II. _God is with thee in all tha 1 Isaac is borne. He had to provide protection and give him the land, which He begins to do in a rather ordinary way through this peace agreement. Do you call on the name of the Lord regardless of your circumstances. Of _Abimelech, _ see GENESIS 20:2. And the Lord visited Sarah, as he had said, and the Lord did unto We are secure in His providential care. 15 Hagar in distresse. Just because youve blown it with someone in the past doesnt mean that you cant be used later to influence that person toward God. The Covenant Between Abraham and Abimelech NINTH SECTION Scripture Story: Genesis 21:1-5; Genesis 22:1-12. 26), but through this treaty, God was faithfully providing for Abrahams basic physical needs. 22. Theyre people who live rather ordinary lives, except for one significant fact--their lives count for eternity because they are used by God to help fulfill His purpose. xx. CHAPTER 21 The palpable injury. 1 The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. Abraham denies his relationship Youll have to put these things in yourself. With a tearful thank you, the woman took her groceries and left. 4 He is circumcised. Genesis 21:22 Abraham, thinking the herdsmen had acted on their master's orders, reproved Abimelech. So why, after he already gave Abimelek flocks of sheep and cattle, did Abraham give him seven lambs as a witness that Abraham dug the well? _mlel_ speak, an ancient and therefore solemn CHARACTERS: Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Hagar, Ishmael, Abimelech. the long-promised son was born. ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH GOD. He walked in daily communion with God. After this had gone on for several times, the businessman suddenly was struck with the simple truth of that verse. As David wrote, all our days were written in Gods book before we even were born (Ps. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Jesus taught us to pray each day for our daily bread. He was, to put it gently, directed to find a way to verbally persuade subjects to cooperate. The deal is sealed. "This scene occurs at the same time as the events of Scene 6 [ Genesis 21:1-21] but focuses on different characters and tensions. with his wi AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME,. Not when Ishmael was grown up How Jesus guarded his heart by taking care of himselfhe even nappedand why you should do the same. In this section he understood what the sheep and oxen were for, that they were presents to him, at least some of them, and the rest were for the solemnizing and ratifying the covenant between them; but what these were for he could not devise. It is as much the duty of him who has a grievance to reveal it, as it is the duty of him who has caused the grievance to remove it. Here God shows Abraham that not only would the people of the land not take his wife, they wouldnt even take his well. Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34 Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34 (Read Genesis 21:22-34) Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. He wouldnt have had much exciting news to report in his monthly fund-raising letter. 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. you do. In the immediately preceding verses, God has provided Isaac and dismissed Ishmael, so that Abraham would learn that Gods promises do not depend on human schemes and effort for their fulfillment. The name, Beersheba seems to play on them both. Phichol.] List one sac- And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: , saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Here we have accomplished promise the blessed And, God provides for his need for water through this well. They formalize the peace agreement, Abimelech leaves, Abraham plants a commemorative tree, worships the Lord, and life goes on. Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, or to the time of Do others see the hand of God on your life? The outcast. Abimelech was impressed with Abraham's growing prosperity. Ishmael mocking (Genesis 22:9) But in his case, it was his final home, in heaven. _ALUN OWEN_ "The great well has an internal diameter at the mouth of twelve feet six inches, or a circumference of nearly forty feet. Verse Genesis 21:22. So if Abimelek gives the well back to Abraham, Abimeleks servants might react, You believe that foreigner over us? This is also remarkable in light of Abrahams past dealings with Abimelech. Another highlight of this passage is the explanation for the origin of the name Beersheba. favourite of God, chap. and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken ( Genesis 21:1 ). Isaac is born, and circumcised. Do we work hard or slack off? As already Mature, Aner, and Eshcol had formed a league with the patriarch (vide Genesis 14:13). Specific examples of how Jesus communicated Gods love to others. I. Perhaps Abimelech had heard of how God had given Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. He provided manna in the wilderness and brought water from a rock. Abraham decided to take a different approach. the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common That led to an obsessive seven year deep dive. We have had in fine the judgment of 22._And it came to pass at that time_. Abraham a sojourner in that land, afterwards the troubler of Israel; for his sake as discipline, for their sakes as opportunity. NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SONS SON.] had promised to her. 22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. Abraham called on the name of the Lord. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 20 AND 21. We wont know Gods purpose until were in heaven. Nor are they called upon to bear what by lawful means they are able to redress. How Jesus loved his betrayer Judas, even to the very end. We live with the daily, ordinary routines that characterize the greater part of our lives: getting ready for the day, rushing off to work, getting the kids off to school, shopping for groceries, paying bills, mowing lawns, and maintaining the household. The term for making a treaty (used here and vs. 32) is karat. 17:9-14). Then this brand new cop said,Sir, step out of the car. 1 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 39:1). 23. _ALUN OWEN_ Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba. his mother took him a wife --On a father's death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however young; and as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his mother set about forming a marriage connection for him, it would seem, among her relatives. The new cop and the driver of the car are both backed into a corner. Genesis 21:22-34 What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves? The angel relieves and comforts her. Genesis 21:33. We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Gen. 12:2) that God would make his name great. I dont have to give you my license and registration., Listen you ! with thee in all that At last in God's 'Set time," and in spite of all natural difficulties, continued in the country of the Philistines for a considerable time; Ruth 1:17, and vide Genesis 14:23). How to love unlovable people the way Jesus did. Probably an official title. The one great miracle in his life was the birth of Isaac in his old age. 14. Most days, he got up, made sure his animals were being cared for, dealt with problems like sick or straying animals, servants who had squabbles, and finding enough water and food for his flocks and family. 21:23 Abimelech proposes a treaty not to deal falsely. Abimelech and Abraham, or ancient covenanters. Why did she come at exactly the time the mechanism was broken? He lived in the desert and became an archer. The grocer, who was not a believer, was unmoved by her need. CRITICAL NOTES. And Abimelech said, I wet not who hath done this thing. CHRISTI GENESISNOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. Abraham denies his relationship of his host, spoke to Abraham saying, God is with you in all that God burned the words into his heart and gave him the faith to believe. the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Spiritual markers remind us of the goodness of the Lord in our lives. 20:16 in the command not to bear false witness against ones neighbor. The Covenant Between Abraham and Abimelech NINTH SECTION to Abraham. When we give thanks at the dinner table, we need to be truly thankful, and not just mumbling a ritual prayer before we say, Please pass the potatoes. God faithfully provides for our protection and for our provision. Newly released book by Kurt Bennett, now available onAmazon! _mlel_ speak, an ancient and therefore solemn They watch our attitudes, our words, and our actions. He was Gods number one man on earth, but he wasnt holding miracle services. 21:25-26 Interrupting the covenant-making ceremony, Abraham airs a grievance that he has with Abimelech related to Abimelechs servants taking possession of a well that Abraham previously dug. Each time, the young man, who was retarded and knew only this one verse, responded simply by quoting John 3:16. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:22-32 We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Gen. 12:2) that God would make his name great. 15. I like this. 1. The LXX. Why are we told this? The significance of this passage is Abraham finding a place in the land promised to him in safety. 21:22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. God used the only Scripture this retarded young man knew to give eternal life to this sophisticated businessman (told by Martin & Deidre Bobgan, Competent to Minister [EastGate], pp. 4. not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Peace commemorated. The trouble with this approach, of course, is that we never get to that place. In the Grant Study, 268 Harvard graduates (including John F. Kennedy by the way. The herdsmen of the king had appropriated Abraham's well. 22. that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. I. Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the How to survive a life of loving like Jesus (or how not to become a Christian doormat). Ver. As you think about Abrahams life, you realize that he was a fairly ordinary man, except that he was a man of extraordinary faith and obedience to God. BIRTH OF ISAAC. How aggressive should we be? His men may have dug who knows how many dry wells before finding this one. Without even reading it, he put it on one side of his old-fashioned scale. and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: He was simply living his daily life as the friend of God before the watching world. The impelling motives. The greatest possible injury of a material kind that could be done to a nomads chief was the all faction of his water supplies. As he was leaving, a young man walked up and quoted John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. The businessman didnt see how such a thing could be true and he didnt understand the connection between Gods giving His Son and a person having eternal life. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. Abimelech and PhicholHere a proof of the promise (Ge 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. Even in this ordinary incident, Abraham acknowledged Gods faithful care for him. CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY As a tax payer Im your boss I pay your ! Genesis 20:17 Genesis 26:28 College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh, Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith. Abimelech attributes Abrahams success to God. This second conflict with Abimelech creates a bracket around the Isaac birth narrative. (See previous post about Abraham and Abimelek). In that case Abraham went down to Egypt, whereas Isaac went only as far as Gerar, in the land of the Philistines, but the same place where we read of Abraham denying his relationship with Sarah. Because Abimelech had taken Sarah into his harem, God struck him and all his household with some illness and threatened to kill them if he didnt return Sarah to Abraham. 1886. *** Abimelech reenters the picture with his enforcer, Phicol. Abimeleks servants save face. has Some try to convey that they are perfect. Youre not backing us up! In an initial way, God is using Abraham to fulfill His purpose of blessing all the nations as he is blessed. Read the Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34. Hagar and Ishmael sent away. Ishmael's marriage, but most probably to the former. It is a beautiful illustration of how God faithfully provides everything we need for life and godliness so that we can fulfill His purpose. Genesis 21 Genesis 22 Genesis 23 Genesis 24 . 15 Hagar in distresse. 27:7). Sometimes when you read the Bible, you get the feeling that God majors in the spectacular. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. Thus, Beersheba can mean, well of oath, or well of seven. So, outside of the name, Beersheba, the word shava occurs three times and the word sheva occurs three times in this passage. Most of Gods people have been simple, ordinary folks who are not famous or politically powerful. ; Psalms 34, tit.). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. In this narrative, Abraham appears as a chieftain powerful enough for a king to wish to make an alliance with him; and thus his abandonment of Sarah, and his receiving of presents in compensation for the wrong done her, seems the more unworthy of him. the commander-in-chief of his forces) spake unto Abraham (having come from Gerar for the purpose), saying, God is with thee in all that thou doesta conviction derived from his former acquaintance with the patriarch (Genesis 20:1. He did what he the title not only of the king of Gerar, but of the kings of the reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH MAKE A COVENANT AT BEERSHEBA.