Good evening. Tonight as we continue to work our way through the book of Genesis, we come to a couple of interesting chapters. Tonight as we study, we are going to examine chapters 17-18 if you want to go ahead and turn there with me. As you are turning there, let me open with a work of prayer.
If you could change your name, what name would you choose, and why?
Well, in this first chapter that we read, there is a new covenant that God makes with Abram and Sarai, and part of that covenant involves a new name for them. Let’s go ahead and read chapter 17 at this time. Whoever has the first 2 keys, if you could go ahead and read them, that would be great. (READ)
Okay, now that we have read this passage, I want to work our way through it with some questions to help us understand it better. After 13 years of silence from God, Abram must think that Ishmael is the promised heir. How does God show him otherwise?
With God’s covenant with Abram form chapter 15:9-21, how does God now confirm that covenant? (17:2, 4-8)
In 15:6 we find that Abram’s only responsibility under the old covenant was to “believe.” What is required of Abram this time? (17:1, 9-14)
In the ancient world, a name conveyed the essence of a person, and giving a name conveyed rule or ownership. What then do you make of Abram’s and Sarai’s name change?
How does Abraham respond at first? (17:17-18)
How does he eventually respond? (17:23-27)
And finally, what example for Christian homes does Abraham set here?
Well, what I want to do now is share with you 3 new things that are found in this chapter. There are 3 things that become new, that I think give us a glimpse into what God is doing here. So let’s take a look at them at this time.
First, there are New Revelations. As far as the record is concerned, God waited another 13 years before He revealed Himself to Abram. During those quiet intervening years, Abram continued to walk with God and serve Him. He did not need constant special revelations in order to do God’s will, nor do we. God reaffirmed His covenant with Abram and then gave him the sign of circumcision as the mark of that covenant. And as we read in other places throughout scripture we find how sad it is that many of the Jews trusted in the sign rather than in the Lord. (Acts 15:5, Romans 4:10, Galatians 5:6)
So there is this new revelation that is given to Abram. He is given a sign of the covenant that he and God are entering into. And then there is a second thing that becomes new.
Second, there are New Names. In Bible history, a new name means a new beginning as well. It is a step forward in faith. Now the name “Abram,” means “exalted father.” His new name, “Abraham,” means “father of a multitude.” The name “Sarai,” means “contentious,” which means controversial. Her new name now becomes “Sarah,” which means “a princess.” In this moment, God even revealed a new name for Himself, “God Almighty.” And if you want some scriptures about the name “God Almighty,” see me after we are done tonight and I can give you a little study on that name. The only name that did not change was Ishmael, because what is born of the flesh remains flesh and cannot be changed as it alludes to in John 3:6.
So first, we see some new revelations, and then some new names for everyone. But there is still something that is made new in this chapter as well. Let’s take a look at the last thing that is made new.
Thirdly, there is a New Joy. At last, the long-awaited son would be born, and his name would be “Isaac,” which means “laughter.” No wander Abraham laughed in John 8:56. Abraham wanted to cling to his past mistake instead of looking to the future miracle that God would perform. Abraham and Sarah’s impatient act of unbelief had brought sorrow and division into their home, but God’s miracle of faith brought joy and peace back to them, Romans 15:13. You see, it pays to trust God’s way and wait for His time.
So, there are new revelations, new names, and new joy that Abraham and his wife Sarah are now experiencing. Now what I want to do, is I have just a couple of more questions from this passage.
If cutting off the foreskin of a person is no longer required of God’s people, what is yet required? (Galatians 5:6 “1”)
Circumcision did not mean salvation in that day, just as baptism does not guarantee salvation today. A lot of people don’t understand that. Why do you think this is?
Does anyone have anything that they would like to add about this chapter? ________________________________________________________________________
Well, if there is nothing else, let’s go ahead and move on to chapter 18. Now as we read this chapter, we are going to read part of it, and take a minute to discuss it, and then read the rest of it, and then make some points about it as a whole. So, before we read this chapter, when was a time that you laughed at the wrong time?
Well, whoever has that 3rd key, could you go ahead and read for us Genesis 18:1-15 please. (READ)
Hospitality of strangers was and still is obligatory and virtuous in the Near East. How does Abraham go overboard in showing hospitality to these 3 visitors? (1-8)
What is the point to the Lord’s visit with Abraham, and the Lord’s rebuke of Sarah?
How does Sarah’s laughter (12-14) differ from Abrahams (17:17-22) or does it?
Why then does God rebuke Sarah for her laughter and not Abraham for his?
Okay, here are a few personal questions. Let’s see how we would have done:
If you were Sarah, childless and 89 years old, how would you have felt and reacted to what you heard?
In what ways has God brought laughter into your life?
And finally, what does the question, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” mean to you personally?
Well, let’s go ahead and move on to the rest of this chapter. Before we do that though, When you were a kid and wanted something from your parents, how did you try to persuade them?
Okay, whoever has that last key, go ahead and read the rest of chapter 18 for us please. (READ)
Alright, Abraham and his wife have just been visited by 3 “men.” At least 2 of the visitors were angles (19:1), and the other one might have been the Lord Himself (18:22). Now as the visitors are about to go, the Lord chooses to reveal to Abraham his plans for the sinfully wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In this story, do you think that Abraham influenced God one way or the other? Why or why not?
What is it that impresses you the most about the conversation between God and Abraham?
What is it that Abraham was really saying to God?
Well, here are a few personal questions, and then we will wrap things up with a look at this chapter as a whole.
If you could ask God one question, what would you ask and why?
What does God’s openness to Abraham’s requests tell you about God?
What hope does God’s response to Abraham give you?
And finally, when you talk to God, what do you expect God to do? (listen, respond, grant requests, nothing, ?)
Well, now that we have looked at each of these sections of this chapter separately, I want to now finish by looking at this chapter as a whole. And what I want to do to accomplish this is read for you a section strait out of one of my commentaries on this chapter. Here is what it had to say:
“Resting in verse one. Resting in the afternoon is a normal practice in the East, and don’t forget that Abraham was nearly a hundred years old. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap! The believer’s body is God’s temple and must be cared for (I Corinthians 6:19-20, and Mark 6:31.
Serving in verses 2-8. Abraham had no trouble noticing the pilgrims because it was unusual for people to travel in the heat of the day. The visitors were two angels and the Lord Jesus Christ, in one of His preincarnation appearances. Even though he had 318 servants, Abraham served Him personally, and fourteen times he called Him “Lord.” Abraham ran from place to place to make certain the meal they were preparing was the very best.
Listening in verses 9-15. Abraham stood nearby as the visitors ate, ready to serve them whatever they wanted. But the Lord gave Abraham something better than food: He announced that the promised son would be born within the year. “Where is Sarah, your wife?” is the last of three key questions in Genesis (3:9, 4:9, 18:9).
And finally, Interceding found in verses 16-33. Because Abraham was both the friend of God and the servant of God, he shared God’s secrets. See Psalm 25:14, John 15:15, and James 2:23. Lot had been rescued by Abraham’s intervention in chapter 14, now he would be rescued by Abraham’s intercession. Abraham prayed for the city on the basis of the justice of God, but God saved Lot on the basis of His mercy and grace (19:16,19). Interceding for the lost and for the needy saints is a high and holy privilege that we must not neglect.”
Well, anyway, I just thought it was interesting what that commentary pulled out of that chapter. Before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, I will close with a word of prayer, and then we will be dismissed. For next week, try and read through chapters 19 and 20.
Let’s Pray |
