One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Sunday, January 9th The Birth of Issac, Ishmael and Hagar Sent Away, Abraham's Faith Tested, Jesus Teaches on True and False Prophets and Disciples
Old Testament - Genesis chs.20-22
Abraham Deceives Abimelech
Again plays Abraham plays the "she's my sister" card, this time with King Abimelech. Last time Abraham played the game with with the Pharaoh in Egypt. When he deceived the Pharaoh to take Sarai into his palace, the Lord afflicted Pharaoh's household with terrible plagues. This time God acts in a little different way. After Abraham had conned the king into receiving Sarah into his palace, God came to the king in a dream and warned him that Sarah was a married woman. Abimilech pleads with the Lord that he is innocent, as he is.
When Abilimech confronts Abraham, Abraham explains his logic, though his defense seems a little weak. Abilimech does the right thing by giving Abraham animals and servant,s as he went on his way. He presented Sarah with silver and asked her to forgive him for anything improper he did. Finally, he assured her that her reputation would be clean.
So let me ask you. Who is the hero in this story? You would have to say King Abimelech. Abraham shows his humanity and his fear driven deception and lies. These two stories show us that God can use anyone he wants to teach us a lesson. Abraham will have a chance to redeem himself in the next chapter.
The Birth of Isaac
Don't miss the phrase, "God kept his word!" God never fails to keep his promise, and this was a big one. Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to the son she and Abraham had always longed for and waited so patiently for. Miraculously Abraham was 100 years old when Issac was born. "The promise of a son was not fulfilled because Abraham was perfect in his obedience, but because God was faithful to His Word." (Guzik)
The name Issace meant "laughter". Though the first time God announced the birth of Issac, Sarai neverously laughed. This time she says, "For God has brought me laughter". What a day it must have been for Sarah, after all these years of waiting for God to provide a son for her husband. An heir for the family. An heir of the Messiah.
Hagar and Ishmael Are Sent Away
Once again househould tensions are running high and there is not only a sibling rivalry, but a mother rivalary. Think moms at a soccer game. Abraham was in a spot. He loved both boys equally. God intervened and told him that the descendants of Ishmael would be blessed, but Issac's descendants were heirs of the promise. Once again, Hagar is put out of the household like the time when Ishmael was born.
Once again, Abraham gives her minimal supplies to survive with her son in the hot desert. Wben she ran out, she was overwhelemd to the point of tears when the Lord intevened again. Ishmael for his part was crying too. The angel delivered a message to her that God had heard the boy's cry and he had great plans for him.
God answered. Curiously, God answered in response to the voice of the lad instead of specifically to Hagar’s weeping. In some way, Ishmael cried out for mercy and help.Though Ishmael was not the son to receive the covenant promise, God was not against him. The descendants of Ishmael became a great nation, the Arabic people.
This may be a different Abimelech than the Abimelech of Genesis 20. What is obvious is that Abimelech sees that God is with Abraham. Perhaps he had heard of the previous story of Abraham trying to deceive the king. As they bargained back and forth, Abraham inquired of a well that had been taken from him. Since water was very scarce in the land of Canaan, the property that supplied the water was of inestimable value. In return Abraham gave him seven lambs. They made this agreement or covenant at a place Abraham named "Beersheba" which means "watering place", or "well of underground water". (Guzik)
Abraham also planted a tamarisk tree there and worshipped God there. "After the successful treaty, Abraham did something that looked forward to coming decades and generations. A tamarisk tree takes a long time to grow, but Abraham knew God had promised the land to him and his descendants forever." (Guzik)
Abraham’s Faith Tested
Now we get to the famous passage where God gave Abraham the ultimate test of faith. God asked Abraham to take the son that he had waited for until he was 100 and offer him as a sacrifice in the land of Moriah. Interestingly he says, "take your only son", as we know Abraham had another son (Ishmael). But this was the son of the promise.
God says, "Take the son you love so much!" This is the first time the word "love" is used in the bible up to this point. It is used in the context of a son and his father. Not only did Abraham answer when God called, but early the next day he got up and prepared for the sacrifice of his son. It's hard to imagine what was going through his mind that morning as chopped up for the fire for the offering. Think about it. This wood would provide the fire for Abraham to offer up his favorite possession, his son.
'God told Abraham to offer him as a burnt offering. This was not an offering that was burned alive, but one with the life first taken by sacrifice and then the body completely burnt before the LORD." (Guzik)
When Abraham sees Mount Moriah (Moriah is now known as the area called Jerusalem). in the background on the third day of the journey, he tells the servant to stay there with the donkey. Meanwhile he and Issac travel on. Issac carries the wood on his back, a foreshadowing of another son who carried a cross on his back. What he says next is one of the greatest statements of faith in the bible.
Abraham says with seeming confidence, "The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back." What a minute? How were they going to come back if he had sacrificed Issac. Was this a wish Abraham had? Was it is hope? Or, was it faith? Abraham would find out very soon.
Another poignant moment comes when father and son are walking toward the place of sacrifice. The boy is curious and asks, "Father". Abraham says, "Yes my son". "We have the fire and the wood", the boy said, "But where is the sheep for the burnt offering." Another classic line come from Abraham's mouth, "God will provide the lamb for the offering my son." I am sure he was fighting back the tears at that moment.
They arrived for at the place of the offering. Abraham built the altar and arranged the wood. He tied his son on the altar on top of the wood. Abraham moves very slowly hoping at some point God might intervene, but not yet. Abraham raises the knife and right at the moment the angel cries out, "Abraham, Abraham".
Can you imagine Abraham's relief? Abraham exasperated cries out, "I am here Lord!" "Here I am". At just that moment Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket. God had provided a lamb. God was pleased with Abraham. Abraham had passed the greatest test of faith one could ever imagine by offering up his only son trusting God would supply the lamb for the sacrifice. This is why we call Abraham the "Father of Faith".
Upon Abraham's great act of faith, God re-affirms the covenant to bless Abraham, make his name great, and supply him with as many descendants are the sand on the sea, or the stars in the sky.
True and False Prophets
Jesus describes what a false prophet looks like. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. Meaning they try and look as much like a sheep as possible, yet beneath the surface they are a wolf. What they say may seem right, but the truth will come out in the wash. Jesus teaches that the lithmus test is what kind of fruit they produce. A good tree can only produce good fruit. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit.
True and False Disciples
Just like there are true teachers and false teachers, there are also true followers of Christ, and false ones. Many people might called themselves a Christian, but how can one know? What is the test? The test is the person who does what God asks of them. Though none of us gets it right every time, if our life is never aligned with God's will, are we really a disciple?. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. If our life looks nothing at all like Jesus' life, there must be a problem. Though we will never be Jesus, a true disciple grows to be more like him by his grace and power.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
As Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount, he compares two types of men, a wise man and a foolish man. The wise man hears Jesus' words and puts them into practice. He is building his life (his house) on a rock. The foolish man, the one who doesn't take God's word seriously, is using sand for a foundation.
When will each man find out what they have built their life on? When the storms come down. And they will. And when they come, the house built on the rock of God's word will stand. The house built on the foolishness of this world will not stand.
A true prophet teaches God's Word. A true disciple listens to God's Word and puts into to practice. God's Word stands the test of time and every other test the world can throw at it. Most importantly if you live your live by God's Word when the rains come down, as they will, you will be safe and secure. You will be saved from the flood.
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."
Notice the mindset of the David who writes Psalm 9. "I will give thanks", "I will tell of your deeds", "I will be glad and rejoice", and "I will sing praises".
What is the common denominator here? I WILL. David's circumstances weren't great. He didn't necessarily have a lot to cheer about. He was surrounded by those who wanted to take his life. But what was his mindset? He made a decision to praise God with all of his heart. He was still ready to give testimony for God. He would not lose his joy or desire to sing God's praise.
What do you do when the circumstances of your life go downhill? Will you choose to do the things David did? Will you choose to rejoice, sing, and tell of the greatness of God. It's easy to praise God when things are going well, but a true follower of Christ can praise him even during the down times. The world can't make sense of it. A person rejoicing in the midst of trials and tribulation is the greatest witness to true faith in a God, who always keep his promises.
"Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God,:
As we learn to listen to the voice of wisdom, the other voices, like the voice of the wayward woman will ring hollow. When others try seduce us, we will see their through their false promises. We will move from being led by our desires, to being led by the Holy Spirit.
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