; Psalms 34, tit.). The Atlantic, June 2009. The outcast. How Jesus demonstrated all five of Gary Chapmans love languages (and how you can too). 22 Abimelechs couenant with Abraham at Beer-sheba. the commander-in-chief of his forces) spake unto Abraham (having come from Gerar for the purpose), saying, God is with thee in all that thou doesta conviction derived from his former acquaintance with the patriarch (Genesis 20:1. Abraham took the occasion of Abimelechs visit to bring up the matter of a well which Abimelechs servants had seized from Abrahams servants. Here he is in this situation where he dug a well, a large investment in that area at that time. Yet in spite of Abrahams sins and insensitivity, Abimelech here seeks him out because he recognized God in Abrahams life! Without even reading it, he put it on one side of his old-fashioned scale. 3. He sent the plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. all that thou doest: And Abraham replies, These seven lambs are a witness that I dug the well that your servants seized. God is When Abraham and Abimelech previously met, on the occasion when Abraham lied about his wife, Abimelech endorsed Abraham living where it pleases you (20:15). Genesis 21:22. 22. Genesis 21:22 He added some more items, but to his consternation, still nothing happened. 2. And you know what else? Well it didnt turn out quite the way he expected. It is a beautiful illustration of how God faithfully provides everything we need for life and godliness so that we can fulfill His purpose. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. Here we have accomplished promise the blessed II. 22 And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. The driver of the vehicle wasnt given a graceful way out. 14. One of Abrahams deeply rooted fears when God called him to leave his homeland and go to the land of Canaan was that the people of the land would see his wife and kill him in order to take her. The neighborhood of Beersheba, the revelation of Jehovah, the little company of believers. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Character of God, Discipleship, Ecclesiology (The Church), Empower, Spiritual Life, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest The birth of Isaac. 3. Show us kindness like we have been kind to you. 21:22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. This may grow out of the previous encounter when God spoke to Abimelech, called Abraham a prophet, and answered Abrahams prayer (for the infertility of the women in his house). Good men should not only rectify the wrongs they do to one another, but adopt all wise precautions against their repetition. He did what he 17. Its done, these two powerful men have entered into the treaty with one another. Abimeleks servants save face. (22) ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. He wasnt traveling all over the globe. Spiritual markers remind us of the goodness of the Lord in our lives. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. We could go on and on recounting the mighty deeds that God has done. We have had in fine the judgment of 22._And it came to pass at that time_. I. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. In seeking to bring about both of these promises, Abraham resorted to human schemes to help God out: with the son, he went in to Hagar and produced Ishmael; with regard to the land, his fears of being wiped out by the inhabitants of the land prompted him to lie about Sarah being his sister, not his wife. Peace. But we also need to see that His ordinary provision of our daily food is an example of His faithfulness. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. surround, enclose, and _chum_ black. He made a traffic stop that went something like this: Listen, I know my rights. Peace commemorated. Its not our job to meet out justice anyway. Genesis 21 Genesis 22 Genesis 23 Genesis 24 . 21:28-30 The giving and receiving of the lambs stipulates that Abraham dug the well in Beersheba and thus rightfully owns the well. Do we work hard or slack off? Verses 1-34. I heard a story about a new police officer who, on his first day on the job, caught someone speeding. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed Vs.1-7 The birth of Isaac. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. 6 Sarahs ioy. He was just living the ordinary, hum-drum, day-to-day existence of a nomad with his flocks and herds. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. And Abraham plantedas a sign of his peaceful occupation of the soil (Calvin); as a memorial of the transaction about the well ('Speaker's Commentary'); or simply as a shade for his tent (Rosenmller); scarcely as an oratory (Bush, Kalisch)a grovethe wood, plantation (Targum, Vulgate, Samaritan, Kimchi); a field, (LXX. But we can have the comfort of knowing that both men were under Gods providential care. 2. As the years passed, he often wondered if it was just a coincidence. You dont need a theological education to bear witness by your walk with God. you do. Then this brand new cop said,Sir, step out of the car. The angel relieves and comforts her. For these promises to be fulfilled, God had to provide Abraham with a son, which He did in an extraordinary way in the birth of Isaac. 23. Abraham's acquiescence in the king's proposal was no doubt dictated by a peaceable disposition, a sense of equity, a spirit of contentment, and an unwavering confidence in God. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba. mercy in Christ the Lord. _God is with thee in all tha 1 Isaac is borne. I.e. So Abimelek took Sarah into his harem. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 20 AND 21. So swear to me here before God that you wont deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. This is the first use of everlasting (Hb. The significance of the presence of Phichol at the ceremony indicates Abimelechs promise not to pursue military action against Abraham. Nor are they called upon to bear what by lawful means they are able to redress. Theyre people who live rather ordinary lives, except for one significant fact--their lives count for eternity because they are used by God to help fulfill His purpose. 21:25-26 Interrupting the covenant-making ceremony, Abraham airs a grievance that he has with Abimelech related to Abimelechs servants taking possession of a well that Abraham previously dug. Gunkel has given strong transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, or to the time of I like that, "as He had said, and as He had spoken." So Abraham, to demonstrate his commitment to the treaty and to demonstrate his good will toward Abimelek, brings to Abimelek sheep and cattle. CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, &C. Hence it is plain that Abraham had Abimelech's treaty with Abraham 21:22-34. ISHMAEL AND ISAAC Genesis 21:1-34 ; Genesis 22:1-24 Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. This new cop couldnt believe it. In this way he demonstrated that Isaac was heir to God's covenant promises (21:1-7; cf. 139:16)! 14. . _ 1. Abimelek avoids contention within his ranks. _AT THAT TIME_] This may either refer to the This, however, was an error, which shows. _Isaac;_ that is, laughter or holy joy. God also took care of Hagar and Ishmael, remembering His promise to greatly multiply their descendants (see Birth of Isaac ). Thus, while the Lord gave Abraham authority to dwell in this land, his presence was recognized by the king of Gerar. _ALUN OWEN_ So instead of fighting Abimelek or insisting on Abimelek giving back control of the well, Abraham provides a graceful way out. 3. That word sounds very much like the Hebrew word for seven (sheva) used in 21:28, 29, and 30. Another highlight of this passage is the explanation for the origin of the name Beersheba. Which things are an allegory.- Galatians 4:22. Philistines generally (Genesis 2 ISHMAEL AND ISAAC "The Lord visited Sarah as he had said." The Lord keeps His word. ISAAC IS BORN A believer is invincible until it is his time to go. The apparent contradiction between the statement of this verse and that of Genesis 21:32 may be removed by supposing either. Read Genesis commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise). Abimelech and Phichol. Here is old Abraham just planting a tree and living by his well. As already Mature, Aner, and Eshcol had formed a league with the patriarch (vide Genesis 14:13). His flight from New York was first delayed and then cancelled, so that he would have missed his meetings. Youll have to put these things in yourself. With a tearful thank you, the woman took her groceries and left. One way Abimelech knew that Abraham walked with God is that Abraham had prayed that God would heal Abimelech and his family, and God answered that prayer (20:17-18). NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SONS SON.] And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. The trouble is, people can see that it isnt true. In Chapter s 20, 21 we have the question of the heir and of the path Abimelech attributes Abrahams success to God. CHRISTI GENESISNOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. 9. Wheres the balance between taking measures for our own safety versus trusting God to protect us? How to respond to critics the way Jesus did. had once laughed through unbelief; now being ashamed of that, she with thee in all that At last in God's 'Set time," and in spite of all natural difficulties, A Treaty with Abimelech. Luke 6:21. Abimelech and Abraham, or ancient covenanters. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not de Genesis 21 Why are we told this? Genesis 31 Genesis 32 Genesis 33 Genesis 34 Genesis 35 Genesis 36 Genesis 37 Genesis 38 Genesis 39 Genesis 40 Genesis 41 Now therefore swear unto me here by Godthe verb to swear is derived from the Hebrew numeral seven, inasmuch as the septennary number was sacred, and oaths were confirmed either by seven sacrifices (Genesis 21:28) or by seven witnesses and pledgesthat thou wilt not deal falsely with me,literally, if thou shalt lie unto me; a common form of oath in Hebrew, in which the other member of the sentence is for emphasis left unexpressed (cf.