BSF Genesis: Week 20, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions

3.
He was obedient to his parents and to God.  He spent time alone with God and trusted in Him.  He was submissive to God’s will even when that will wasn’t immediately clear.

4.
a.
humbly obedient, meek

b.

  • Moses was very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth
  • He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way
  • the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity
  • He crowns the humble with victory
  • Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth
  • Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, find rest
  • Beauty of inner self, unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit

c.
My own pride takes away from giving all the glory to God.  I also struggle with fears and worries because I am too proud and stiff necked to release it to God even though I know that is the right thing to do.

My Daily Journal:

The illustration today’s discussion about being meek and humble brought to my mind was that of a knighting ceremony.  Knights were normally highly trained, educated and equipped individuals, prepared to go into battle for their king.  But, becoming a knight was not something someone received by proxy.  It wasn’t a letter or phone call, it was a very personal and up close experience with the king.

In the knighting ceremony, the trained fighter kneels before their king.  The king then takes his sword, not a dull staff, but the sharp sword of the king, and places it on the shoulders of the knight, moving from one shoulder to another.

The knight cannot receive this honor in a stiff-necked posture (they would lose their head, literally).  They must approach the throne in a manner that displays humble obedience and meekness.  They then arose and took on the new garments of their order.

Isn’t this what we are called to as well, just as Isaac was humble and meek?  To receive the blessing of the Word of God, sharper than any two edged sword, we must appear before our King with a humble and meek heart.  To be clothed in the Holy Spirit, we must kneel in prayer and seek forgiveness and cleansing.

BSF Genesis: Week 19, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

12.
a.
Left everything he owned to Isaac, while living gave gifts to other sons (sent them away) Isaac and Ishmael came together to bury their father.

b.
Isaac lived in the Negev in Beer Lahai Roi, Ishmael lived in the Desert of Paran

This map shows both places (Beer Lahai Roi is at the southwest edge of Canaan)

13.
a.
Blessings of kind words from a believer
b.
Prayed for BSF children and co-leaders, my family, my church and my employees

My Daily Journal:

I thought it interesting that Isaac was living in the place that was named by Hagar in Genesis 16 when God saw her after she fled while pregnant with Ishmael.  Clearly Isaac and Ishmael knew each other because they unite to bury their father.  Despite everything else that has occurred, it is the provision of their father that unites them.  While Isaac provided for all of his children, there were 2 things very special.  1. He did not try to renegotiate, circumvent or divide God’s promise.  God had promised this land through Isaac to his descendents and Abraham made sure everyone else was moved off of it.  2.  Abraham provided a foundation of faith in God to his children.  While that seed did not necessarily take in all of them, it was planted and cultivated and we know, particularly with Isaac and Ishmael that God himself watered and cared for it.

Staying true to God’s word and promises and cultivating faith in our children.  Isn’t that what we should strive for as Christian parents?

BSF Genesis: Week 19, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

9.
a.
Do not intermarry with pagan nations, Do not be yoked with unbelievers

b.
31: Come, you who are blessed by the LORD, 50: This is from the LORD 51: as the LORD has directed

10.
a.
48 I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD the God of my master who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son

b.
Glory to God, no one may boast before him. Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

11.
a.
Nose ring 2 gold bracelets (about $7005 by today’s price for gold), entire story of how he came here, the offer to marry, gold silver jewelry clothing

b.
He sought permission of her family. They knew who Abraham was, his demonstration of faith. Showed respect for her and for her family

c.
We chose to go, but everything else is provided by God. We are called by Him, chosen by him, not anything we have done to earn it

My Daily Journal:

I am truly struck by Rebekah.  Earlier in this chapter we saw her actions reveal her character.  We saw that Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for his son and the servant sought someone with a servant’s heart.  But not a weak and fainting heart – Rebekah demonstrated strength of character, physical strength and strength of faith.

She was the first person to the well.  She did not come with lots of other girls to chit chat, but she was the early bird.  She was gracious and kind and went out of her way to treat a stranger with kindness, not only caring for him but also for his camels.  She was chaste and pure.

She must have been physically strong and hearty as well.  I looked it up – a camel drinks about 20 to 25 gallons.  10 camels = 200 to 250 gallons of water.  Water weighs a little over 8 lbs per gallon.  That means she was carting 1600 to 2000 lbs of water not counting the weight of her jug.  And then, after she was done, she went for a run – running home to tell her mother’s family.

We see her faith in her decision.  When her family wishes for her to linger with them, she displays obedience to God and a desire to step in that obedience.  Think how difficult this was.  Leaving home, family, everything behind to go to a strange land and be married to a stranger.  No bridesmaids, no mother of the bride, just jump on a camel and go.

BSF Genesis: Week 19, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

6.
a.
lengthy travel, did not know anyone, no references, no recommendations, short time, personal risk

b.
went, prayed, waited, chose to rely only on God (not his own preconditions)

c.
Hiring and work. Relying on God to bring the right people and the right work.

7.
a.
It was a sign of having a servants heart that revealed the character of Isaac’s betrothed. It fit the scenario, task and situation.  Not outlandish or absurd.

b.
That she had a servant’s heart and was generous and thoughtful and a hard worker

8.
a.
Asked God for specific scene and it was exactly presented

b.
From Abraham’s household, from his hometown – not a canaanite

c.
When he met her he did not know any of this

My Daily Journal:

Trusting in God allows us to trust in others.

I was moved by the relationship between Abraham and his servant.  Last week we saw Abraham demonstrate his trust of God through his willingness to obey even in a situation that did not make sense and tugged at his very heart: sacrificing his only son.  While the characters are different this week, the core of the lesson is the same – trusting in God.

We saw that Abraham trusted and relied on the Lord but also did the hard work to make provisions to fulfill his responsibilities as an obedient servant to the Lord and as a father of a son and of many nations to come.  When he was commanded to take Isaac to the mountain he embarked quickly, but not before he cut the wood, secured the fire, loaded the donkey, employed the servants.  This week we see those same qualities.

Abraham knew the promise God had made and knew that required a wife for Isaac.  Abraham sought to do the work to be a part of that promise, not to interfere with God, but neither to sit idle.  He wanted a great wife for his son because he knew the special plan God had communicated that would come through his son and thus his bride.  He wanted someone not only physically able, but, more importantly, spiritually strong.  He looked around and knew that person could not come from his neighbors.  Sin permeates and Abraham knew first hand the difficulties of growing up in a household that did not worship God and God alone.  He wanted better for his son.  He also wanted his son to stay in the promise God had made.  The promise was tied to land, Abraham was planting seeds in that land and it takes time and care for those seeds to take root.

But Abraham was old.  He had trusted in God and now he had to trust in another man.  He turned to his servant, someone who had been directed “to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.”  He equipped him with gold, jewelry, riches, camels and, most importantly, the spirit of God and the prayer for angels to watch over his journey.  He put the future of his descendents in his hands.  There was no plan B – he said if you do not find the right person then you are free.

What this shows to me is that, yes, Abraham trusted this servant.  But more importantly and even greater, he trusted God.

BSF Genesis: Week 19, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
a.
In every way, with a son with a family with an opportunity to demonstrate his obedience, prosperity, sheep, bailed him out of at least 2 bad situations, promised land, God’s covenant, daily walk, not to mention his hottie wife.

b.
watered and yielding fruit, not wither, prospers, inherit the land, steps are firm, though stumble not fall, blessed with food and abundance, every spiritual blessing, lamp to our feet, known by name

c.
In every way. By providing opportunities to demonstrate my obedience to him and through kind words of a believer.

4.
a.
By directing his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just

b.
Not a Canaanite woman for a wife. Isaac couldn’t move from promised land.  Both of these were in keeping with God’s covenant.

c.
To help them grow in faith, by providing an example to them of christian faith and marriage, help them marry believer

5.
He sought to guide the marriage of his son through whom God had promised bountiful nations and descendents. To help him marry a believer.

My Daily Journal:

When we think about how God has blessed us we often think of the big things.  We think about the sticky situations He has bailed us out of.  We think  about the roof over our head and the food that we eat.  We think about the relationships we have with others.  While all of that is true it is like picking out a few big trees in a forest or a few large rocks along a shoreline beach.

I love the way it is phrased in Genesis 24:1:  The Lord had blessed him in every way.  Everything around us, everything we have is a blessing from God.  Every breath, every beat of our heart is a blessing.  Every hug and kiss of a loved one.  Even every trial and tear.  All of these are blessings from God.

When we walk daily with God we have the opportunity to recognize and give thanks to him not only for the landmarks in our lives, the major events, but also for the whole picture.  24 chapters into Genesis and I’m reminded of Genesis 1 and that everything was created by God for man to enable us to have a relationship with Him.

BSF Genesis: Week 18, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
offer bodies as living sacrifice – what do we love more: self and safety or God? By obedience to sacrifice we are open to transformation and renewal
b.
For some missionaries it is literal, for others it is sacrifice of mortal rights/pleasures to honor and respect God and bro’s

c.
I need to improve in my “Here I am” response instead of, “Hold on just a minute and let me finish this first…”

12.
a.
To bury his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (Hebron)  to bury his dead

b.
Like a family burial plot today, want it where loved ones can return to honor the memory of the dead and to be laid to rest by their side

c.
I hope they show the desire to serve Him and teach others about Him. Still opportunities to improve.

My Daily Journal:

I have been critical of Abraham’s past deeds as a husband, his treatment of Hagar, his willingness to put Sarah in harms way because of his own fear.  But here we see another side, possibly a growth and maturing.  For it is in the death of Sarah that we see some new firsts.

This is the first mention of a burial in the bible.  It is also the first commercial transaction recorded in the scriptures.  How fitting that those two go together to honor the death of the mother of the promised children of the Lord.

This plot of land comes up time and again.  It is the burial place of the patriarchs and matriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah.  It is the place that the 10 spies investigated when they first stepped foot into the promised land again after the exodus from Egypt (Num 11).  It was given as a Levitical city and a city of refuge after being regained by Joshua.  It is here that David was annointed King (2 Sam 5).

BSF Genesis: Week 18, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

8.
a.
h17/g1 God tested Abraham, h17/g10 offered Isaac as sacrifice, h19/g5 resurrect his son – we will return

b.
showed Abraham’s obedience to God, Isaac’s obedience to his father and allowed God to show his love and plan of salvation

c.
He was the perfecter of faith for through the ultimate obedience and sacrifice faith is perfectly demonstrated

d.
There is joy in honoring God and in doing my best for him. Sacrifices are hard, but in denial of sinful self I know that I am honoring God and am closer to Him.

9.
a.
person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

b.
a voice calling from heaven and a ram for the sacrifice

c.
that He sent His only son as an atoning sacrifice for my sins

d. dedication of self and family, willingness to serve as He calls, willingness to rely on Him

10.
a.
Here I am, The LORD will provide

b.
bless you, make descendants numerous as stars/sand. Possess cities of enemies, thorough offspring all nations earth blessed

My Daily Journal:

I love verse 22.  “I swear by myself, declares the Lord…”  I can hear God saying, “I swear in the name of, well, Me….”  One of the other leaders told me he saw a cartoon that asked the question, what do you say to God if he sneezes?

I think part of the message in this is that faith is not a possession, it is something to be lived out.  It is not a pair of shoes you lock away, it is something you wear and use.  It is only through the exercise of faith that God can use it to His glory.  Hide it under a bushel? No!

Where do I need to take my faith for a walk?

How do I need to trust more in the Lord?

Am I giving thanks to God for the provisions He has given me?  Is my first response to that provision the same that Abraham demonstrated – by immediately wanting to use it to give back and honor God?

BSF Genesis: Week 18, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

6.
a.
He was his only son, whom he loved, he was a patient and respectful father

b.
Obedient to his father even to the point of carrying the wood for his own sacrificial death and placing himself upon the wood to accept the judgment of this father. Abraham was 100 years old, Isaac could have fought or fled. Took burden from animal, 3 days, final steps alone with his father, He was bound to the act by the will of his father.

7.
a.
Where God had mercy on Jerusalem and stopped the hand of death they were to experience. Where David built an altar to seek for God to stop the plague

b.
Abraham was willing to give the life of his innocent son simply because God had required it. God substituted and provided a lamb, but ultimately that lamb became the lamb of Christ who took away the sins of the world (while it was still in sin)

My Daily Journal:

Abraham’s discussions with God and his faith actions are the book covers to this story, but the heart of the story is Isaac and the way he reveals God’s character and plan of salvation through His Son.  There are so many parallels: 3 days, took the burden from animals and carried the wood that would enable his own sacrifice, submitted fully to his father, an only son, loved by his father.

The bible is God’s method of revealing Himself to his children.  This is not a story just about a test of Abraham, it is a story of prophecy of God’s demonstration of His own love.

An altar is for sacrifice, for honor and tithe for the account of sin.  But, how interesting that we see that this very altar is the location that God repeatedly stops the taken of the payment.  He stopped Abraham from killing Isaac.  He stopped the plague in the days of David.  He stopped all sacrifices with His all atoning sacrifice.

BSF Genesis: Week 18, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions

3.
a.
1. to strengthen him, it is only by exercising our faith that it grows. 2. to honor Abraham by giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his love and obedience 3. to reveal Himself (God himself will provide the lamb), not pay price by own death 4. God knew outcome – not endorsing human sacrifice.

b.
His relationship with God, with his son and even his own confidence in himself grew as a result. He also learned more about God and we did as well.

4.
a.
Take your son, your only son, whom you love.. God himself will provide the lamb…

b.
22.Here I am. 3 Early the next morning… had cut enough wood, 4. On the 3rd day saw place in distance 5. stay we will worship and then come back, 6. placed wood on his son. 8. God himself will provide.9. built altar, arranged wood, bound his son, laid him on the altar. 10. reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

5.
a.
He delights in obedience and sacrifice of the heart.  Rejects those done only out of obligation.

b.
Trust in him entirely for provision for my family

My Daily Journal

1. Faith is a movie not a snapshot.  For several weeks in BSF we have lived with Abraham and been able to glimpse scenes from his life and his walk with God.  It has not been a perfect picture.  Looking at a single snapshot he is either demonstrating great obedience or falling into old sins and habits.  Highs and lows.  Thankfully for him and for us God does not judge us by a single snapshot but by the entire story of our life, remastered through the lens of the atoning sacrifice of his son.  This week we see Abraham’s great strength – obedience.  God calls and he responds in obedience not objection.  God asks for sacrifice and he demonstrates obedience not obligation.  He is prepared to obey completely – gone is the Abraham of partial truths and technicalities (she is my sister) – a burnt sacrifice is all consuming, there is no partial burnt sacrifice, first death then totally consumed in the flames.  Abraham obeys.

2. While I love this story and the lesson it teaches, it is also so very convicting and painful.  I don’t have an issue making any personal sacrifice to God.  Take my health, take my wealth, take my time, reputation, life.  I can be all in for God.  But.  And that is the part that I’m convicted of – it is that But word.

But is is my job to provide for my family.  But it is my job to keep them safe and protected.  But it is my job as a dad and father.  I don’t love my family more than Abraham did.  But I’m convicted because I know in my core I’m still thinking, “God you can take anything from me, but don’t allow harm/hurt to come to my family.”  Then we read these stories of Abraham.  First his oldest son, not only taken from him, but Abraham himself must cast him out into the wilderness.  Next, Isaac.  Then, Sarah.  I know and believe, as our memory verses have stated, there is nothing too hard for the Lord.  I know and believe that I must let go, that my thoughts that I have the power to truly provide or protect is inadequate, especially compared to the Lord’s ability.  But is hard to let go of.

BSF Genesis: Week 17, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

12.
a.
They saw the blessings, Peace, God’s presence, Abraham’s prayer life

b.
prayer leads to God’s continuous presence leads to peace leads to blessings

13.
a.
Swore not to deal falsely, show kindness, swore oath together, gave 7 ewe lambs in settlement of disagreement

b.
show fairness, honesty, let my word be true, show honor to God in all

My Daily Journal:

I’m reading a book called God Forsaken by Dinesh D’Souza.  I’m not very far into it, yet, but one of the things that struck me in the first chapter was the argument by athiest and non-believers that we’ve all heard before:  “How could I possibly believe in a god who would __________?”

This stuck with me throughout our study this week.  God’s position should be the head.  He should be in the lead, in the forefront.  But how often in my life do I act like Abraham and Sarah and ask God to perform janitorial duties and clean up my messes?  Then when those messes get so large and convoluted, people blame God that He isn’t cleaning them up fast enough to suit their thinking.

It is good that he was able to settle in this region for a while and concentrate on raising his son.  It is hard on a family to be traveling and relocating all the time.  But, by relying on his own wit and wisdom, Abraham not only put that at risk but he put the ability to father a child at risk.  It is hard to have a child with your wife if she is living in another man’s palace as his wife.

It was just convicting to me of looking at those areas where I run ahead of God and then pray for Him to bail me out of a mess I made.  Not only because of the pain that causes me and those I love but also because of the message others see in those messes and how that reflects on their heart for God.

Side Note:  What’s with the 7 lambs?  In order to have a lasting relationship with Abimilech, Abraham had to reach the understanding that it could not just be about me, me, me.  It also had to be about “ewe”.  (sorry, couldn’t resist!) (I published this earlier on the wrong day, but it belongs with this day’s lesson.