bsf questions – Page 3 – The Notes are Good

BSF Genesis: Week 20, Day 3

Questions:

5.
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless.

6.
Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the open country and Isaac had a taste for wild game. It is good to have pride in our children and their interests and share their passions. It is wrong to love one child over another.

7.
Famine: Do not go down to Egypt, I will be with you and bless you, I will give all these lands and confirm oath to Abraham, through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed

8.
a.
Lied and said his wife was his sister

b.
Confession of wrong. To have recognized that the weakness of the father can often be the weakness of the son.

c.
Be honest with them about the dumb things I have done in my life. Recognize and confess those things that did not bring glory to God as wrongs so as they follow my footsteps, they are the footsteps on the right path.

My Daily Journal:

While Isaac repeated some of the sins of his father, it appears he also learned from some as well. We know that Isaac prayed on behalf of his wife to have children. That was important and good. But as importantly and as good is the fact that the two of them waited 20 years.

They desired children. They prayed for children. But they waited for God’s timing and didn’t take matters into their own hands. There was no Hagar solution.

Additionally, there was one other fact that I missed the first times I read this through. Abraham would have been alive to see his grandsons:

Isaac was born when Abraham was 100
Jacob and Esau where born when Isaac was 60 (Abraham 160)
Abraham died at the age of 175
When Abraham was buried by his sons, his grandsons would have been about the same age Isaac was when Abraham was called to sacrifice him.

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 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 16, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
The men came to force themselves on the men, Lot offered his virgin daughters, they pressed against Lot, SIL’s thought joke, no one in his family even helped prepare the meal – he only had influence over himself and not a great job of that

b.
When he moved there (Gen 13:13) people were wicked and sinning greatly, Gen 14, Lot carried away as captor, 14:122-24 Abraham’s response to King of Sodom when he returned Lot there

c.
Do not pitch tent along side wickedness. leads to more integration – If God pulls out of a bad situation, don’t go back

12.
Not gone back to Sodom after being captured. He must have chosen to go back.

My Daily Journal:

The convicting message to me was what signs and warnings has God graciously placed in my life that I am choosing to ignore and disobey. All along the choice to be in Sodom had been Lot’s. God didn’t send him there, he chose. He didn’t move in then wicked people move next door, they were there first. He not only lived by there, but he integrated into the community. There wasn’t a mention of a wife when he moved there, but now he is married and has children. His children were raised there. He has a home in town. He calls the men trying to rape and sodomize the angels his friends (19:7). But the signs of trouble had been there all along. God had pulled him out of the city in captivity then through Abraham rescued out of being a literal slave. But Lot chose his own slavery to being surrounded by sin.

What part of my life does God want me to flee? What warnings has He given me that I choose to deny and ignore?

BSF Genesis: Week 16, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
v10 “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” 17:21

4.
a.
The Lord and 2 Angels, 18:1, The Lord appeared to Abraham, v10 I will surely return…” v13 Then the LORD said

b.
went out to great them and bowed, washed feed, offered meal, Asked Sarah to make fresh bread, served veal, milk, cheese
5.
a.
Knew her thoughts as well as actions, convicted her of her sin (denial of the truth)

b.
Yes. (all is possible through the Lord), but it pleased God that she was faithful

c.
the Lord would fulfill his promises to her

6.
God’s promises are always fulfilled. He is a God of birth, birth of nations and kings, birth of His only son, birth of us into a new life in His family – God’s focus even in a mission of death and destruction is on new life

My Daily Journal:

One of the things that really stuck with me was how amazing is God’s love for us. Here He is, in the flesh, on a dire mission to judge the wickedness of an entire city. He knows the death that has already come to the people of that city and the utter lack of and love for Him found there. But, even with that gravity which had to be on His mind, His thoughts are first on new birth, His focus is on the future and the redemption He will bring.

As He so clearly demonstrated to Sarah, He knows not only what we make public but also the hidden thoughts we have. We try to pretend and cover that we haven’t sinned in our thoughts – they were just thoughts – but He gives no such slack. When Sarah tries to say she didn’t laugh, which from a human perspective may have been true since she only “laughed to herself and thought”. She didn’t say these doubt out loud, she didn’t laugh out loud, she repressed it and kept it inside. But the Lord gave no such compromise: “Yes, you did laugh.” (PERIOD). No negotiation, no argument over what the meaning of the word laugh means, no gray. Just a simple conviction: Yes you did.

BSF Genesis: Week 15, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

9.
a.
In God’s eyes, yes. He was neither blameless nor perfect, but the covering of Christ given by his faith made him so to God

b.
walk before God faithfully

10.
a.
be blameless, God makes His covenant, greatly increase your numbers, father of many nations, name change, fruitful, nations and kings come from you, everlasting covenant including descendants: be your God and the God of your descendants, land

b.
vs 7: everlasting covenant God, Abraham, his descendants for the generations to come. vs 8: The whole land of Canaan I will give as an everlasting possessions to you and your descendants after you

c.
everlasting

My Daily Journal:

I participated in an interesting discussion about different ways of looking at the concept in Genesis 17:1 of what it means to walk before me faithfully.

When I thought of it, my mental image was along the lines of Esther entering the court of the King. This was not something you did haphazardly. You prepared, both physically and spiritually, through dressing in the proper attire for court and through the prayers and fasting of yourself and supporters. You don’t show up tracking in dirt, you cloth yourself in the robes that were a gift from the King. You don’t show up proud and boisterous, you appear as a humble servant seeking, but not deserving, favor. There are many analogies and parallels to be drawn from this illustration.

Another thought that was presented was the mental image of how a parent walks with a child with me being the child. The parent normally walks slightly behind the child, so they can keep them in sight at all times, to protect from harm. The child is not to run ahead or try to hide, but be in sight of the parent. The parent walks along. When the child stumbles the parent helps them get back up. As they continue to move forward the view is always forward. Past stumbles are behind them, the parent only looks ahead for the child.

I thought this was a great illustration of how scripture can speak to us in so many different ways and different levels. I am the child. I am also the servant. God is both the parent and the King. He is personal and walks with me. He is also the sovereign who gave me the robe of righteousness as a gift.

BSF Genesis: Week 14, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions

8.
Not a contridiction. Price is paid in full by Christ’s work on the cross. We cannot add anything to paid in full. But, accepting the gift means being transformed, and a transformed life is lived out in the light, not darkness, in acts of faith.

9.
a.
We were all dead to sin. We all will die, but God’s gift has changed that back into eternal life

b.
Yes. In my situation I was technically dead, my heart was offline as they performed surgery, but I was given a new spirit.

10.
a.
Choice to waver or be strengthened based on focus. Abram focused on God’s glory and was strengthened not on impossible situation and wavered.

b.
Do I waver in unbelief when I believe a situation is impossible or am I strengthened in faith and give glory to God because he can do the impossible?

My Daily Journal:

The discussion of the Romans 4:17-21 in light of Abram’s response stuck with me, today. When I am struggling, when I am facing difficulty, when there are troubles and challenges, all too often my thoughts and the focus of my mind, my actions and my emotions is on the problem.

Focusing on the difficult situation leads to wavering and unbelief. It makes the problem the big thing. It creates a dialogue of difficulty in my mind. I accept a solution as being impossible and therefore begin looking for a way around, an alternative, or, sometimes, just despair.

But, our lesson teaches us that Abram’s great super power was belief. Instead of focusing on the problem, he focused on God’s power. Instead of accepting that it was impossible for him to have a child, he accepted that God could do anything. He saw God as a God who had the power over the impossible to convert death to life. Since God can do that, why do I give any power to my problem at all?