Category: Bible Studies

Bible Studies

“What’s in a name?” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 17 NLT – Abram Is Named Abraham – When Abram was – Bible Gateway

“This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.” Genesis 17:4-5 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Your name is significant. It identifies you. It may have a special meaning or be in honor of one of your parents or someone nestled in your family tree. Overall it is unique to you even if others have the same name. There is a purpose for it, and that purpose is you, it is your name. Imagine having your name changed at age ninety-nine. Imagine living until age ninety-nine. Abram was quite alive when he was ninety-nine years old and he had his name change by the Lord God. There was a special purpose for it, Abram was about to Abraham, the father of many nations.

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.’ (Gen.17:1 nlt) It had been thirteen years since Ishmael was born, Sarai’s and Abram’s plan to have a child through Hagar, Sarai’s servant. Abram was commanded to live a blameless life by the Lord ‘El-Shaddai’ which means ‘God almighty, nothing is impossible with God.’ Abram must respond in obedience to receive God’s promises for him. Abram fell down to the ground as the Lord spoke to him about the covenant He would make with him.

The Lord God told Abram He was going to make him the father of many nations. He then said to Abram that his name would change from Abram (Exalted Father) to Abraham meaning (father of many nations). God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be fruitful and become many nations with many kings. This covenant would be an everlasting covenant lasting throughout the generations and the Lord promised He will always be his God and the God of his future descendants.

God also said, “And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever.” (Gen.17:8 nlt) The Lord includes the earlier covenant He made with Abram in chapter 15 here in chapter 17. The Lord promised the land where Abram was standing would be his descendants forever. Abram was to walk through it and claim it. This everlasting covenant is still in effect today and beyond. It does not end. The Lord God has promised that land to Israel.

Abraham had one responsibility in this covenant along with all his future descendants and that was to conduct the sign of the covenant, circumcision. “From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.” (Gen.17:12-13 nlt) Circumcision was common in Abram’s day. It was carried out by various people groups. The most common reason was for hygienic purposes. Here God uses it as a symbol of cutting away sin and being cleansed, and it served as signifying consecration to the Lord.

FreeBibleimages.org

Sarai also gets a new name. “Then God said to Abraham, ‘Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah.” (Gen.17:15 nlt) Both Sarai and Sarah mean ‘princess’ although ‘Sarai’ includes ‘my princess.’ This name change would emphasize Sarah would be the mother of many nations as Abraham’s wife, for she will bear a child to him and serve God’s purposes. “And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” (Gen.17:16 nlt) Abraham could not believe what he heard and laughed to himself, after all he would be one hundred years old and Sarah ninety.

Abraham seeks a simpler solution that is right in front of him again. He once again asks God for Ishmael serve as his heir. But again God says ‘No!’ Sarah will have a son and you will name him Issac, meaning ‘he laughs.’ Abraham did laugh, if only to himself. God said that He will confirm His covenant with Issac and his descendants for he is the covenant child of promise, not Ishmael. But God does indeed bless Ishmael and his descendants. Abraham will be the father of many nations and Ishmael descendants will help fulfill that promise. The Lord God said,
“As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.” (Gen.17:20 nlt)

On that very day when the Lord left Abraham he immediately obeyed God by fulfilling his responsibility by circumcising his son Ishmael and all the male servants in his household. “Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day, along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.” (Gen.17:26-27 nlt) Abraham obeyed God. He did not delay by thinking about it. He had faith that God would do what he had promised even though it may seem impossible. Abraham’s faith is an example for all of us. May Abraham’s faith be contagious to us in our day to catch his faith through the help of the Holy Spirit because El-Shaddai is God Almighty wherein nothing is impossible.

Photo by Philip Wels on Pexels.com

Next week a son is promised to Sarah and Abraham pleads with God……..

Bible Studies

“The Birth of Ishmael part 2: God hears” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 16 NLT – The Birth of Ishmael – Now Sarai, – Bible Gateway

“And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress.” Genesis 16:11 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Plans made outside the will of God never work out. In fact most of the time they turn into a disaster. Abram and Sarai found this out the hard way when they planned Abram’s heir would come from a union between Sarai’s servant and Abram. Early evidence of the disaster to come was Hagar’s contempt for her mistress Sarai after she knew she had become pregnant. Their relationship was broken, not to mention the relationship between Sarai and her husband will be forever strained. Sarai blames Abram and Abram tells Sarai to work it out for herself. “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” (Gen.16:6 nlt) Not exactly how a husband and wife should work out their problems, but Sarai did handle it her way. “Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.” (Gen.16:6 nlt)

You may have heard the saying, ‘no one sins alone’ meaning the results of one’s sins affects others as much as the sinner. Innocent people often get hurt, and in this case Hagar was the innocent party. Yes, Hagar did flaunt the fact that she was carrying Abram’s child causing ill feelings for Sarai. Yet the situation she was in was not of her devise. Sin always has unforeseen consequences which surface after the deed is done. Abram and Sarai found this out.

Hagar was running away not knowing where she is going. Her direction indicates she was heading to her home country of Egypt but we cannot be sure. What we do know is that “The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.” (Gen.16:7 nlt) Shur was south of Palestine and east of Egypt where the angel met her. This is the first time ‘the angel of the LORD’ appears in Scripture and most scholars interpret this as the preincarnate manifestation of Christ. The angel of the LORD has a question and a message for Hagar. ‘“…..where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,’ she replied. The angel of the LORD said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.’” (Gen.16:8-9 nlt) Hagar confirmed she was only running away from Sarai with no pre-determined plan in mind. We may question why the Lord would instruct her to go back into an abusive relationship, but it is not as it looks. These instructions come with a promise.

FreeBibleimages.org

The Lord then said to Hagar, “I will give you more descendants than you can count. You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress.” (Gen.16:10-11 nlt) Hagar is promised she will become the mother of many, even more descendants than she can count. Her son Ishmael would become the head of an important tribe. Ishmael became the father of the Arab people. The Lord gave Hagar a promise of protection when she returned to Sarai and a promise of great blessing in the multiple descendants that would come through Ishmael, for God hears.

The Angel of the LORD describes the character of Ishmael and the life he would live. Evidently God had a plan for Ishmael even though it wasn’t Abram’s or Sarai’s plan. Ishmael is the first person in the Bible to be given a name before he was born. His name means ‘God hears.’ The Lord God heard Hagar’s cry when she was on the run from her mistress. The Lord tells Hagar what the future holds for her son, “This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” (Gen.16:12 nlt) An untamable wild donkey in those days was considered a valuable animal. Ishmael’s descendants, the Ishmaelites were fierce and combative.

Hagar realized the angel of the LORD who spoke to her was God. She called Him ‘You are the God who sees me.’ She had confidence in His protection as she went back to Sarai and had faith in His promise for Ishmael and his descendants. She returned to Abram and Sarai. Hagar gave birth to a baby boy giving Abram a son. Abram named him Ishmael as the Angel of the LORD told Hagar. Abram would now become the father of two groups of people, Ishmaels descendants, the Arabs, and Issac’s descendants, the Jews. The hostility that started between Sarai and Hagar has lasted until our current day. The impatience of Abram and Sarai has bred trouble for thousands of years. No one sins alone, but may we thank the Lord that He still hears.

freeBibleimages.org

Next week Abram and Sarai get a name change………..

Bible Studies

“The Birth of Ishmael part 1: Impatience Breeds Trouble” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 16 NLT – The Birth of Ishmael – Now Sarai, – Bible Gateway

“So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife.” Genesis 16:2-3 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Abram had received a promise from God sealed with a covenant that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. The Lord said a son would be born to him and his wife Sarai in their old age. God also promised Abram that the land where he stood would be his descendants possession. Abram was called to leave his home country for this purpose. The Lord had watch over, protected and led Abram and Sarai since they first journeyed out from Ur and He was not about to leave them on their own now. Abram’s and Sarai’s timetable was causing them to become  impatient, but God works on His schedule. Running ahead of God and taking matters into our own hands is never a good idea and Abram and Sarai will soon find that out.

Ten years after God’s call to Abram, Sarai still had not borne a child. We are not sure who was more impatient, Abram or Saria, but perhaps it was Sarai. The Bible says Sarai suggested to her husband to take her servant, Hagar, as a wife or concubine and she could have a child through her. Hagar, an Egyptian, was one of the servants Pharoah gave to Abram when he was told to leave Egypt. Hagar had become Sarai’s personal servant. Another custom in those ancient days, as we saw last week where Abram asked God if his servant Eliezer could be his heir, was a custom that a female servant in the home could a bear child for a couple. Even though this was the custom of the day, it was not God’s design and certainly not for Abram and Sarai.

Abram should have recalled that God said no to his request for his servant to be his heir. There was nothing wrong with Abram asking about Eliezer, but this action he was about to take with Sarai’s servant was definitely wrong. We do not read where Abram and Sarai asked God about this. The Lord would have said no to this request as well. Sometimes in our own lives we do not ask God because we know the answer is no. So, we just move ahead and Abram did just that. Scripture says, “So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.” (Gen.16:3-4 nlt)

FreeBibleimages.org

Immediately after Hagar became pregnant things started to fall apart. No doubt Abram sinned by taking Hagar as a wife and having relations with her. He also sinned by running ahead of God and not having faith in the covenant promise God gave him. This great man of faith had failed, and it will now have mass consequences for thousands of years. The first harsh reality was the broken relationship between Sarai and Hagar. Hagar began to despise her mistress. Sentiments of contempt by looking down on Sarai for not being able to become pregnant had become visible, causing problems in the home. Sarai turns to Abram and blames him for the crisis. “Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she is pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong—you or me!’” (Gen.16:5 nlt)

Although Sarai is not innocent in all this, she does have a point. Abram being the spiritual head of the family and God’s servant should have refused his wife’s solution to her barrenness. Abram knew of God’s faithfulness and His ability to do what He had promised but gave into his wife’s wishes from his own impatience. Sarai wanted her husband to fix the problem. But Abram added to the problem by granting Sarai the freedom to oversee it herself by saying, ‘“Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.’ Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.” (Gen.16:6 nlt)

It is thought that Hagar was reduced back to her servant status or lower. Her harsh treatment she received could have been extremely hard, heavy burdened continual tasks. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “Passionate jealousy and bitterness set the two women against each other. And Abram was not much help to either of them. Conditions grew worse by the moment.” We will see how worse they get when we continue next week…….

FreeBibleimages.org
Bible Studies

“God’s Covenant with Abram” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 15 NLT – The LORD’s Covenant Promise to Abram – Bible Gateway

“Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!’ So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, ‘I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.’” Genesis 15:5, 18 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Last week in Sunday’s Biblical Insights Abram is visited by the king of Salem, Melchizedek. The king brought a large meal for Abram and his men after their victory over the kings of the north. Melchizedek blessed Abram and he blessed God. Abram gave a gift of one-tenth of all the spoils to the Lord and His servant, Melchizedek. The king of Sodom was present and offered Abram all the goods that were returned to Sodom. Abram in his generosity did not want a thing, only what his men and his allies where entitled to. He would take nothing for himself.

This week in chapter 15, God renews His promise to Abram with a covenant. Chapter 15 opens with God telling Abram in a vision not to be afraid because He is Abram’s protector. Abram may have been afraid of retaliation from the four kings and their armies he had just defeated. Abram may also have had something else on his mind. He said in reply, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.” (Gen.15:2 nlt) Abram was concerned that he still had no children and he wasn’t getting any younger. He suggested to God that his servant Eliezar could be his heir. The custom in Abram’s day was that if a couple was childless they could adopt one the servants to be the heir. Abram was asking permission to do so.

The Lord said no to Abram’s request. He had other plans. Abram and Sarai would have a son, yes, in their old age. God then directed Abram outside and said, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” (Gen.15:5 nlt) In ancient Palestine more than 8,000 stars were visible in the dark sky of a Near Eastern night. The enormous amount of stars in the sky was God’s illustration of the promise to come. Abram believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. This is the first time ‘believe’ and ‘righteousness’ are used in the Bible. This is the core foundation of justification by faith. Abram believed God. When one believes God and His plan for salvation without any works involved on our own, it is counted to us as righteousness. God sees Jesus’ righteousness in us as we accept Him as Lord and savior.

Abram believed God and asked how he could be sure of His promises. He asked in faith believing, not suspecting if God’s promises were true. God is going to confirm His promises to Abram with a covenant, a legal binding agreement with a formal expression of intent. “The LORD told him, ‘Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.’” (Gen.15:9 nlt) Abram was to gather these animals suitable for sacrifice. Three years old was the prime age for animal sacrifices. A serious covenant is sealed with blood. Abram then cut the animals in half, but not the birds, laying their pieces side by side. The idea is walking through the two halves seals the covenant by saying if I break it, may the same thing be done to me.

“As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him.” (Gen.15:12 nlt) God caused a deep sleep to come over Abram. Abram did not need to walk through the pieces. The ratifying of the covenant did not depend on him, but on God. Our salvation does not depend on us, but on God. The Lord gives Abram a preview of his descendants before they enter the Promised Land. “Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. After four generations your descendants will return here to this land.’” (Gen.15:13-14, 16 nlt) The Lord is assuring Abram his descendants will occupy the land as promised.

FreeBibleimages.org

“After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses.” (Gen.15:17 nlt) The Lord God passed through the pieces represented by the smoking firepot and a flaming torch. In ancient times this solemnized a covenant. It was only necessary for God to pass through the pieces. This covenant is God’s alone. It cannot fail because God does not fail. The Lord God keeps His promises. “So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, ‘I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.’” (Gen.15:18 nlt) The Lord gives Abram the specific boundaries of the land and the current occupants as a definite acquisition, it will happen. The children of Israel did move into the Promised Land, but they have not possessed its entirety to this day. But God’s promise to Abram still stands. Israel will possess all the land promised them when Christ returns to rule from Jerusalem. Our Lord keeps His promises.

Next week Abram and Sarai become impatient………..

Bible Studies

“A Man of Fairness and Generosity” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 14:17-24 NLT – Melchizedek Blesses Abram – After Abram – Bible Gateway

“Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’” Genesis 14:19-20 NLT

Abram had won a battle over the four kings from the north who had taken his nephew Lot and his family captive and stolen all his belongings. Lot, as we reviewed last week, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His desire to live the good life caused him to compromise his values and eventually settled for life in the sin-city of Sodom. The king of Sodom along with the kings of Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar, were about to be attacked by the kings of the north, and Lot was a sitting duck. Abram stepped in with his trained men and rescued Lot and the city of Sodom. Afterward, the king of Sodom set out to meet Abram to show him his appreciation.

The liberated  “king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).” (Gen.14:17 nlt) This valley was one of the several valleys near Jerusalem, named Salem in ancient times. Possibly this could have been the ‘Kidron Valley.’ Abram and the king of Sodom are met by a historical figure, Melchizedek, a priest and king of Salem. “And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.” (Gen.14:18 nlt) Melchizedek’s name means ‘king of righteousness’ or ‘righteous king.’ Being a priest and a king, many biblical scholars identify him as a ‘type of Christ’ figure. David writes in the book of Psalms concerning the coming Messiah, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” (Ps.110:1, 4 nlt)

This priest and king, Melchizedek, brought food for Abram and his men. This was more than bread and wine but signifies a large meal or a banquet in recognition of their victory over their enemies. It was also a symbol of friendship and hospitality. Scripture doesn’t provide us much background about Melchizedek other than he was a worshiper of the true God. His references to God as ‘God most high’ and ‘creator of heaven and earth’ points us in that direction of Melchizedek’s faith and knowledge of the Lord God. This kingly priest did two things, he blessed Abram and he blessed God. “Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’” (Gen.14:19-20 nlt) Melchizedek gives all the credit for Abram’s victory to God. Abram also is aware the victory came from the Lord God. Abram gave a tenth of the spoils to the Lord and his servant Melchizedek in gratitude for Lord’s victory.

The king of Sodom now makes an offer to Abram for his returning the people and goods of his city, Sodom. The king only wants his people back and Abram can keep all the goods. “Abram replied to the king of Sodom, ‘I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, I am the one who made Abram rich.’” (Gen.14:22-23 nlt) Abram was careful not to allow himself to be obligated to anyone but the Lord. How tempting that must have been to not take advantage of what some might say was certainly deserved. Abram made it an oath not to accept anything. Accepting this offer would have negative results for Abram. People would be able to say that part of Abram’s wealth came from the king of Sodom. The king of Sodom may see it as an opportunity to lord himself over Abram. Abram did not go into this battle for personal gain, but to rescue his family. Accepting the offer would also show a lack of trust in God to supply his needs and finally Abram wanted no part of the king of Sodom and his wicked city.

tim-wildsmith-telGnqCOCnc-unsplash

Abram’s faith in God and his godly character is shown at the end of chapter 14 as he requests to receive only what his men had already eaten and for his allies to share the spoils among themselves. Abram looked out for the men who serve him and for those who aligned with him in this battle. This man of faith was also a man of fairness and generosity.

Next week, the Lord’s covenant promise to Abram…………

Bible Studies

“Wrong Place at the Wrong Time” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 13:14-14:16 NLT – After Lot had gone, the LORD said to – Bible Gateway

“The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.” Genesis 14:11-12 NLT

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Last week in Biblical Insights Lot made a choice he thought would bring him more wealth and security by locating in the futile plains of the Jordan Valley near Zoar. This week  we discover that wasn’t a very smart choice. First of all, Lot’s choice was based on greed and selfishness. Second, he took a long lustful look of what was before him and third, Lot settled near the wicked city of Sodom. In the short-term things probably went well, they usually do confirm our decisions were the right ones for the time being. Lot became so comfortable in his new surroundings that he moved into the city of Sodom. We may find ourselves getting comfortable when were in the wrong place. Lot’s life story since making his decision is a lesson for each one of us in our day. The wrong time may come sooner than we think.

The Lord reaffirmed His promise to Abram after Lot moved on. “After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, ‘Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.’” (Gen.13:14-15 nlt) The Lord God graciously gave Abram the deed to the land. Abram unselfishly gave Lot the first choice, even though he was the elder of the family, now God gives Abram His first choice in giving Abram all the land he could see, east, west, north, and south. The Lord tells Abram to check out and inspect the land. “Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” (Gen.13:17 nlt) In ancient days new landowners upon transfer would set out and visit the land claiming and sealing ownership. The Lord tells Abram to do the same. Abram symbolically claimed ownership.

“So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD.” (Gen.13:18 nlt) Abram walked through the land and finally settled in Hebron, nineteen miles northwest of Jerusalem. There Abram will do what had become his habit and build another altar to the Lord. Soon, Abram and his nephew Lot will find themselves caught in the middle of a war. (Gen.14:1-4)

Kings from the east and north of Palestine, modern-day Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, were attacking kings in the Palestine region who rebelled against them. “For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.” (Gen.12:4 nlt) Their campaign went through the eastern side of the Jordan from beyond Damascus as far south as the Dead Sea and northward along the western side of the Jordan Valley. They were met by the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, Bela (also called Zoar) and they were prepared for battle.

Not all battle plans go as planned. The armies of Sodom and Gomorrah either didn’t anticipate the tar pits near the Dead Sea or in their haste of battle miscalculated them. “As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.” (Gen.14:10 nlt) As a result, the invading armies marched through to Sodom and Gomorrah ransacking those cities and “taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.” (Gen.14:11-12 nlt) A sad commentary for one who thought he had it made. From living on the outskirts of Sodom, Lot was now living among the wicked and has paid the consequences for it. 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying, “Those believers who conform to the world must expect to suffer for it.” Maybe it’s a warning to us as well.

Photo: Jesus Walk Bible Study Series

Thankfully for Lot and by God’s providence one of Lot’s men escaped and looked for Lot’s uncle Abram to inform him of the circumstances. Abram would not be hard to find being one of the wealthiest people in  the region. Abram didn’t hesitate when he heard the news. Abram is an example of one being faithful to his family. He avoided a possible family conflict in separating from Lot, and he is seen here loyal to his nephew not holding any ill feelings towards him for his choice. He is about to come to his aid.

Abram had his own private militia of 318 men. Again, this certainly illustrates Abram’s great wealth. Unlike the leaders of Sodom’s army, Abram had military skills and used them effectively. He divided his men and attacked at night chasing the enemy armies 150 miles. “Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.” (Gen.14:15-16 nlt)

Lot was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did make a bad choice for the wrong reason, but once it was made, he didn’t need to continue creeping closer to the gates of (temptation) Sodom. Yes, another lesson for us. Don’t get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Let’s make our choices wisely.

Next week Abram’s modesty and the Lord confirmed His covenant to Abram………

Bible Studies

“A Long Look” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 13:1-13 NLT – Abram and Lot Separate – So Abram left – Bible Gateway

“Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt.” Genesis 13:10 NLT

This week in Biblical Insights Abram is leaving Egypt with his tail between his legs after being called out by Pharoah for his deception. It was a mistake going down to Egypt in the first place failing to trust God in caring for them during the famine. But he is on his way now traveling north into the Negev on their way to the region of Bethel and Ai. Abram left Egypt a lot more prosperous than when he entered. The Lord had blessed Abram in spite of his sin. Pharoah gave Abram much livestock and servants in addition to what he already had. “So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)” (Gen.13:1-2 nlt)

Abram went back to Bethel and worshiped the Lord at the altar he made at his first visit when entering Canaan. Abram got back to business with God. Realizing God’s mercy and blessings towards him when he failed the Lord, Abram went to the nearest place he had set up an altar and worshiped God.

Lot, Abram’s nephew, was traveling with him. Lot had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many servants. Wealth in ancient Palestine was measured in the number of livestock, servants and jewels one possessed. Both Abram and Lot had plenty. This created a problem for the both of them. It’s hard to comprehend how blessings from God could be the cause of a problem. We accept these problems noting it is a good problem to have. A young family have God’s blessings of more children and soon find themselves needing to move into a bigger place. A good problem to have.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

Abram and Lot found themselves having ‘a good problem to have.’ The region could not supply the sufficient needs for all of the livestock of both Abram and Lot. The land did not have enough water or pastured land. “So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)” (Gen.13:7 nlt) It is also noted that rural dwellers were living there as well. On a side note, it should be mentioned besides this problem being caused by God’s blessing both of them, it should be noted that Abram was instructed to leave his family in Ur and go to the place where God would lead him. If Lot was not with him, there would be no problem. Sometimes the smallest miscue in obeying God even with the best of intentions surface later in ways we never thought of. It’s always better to obey God completely, 100%.

Abram knew this issue needed to be resolved. “Finally Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!’” (Gen.13:8 nlt) It wasn’t good for families to be fighting with each other and not a good look for those who were representing the Holy God the creator of all things.

It seems the decision to separate is a wise one and there is no dispute. The decision as to who goes in what direction is now to be decided. Abram, although the elder, shows kindness to Lot in letting him choose first. Whichever direction Lot chooses Abram will go in the opposite direction. Abram was growing in faith and relying on God and not his own decisions. His experience in Egypt had an effect on him. Abram is finding faith in God’s sovereignty and trusting Him. He knows in whatever direction he goes the Lord will be with him and bless him. Not so with Lot. Abram took off his self-centeredness and Lot put his on.

“Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt.” (Gen.13:10 nlt) Lot took a long look. There is always danger in taking a long look. Some will disagree saying you need to be careful and sure to make a wise decision and that is true. But what captivates you in that first look? Do you ever get past the surface and consider what is underneath? Lot based his decision on what his eyes told him. He saw the green lush vegetation of the fertile fields in the Jordan Valley. There was an irrigation system in place, even in that day, from the Jordan river. Lot knew this was a prize pic. He chose the land towards the east in the Jordan Valley at the edge of the Promised Land. His decision was a wise one in business terms and in a worldly point of view. Lot was more than content with his newfound territory and moved on away from Abram with his possessions, but it would turn out to be a disastrous decision.

Abram settled to the west in the land Canaan and Lot settled around the city of Sodom. Abram walked by faith; Lot walked only by sight. Lot allowed his long look to dictate his future. Abram let his growing faith in God decide his future. Sodom was an evil and sinful city. Lot was putting himself and his family in harm’s way to satisfy his selfish desires. When our selfish desires put us in a bad spot it will have the same effect on those closest to us and not only ourselves. Having Abram’s growing faith will have the opposite effect on each of us. Shortening that long look and putting our faith in God will help us to make the right decisions.

Next week we’ll begin to see some of Lot’s troubles as a result of his long look……

Bible Studies

“Abram’s Deception” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 12:10-20 NLT – Abram and Sarai in Egypt – At that time – Bible Gateway

“But the LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. ‘What have you done to me?’ he demanded. ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?’” Genesis 12:17-18 NLT

Photo by Jordi Orts Segalés on Unsplash

The first two weeks in our story of Abraham we saw Abram, who later became Abraham, as a man of great faith and the father of all who believe. He left all that was familiar to him, his home, friends, and family to go where God called him. This took great faith as we learned last week. Unfortunately Abram paused his journey along the way and settled in Haran for a period of time. Although Abram was called of God, he was not perfect and wasn’t chosen because he was perfect. He eventually moved on after God’s repeated the call to him. Abram made it to the Promised Land and built an altar to the Lord when arriving in Shechem. This week Abram’s frailty leads him through a detour into Egypt.

The land of Canaan was suffering from severe famine. The Palestine region in ancient times often experienced famines. Abram decided to journey down to Egypt on his own under no divine guidance from God. Egypt fared well during periods of famine. It had an abundant supply of food available from the water source of the Nile River. Abram took his wife Sarai and all who were with him down into Egypt. He may not have planned to stay long, but it turned out to be long enough to bring shame on God’s chosen vessel.

As Abram nears Egypt he says to Sarai his wife, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’” (Gen.12:11-12 nlt) Abram was right in his assessment that Pharaoh would take beautiful women to be part of his Harem. He was also right in that they would kill him to take his wife. The Egyptians respected marriage but had an unusual way to show it, especially the Pharaohs. Pharaoh would have the wife of the husband killed first before he took her for his Harem. Abram, of course, didn’t want this to happen so he devised a plan, again not under God’s guidance. Abram said to Sarai, “ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” (Gen.12:13 nlt) Abram’s fear, and really his lack of faith at this point, caused him to deceive the Egyptians into thinking Saria was his sister. It worked, and they took her.

Abram’s scheme was a half-truth, or we could call it a half-lie, and a half-lie is really a lie. Abram’s reasoning was to deceive and that is what he did. He failed to trust in the Lord who was leading him and would protect him. He was thinking more of himself than any thought he had for his wife. But despite Abram’s failure here, the Lord is going to watch out for Sarai and protect her. “And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace.” (Gen.12:14-15 nlt)

The irony of this story is that Abram is rewarded by Pharoah for taking his sister. “Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.” (Gen.12:16 nlt) Abram was right, Pharaoh did treat him well. Having livestock and servants were a indication of wealth in those days, and Abram was paid handsomely.

But as we noted, the Lord protected Sarai. He sent plagues upon Pharoah and his household. Scripture does not tell us the nature of these plagues, but they were severe enough for Pharoah to summon Abram. Some commentators speculate that Pharoah’s illness kept him from defiling Sarai. We do know from Scripture that no mention is given of Sarai being intimate with Pharaoh. We also know from history that a four-month purification process was in place for new brides before they were received into Pharoah’s Harem. God’s hand was at work in protecting Sarai.

Photo by The Cleveland Museum of Art on Unsplash

Pharoah sharply accused Abram of deception. He came to know Sarai was his wife and these plagues were the proof of it. Pharoah ordered Abram to get out of Egypt and even had his men escort him out to make sure he left. Abram was exposed as a liar. The Egyptians with their many faults were still a society that valued truthfulness. This wasn’t a good look for Abram who was called by God. Abram was kicked out of Egypt in humiliation before the Egyptians and those traveling with him who knew of his call from the Lord. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “Abram’s behavior was not worthy of the majestic soul of Jehovah’s special ambassador to the nations. He would need to grow; he would need to go back to Bethel.”

Abram will grow and God will still use him. God knew of Abram’s failures before He call him out of Ur and into the Promised Land. God knows of our failures even before we do and yet He calls us just the same. The Lord will never give up on us despite our failures. We may have a rough go of it when we decide to go our own way, but the Lord will put us back on track as we trust Him and allow Him to lead us in every situation.

Next week Abram and his nephew Lot have a decision to make. Until next week trust the Lord completely even in a famine.

Bible Studies

“The Call of Abram” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Genesis 11:26-12:9 NLT – After Terah was 70 years old, he became – Bible Gateway

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’” Genesis 12:1 NLT

Our story of Abraham begins with God calling him as a pagan and probably a worshiper of the moon-god ‘sin’ His name at this point is Abram and is living in Ur of the Chaldeans, a prosperous commercial city of early the Sumerian kingdom in Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq. We find Abraham’s family and his ancestors in Genesis chapter 11. Abram, whose name means ‘exalted father’ is a descendant in the line of Shem one of Noah’s sons after the flood. His father’s name is Terah meaning ‘delay’ which is significant. Abram had two brothers, Nahor and Haran who had died. Abram adopted his nephew Lot after Haran died. “Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.” (Gen.11:29 nlt) Abram’s wife was his half-sister and Nahor’s wife was his brother Haran’s daughter. Prohibition against such marriages were unknown in patriarchal times. Later Mosaic law did not permit such marriages.

“One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there.” (Gen.11:31 nlt) This is Abram on the move obeying God’s call. It sounds as if Terah made the call to move on, but it was God speaking to Abram. The call would be repeated after an unadvised stay in Haran until Terah died. The book of Acts confirms Abram’s original call was in Ur. Steven in speaking to the Jewish council said, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you. So, Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died.’” (Acts 7:2-4 nlt) We don’t know why there was a stay in Haran. Some of the reasons for the stay may have been due to Terah’s age. The city of Haran was also a thriving city and also worshiped the moon-god, perhaps Terah felt at home there. An important note to make, Abram was not told to bring the family along, but to “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” (Gen.12:1 nlt) We are left with not knowing why Abram stopped and stayed in Haran for he was there for a considerable amount of time. He left Haran with “all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran.” (Gen.12:5 nlt) Abram is now on his way with his wife, Sarai, and his nephew Lot to the land God has called him.

Abram had great faith that God would fulfil his promises to him. He left his homeland and family twice giving up his familiar way of life. Bishop Ryle notes, “He was to ‘renounce certainties of the past’ ‘face uncertainties of the future’ look for and follow the direction of Jehovah’s will.’” The promises God made to Abraham were seven-fold, 1. ‘I will make you a great nation’ 2. ‘I will bless you’ 3. ‘I will make your name great’ 4. ‘You shall be a blessing’ 5. ‘I will bless those who bless you’ 6. I will curse those who curse you 7. ‘in you all the families of the earth will be blessed’ Abram’s faith started with the very first promise. God promised to make him a great nation. Abram was 75 years old when God spoke this promise to him and Sarai was barren and not much younger. Relating that to us today, can we find it within ourselves to have the same faith? It might be a little hard. But these stories in scripture are put in there for our benefit to find encouragement and to learn from them when and where we live.

Abraham has certainly become famous, he has been greatly blessed by God, Israel has become a great nation, Abraham had been a blessing to others, God has blessed those who bless Israel and the Jewish people and continues to do so until this day. One of the reasons I believe nations are blessed today is they are supportive of the nation Israel. And as we noted last week all the families of the earth will be blessed through Abraham for Jesus, the Messiah, came through the line of Abraham providing salvation to all who accept Him.

Abram’s first stop when entering Canaan was Shechem, a major settlement at the crossroads of two main commercial highways, 40 miles north of Jerusalem. He came into the land God has promised and the Lord appeared to him again. “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him.” (Gen.12:7 nlt) This is the first of several altars Abram built along the way when encountering a spiritual experience. He knew the land of Canaan belonged to the Lord and he consecrated that Promised Land to God. Abram then traveled south and camped near Bethel where he built another altar and worshiped the Lord God. Abram was no longer a moon-god worshiper. By setting up camp he also declared permanent residence though it was only a tent and wouldn’t be realized for many years. Here is another example of his great faith.

We close this week with Abram continuing to move south pulling up stakes and heading toward the Negev in southern Palestine southwest of the Dead Sea. Next week Abram is forced to go to Egypt as a result of a famine. Even when God is leading us things don’t always go smoothly. How does Abram handle it? Well, we will see this man of faith is just like us.

Until next week………

Bible Studies

“Abraham: Father of all who believe” – The Story of Abraham

Loring Schultz

Read: Romans 4:16-25 NLT – So the promise is received by faith. It – Bible Gateway

“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.” Romans 4:16 NLT

This week we begin a new study in Biblical Insights, ‘The Story of Abraham.’ He is probably the most influential and important figure of all the patriarchs in the Old Testament. Abraham is also mentioned many times throughout the New Testament for his great faith and how that faith affects every Christian. Abraham believed God for all the promises He spoke to him. The Bible says it was counted to him as righteousness. “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (Ro.4:3 nlt) Abraham was seen as righteous before the Law was written as to obey it because of his faith in God. Abraham wasn’t righteous because he obeyed and did good deeds, but because he believed God. Christians today are saved and are righteous before God for our belief in God and His salvation plan through His Son Jesus Christ. “So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.” (Gal.3:9 nlt)

Abraham is not only recognized as the father of the Jews but the father of all who believe. The Lord promised Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him. (Gen.12:3) Abraham received from God the good news that salvation for all would come through him. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came through Abraham’s seed. Every person on the earth today is blessed through Abraham by his lineage in which the Messiah came. God’s salvation plan for sinners came through Abraham. The New Testament opens with the ancestors of Jesus, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of  Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.” (Mt.1:1-2 nlt) Jesus was born through the line of Judah one of the twelve sons of Jacob, Abraham’s grandson.

Jacob’s twelve sons comprise the nation of Israel. Abraham is revered as the father of the Jewish people, but Christians can also claim Abraham as a father. Abraham is the father of the Jews ethnically, and the father of both believing non-Jews (Gentiles) and believing Jews. “The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’” (Gal.3:7-8 nlt)

As we begin to look into the story of Abraham we will find he was much more than the father of the Jewish nation, but the father of all who believe. We will examine details of his extraordinary faith and yes, even his failures. Abraham’s great faith is seen from the beginning. God called him to leave his home and his familiar lifestyle to venture out to a land God would lead him but he knew not where. This step of faith set in motion God’s plan of salvation for each of us. “The obedience of one man was to make possible the beginning of God’s cosmic plan of salvation, which in Christ was to open out into undreamed of riches for all who hoped in Christ.” (1)

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Next week ‘The Call of Abram.’

(1) Baldwin, Joyce G. The Message of Genesis 12-50. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986.