Good evening. Well, as we continue to work our way through Genesis, a lot of the focus has been on Abraham. But in tonight’s passage, we see the death of Abraham. Tonight we are going to try and get through chapters 25 and 26 of Genesis.
Before we read our first passage for tonight, let’s just open with a word of prayer.
Well, before we get started with chapter 25, let’s look at a few things. Abraham has set some good examples and some bad examples in chapters 12-24. What are some of the good examples that we can find in Abraham?
What are some of the things we need to avoid that Abraham has taught us?
Through Abraham’s experience with God, what do you learn about the way God treats us when we are obedient? (He rewards and blesses us)
How about when we are fearful? (He reminds us of His promises)
Now how about when we are disobedient? (He corrects, and leads us in right direction)
Well, let’s go ahead and read about the death of Abraham, and the first born of Isaac. Whoever has the first 3 keys, go ahead and read them at this time please. (READ)
Well, we see an interesting birth take place here. What have you been told about the particulars of your birth? (I was underweight. Lived in an incubator for month +)
Okay, from this passage, we can see that God is continuing to develop His chosen people. Now Abraham’s son Isaac has 2 sons of his own. The struggle that would mark Jacob and Esau’s relationship begins in the womb, and would continue through their descendants the Israelites and the Edomites. Normally, the oldest son received greater status, including “birthrights,” which entitles him to double the share of his father’s property upon the death of the father. However, Esau traded his birthright to his brother Jacob for some food.
Well, let’s work our way through this passage, and try and get a better understanding of it before we move on to the next chapter. First, what is your initial reaction to this story?
How would you describe Esau?
How would you describe Jacob?
What was the birthright that Jacob coveted and Esau despised? (v. 5)
What do you think possessed Esau to sell his birthright?
What could Isaac and Rebekah, the parents, have done to avoid this conflict?
Okay, let’s get a little bit more personal now. Think about this question in your head, because I am sure that there is an answer, but that we wouldn’t want to mention them out-loud. What relationship in your family do you struggle with the most?
Okay, now answer this question: What have you found helpful in dealing with struggles with your family relationships?
Have you ever gone to a family member for help, only to be taken advantage of?
Well, does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on to chapter 26? ________________________________________________________________________
Well, if there is nothing else, let’s get ready to discuss chapter 26. But before we do that, In what ways are you a “chip off the old block?”
Okay, and who was your childhood enemy, and how did you finally decide to get along? (Chad Breech, fight, found something in common)
Well, let’s go ahead and read this next chapter and see what we can learn from it. Whoever has the last 3 keys, if you could go ahead and read them now? (READ)
Okay, what similarities do you see between Isaac and his father Abraham?
(Note that the name “Abimelech” was a common name back then. So it probably was not the same king from his father’s day.)
Okay, well, the biggest similarity is how they each lied about their wives being their sisters. How do you account for this repeated pattern of sin?
Why might it be more dangerous for a woman’s husband rather than her brother?
Do you think this justifies a lie, why or why not?
Since we know that lying goes against God’s laws in Exodus, why do you think that both Abraham and his son Isaac both prospered even though they lied?
Okay, and what does this chapter teach us about God’s ways?
Okay, I have a few personal application questions, and then I want to end by ready what my commentary has to say about this chapter as a whole. So, on to the personal application questions:
Where in your life would you like to see the quarreling stop, and the reconciliation begin?
What next steps of faith might God want you to take to approach that end result?
Okay, both Abraham and Isaac become very wealthy even though they are participants in God’s purpose. What do you think: is their wealth more or less important to them than their devotion to God?
And finally, how do you fit your finances into your participation in God’s purposes?
Okay, what I want to do now, is end with a short segment of what my commentary has to say about this chapter as a whole. It says: “Faith cannot grow apart from trials, and this chapter records several trials that Isaac endured and shows how he responded to them.
First is an escape in verses 1-6. Like Abraham, Isaac started for Egypt, but God stopped him at the border and reassured him. Isaac was blessed because of Abraham. We must never forget our debt to spiritual leaders who have gone before us.
Next is deception in verses 7-14. While in enemy territory, Isaac resorted to the “family lie,” that twice got Abraham in trouble (12:10, 20:1). It is sad when the new generation imitates the sins of the old generation. God blessed Isaac in a material way, but we wonder what his spiritual life was like. Did his neighbors trust him after hearing about his lie?
Next we see surrender in verses 15-25. Water is a very precious commodity in the desert country, and possessing a well is almost the same as having a deed to the land. Instead of defending what his men had done, Isaac moved to new locations. He may have been practicing Romans 12:18 which says, “If it is possible, as far as you, live at peace with everyone.”
And finally, we see confrontation in verses 26-35. In contrast to his father Abraham, who dared to declare war, Isaac was a quiet, meditative man who tried to avoid trouble. He boldly faced his neighbors with their bad conduct, and he won! Note that he went the extra mile and entertained the men at a feast.”
Well, I thought that was an interesting 4 points to draw out of that chapter. Now, before we close, does anyone have anything to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, for next week read up, and be ready to discuss chapters 27 and 28. We should be able to get through both of those chapters in one meeting.
Pray |
