Genesis
Lesson 22Genesis Chapters 20 and 21
In this lesson, we will be examining Genesis Chapters 20 and 21; and we will find that Abraham and Sarah are up to their old habits once again. We will also be discussing the birth of Isaac, and the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael from Abraham’s family. There is much that we can learn regarding the consequences of not being honest and living a life that puts man’s will before God’s.
But we will also discover that in spite of Abraham’s and Sarah’s shortcomings and sins, God blesses both of them in a mighty way. And we’ll also see how God deals with Hagar and Ishmael and the blessings He promises to them.
Read Genesis Chapters 20 and 21; then consider the following:
- Incredible as it might seem, we see Abraham and Sarah caught in a lie once again. Why did Abraham do it? (see Gen. 20:11)
- Lying appears to be a recurring theme with not only Abraham and Sarah, but their family as well. We observed it when Abram and Sarai were in Egypt, and we see it here again (see Gen. 20:12). We will encounter it again later with another Abimelech. Who lies that time? (see Gen. 26:1-11)
- There is an interesting contrast between Abraham’s intercession with God for Sodom and Gomorrah and Abimelech’s question to God. How are they different? (see Gen. 18:23-32 and Gen. 20:4)
- Now looking at the birth of Isaac (Gen. 21:1-7), how much time has passed since the Angel of the Lord visited Abraham, promised him that he would have son (at which Sarah laughed), and told him about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? (see Gen.18:10)
- Who gave Isaac his name, and what does it mean? (see Gen. 21:3)
- Contrast the scene when the angels visited Abraham, vs. the scene when they visited Lot, specifically with respect to where they were each found sitting. (see Gen. 18:1-2, and Gen. 19:1)
- So Abraham drives Hagar and Ishmael from the camp with only limited food and water. When the supplies run out, Hagar distances herself from her teenage son by the distance "of a bowshot". Why, in their hour of need, did Hagar want to distance herself from her son? (see Gen. 21:15-16)
- Why would Abimelech, who was a native of the land and the king, ask Abraham — an alien in the land — to swear an oath to him?
- Why is the story of Abraham’s and Abimelech’s peace treaty important at this point of the narrative, just following the birth of Isaac? (see Gen. 21:22-34)
The importance of trusting God to work out His plan in our lives and in his timing is evident from our study of this lesson. Whenever we take things into our own hands, those plans never lead to success; and furthermore, they can have unintended consequences later in our lives. Abraham lied, and that one lie, that one deception, tarnished the good name that God had given him. Abraham became someone that King Abimalech would not trust at his word without an oath. It demonstrates to us just how critical it is to deal honestly and ethically with everyone at all times. One lapse of judgment can ruin our reputation for life.
Finally, we see that God’s plans are never thwarted, He will do as He wills. This can provide us great comfort in knowing that whatever God has promised to do, He will do it in His own perfect timing. We are assured that every promise God made in the Bible will be fulfilled by Him. We are saved through Christ, and God will redeem us through the shed blood of His Son Jesus, just as He has promised.
Let’s pray that God will keep our faith in Him strong so that we are able to wait patiently on the Lord and His will, as it is worked in our lives.
Thanks for studying with us this week.
In Christ,
Wes
[2010]