The Test

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

 THE TEST

 

Gen 22:1-5

22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

NIV

This is one of the most famous stories from Abraham's life. God, 'Elohim,' tested Abraham, although we are not told what the test was for. Was it about Abraham's faith, or his obedience, or both? We know the story and how it ended, but several truths in this first portion stir thoughts in our hearts. First, Abraham was to take his only son Isaac, whom he loved. We know God considered Ishmael, for he heard his heart's cry and opened Hagar's eyes so she would see the well and give her son the water of life. But God said to Abraham that Isaac was his only son, whom he loved. Of course, we know this foreshadows God giving His only Son, whom He loves. He led Abraham to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice him there, the very place where Jesus was sacrificed, as Jerusalem sits on Mt Moriah today. As this story unfolds, we know Abraham put the wood on Isaac to carry to the place of Sacrifice, as Jesus carried his wood, the cross, to the place of sacrifice. Yet Abraham demonstrated his faith in Almighty God by telling his servants that he and the boy would go up there to worship and then return to them. It is thought that he felt that although he would sacrifice his son, Isaac, God would restore him to life, or that God would provide the sacrifice. That is what we are told in the next conversation between Abraham and Isaac. But our story today is about the fact that although Abraham was a man of God, although he had been visited by God, talked with him about Sodom, and had the promise of a son, received that promise, God still tested him. We are told not to put God to a foolish test, but could God test us? We certainly cannot compare ourselves to a man like Abraham, yet we try to live in accordance with God's way. We try to do whatever he directs us to do. We believe God and have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We endeavor to serve him in any way that he leads us, yet does he test us? Personally, I know I have been tested several times, and I hope I have passed, as Abraham did. Does God test us all at some point in our lives to prove our faithfulness, our trust, our obedience? We know that if or when God tests us, he does not do so for us to fail, but for us to pass. 

Peaceful Agreement

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

PEACEFUL AGREEMENT

Gen 21:25-34

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized. 26 But Abimelech said, "I don't know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today." 27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a treaty. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?" 30 He replied, "Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well." 31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. 32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

NIV

The main topic of this discussion, which was not an argument, was about a well. Abraham knew in his heart that he was right, that he and his menservants dug that well, but someone in the household, or under the rule of Abimelech, seized the well. The direct meaning of the Hebrew word translated as seized is to violently take away, to tear away, to rob. We do not know whether anyone in Abraham's household was injured in this violent action by Abimelech's people; however, it is interesting that the offended gave gifts to the offender as part of the agreement. We are told that Abimelech was not aware of what men under his command did; however, we find that strange, as we would think that when they took control of the well, they would have reported it to their king. Nevertheless, Abraham took seven ewes and presented them to Abimelech as a witness that the well belonged to him. Of course, seven is the perfect number, the number of completion. There are seven Jewish festivals; God rested on the seventh day, it is the divine order of completion. But the story is about the offended giving the offender a gift to prove his case. Abraham could have taken his hundreds of fighting men and recaptured his well by force, but that could have started a war.  We believe the LORD gave Abraham wisdom to resolve this matter in a peaceful and amiable manner by giving those seven ewe lambs as a testimony that he had dug the well. Everything ended well; they made a treaty and swore an oath. Our story is about making peace with anyone who has offended us. Sometimes, when we are offended, we expect the offender to make the peace, to come and ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, when we are offended, we simply sit and stew, even harboring a bit of anger, bitterness, or a vengeful feeling. However, in the example of Abraham and Abimelech, we see that when we are offended, we should offer a gift to the offender to bring a peaceful resolution to any possible conflict. In other words, the offended person needs to seek a peaceful treaty, without self-righteousness, anger, resentment, or a desire for revenge. 

God is With You

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

GOD IS WITH YOU

Gen 21:22-24

22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you." 24 Abraham said, "I swear it."

NIV

There is more to this conversation between Abimelech and Abraham about the well and the treaty, but there is a statement Abimelech made about Abraham that we need to explore. He said, "God is with you in everything you do." Did Abimelech mean that Abraham demonstrated the presence of the LORD in how he lived, or did he mean that God was always demonstrating his blessing in Abraham? Did he mean that Abraham was wealthy and successful in everything he did because of God? Because Abimelech wanted Abraham to swear that he would not deal falsely with him was due to the fact that he had done just that by falsely saying Sarah was his sister. However, Abimelech wanted to make things right between them. Was that because Abraham appeared more powerful than Abimelech? It is strange; however, the main point is that Abimelech saw something special in Abraham's character because the LORD was with him in everything he did. This would give us two clues to a major truth. First, it would be magnificent to live with God being with us in everything we do. Second, God being with us in all we do would be an incredible witness to others. We believe God is with us in everything we do because we believe God, not just believe in God. That means we do not live according to our own thinking, plans, or decisions; instead, in all we do, we first seek God's counsel, then act according to his will, plan, and purpose for our lives. That may not always be the easiest way to live, for his ways are not our ways, and our ways are not his ways. Was Abraham's life easy? Did he have to do things that he would have chosen differently? Are we willing to do what God desires even if it is not the easiest or most comfortable path? If God is with us in all we do, then he makes our path straight. He makes us walk on level ground. Because God is with us, as Jesus promised, he will be with us until the end of this age, or until the last day; then we will be with him forever and ever. Secondly, if we are living with God being with us in everything we do, or everything we do, God is with us, then our lives should reflect his presence in us so that others would say, "God is with you in everything you do." 

He Hears

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

HE HEARS

Gen 21:14-21

14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. 17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

NIV

We do not know the timeframe of this moment in the life of Hagar and Ishmael, but the LORD heard the cry of Ishmael. We wonder how a boy around 14 or 15 years old would be crying because his mother ran out of water and they were thirsty. At some point in Israel's history, around the 6th century, the tradition of Bar-mitzvah began, when a boy of about 12 to 13 became responsible under the law. But at this time, Ishmael would still be just a boy, a child under his mother's care. He is crying, and the LORD heard him and responded, sending a messenger to call out to Hagar, encouraging her not to give up. As impressive as it was to hear from an angel of the LORD, the best part is that he opened her eyes so that she could see a well full of water that gave her and Ishmael life, or we could say, living water. That brings us to two truths, which may be a single truth. First, the LORD heard the cry of Ishmael. That means the LORD hears. Jesus often said, "Who has ears to hear, let him hear." God always has ears to hear, and he always hears our hearts' cry, but perhaps it is still better to voice our cry. We are told that when we thirst for righteousness, we will be filled. Jesus is our righteousness, so then we should be thirsting for Jesus, who is living water. He promised that whosoever drinks the water he gives will never be thirsty again; in fact, it will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Although the LORD opened her eyes to see a well of water, it gave them life, but not eternal life. That is the other truth we need to remember. The LORD opened her eyes so she could see the well of water. The Lord has opened our eyes, just as Jesus said, "Who has eyes to see, let him see." How can we see unless the Lord opens our eyes? How can we hear unless the Lord opens our hearts? Thank you, Lord, for opening our eyes, that we may see you. Thank you, Lord, for opening our ears and hearts, that we may hear you. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our cry. 

Listen

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

LISTEN

Gen 21:8-13

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned, Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."

NIV

If Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born and 100 when Isaac was born, at this great feast Ishmael would have been 14 years old, just a boy, but old enough to mock the feast. Abraham was unaware, as he must have been so overjoyed in celebration about the son Sarah bore him, the one who would be blessed by God and through whom the world would be blessed. But Sarah noticed and told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Of course, that would have distressed any father if he had to send a son away. Yet, God confirmed it was the right thing to do, so Abraham followed God's word. We will focus on several truths. First, sometimes we men need our wives' awareness. We could get so involved in a moment of celebration, of whatever, that we do not notice what is going on around us concerning some situation, but our wives are there to help us see what is happening. God gave Adam a suitable helpmate; the original word means an aid, one who aids. Without Sarah by Abraham's side to help him see what was going on, history may have been different. However, God's plan is always accomplished, as he used Sarah, Abraham's suitable helpmate, to draw his attention to Ishmael mocking the feast for Isaac. Solomon clarified the value of the counsel of a wife when he said, " Can you find a wife of noble character? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." This may be why an overseer must be the husband of a certain wife. Single men do not qualify because they lack a wife of the right character. The Lord blessed Abraham with Sarah by his side. He has blessed us men with the exact right woman to walk beside us. That was the beauty of God showing us that truth by taking a rib from the side of Adam to form Eve. He meant for us to walk side by side through life. Abraham was blessed because he listened to Sarah as God instructed, which meant he listened to God and, in turn, to Sarah. We could do no less than listen. 

Just as He Promised

 DEVOTION

JUST AS HE PROMISED

Gen 21:1-7

21:1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." 7 And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

NIV

This is the basic singular truth within all Scripture. The truth that shapes our faith, the reason we are who we are. First, God was gracious to Sarah. We know God has been gracious to us by sending Jesus to take our place and die on that cross, so we do not have to. Second, and this is also extremely important in our relationship with the Lord. He did for Sarah what he had promised. She bore a son at the very time God had promised. God has promised those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, who have decided to follow Jesus, who are born again, or born from above, that Jesus would come back and take us to where he is. He promised us eternal life. He promised us a room, a dwelling place in his house. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower us with various gifts and to manifest his fruit in our lives. Everything in the life of Abraham and Sarah, having the son and naming him Isaac, went exactly as the Lord had promised them. We can know that God's plan for our lives will go exactly as he planned, and he will accomplish his purpose. One of the keys to God giving them a son in their old age is shown to us when Abraham circumcised Isaac, just as God commanded him. We should do no less. We are supposed to do everything the Lord God commands. That may apply to the church at large, but this truth applies to each individual believer. There are the general commands of God, such as to love others as we love ourselves. You must be born again to see the kingdom of God. We must change and become like a child; that is the faith of a child, believing with no doubts, or we will not see the kingdom of God. However, sometimes God speaks directly to us on a personal, intimate level, leading us to be who he purposed us to be, do what he planned for us to do, and live where he wants us to live. He did that in Abraham's life, and he does that in our lives. We do not belong to ourselves, making our own choices in life; we belong to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, God Almighty, the King of the Universe. We live under his mighty hand, as he sees fit. We live within the covenant he made with us through Jesus, just as he promised. 

Restoration

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

RESTORATION

Gen 20:8-18

8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done." 10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?" 11 Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." '"  14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like." 16 To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated." 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, 18 for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.

NIV

There is restoration through the truth spoken between these two men, Abimelech and Abraham. What could have brought about a great conflict ended well for both of them. Again, we cannot judge Abraham's exact motive for deceiving Abimelech by saying Sarah was his sister rather than his wife, but it seems he did so for self-protection. When we hide the truth or hide from it, we try to protect ourselves from some form of pain, either emotional or physical. Abraham feared he would be killed because the king of the land would want Sarah for his wife. That may have been acceptable of a husband in those days, although that proved wrong; husbands today are required to love their wives, to treat them with love and grace, to protect them, rather than self-protection. Abimelech wanted to make things right, but then we wonder if his motive was self-interest. God had visited Abimelech in a dream and given him the choice of death or life. Who, in their right mind, would choose death? Of course, he was motivated to make things right. When he summoned Abraham, who had wronged him, he gave Abraham sheep, cattle, and male and female slaves. We might have thought Abraham should have given Abimelech something for the trouble he caused. However, this was all about the work of the LORD. We do not know how long Sarah was in the household of Abimelech, but it must have been long enough so that he knew all the women in his household- his wife and all the slave women- could not have children. It would have been very obvious they were all now barren because of Abraham and Sarah. Restoration was the way to healing for Abimelech. The shift from deception to praying for Abimelech healed Abraham as well. It is always good to clear the air, speak the truth, and find a path to communion and fellowship with one another. Whenever there is any kind of conflict, which should not exist among believers, but unfortunately, being human, it does happen, we need to find a path of restoration. If we are in fellowship with the Lord, he will show us the way. Restoration will never happen when we refuse to listen to Him, want our own way, insist the other person was wrong, and expect them to repent and seek our forgiveness. Abimelech was wronged, and because he heard from the LORD, he initiated the restoration. Let us always be in alignment with the way of the Lord, and always be the one who desires and initiates restoration.