Genesis 25 "Jacob, God's Sovereign Choice"

Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” (vv.20-23)

Here we see that even the son of promise (Isaac) did not come into the promise easily. It only came through years of waiting and prayer. This prayer was answered, but some 20 years after Isaac and Rebekah first married (Genesis 25:20, 26). Their faith and persistence in prayer was tested and invited to grow through many years. And, these would be the only children born to Isaac and Rebekah.

The struggle described here that was taking place in Rebekah’s womb made her seek God. As she sought Him, the LORD spoke to her regarding number of children in her womb, their gender, and the destiny of those sons in her womb. What God said to her was simple; Rebekah you will give birth to twins. The twins would each father nations. One shall be greater than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. 

The older serving the younger went against the culture of the day, for in Isaac’s day, the firstborn received a double portion of the inheritance always. However, the Lord does not follow man’s cultures or ideas. The reversal of this cultural norm would later become clear. God announced these intentions to Rebekah here before the children were born (the older shall serve the younger), and repeated His verdict long after Jacob and Esau had both passed from the earth, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have rejected." (Malachi 1:2-3). In Romans 9:10-13, the Apostle Paul used this choice of Jacob over Esau before their birth as an illustration of God’s sovereign choice.

Our greatest error in considering the choices of God is to think God chooses for arbitrary reasons, as if His choices were random and senseless. God chooses according to His divine wisdom, love, and goodness. We may not be able to understand God’s reasons for choosing (and they are reasons He alone knows), His choices are not random or capricious, but righteous. 

The Truth: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Genesis 24 “A Bride For Isaac”

Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who ruled over all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (vv.2-4)

When selecting a wife for Isaac, Abraham wanted a woman who would retrace his own faith journey from Ur to Canaan. He made his chief servant swear that he would not choose a woman from Canaan (v. 3), but instead make the 500-mile journey back to the region Abraham had left about 65 years prior (see 12:4; 17:24; 25:20), and without Isaac. His direction was rooted in God's promise that Isaac would inherit the land of Canaan, so Abraham wasn't about to let him leave. He had witnessed God's miraculous provision enough times to trust Him for every need, even a wife. He had complete confidence that God's angel would ensure the plan's success (v. 7). 

Isaac's wife would have to be someone willing to leave her home and family to inherit the land God promised sight unseen. This extreme selectivity showed that Abraham wanted to build a family of faith. Even Abraham's servant Eliezar believed that God would provide, and as he acknowledged God in all his ways, the Lord directed Eliezar's steps. This reinforces the fact that belief in God was never exclusive to Abraham's direct descendants. Eliezar's prayer (vv.10-14) for the Lord's help also shows us that he depended on God for success. 

After arriving in the city where Nahor, Abraham's brother, lived, Eliezar devised a test based on character rather than beauty or charm—and it was no small test. The servant had ten camels that had just traveled 500 miles, and one thirsty camel can guzzle up to thirty gallons of water in just ten minutes! So, to water them all would take a special woman as we shall see in Rebekah; one of compassion, hospitality, strength, endurance, with a servants heart. Ten camels needing to drink 30 gallons each probably took her at least 100 trips to the well; drawing, carrying, pouring, refilling the troughs with her 3 gallon clay pot.

We also read that Rebekah was very beautiful to behold. She is one of the few women whom the Bible specifically describes as beautiful. The others are Sarah (Genesis 12:11-14), Rachel (Genesis 29:17), Abigail (1 Samuel 25:3), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2), Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27), Queen Vashti of the Persians (Esther 1:11), Esther (Esther 2:7), and the daughters of Job (Job 42:15).

Eliezar let Rebekah complete the difficult job of providing water to his ten camels. Then from there, the wedding arrangements progressed rapidly. Eliezer gave her gifts and requested hospitality. At her house he introduced himself to the family and told them of his urgent errand before the meal had even begun. Then he negotiated, paid the bride price, and the next morning headed back to Canaan with the bride-to-be.  

We have plenty to glean from in this passage conserving faith and trust in God, especially when it comes to selecting a potential spouse. While beauty, charm and attraction do come into play in selecting such a person, it's important to look for someone of faith and character as well. Such a life long decision should not be rushed either. Ask God to guide you in your choice, even if it takes a long journey to find the right person. It will be well worth it in the end.

The Truth: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)  

Genesis 23 "Sarah Lived 127 Years"

"Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah." (v.1)

The scripture evidently bestows great honor upon Sarah for she is the only woman of God in the Bible whose age at the time of her death is mentioned.  In fact, very few of the women of God in the Bible even have their death itself recorded.

 The New Testament speaks of Sarah as one of the great women of faith in the scripture: Sarah is honored in the “Hall of Faith” chapter of the book of Hebrews (11:11), “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” She is also looked at as an example of a godly woman in 1 Peter 3:6, “Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

 In Sarah's generation, 127-years was a disappointment because most people lived a lot longer than she did. Abraham would now live on for another 40 years without his beloved Sarah, who had influenced him in many ways. Evidently Sarah died rather suddenly and unexpectedly, For Abraham was away at the time of her death. Otherwise if she had been ill a long time one would assume that with the great love that Abraham had for her, he would have been at her side at the time of her death.

It is interesting to note that as rich and influential as Abraham must have been at this point in time, that he didn’t own a single piece of property, and hadn’t even built his family a house. In Hebrews 11:8-10 we read that Abraham lived in the promised land, but did so as an alien or sojourner living in tents, and he did this because he was really looking for the city whose architect and builder was God (that would be heaven). So Abraham had to purchase a plot of land (which included a burial cave) from the sons of Heth for 400 shekels of silver in order to burry Sarah his wife (vv.3-20).   

Whenever someone dear to us departs who is in the Lord, life here on earth becomes clearer. That is, it becomes very clear that we are just pilgrims here, this is not our home. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Thus, when you begin see your treasure (family, loved ones) moved into heaven, your heart follows.

Loosing a loved one is never easy, especially when it seems to come prematurely. But remember, if they are in the LORD, we shall see them again.

The Truth: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) 

Genesis 22 “God Tests The Faith of Abraham”

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (vv.1-2)

This command of God was not so much a test to produce faith, as it was a test to reveal faith. God had built Abraham slowly, piece by piece, year by year, into a man of faith. This test would reveal the depth of that faith God had built into Abraham. One cannot imagine a greater test of a man’s faith than this.

Abraham’s response to God’s call was simply, “Here I am.” Meaning, he was ready to obey, to surrender to God’s call even before he knew what would be requested of him. God’s call to, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac,” is significant here because Abraham had another son, Ishmael. Since Ishmael was put away from Abraham’s family (Genesis 21:8-14), as far as God’s covenant was concerned, Abraham had only one son, Isaac.

Then God told Abraham to, “take Isaac to the land of Moriah and, offer him as a burnt offering.” This was not an offering that was to be burned alive, but one where the life first taken by sacrifice and then the body completely burnt before the LORD. 

This test was difficult in yet another aspect, because it seemed to contradict the previous promise of God. God had already promised, “in Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12). It seemed strange and contradictory to kill the son who was promised to carry on the covenant when it had not yet been fulfilled in him. It seemed as if God commanded Abraham to kill the very promise God made to him. However, Abraham had to learn the difference between trusting the promise and trusting the Promiser. Trust the Promiser no matter what, and the promise will be taken care of. 

As we see in verse 3, Abraham immediately responded in faith. He rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac and the wood needed for the burnt offering (v.3). Abraham’s obedience showed that he trusted God even when he did not understand, or feel like it. In the remainder of the story Abraham journeys to the place of sacrifice with Isaac (vv.4-8). Isaac willing laid down on the alter built by his father (v.9), but God mercifully called to Abraham to stay his hand and Isaac was spared (vv.10-11).  

Abraham displayed his heart towards God in that he was willing to give up his only son. So God also displayed His heart towards us in the same way, by giving His only begotten Son that we too might be saved. (John 3:16).

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Genesis 21 "The Miracle Of Isaac"

"So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him." (v.2)

Sarah's wait had been long and hard. It was so difficult, that she had given up any hope long ago that she would ever have a child. But, here she was, ninety years of age, baring a son to Abraham in his “old age” (100 years), just as God said. And, it was precisely at the time God had specified it was to happen. 

Our God is full of miracles. When He "speaks" to you, whether through His Word, in a dream or directly to your waking heart, take the risk of prayerfully responding to His plan for your life. Abraham did, and it led to this moment when he actually received the promise of God. You may think that having a son is not a miracle, but Abraham and Sarah would argue that point with you. This was their child of the promise and he knew unmistakably that God had brought this moment, this boy, into Abraham's and Sarah's lives.

I would venture to say that most of us have unrealized hopes in this life. Maybe to the point that you may feel the Lord has not been listening, that He has forgotten you or that He has placed a promise into your heart that has not become real in your life. Have faith in God - even though your ability to believe that God can and will do ANYTHING may be limited, His power is not.

Both Abraham and Sarah had at first laughed in disbelief at the promise of God. In Genesis 17:17, we see that Abraham "fell on his face and laughed" when God promised him a son. "Sarah laughed to herself" about this promise, as seen in Genesis 18:12. Proof, that our God loves to go above and beyond that which we could ever ask or think.

Therefore, if it seems like God is slow in fulfilling the promise in your life, even if it seems impossible to the point of laughter, wait. Wait hopefully and expectantly, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

The Truth: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:4-5)

Genesis 20 "I Withheld You"

"And God said to him (Abimelech) in a dream, Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart; for I also withheld you from sinning against me: therefore suffered I you not to touch her.” (v.6)

God gave Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his danger of death for his sin in verse 3. Abimelech then pleads ignorance of his sin in verses 4 and 5. Is ignorance an excuse? What if one has been mislead into a trap? 

Here in our text we are shown how God can restrain men from doing the ill they would do; either by His influence on men’s minds, or checking their inclination to sin, by His providence, or by taking away the opportunity of committing a sin, as we see here with Abimelech. 

It is a great mercy to be withheld from sinning, in which God must have the glory. But if we have ignorantly done wrong, that will not excuse us, nor if we knowingly persist in it unless we repent, and even then there are always consequences. 

Have you ever experienced His hand of protection from sin? Have you ever been turned away from potential harm by second thoughts? If so, give Him the glory.

The Truth: “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him.” (Proverbs 21:1)

Genesis 19 “The Angels’ Deliverance of Lot”

Then the men (Angles) said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. (vv.12-14)

Back in chapter 18 the LORD told Abraham of His plan to see if Sodom and Gomorrah were worthy of judgment (ch.18:20-21). Because the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous (Psalm 19:9, Revelation 16:7), God would only judge Sodom and Gomorrah on direct, accurate knowledge. We are not told this because God did not know, but to demonstrate to us the thorough character of God’s knowledge and integrity.

Abraham, upon hearing this and knowing his nephew lived in Sodom asked the question, “Will You destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (ch.18:22-26). Abraham here is boldly reminding the LORD of His own nature and principles (shall not the Judge of all the earth do right). Abraham thought that God, as a righteous Judge, could not and would not punish the innocent in the same way as the guilty. And, after much back and forth (ch.18:27-33), the LORD agreed to spare the cities for 10 righteous people. 

Now here in chapter 19 we see that God had sent two angles to Sodom to warn Lot and his family to “get out of this city” for “the LORD will destroy it” (vv. 12-14). Sodom and Gomorrah were destined for judgment because of their depravity, but God wanted to spare Lot and his family. 

However, not all were in agreement about the need to go. Lot’s son-in-laws took his warning of the coming destruction as a joke. This was clearly an effect of Lot’s life of compromise. When he spoke with utmost seriousness to his sons-in-law about the judgment of God, they did not believe him. Now, not even they would be saved from the judgment to come. So, the answer to Abraham’s question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25), is found here in verse 25. God, bound by His own righteousness and honor, could not bring this judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah until the few righteous people were rescued. Lot’s family of 4 was not enough to save the cities.

The life of Lot shows us that it is possible to have a saved soul and a wasted life. Lot himself was a righteous man who was grieved by the sin he saw around him (2 Peter 2:7-8), but because of his deep compromises, few of his family and none of his friends were saved. Compromise destroyed his testimony.

The Truth: “If anyone builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

Genesis 18 “The Birth Of Isaac Promised”

And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (vv.13-14)

In today’s reading Abraham and Sarah were well past the age of having children and were still childless. To boost their faith, the Lord Himself and two strangers (who turned out to be angels) paid them a visit. He came in Person to enjoy hospitality in Abraham’s dwelling. As we saw with Adam, Eve, and Noah, God deals with people personally, with implications that ripple far into history.

Abraham and Sara’s visitors specifically promised that they would have a son within a year. Sarah laughed at the news, an understandable human reaction, but one showing a lack of faith. With supernatural knowledge of her actions and attitude, the Visitor challenged her, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (v.14). Abraham, on the other hand, “considered him faithful who had made the promise” (Heb. 11:11-12).

What a wonderful reassurance to know that God's power far exceeds our faith. Jesus said, “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). All things! Too often we don't really believe this. Instead of living by faith in who God is and what He has said, we “hedge our bets” to avoid embarrassing Him, so we think. We need instead to step out boldly, wholly trusting God to be all that He really is.

The Truth: But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)