Genesis 20

Adult Bible Study: Genesis

Genesis 20

Theme: How Could This Happen A Second Time?

Notes

You are as good as dead: Adultery merited the death penalty in the ancient world (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22;22).

Nation: In Leviticus 4:3 the sin of the high priest falls on the nation, and in 2 Samuel 24 and 1-2 Kings the sin of the kings brings judgment on the nation.

prophet: See 1 Kings 22:19; Isaiah 6:1ff; Amos 7:15ff

Questions

1. What will be the answer to Abimelech's prayer?

2. What is the significance of verse 6?

3. What might have compelled Abraham to attempt again to deceive another foreign ruler as he had in 12:10-19? How does Paul respond in Romans 7:14ff?

4. What rationalization does Abraham offer for his lie? If Abraham by his actions tested God, what preserved him? How does your answer issue from Genesis 12:2-3? What is ironic about Abraham's rationalization? What is our hope and comfort when we have acted as Abraham?

5. What connection is there between what happened to Abimelech and Genesis 12:2-3?

6. What event does Abraham's experience in Abimelech's land foreshadow?

7. Why is Abraham called a prophet?

Conclusion: YHWH is patient

Genesis 21

Theme: Unto Us a Child is Born, Unto Us a Son is Given

Notes

visit: usually indicates YHWH's special interest in a person, e.g., 1 Samuel 2:21; Exodus

20;5; 32:34; Ruth 1:6; Jeremiah 29:10.

8-21 A secondary story line is completed before the focus is redrawn to the primary narrative;

other parallels to this method include Cain (4:17-24), Japhet and Ham (10:1-20), Terah (11:27-32), and Lot (13,14,19)

weaned: having reached his third birthday, Isaac seems relatively secure as the heir.

mocking: Not necessarily that Ishmael was mocking Isaac, but that Ishmael's presence mocked Isaac's position as heir, though Ishmael, up to this point, would have been considered the only heir.

God heard: echoes of "Ishmael" (16:11).

well: Abraham needs the water to dwell in the land.

Questions

1. In what ways is the birth of Isaac crucial to the promise of Genesis 12:2-3?

2. How does Sarah justify her treatment of that slave woman and her son? For what reason does God seem to honor Sarah's demand? If Ishmael was mocking Isaac (the promise of God given to Abraham), what happens to the consequence of Genesis 12:3?

3. What was YHWH's counsel in settling the problem? How did the covenant promise spill over to Ishmael?

4. Summarize in your own words Paul's argument in Galatians 4:21-31. From what are we acting when we do something in order to receive what God has already promised to us? Who are the children of the slave woman today? Who are the children of the free woman? What would you say to a Christian friend who says, "I feel so guilty. I wish that I could do something to take away my guilt. I try so hard to be a good Christian?"

5. How can the joy of one prove the cause of another's jealousy? What is the more faith-full response?

6. After Abimelech blessed Abraham and Sarah with great wealth, he wanted to make a treaty with him. Why? In what ways does this incident with Abimelech draw out the promise of YHWH in Genesis 12:2-3?

Conclusion: The laughter of doubt is replaced by the laughter of joy!

Genesis 22

Theme: My Son, My Only Son, Whom I Love . . .

1. What have we seen so far about Abraham that makes this event so unlikely?

2. God calls Isaac Abraham's "son, your only son . . . whom you love." Compare this to what God says about His Son in John 3:16 and Luke 3:21-22. Was Abraham spared sacrificing his own son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Was God spared sacrificing His own Son? Read Romans 8:31-32. When we read Genesis 22, what should we see? How do Abraham's words in 22:8 and the words of John (John 1:29) and Peter (1 Peter 1:18,19) support your conclusion?

3. What are the recorded words of Abraham in 22:2,11? What emphasis does this give the chapter?

4. Why do you think that God repeats the promise of 12:2-3 after the sacrifice of Isaac and not after the birth of Isaac? What connections can you draw between that sequence and how Christ is our Savior?

5. Does God test us in any similar way? Read Mark 8:34-38. What is God's intent when He tests us?

6. Those who are apparently weak in faith are time and time again chosen by God to carry out His purposes (Samson, Judges 13-16; Gideon, Judges 6-7). What is it in us that God can use for His purposes? Does His selection of people in Scripture indicate that He always chooses the most

able or the best prepared? Why?

7. Why include the family of Nahor at this point in the story of Abraham's life?

Conclusion: . . . Jesus