Day 2: Genesis 13-24

One of the clearest themes of this section is the grace-filled provisions God makes to ensure that the Messianic line is preserved. The Messianic line is preserved, and we see the beginnings of the "fulfillingment" of the promise that all peoples on the earth will be blessed through Abraham.

Observations on the Chapters

Day 2: Genesis 13-24

Genesis 13: As a consequence of this sudden increase in wealth and in livestock, the land can no longer support both Abram’s and Lot’s herds. Generously, Abram allows Lot to choose where he desires to settle first, in order to end quarrels between both men’s shepherds. This first mention of Sodom strikes an ominous cord with the reader.

Genesis 14: Abram, upon hearing of his nephew’s capture after a nine-nation war, goes out and defeats the nations who had carried off Lot and all his household and possessions, and is honored by the new king of Sodom, as well as Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who appears to be both King of Jerusalem (called Salem) and a high priest of God. Melchizedek blesses Abram.

Genesis 15: After this, God appears to Abram in a dream to bless him. God assures him that Eliezer of Damascus will not be his heir, but a son of his own body will succeed him. To illustrate his promise, God tells Abram to look at the stars, informing him that the descendants will be as numerous as they; the point is not that Abram’s descendants will be precisely equivalent to the number of stars but that Abram will have so many descendants that they will be unable to be counted. Abram believes the Lord. Then God promises him that he will possess the land on which he now dwells; to confirm his promise, God cuts a covenant with Abram, mercilessly having Abram fall into a deep sleep as Abram cannot fulfill the covenant; the covenant will be kept by God alone. Again God promises that he will give Abram’s descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates.

Genesis 16: Sarai, determined to force the fulfillment of God’s prophecy on her timetable, gives her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abram for a concubine. Hagar bears Ishmael, and flaunts her success in bearing a son before Sarai. After Sarai mistreats Hagar in her anger over being insulted, Hagar runs away, but is told to return, after the angel gives a favorable prophecy about Ishmael—he will be strong and free-roaming, enjoying freedom in contrast to his mother’s status as servant.

Genesis 17: Thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth, God appears to Abram. To signify his promise that God will make him a father of nations, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham; to name something or someone in Scripture is to have authority over that individual. Sarai’s name is also changed to Sarah; the name change is intended to remind Abraham and Sarah to look to God’s promises. Obeying God, Abraham, Ishmael, and all the men in the household are circumcised.

Genesis 18: Three visitors appear to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre. Again, they reiterate God’s promise to Abraham. Abraham shows them hospitality, and one of the visitors assures Abraham that at that time next year, Sarah would have a son. Disbelieving, Sarah laughs, knowing that she is past the age for childbearing. The conception of Isaac is, therefore, a miracle, a gift from our gracious God. When the men got up to leave, Abraham followed them to see them on their way, learning that Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be judged. Abraham perceives that there is a chance for mercy concerning Sodom, and while two of the visitors go on to Sodom, Abraham stays behind with God, to intercede on behalf of the city. He asks God to spare it for the sake of 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 and then ten. God agrees to spare the city if ten righteous people are found in it.

Genesis 19: The visitors are now referred to as angels, and they enter Sodom. Lot finds them and invites them to his house, knowing it is not wise for them to be out of doors. Shortly the wicked men of the city come out, desiring to engage in sexual acts with the two angels, seen as men. Lot refuses, both because of the immorality of the action and his responsibilities as host---to do everything in his power to protect his guests. In keeping with the latter, Lot offers his daughters to the men. This offer is refused, highlighting that the men outside intend to engage in rape, but it is homosexual rape which is on their minds. The angels punish the men with blindness; their spiritual condition is now highlighted by physical impairment. After Lot’s future sons-in-law reject his plea for them to leave the city, the angels take Lot, his wife, and his daughters out from the city. Lot’s wife looks back, and becomes a pillar of salt. Abraham serves as witness to the destruction of the city. Lot soon decides to leave Zoar with his daughters, and they live in the mountains. His daughters decide to take matters into their own hands and encourage their father to become drunk so that he will impregnate them. The scheme works, once for each sister, and the two sons Moab and Ben-Ammi found nations of their own; both of which will strive against Israel; and one of which will be represented in the Messianic line.

Genesis 20: Abraham travels to the Negev, the southern desert region in the land of Canaan, and there he greets Abimelech, king of Gerar. Fearing that he will be killed so that Sarah will be given to another man, he identifies Sarah as his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah for his harem; God intervenes, warning the king not to touch her. Abimelech returns Sarah, rebuking Abraham for his dishonesty. Abimelech provides Abraham with silver in order to vindicate Sarah. In addition, because he knows that Abraham is a prophet, he desires to have blessings reaped upon him and so he blesses Abraham with gifts and grants Abraham the privilege of living where ever the patriarch chooses, in order that Abraham may return the favor and bless him.

Genesis 21: The reason for God’s divine intervention is made clear; Sarah conceives a son and gives birth to Isaac; there is no doubt that Abraham is the boy’s father. Ishmael, recognizing that Isaac is now the favored son, mocks the boy. Sarah recognizes that the older, jealous brother is a threat to Isaac, and demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Abraham is reluctant to acquiesce since he loves both of his sons, but God repeats to him the promise he gave to Hagar; though Isaac is the son of promise, God will make Ishmael great as well. Abraham sends mother and son away, giving them some provisions. Both are in a position of great danger---a woman and teenager driven away from their household and having no protection. Because they have no direction, their water skin is emptied before they reach safety. Hagar recognizes that her son will soon die, and gives him what security she can. God enables her to see a nearby well and both survive, Ishmael becomes a great hunter and his mother selects a wife from her home country (Egypt). Abraham, meanwhile, makes a bargain with Abimelech to not deceive the king or his descendents; both men swear hesed (lovingkindness) towards each other. Abraham has one property complaint, but seven ewe lambs are given to Abimelech as proof that Abraham owns a certain well; to commemorate the transaction, the place is called Beersheba. Abraham worships the Lord there.

Genesis 22: God directs Abraham to take Isaac, who is identified in four ways (“your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac”) and sacrifice him on a mountain in Moriah. Isaac is apparently a youth or a young adult at this point, as he is strong enough to carry a bundle of wood sufficient for a human sacrifice. Isaac submits to his father as he is tied up (there is no record that he struggles against Abraham, whom he probably would have overpowered in consideration of his father’s advanced age). The Lord’s angel intervenes before Abraham kills his son, praising Abraham for his faith. Now Isaac is referred to in two ways: “Your son, your only son.” Both “Isaac” and “whom you love” are left out of the formula. The latter is significant because it emphasizes that God knows that Abraham fears God above his love for his son. God blesses Abraham, and Abraham returns home to learn that his brother Nahor now has multiple children; one of his granddaughters will be featured in the next chapter.

Genesis 23: Sarah dies, and Abraham secures a field and a cave as part of his property. He buries Sarah in the cave. Moses gives us a detailed account of the transaction; it is interesting to note that the only portion of the Promised Land that Abraham received in his lifetime was bought to be used for a grave for his wife. This purchase, however, would give his descendants ties to the land, as the later patriarchs would die and be buried with their ancestors here.

Genesis 24: Having established a foothold of land and grieved for his wife; Abraham now turns to finding a wife for his grown son. He sends out his chief servant to search for a proper wife for Isaac from Nahor’s family. This is the first of two well accounts, the second will occur in Genesis 29; the comparison of both will take place in that chapter. Abraham’s servant prays, and God answers his prayer before he finishes uttering it! Abraham’s servant waits and judges her by her actions—is she the woman God has chosen? When he is satisfied that God has answered his prayer, he presents her with gifts; she immediately runs to her brother Laban, who is undoubtedly calculating the worth of her new jewelry; her brother invites Abraham’s servant to dine with the family. After the servant relates about Abraham’s wealth and the oath, and explains his purpose—to seek a wife for his master’s son; her family approves of their union, provided that Rebekah is willing. Rebekah’s family blesses her, and she is taken to Abraham’s home, and wed to Isaac.