coming of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
Laborious Understandings
These chapters don’t contain any particularly difficult concepts to grasp. Admittedly, if the story of Abraham and Isaac had gone differently, we would have something to talk about here, but it didn’t so we don’t.
Enjoyable Passages
Genesis 22:8 and its connection with God providing our sacrificial lamb has always been a notable passage for me.
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious