Posts from July 2015
Genesis 23 – Burying Sarah, and Acquiring the Field, Cave, & Bordering Trees of Machpelah
Sarah lived 127 years and died in Kiriath-arba (Hebron) in Canaan. Abraham asked for a site to bury her from the Hittites. They let him choose anywhere because the said he is God’s chosen one among them. He asked for the cave of Machpelah, and would pay the full price for it. Ephron the Hittite said “yes” and tried to refuse payment, but Abraham insisted. The land was worth 400 shekels of silver, and Abraham paid it in the presence…
Genesis 22 – Abraham Willing to Sacrifice Isaac
God tested Abraham commanding him to go to the land of Moriah to offer Issac as a burnt offering. He obeyed, and took two young men and Isaac. On the 3rd day he arrived at the place. He told his young men to stay with the donkey while he and Isaac go and worship, then they will come back. He laid wood for the burnt offering on Isaac, and he took fire and a sacrificial knife, and they walked together.…
Genesis 21 – Birth of Isaac, Sending away of Ishmael, Abraham’s Covenant to live in the land of the Philistines
The Lord did for Sarah as he promised, she became pregnant at God’s appointed time – Isaac. Abraham was 100. Sarah saw Isaac mocking Ishmael (son of Hagar the Egyptian), and asked Abraham to drive them out, because Ishmael will not be a coheir with Isaac. This was hard for Abraham, but God told him to not be concerned for them, for He will make Ishmael into a nation as well. Abraham gave them provisions and sent them away. They…
Genesis 20 – Abimelech, God Sovereign over Our Ability to Sin & Over the Womb
Abraham traveled to Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While in Gerar he said Sarah was his sister to king Abimelech (a different one than before). God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him he was about to die because Sarah is married. He appealed to their innocence since he didn’t approach her. God said yes, it’s because God kept Abimelech from sinning against him, not letting him touch her. God told him to return her to…
Genesis 19 – Destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, Lot’s lineage: Moabites & Ammonites
The two angels entered Sodom in the evening. When Lot saw them he bowed his face to the ground and offered hospitality and lodging. They wanted to sleep in the square, but Lot urged them not to. Before bed, the young and old men of Sodom (the whole population) surrounded the house and asked for the men that they could have sex with them. Lot told them not to and offered his two virgin daughters. They told him to get…
Genesis 18 – 3 Men, The Lord, Going to Sodom & Gomorrah for Justice
The LORD appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, Abraham saw three men. He bowed to them, and offered them hospitality. They stayed and accepted. So Abraham served them with food Sarah prepared as they ate under the tree. The LORD said in a year Sarah would have a son. She overheard and laughed to herself. The LORD asked why did Sarah laugh, “Is anything impossible for the LORD?” She denied laughing, because she was afraid, but God said,…
Genesis 17 – God’s Covenant with Abraham and Circumcision as a Sign
Abram was 99 and the Lord appeared and said, “I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.” Abram fell face down and God said, “As for Me, My covenant is with you: you will become the father of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of nations.…
Genesis 16 – Hagar & Ishmael
Sarai didn’t have children yet so she told Abram to lay with her slave, Hagar, to have children. Abram slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. Because of this, Sarai began to look down on Hagar, and blamed her for her suffering. Abram told Sarai to do whatever she wanted with Hagar. Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away. The Angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring of water, and told her she must go back…
Genesis 15 – Abrahamic Covenant, Prophecy About Offspring’s Enslavement in Egypt
The Lord said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.” Abram asked how this could be since a slave in his house was the heir (Eliezar of Damascus). God told him he would have a son for an heir, and that his offspring will number the same as stars in the sky. Abram believed the Lord and it was credited to him as righteousness. Then he asked God how he would know…
Genesis 14 – Rescuing Lot, The Blessing of Melchizedek
First Set of Kings: (1) King Amraphel (of Shinar), (2) King Arioch (of Ellasar), (3) King Chedorlaomer (of Elam), and (4) King Tidal (of Goiim); made war with, the Second Set of Kings: (1) King Bera (of Sodom), (2) King Birsha (of Gomorra), (3) King Shinab (of Admah), (4) King Shemeber (of Zeboiim), and (5) King Bela (of Zoar). The first set joined forces, but then in 13 years rebelled against Chedorlaomer. In the 14th year Chedorlaomer and the kings with him defeated, Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, Zuzim in Ham, and Horites in Seir. They then came to Kadesh and defeated the Amalekites and…