@#$%^&* salary!. Treaty with Abimelech (21:22-34) Abraham had settled in the south of Canaan in Abimelech's territory and at Abimelech's invitation (see 20:15). NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SONS SON.] 1. A son was ABIMELECHS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM. He sarcastically said, Write your prayer on a piece of paper and you can have its weight in groceries. To his surprise, she pulled a folded note out of her pocket and handed it to him. 1886. Truthfully, I have nothing to offer but a little prayer.. He provided manna in the wilderness and brought water from a rock. I. _The Covenant with Abimelech_ (Genesis 21:22-34) 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. Adaptation of Divine truth to those to whom it is sent. I. Read the Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34. 14. . Bondwoman and her son cast out. Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 20 AND 21. Most of Gods people have been simple, ordinary folks who are not famous or politically powerful. Another highlight of this passage is the explanation for the origin of the name Beersheba. surround, enclose, and _chum_ black. One of the most comforting doctrines of Scripture is the truth that God providentially protects His children. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the . There is no reason to question the sincerity of the Philistine monarch in disclaiming all knowledge of the act of robbery committed by his servants. (1) The world is watching the lives of believers. @#$ %^&*^$!, Im not doin it! Since were not perfect, we do one of two wrong things. could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest So he changed his plans and flew home to L.A. Two days later, he heard on the news that a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles had crashed, killing everyone on board. That led to an obsessive seven year deep dive. ), his knowledge of Isaac's birth, and his general observation of the patriarch's prosperity. Here God shows Abraham that not only would the people of the land not take his wife, they wouldnt even take his well. Well see how much this is worth, he muttered. Neither didst thou toll me, neither yet heard I of it, but today. What does Genesis chapter 21 mean? | BibleRef.com Didnt Jesus tell us If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Though he was surrounded by pagans who had no scruples about murdering and plundering a wealthy mans belongings, Abraham could live securely because of Gods faithful protection, apart from any schemes on Abrahams part. Without even reading it, he put it on one side of his old-fashioned scale. Genesis 21:22. Abraham at Checking his ticket which he hadnt used, he realized that if his earlier flight to Chicago had not been cancelled, he would have been on that flight. Youll have to put these things in yourself. With a tearful thank you, the woman took her groceries and left. Wheres the justice? You might be thinking. That world could tell that God was with him in all he did! Phichol.] As the years passed, he often wondered if it was just a coincidence. Genesis 21:22-34 | Preaching Source Plus, if you add the three times shava is used and the three times sheva is used with the use of Beersheba that makes a total of seven times the words are used. His plane from Pennsylvania had been late, and a friend who had accompanied him to the Chicago airport said that he last saw him dashing through the terminal to make his flight home. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. Abimelech and PhicholHere a proof of the promise (Ge 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. mercy in Christ the Lord. Abraham, thinking the herdsmen had acted on their master's orders, reproved Abimelech. CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM, SAYING, GOD IS WITH THEE Wheres the balance between taking measures for our own safety versus trusting God to protect us? _ALUN OWEN_ (3) that in making charges or preferring complaints it is well to avoid both heat of temper and severity of language. of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have We plainly see that God blesseth and prospereth thee in all thy CHAPTER 21 ISAAC AND ISHMAEL AND THE COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH Its Gods job to meet out justice. Gunkel has given strong The blessing made manifest. AndIf anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. (Matthew 5:39-41). you do. genesis-26:26-34 - Bible Commentaries - page 8 of 14 "'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. In gratitude for former favours he had received from him, in token of the friendship that subsisted between them, and for the confirmation of it; and to show that he was fully satisfied with Abimelech's answer to his complaint, as well as willing to enter into covenant by sacrifice, when such creatures were divided, and the covenanters passed between the pieces, for so it follows: and both of them made a covenant ; or, read more, And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God. continued in the country of the Philistines for a considerable time; 4. He rained down fire and brimstone to destroy wicked Sodom. A covenant between the patriarch and the Philistine king. This may grow out of the previous encounter when God spoke to Abimelech, called Abraham a prophet, and answered Abrahams prayer (for the infertility of the women in his house). The trouble with this approach, of course, is that we never get to that place. Abraham was the friend of God. So they conclude that Christians are hypocrites, and they fail to see God in our lives. Only before concluding the agreement there was a matter of a more personal character that required settlement. has Because there they aware both of them. (Haydock)_ And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the Sarah who at an earlier point had He was simply living his daily life as the friend of God before the watching world. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Character of God, Discipleship, Ecclesiology (The Church), Empower, Spiritual Life, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. That word sounds very much like the Hebrew word for seven (sheva) used in 21:28, 29, and 30. 3. V1 The *Lord had promised that he would visit Sarah. Sometimes we may wonder, How does God fit in with the ordinary?. In an initial way, God is using Abraham to fulfill His purpose of blessing all the nations as he is blessed. Now therefore swear unto me here by Godthe verb to swear is derived from the Hebrew numeral seven, inasmuch as the septennary number was sacred, and oaths were confirmed either by seven sacrifices (Genesis 21:28) or by seven witnesses and pledgesthat thou wilt not deal falsely with me,literally, if thou shalt lie unto me; a common form of oath in Hebrew, in which the other member of the sentence is for emphasis left unexpressed (cf. _ALUN OWEN_ In the story of Hagar and Ishmael, we notice: He complains to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimeleks servants had seized. mercy in Christ the Lord. trial and utter ruin of the creature, with the revelation of divine 22 Abimelechs couenant with Abraham at Beer-sheba. Spiritual markers remind us of the goodness of the Lord in our lives. This event is not recorded in Scripture. Arab Ishmael is the father of all our outcasts. The grocer, who was not a believer, was unmoved by her need. Genesis 21:22 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. Abraham's acquiescence in the king's proposal was no doubt dictated by a peaceable disposition, a sense of equity, a spirit of contentment, and an unwavering confidence in God. The prince rather complains that Abraham had done him an injustice. 9 Hagar & Ishmael are cast forth. Abraham uses the occasion to complain to Abimelech about a well which his men have taken from Abrahams servants. GENESIS 21:23. (See previous post about Abraham and Abimelek). They formalize the peace agreement, Abimelech leaves, Abraham plants a commemorative tree, worships the Lord, and life goes on. Ishmaels expulsion. And you know what else? He was, to put it gently, directed to find a way to verbally persuade subjects to cooperate. The man whos been thoroughly analyzing these files for the last 44 years is Dr. George Valliant. The man was educated and he articulately expressed his objections. undertakings. fruit of patient waiting upon God. But we also need to see that His ordinary provision of our daily food is an example of His faithfulness. And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days. As a planter of tamarisks, the patriarch has been styled the father of civilization; it is more important to remark that he never neglected to worship God himself and publish his salvation to others. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. The LORD visited Sarah as He had said: It took a long time (25 years) for this promise to come to pass, but God was faithful to His promise. Youre not backing us up! Peace enjoyed. Most days, he got up, made sure his animals were being cared for, dealt with problems like sick or straying animals, servants who had squabbles, and finding enough water and food for his flocks and family. I wont ask you again!. Do you call on the name of the Lord regardless of your circumstances. 2. 23 Now therefore, swear[ a] to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. of faith in another point of view. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. None ever waited in vain. Abraham, having got into a good neighbourhood, knew when he was well off, and continued a great while there. In that case Abraham went down to Egypt, whereas Isaac went only as far as Gerar, in the land of the Philistines, but the same place where we read of Abraham denying his relationship with Sarah.