The Account of Terah (Genesis 11:27-30)

Who concludes the list of ten generations in Genesis 5?

Genesis 5:3, 32 = Spans from Adam to Noah

Who concludes the list of ten generations in Genesis 11?

Genesis 11:10, 26 = Spans from Shem to Terah

From what descendant of Shem and ancestor of Terah did the Hebrews (eberi) get their name?

Genesis 11:14 = Eber - Root word avar, - to go, to cross over (Abram told to go)

What do we learn about the family of Terah?

Genesis 11:27-30 = Complete Family Tree on board (except Sarai - Terah line)

How was Abram related to Sarai other than marriage?

Genesis 20:12 = His half-sister - Complete tree

The Family Goes (Genesis 11:31-12:1)

Did this family stay in Ur of the Chaldeans after the Tower of Babel incident? = Show path on map

Genesis 11:31-32 = Terah, Abram, Lot & Sarai left Ur for Canaan & settled in Haran

Ur = Center of Sumer, 1st great civilization. Modern, wealthy, advanced city

Haran = 600 miles from Ur, Different Hebrew spelling (charan) than Abram's brother (haran)

Why did they leave their great life in Ur?

Genesis 12:1 = God told Abram to go to a land He would show him

Did this call from God come to Abram when he was in Ur or in Haran?

Acts 7:2-3 = When he was in Ur - Mesopotamia is Greek for between the rivers

Was God calling Abram to go to Haran or to Canaan?

Genesis 15:7 = To Canaan - Genesis 15 takes place in Canaan

How long did Abram stay in Haran before going on to Canaan? = Call was to Abram, not Terah

Acts 7:4 = Until his father died and Then God sent him further

How old was Abram when he left Haran? = Haran delay kept Abram from claiming land in Canaan

Genesis 12:4 = 75 years old; Others had settled in Canaan from the dispersion by this time

The Call (Genesis 12:1-3)

What was God's command to Abram? = Leave home, friends, familiar area, everything he knew

Genesis 12:1 = Leave everything you know & go where I lead you

How was Abram different than the people of Babel?

Genesis 11:4 = Tower to make a name for ourselves and not be scattered (stay one nation)

Genesis 12:2 = God said: I will make you into a great nation and I will make your name great

Why did God ask Abram to go?

Romans 9:4-5 = His plan for a chosen people through whom to reveal Himself & bring Christ

What else did God promise Abram?

Genesis 12:2-3 = I will bless you...so you will be a blessing...all on earth will be blessed thru you

How were all nations blessed through Abram?

Matthew 1:1, 17 = Jesus descended from David, who descended from Abraham

Galatians 3:6-9 = All who have faith are blessed along with Abraham

Galatians 3:14 = Blessing given to Abraham comes to the Gentiles through Christ

Was Abram selected because he was righteous or devout?

Joshua 24:2 = No, his family worshipped other gods

Abram's Response (Genesis 12:4-8)

What was Abram's response to God's call?

Genesis 12:4-5 = Abram left, No questions (Not Where, When, How or Why), He just obeyed

How could Abram leave his comfortable home and go somewhere he didn’t even know?

Hebrews 11:8-10 = By faith Abram obeyed & went, though he didn't know where he was going

What new promise did God give after Abram obeyed His first command and arrived in Canaan?

Genesis 12:7a = Promise of land of Canaan to Abram's offspring – no foundations in tent cities

Why was offspring a significant part of God's promise?

Genesis 11:30 (Acts 7:5) = Sarai was barren (Genesis 12:4 - Abram was 75 yrs old)

How could Abram even consider this impossible promise?

Hebrews 11:11-12 = By faith Abraham became the father of multitudes

Was it easier for Abram to have this faith than for us? = Faith credited as righteousness (Gen 15:6)

Romans 4:18-22 = No, he had hope and faith against all hope, though as good as dead

Promises to Abram (Genesis 12-13)

What promises did God make to Abram when He called him? = Write on board

Genesis 12:2-3 = great nation, bless you, name great, be a blessing, all blessed through you

What was Abram's responsibility under this agreement, and did he fulfill it? = Separate column

Genesis 12:1, 4 = Leave & follow God

What did God promise after Abram obeyed and arrived in Canaan?

Genesis 12:7 = This land to his offspring

What did God promise after Abram let Lot choose the choice land? = Add to board

Genesis 13:14-16 = All visible land, offspring like dust of the earth

What was Abram’s responsibility under this agreement, and did he fulfill it? = Check on board

Genesis 13:17-18 = Leave & follow God

What did God promise Abram after he rescued Lot and gave a tithe? (Genesis 14) = Add to board

Genesis 15:1 = I am your shield (protect you) & great reward (bless you)

Blessed Abram (Genesis 15:2-5)

Did Abram get to see God’s promises to him fulfilled?

Hebrews 11:8-9, 13 = No, but he accepted them by faith, fulfilled later

Did God fulfill any of His promises during Abram’s life?

Genesis 13:2 = Yes, God blessed him materially

Did Abram feel fully blessed?

Genesis 15:2-3 = Didn’t see how promises could be fulfilled without an heir

How did God respond to Abram’s confusion and doubt? = Add or check on board

Genesis 15:4-5 = Restated promise and elaborated on size - like stars in heavens

Faith Credited as Righteousness (Genesis 15:6)

Did this help or did Abram continue to doubt?

Genesis 15:6 = He trusted God - his faith was credited to him as righteousness

Was Abram considered righteous because he obeyed God’s instructions?

Romans 3:10, 20 = No, no one obeys the law perfect enough to be righteous

Then why was he considered righteous?

Romans 4:1-3 = His faith was credited to him as righteousness

Did Abram’s good works and obedience help earn this righteousness at least a little?

Romans 4:4-8 = No, righteousness can only be received as a gift through faith

How does Paul explain this in a summary of the gospel?

Ephesians 2:8-9 = By grace you have been saved through faith … gift of God

Promise Guarantees (Genesis 15:7-8)

Did Abram have any further doubts after God restated His promise of descendants?

Genesis 15:7-8 = He asked for help believing the promise of land

How were pledges and promises formally guaranteed in the days of the patriarchs?

. Genesis 31:44-46, 48-50 = Jacob & Laban made witness heap, God is witness

Blood Covenant - Used as an absolute and unbreakable guarantee of critical agreements

Bound two parties together as one

Very serious & solemn = Reserved for only special & critical agreements

3 large animals split down the spine, halves spread on ground opposite each other

"May this happen to me if I break this covenant" - see Jeremiah 34:18

Parties exchanged coats - exchange of authority, What I have is yours

Exchanged weapons - My strength is yours, Your enemies are mine

Walked twice through The Way of Blood = Trail of blood between halves

Met each other in the center

The Blessing of the Covenant - Stated pledges of agreement

Pronounced a curse for breaking the covenant

Parties swore by their god, making him a third party

The Cut of the Covenant - Cut hands & wrists, bound together to intermingle blood

Joined names together

Ate a covenant meal of bread & wine together (Bread for flesh, wine for blood)

Represented willingness to lay down lives for each other

God's Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:7-18)

How did God show Abram how serious He was about His promises?

Genesis 15:9-10 = God had Abram prepare a blood covenant

How did God make this a one-sided covenant where all Abram had to do was accept it?

Genesis 15:11-12 = Waited all day until Abram tired and fell asleep

What was The Blessing of the Covenant? = Land from Brook of Egypt (Wadi, SW of Gaza) to Euphrates

Genesis 15:13-16, 18 = Told details of when, how and what

How did God handle the covenant ritual of walking twice through The Way of Blood?

Genesis 15:17 = Smoking firepot & blazing torch passed between pieces

What was the meaning behind the smoke and fire? = Represented God’s presence

Exodus 13:21 = God stayed with Israelites in pillars of cloud & fire

How did God guarantee His covenant with us?

Hebrews 7:22; 9:12 = Jesus guarantees the better covenant by his own blood

God's Covenants with His People = What other major covenants did God make with His people?

. Genesis 9:8-9, 11 = With Noah, never destroy creation with a flood, rainbow

. Exodus 19:3-6 = With Israelites on Mount Sinai, be my chosen people

. 2 Samuel 7:8, 11b-13 = Promise of an eternal kingdom from David's offspring

. Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Hebrews 8) = Make a new covenant with Israel, all will know me, I will forgive

. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 = The new covenant of salvation is guaranteed by Christ’s body & blood

. John 14:2-3 = In my Father's house are many rooms, I go to prepare a place for you

God Confirms His Covenant (Genesis 17:1-14)

Did Abram fully trust in God’s promise and covenant despite his lack of an heir? = 11 yrs after leaving Haran

Genesis 16:1-2, 16 = No, he decided to help God with a plan that would work

What did God do 13 years later to show that He had not yet begun to fulfill His covenant promise?

Genesis 17:1-2 = Confirm His covenant, Would greatly increase Abram's numbers

How did God point out that this really was the time? = Name change indicates change point in life

Genesis 17:3-5 = Changed his name; I have made you a father of many nations

Abram ? Abraham = the (my) father is exalted ? father of many

What promises did God confirm? = Add to board

Genesis 17:6-8 = make fruitful, nations & kings from you, your God forever, Land of Canaan

Was this another one-sided covenant or did Abraham have a responsibility?

Genesis 17:9-11 = All males circumcised, visible sign reminding Israel of special calling

Circumcise = to separate, cut off - become a separate people cut-off from evil world

Was this covenant sign only for Abraham and His descendants? = Or they would be cut off

Genesis 17:12-14 = Anyone to be part of Abraham was to be cut off, made separate for God

God's Covenant Through Sarah (Genesis 17:15-16)

How did God point out that the life change was not only for Abraham?

Genesis 17:15-16 = Changed Sarai’s name to Sarah

Sarai = Possibly name of moon goddess in Haran

Sarah = means princess, royalty would come from her - Mother of nations & kings

Abraham’s Disbelief (Genesis 17:17-19)

How did this differ from Abraham's understanding of God's plan?

Genesis 17:17-18 = He thought God would fulfill promises through Ishmael

How did God respond to Abraham’s disbelief in God fulfilling His impossible promise?

Genesis 17:19 = Isaac means “he laughs”, Name would be constant reminder of Abraham’s disbelief

How had God introduced Himself to Abram, and why?

. Genesis 17:1 = El Shaddai (God Almighty), total control over nature, inc. Sarai's barrenness

Jeremiah 32:27 (Matthew 19:26) = I am the Lord (Yahweh) ... Is anything too hard for me?

Was Abraham able to trust God in faith despite his initial disbelief?

Hebrews 11:11-12 = By faith Abraham became the father of multitudes

But what about Abraham’s only son at the time, Ishmael?

Genesis 17:20-22 = He would be blessed (father of Arabs), but covenant would be through Isaac

How long did it take Abraham to complete what God commanded?

Genesis 17:23-27 = On that very day, Every male as God commanded

What is the significance of circumcision instituted before Isaac?

Colossians 2:11-13 = Chosen to be cut off from sinful world before child of covenant can come

Justified by Circumcision? (Romans 4)

Was Abraham justified (deemed righteous) & blessed because of circumcision?

Romans 4:9-11a = Abraham was righteous by faith, before he was circumcised

Are God's promises to Abraham's descendants only to the Jews (circumcised)?

Romans 4:11b-12 = promises to those of faith, not circumcision

How did Abraham receive the promise? By obeying the law?

Romans 4:13-15 = No. Promise received through the righteousness that comes by faith

How can we be heirs to the promises God made to Abraham?

Romans 4:16-17 = Promise comes by faith; Abraham is father of the faithful in God's sight

Why did Abraham believe God's promise of offspring when he was past age?

Romans 4:18-22 = He believed God had the power to do what He said He would do

How can righteousness be credited to us?

Romans 4:23-25 = Righteousness will be credited to those who trust in Christ

God Visits (Genesis 18:1-15)

How did God make clear to Abraham the sincerity and certainty of His promise to bring Isaac?

Genesis 18:1 = He appeared to him again - in clear daylight

Did Abraham recognize God? = Recognizing God is possible when you live in a right relationship with Him

Genesis 18:2-8 = Welcomed them heartily, washed feet, gave food & rest – extra bread to send

What was God's message to Abraham?

Genesis 18:9-10 = To announce the coming of a promised son

How did Sarah respond to God's message?

Genesis 18:11-12 = She laughed to herself since she & Abraham were too old

Would Sarah's laughter or age (90) interfere with God's plan?

Genesis 18:13-14 = Is anything too hard for the Lord? She will have a son within a year

Did Sarah confess and repent of her unbelief?

Genesis 18:15 = No, she lied and denied her unbelief; God fulfilled His plan thru her anyway

They Called Him Laughter (Genesis 17:19)

Isaac means laughter. Why did God pick such a name?

. Genesis 17:17 = Abraham laughed at the idea of having a child at 100

. Genesis 18:10-15 = Sarah laughed at idea of child at 90, then denied it

. Genesis 21:6-7 = Sarah said, God has brought me laughter & everyone will laugh with me

. Genesis 17:19 = God said to call him Isaac, God laughs with pleasure in giving His grace

What other biblical births were received skeptically?

Luke 1:31, 34-37 = Jesus born of virgin, John the Baptist born to old Elizabeth

The Child of the Covenant (Genesis 17:17-21)

What was the first part of God's promise to Abram?

Genesis 12:2-3 = I will make you into a great nation

Did God mean that Abram would have lots of descendants?

Genesis 13:16 = Like the dust of the earth

How did this part of the promise lead to doubt for Abram?

Genesis 15:2-3 = He was very old and had no children of his own

Did God answer Abram’s doubts?

Genesis 15:4-6 = Yes, and Abram believed the Lord (trusted in the promise)

I Can Help (Genesis 16)

How did Abram try to help God with his promise after more years passed?

Genesis 16:1-2 = Build a family through Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant

How did Hagar feel about her part in this plan?

Genesis 16:3-4 = She participated, then became smug with having Abram’s child

How did Sarai deal with Hagar’s attitude?

Genesis 16:5-6 = She blamed Abram for her idea, then mistreated her

Where did Hagar run to?

Genesis 16:7-9 = To the Sinai Desert; Angel told her to return and submit to Sarai

What else did the angel have to say to Hagar?

Genesis 16:10-12 = Ishmael would have many descendants, but would be a trouble-maker

How did Hagar respond to the mixed blessing?

Genesis 16:13-16 = She praised God, gave son the name instructed by the angel

God’s Plan (Genesis 17)

Was Ishmael the child through whom God's covenant would be realized?

Genesis 17:1-2; 5, 15-16 (1-16) = The covenant child would be through Sarah

Did Abraham understand this to be God’s plan all along? = Both blessed, Covenant to Isaac

Genesis 17:17-21 (17-27) = No, he thought he had taken care of the situation with Ishmael

The Promise is Fulfilled (Genesis 21:1-7)

How old was Abraham when Isaac was born? = Circumcised at 8 days as God commanded (Gen 17:12)

Genesis 21:1-5 = Abraham was 100 when God fulfilled promise to Sarah

Was this really a big deal since they lived longer back then (Abraham died at 175)?

Hebrews 11:11-12 = Abraham was past age & as good as dead; Sarah was barren

Why was this child named Isaac (he laughs)? = Name reminded them of their doubting faith

Genesis 17:17; 18:12-15 = Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s idea of having Isaac in old age

How was the emphasis of this name changed when Isaac was born?

Genesis 21:6-7 = God brought this laughter and joy, everyone will laugh & rejoice with Sarah

The Promise is Threatened (Genesis 21:8-13)

With the Child of the Covenant now born, how was the promise still threatened?

Genesis 21:8-10 = Abraham had a teenage son, Ishmael, who had first-born rights

Did Abraham agree with Sarah’s concern and request? = Abraham loved his son Ishmael

Genesis 21:11 = The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son

How did he decide what to do? = God would protect & bless Ishmael for Abraham’s sake

Genesis 21:12-13 = He looked to God for guidance; God told him to do it

The Promise is Protected (Genesis 21:14-21; 25:12-18)

What did Abraham do to guarantee that Isaac would inherit his blessings? = Obeyed God immediately

Genesis 21:14 = He sent Hagar & Ishmael away – early the next morning

Did God protect Ishmael as He had promised? = Ishmael upset over rejection by his father

Genesis 21:15-21 = Yes, Arabs are his descendants

Do we know any more about what happened to Ishmael?

Genesis 25:7-9, 16-18 (7-18) = Yes, helped bury Abraham, had 12 sons who grew into 12 tribes

What is one story where we see Ishmael’s descendants interacting with Isaac’s descendants?

Genesis 37:23-27 = Jacob’s sons sold their brother Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites

Sacrifice the Covenant? (Genesis 22:1-2)

Now that God met the first part of His promise, what did He ask of Abraham?

Genesis 22:1-2 = Sacrifice Isaac - His only son (Ishmael gone) and THE covenant child

What is a sacrifice? = Write responses on board

Funk & Wagnalls = Giving up some cherished object or person for the sake of something else

What did God say to remind Abraham of what he would be sacrificing?

Genesis 22:2a = Your only son ... whom you love

What had God asked Abram to sacrifice when He first called him?

Genesis 12:1 = Your country, your people, your home - His past

What was God effectively asking Abraham to sacrifice now?

Hebrews 11:17-18 = His only son, child of the covenant - His future

This is Only a Test (Genesis 22:1)

Had God made this command to Abraham because He wanted a human sacrifice?

Deuteronomy 18:9-10a, 12 = Sacrificing one's child is detestable to God

Why did He make this unbelievable command?

Genesis 22:1 = He was testing Abraham

Why Does God Test? (James 1:2-4)

Why does God test His people? = Our faith is refined, purified, strengthened

1 Peter 1:6-7 = Your faith is refined & proved genuine to God's glory

How are we to respond to the difficulties of God's tests?

James 1:2-4 = Consider it pure joy, develop perseverance, become mature & complete

How does perseverance through difficulties make us more mature, not lacking anything?

Romans 5:3-5 = Rejoice in your sufferings, our hope is filled by God's love

Why should we rejoice when God tests us or allows hardship in our lives? = He tests because He loves

Hebrews 12:5-7, 11 = Endure hardship as discipline, harvest of righteousness & peace

What is the reward for those who persevere?

James 1:12 = the crown of life that God has promised

Does God Tempt? (James 1:13-17)

Does God tempt His people to test them?

James 1:13 = No, God does not test with evil

Can temptations lead to growing in maturity and becoming more complete?

James 1:14-15 = No, they lead to sin then death; temptation ? evil desire ? sin ? death

How do we know when we are being tested by God or tempted by Satan?

James 1:16-17 = Don't be deceived ... every good & perfect gift is from above

Abraham's Response (Genesis 22:3-8)

How long did it take Abraham to decide what to do?

Genesis 22:3a = Early the next morning - Abraham's faith included immediate action

What did Abraham believe would happen in Isaac's sacrifice? = Boy – infant to military age

Genesis 22:3-5 = We will worship & we will come back (both Abraham & Isaac)

Why did Abraham tell his servants that he would return with Isaac?

Genesis 22:6-8 = Didn’t understand, but trusted God to provide the lamb

What did Abraham expect to happen?

Hebrews 11:19 = Abraham reasoned that God would raise Isaac from the dead

Faith That Works (Genesis 22:9-12)

Did Abraham actually intend to complete the sacrifice?

Genesis 22:9-10 = Yes, he was ready with the knife and began steps to kill Isaac

What did Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove?

Genesis 22:11-12 = Now I know that you fear God - Proved his great faith

Didn’t God know Abraham’s faith? Why was this ordeal necessary? = Living faith is active

James 2:21-22 = Abraham's faith was made complete by what he did

How does Abraham's response shed light on Jesus' call to us, His followers?

Matthew 10:37-38 = Love no one or no thing more than Christ

God's Response to Abraham's Faithfulness (Genesis 22:13-19)

How did God provide the lamb as stated by Abraham's faith in Genesis 22:8?

Genesis 22:13-14 = Ram caught by its horns in a thicket

Notes: Abraham named the place Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide

Location was near city of Salem - Peace

Both names were later combined into the name Jerusalem - The Lord will provide peace

How did God respond to Abraham's demonstration of faithfulness?

Genesis 22:15-18 = God restated His covenant; all nations will be blessed

What did God do here that He never repeated with the patriarchs?

Hebrews 6:13-15 = He made an oath, He swore in his own name

Why is it important for us that God did this? = It guarantees our hope in His promises

Hebrews 6:16-19a = We are to be encouraged by this anchor for our souls, firm & secure

Isaac - A Preview of Jesus

Isaac

Genesis 18:12-14 Isaac's old age birth was a miracle

Genesis 17:19 God's covenant made thru Isaac

Genesis 22:2 Isaac was only son

Genesis 22:2 Isaac, whom you love

Genesis 22:2, 2 Chronicles 3:1 Mt Moriah - Isaac sacrifice, temple sacrifices

Genesis 22:3 Isaac rode to Jerusalem on donkey

Genesis 22:6 Isaac carried wood for sacrifice

Genesis 22:9 Isaac didn't resist, though stronger

Genesis 22:4 Isaac was saved from death on third day

Genesis 22:13 Ram was substitute for Isaac

Genesis 22:8 God will provide the lamb

Sarah Dies (Genesis 23:1-9)

What happened when Isaac was 37 years old?

Genesis 23:1-2 = His mother Sarah died

Besides losing his lifetime partner, what problem did this present for Abraham?

Genesis 23:3-4 = He didn’t own any property, so he was unable to bury her

How did the Hittites respond to his request to buy a burial site?

Genesis 23:5-6 = They happily welcomed Abraham to name the site of his choosing

Did Abraham have a site in mind?

Jesus

Matthew 1:20 Jesus' virgin birth was a miracle

Hebrews 8:6 Jesus is mediator of the new covenant

John 3:16 Jesus was God's only son

Matthew 3:17 Jesus, whom I love

Mark 15:22 Jesus sacrificed on Golgotha, hill in Moriah region

John 12:14-15 Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey

John 19:17 Jesus carried wood for sacrifice

Luke 22:42 Not my will, but yours be done

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Jesus rose from dead on third day

Romans 4:25 Jesus was substitute for all sinners

John 1:29 Jesus is the Lamb of God

Genesis 23:7-9 = Yes, a nearby cave that could serve as a tomb

Ephron’s Field (Genesis 23:10-20)

How did Ephron respond to this request?

Genesis 23:10-11 = He was present and offered to GIVE not only the cave but also the field

Note: Hittite laws said that a landowner remained liable for all dues if he sold only a part of a property

If an entire tract of property was passed on, the new owner was responsible for the dues

How did Abraham respond to this generous offer by Ephron?

Genesis 23:12-13 = He wanted to pay the full price for it, Didn’t want it as a gift

Where have we seen a similar reaction by Abraham before, and why did he respond this way?

Genesis 14:21-23 = He limited his income to gifts from God, not from men

Did Ephron accept Abraham’s money? = (contrast with field sold for 17 shekels in Jeremiah 32:9)

Genesis 23:14-16 = Yes, and named a very steep price (20 shekels for Joseph in Gen. 37:28)

Did Ephron deed over the entire field or only the cave that Abraham requested?

Genesis 23:17-20 = The whole field - Doing so removed Ephron from all liabilities

Abraham Puts His House In Order (Genesis 24:1-9)

What did the death of Sarah prompt Abraham to take care of before he died?

Genesis 24:1-4 = Get a wife for Isaac from his relatives

Why was it important that Isaac marry from within the family?

Genesis 17:7-10,14 = God had commanded Abraham to be a separate people

Who was this chief servant to whom Abraham entrusted the mission?

Genesis 15:2 = Possibly Eliezer of Damascus

What concerns did the servant have?

Genesis 24:5-6 = What if the woman doesn't come? Should Isaac go?

Why didn't Abraham want Isaac to go to Haran? = Abraham didn’t know when or where slavery waited

Genesis 15:13, 18 = He was in the promised land, Descendants to be slaves in another land

Why wasn't Abraham concerned that the woman wouldn't come?

Genesis 24:7-8 = God would send His angel ahead to get a wife

How did Abraham make sure this would be done, even if he died first?

Genesis 24:9 = He made the servant swear an oath

At The Well (Genesis 24:10-14)

How far was the servant's journey? = Aram Naharaim - Aram of the rivers (Mesopotamia)

Genesis 24:10 = Hebron to Haran, 500 miles, Around a month's journey

What tactic did the servant use to meet local girls? = God would bring the right one

Genesis 24:11 = Waited at well when women would come for water

What other wives did God bring to the well?

Genesis 29:1-2, 9 = Jacob met Rachel

Exodus 2:15-16, 21 = Moses met Zipporah

What did the servant do as soon as he arrived at the well?

Genesis 24:12-14 = He prayed for God's guidance & success

God Brings Rebekah (Genesis 24:15-27)

How long did it take God to respond to the servant's prayer?

Genesis 24:15 = Before he had finished praying

What was Rebekah's relation to Isaac? = Draw family tree on board

Genesis 11:27-29 (22:20-24) = Rebekah was daughter of Isaac's cousin, Bethuel

What requirements had Abraham given his servant for his son's wife?

Genesis 24:4 = From my own relatives

What bonuses did God throw in? = ... energetic, kind, hospitable, industrious, decisive (rest of story)

Genesis 24:16 = Very beautiful, a virgin

How much did the servant coax Rebekah to complete the sign from God?

Genesis 24:17-21 = Without saying a word, the man watched to see

What did the servant do when it appeared that Rebekah might be the one?

Genesis 24:22 = Gave her a gold nose ring and gold bracelets

What was the final proof that Rebekah was the one God had sent?

Genesis 24:23-25 = She was of Abraham's family

How did the servant respond to this proof?

Genesis 24:26-27 = He bowed down and praised God

Brother Laban (Genesis 24:28-32)

How did Rebekah's brother Laban respond when he saw the expensive gifts Rebekah received?

Genesis 24:28-31 = He ran to invite the man into his house

What character traits does this indicate of Laban that are confirmed later?

Genesis 29:20-23 = Laban substituted Leah for Rachel after Jacob's 7 yrs

Genesis 31:19 = Laban kept household gods

Genesis 31:43, 29 = Claimed ownership of Jacob's family & possessions

The Servant's Mission (Genesis 24:33-52)

How did the servant respond to the lavish hospitality?

Genesis 24:32-33 = He was anxious to fulfill his calling & refused to eat first

NOTE: It was bad manners to decline a host's food & to raise issues before casual meal talk

Did the servant say he would force Rebekah to return with him? = Put matters in God's hands

Genesis 24:34-41 = His oath was complete, She wouldn't be forced to go

What was the underlying message of the servant's recounting of events?

Genesis 24:42-48 = God had selected Rebekah to be Isaac's wife - God provides

Did Laban and Bethuel recognize this message?

Genesis 24:49-51 = Yes ... This is from the Lord

How did the servant respond when his mission met success?

Genesis 24:52 = He praised God

Marriage Customs in Patriarchal Times (Genesis 24:53-67)

Parents of the man would choose the woman their son would marry

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:3-4 = Abraham sent servant to get a wife for Isaac

Was this custom followed in the next generation?

Genesis 26:34-35 = Esau took Hittite wives for himself; source of grief to Is and Reb

Genesis 27:46-28:2 = Isaac sent Jacob to marry a cousin

The father of the woman would give his daughter to the future husband

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:50-51 = Bethuel gave Rebekah to Isaac

A purchase price (bride price) was paid to the bride's father

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:53 = The servant gave costly gifts

The bride's father gave his daughter a gift of property or a maid (dowry)

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:59 = They sent Rebekah off with her nurse

The betrothal was an engagement period that was legally binding = Reversible only by divorce

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:54-58 = Servant was in a hurry to return & begin the marriage

What was significant about the blessing Rebekah's family gave her?

Genesis 24:60 = Not knowing, they stated God's covenant thru Isaac

After the betrothal, the bride was brought to her husband's home

Was this custom followed for Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:61-66 = Rebekah was brought to Isaac's house

In this process, people would marry first, then love

Did this occur in Isaac's marriage?

Genesis 24:67 = she became his wife, and he loved her

God Passes Covenant Promises to Isaac (Genesis 26:1-5)

Where did Isaac go during a time of famine, and why didn’t he go to Egypt as his father had?

Genesis 26:1-2 = He went to Gerar in Philistia; God told him not to go to Egypt

What else did God say to Isaac, and why? = Because of the faithfulness of his father Abraham

Genesis 26:3-5 = He gave promises of blessings, land & descendants He’d made to Abraham

Who Is She? (Genesis 26:6-11)

How had Abraham displayed a lack of trust in God when living in other nations?

Genesis 12:11-13; 20:1-2 = He said Sarah was his sister, not his wife

Did Isaac learn from the mistakes of his father?

Genesis 26:6-7 = No, he took the same tactic

How did Isaac’s situation turn out?

Genesis 26:8-11 = He was scolded by Abimelech, then given protection

God Blesses Isaac (Genesis 26:12-33)

How did God bless Isaac in Philistia?

Genesis 26:12-13 = He made him very wealthy with crops, flocks, herds and servants

How did this become a problem?

Genesis 26:14-16 = He grew too large and wealthy to be a welcome visitor in Philistia

Did Isaac take offense at Abimelech’s request for him to leave?

Genesis 26:17-18 = No, he moved to the valley and reopened his father’s wells

How did wells in this dry land become a problem for Isaac?

Genesis 26:19-22 = Philistines kept disputing water rights, finally found a place he could stay

Where did Isaac move next and what happened there?

Genesis 26:23-25 = Beersheba; God appeared to him & restated promise; Isaac worshipped

Why did the Philistine leaders track him down all the way to Beersheba?

Genesis 26:26-29 = They saw God was with him and wanted a treaty for protection

Abraham made a similar treaty at the same place with an earlier Abimelech (Genesis 21:22-34)

Did Isaac accept or refuse this request for a treaty?

Genesis 26:30-31 = He accepted it and made an oath just like his father had

How did this story reinforce the name of this place given earlier by Abraham?

Genesis 26:32-33 = They dug another well and named it Well of the Oath - Beersheba