At the end of this study, I think my favorite character from the book of Genesis will be Abraham. Or maybe Jacob. Or Joseph. Well, right now it’s Abraham! I love seeing how he completely obeys God without questions (such as when he took his family to a new place and next week when we discuss God’s test related to Isaac). Abraham had to trust God when it was a pretty novel thing to do. Most of all, Abraham illustrates for us that God graciously gives us second, third and fourth chances to learn lessons and grow in Him.
The sin Abraham most struggled with was fear. This fear crept up again in the form of lying about his relationship with Sarah. Abraham and Sarah made a similar arrangement before meeting Pharaoh. You would expect them to learn their lesson after that situation, but they didn’t because they repeated their same sin now with King Abimelech. Abraham was fearful of someone killing him and taking Sarah. But instead of trusting God with his fear, he took matters into his own hands.
Only by God’s grace was Sarah (and the line of the promised Messiah) protected from what could have been horrible circumstances. God approaches Abimelech in a dream and explains the situation. Then God uses Abimelech to discipline Abraham, who tries to justify his sin.
Abraham trusted God, but he had a hard time putting his trust into action. We trust God based on His character. We must take the trust that we know in our minds and put it into practice. What sin is undermining my trust in God? What is preventing me from putting my trust into practice?
Next, God miraculously gives Abraham and Sarah the son He promised them. They name the boy Isaac, which means “laughter.” How appropriate! When God announced the boy’s impending birth, Abraham and Sarah laughed at the impossibility of the situation. Now they are laughing with joy at God’s fulfilled promise.
This shows us that God keeps His promises in His perfect timing. God is faithful, and we can trust what He says. But usually the hardest part of watching Him fulfill His promises is waiting for His perfect timing. Why do we doubt God’s ability to do what He says He will do? As Avery’s memory verse says, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What impossible thing have I given up on? Will I be faithful in prayer and let God do what He wants to do?
The birth of Isaac, the promised son, brought turmoil to Abraham’s household. Abraham’s first son, Ishmael, persecuted Isaac. So Sarah asks Abraham to get rid of Ishmael and his mother, Hagar. Abraham loved Ishmael and didn’t know what to do, so he went to God for help. God tells Abraham to send away Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham trusts God and obeys His command.
God was not being unfair or cruel to Hagar and Ishmael. They had to leave that situation in Abraham’s house so God could bless Ishmael. God sees Hagar and Ishmael in their despair and reiterates His promise to Ishmael. It seems that Ishmael was angry throughout this whole situation and didn’t see into the future how God would fulfill His promise and bless him.
It’s the same for us. God’s will is often hard to understand, but it always can be trusted. What am I struggling with related to God’s plan for my life? Will I choose to trust God and His will for me? Then will I put that trust into practice every day?
King Abimelech appears again. Abraham approaches him about a situation involving a well of water. It’s clear that Abimelech fears God and wants to stay in God’s and Abraham’s favor. So Abraham and Abimelech make a treaty over the water rights.
Abraham’s witness was restored between the first situation (in chapter 20) and this one. When Abraham surrendered to God’s will, he experienced peace between himself and Abimelech. Abraham also experienced peace with God. Where do I need to surrender in obedience to God’s will?
As I mentioned above, Avery’s memory verse this week focused on God’s sovereignty (His absolute right to do all things according to His own good pleasure) and omnipotence (unlimited power):
Genesis 18:14