Sad and Shrewd: The Emotional Swings of Genesis 21

Hey Folks!

Here is the study page for Chapter 21.  I am debating about whether to tackle the entire chapter or just the first 21 verses.  The last part isn't long, but it is odd.  The questions will cover both pieces.

This is for the meeting on July 12.  Pay attention to the character of God shown here.  Also note that something is missing all through the first section.  The absence may not be obvious until you read it through a few times and ask yourself some questions about what's going on (that should annoy a lot of you ;)

As you read, ask a lot of questions, and jot them down.  Here are some to spur on some discussion on Thursday:

• Who is responsible for the birth of Isaac?
• What does Abraham do when his son is born?
• What does Sarah do? (and which do you think Isaac preferred?)
• This is the word used for "laughter" (H6712) in verse 6, it is related to the verb, "laugh" (H6711) used in the last part of the verse.  Look at the letters and the Strong's definitions.  Now look at "Isaac" (H3327) in the Strong's.  The similarity is really obvious when you look at the Hebrew letters, only the first letter is different.
• How does Abraham celebrate Isaac's "weaning"?
• Something turns the "laughter" to "mocking" (H6711) in verse 9.  Look at the various translations of this word.  How often is it translated as "mocking"?  Why is it "mocking" here, but "laughter" just a few verses prior?
• What is Sarah's real concern with keeping "Hagar's son" around?
• What is Abraham's response to Sarah's demand?
• What is the character of God demonstrated in His response to Abraham's dilemma?
• What is the emotions going on in Abraham as he acquiesces to his wife's demand to send Hagar and "her son" away?
• What does Hagar do when the water runs out?  How do you feel at verse 16?
• Who is crying? God responds but who does He hear?
• How does the son of Hagar make his way in the wilderness?  What similarities does he have with Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-9)?

Now, the next section:

• Who's the new guy?  Why do you think Abimelech now brings his "battle chief"?
• So, what does Abimelech propose?  What does Abraham say to the suggestion?
• After the oath (v. 24) what does Abraham want to discuss?  Look at verse 25 is several translations.  Look up this word for "complain" (H3198) in Strong's.  What is the tone of Abraham here with the "king"?
• What is Abimelech's response?  With his "battle chief" sitting there, how does this seem?
• Now there is another covenant, and what's with the seven lambs?
• What does it mean if Abimelech takes the lambs?
• In other places Abraham builds an altar, what does he do here?
• What name does Abraham use for God here?  Why that?  How, from all that transpires in this chapter, does Abraham arrive at that name for God?

That should do it for this week.  Be sure to write down your own questions and bring them Thursday!

Blessings!

Once More Around the Covenant Mulberry Bush

Chapter 18 looks somewhat like 17, only with more people in it.  This is the page for our meeting on June 14.  I said in the last entry that 17 was somewhat like 18 (or vice versa).  So part of what we'll be doing is a good ole "compare and contrast" like from school (a skill you probably never thought you'd use once you graduated).

So, the chapter falls neatly into two pieces, verses 1 through 16 and 17 through 33.  Read through the whole chapter first, then each section once or twice separately.

As you read the first section (v. 1-16) consider the following questions:

• How is verse 1-2 much like Genesis 17:1-3?  How are they different?
• In verses 3-5 Abraham makes a proposition to the "three men", what do you think of his idea?  What other biblical encounters does it remind you of?
• He gets together meat, bread, butter and cheese (verses 6-8).  Why would these foods be expected?  Where did the grain have to come from?
• In verse 9, who is speaking?  Why might this be an odd question for them to ask?
• In verse 10, who is speaking? 
• When does He predict the coming of the child? Read Gen 17:21. What is the same?  What is different?
• Now who laughs?  Yet, what is the child's name as far as this chapter is concerned?
• Who is never mentioned in this chapter, but figures prominently in chapter 17?
• Having finished the meal and conversation, where do they head off to?

As you read the second section (v. 17-33) consider the following questions:

• Now Who is speaking?  Who is He speaking to initially?
• Where are the "two" going?
• Now that it's just Abraham and Yahweh, what does Abraham do with his "private audience"?
• Read verses 23 through 32 with your best New York/German Jewish or Middle Eastern accent.  How does that flavor the dialogue?  What sense of "culture" do you gain?
• Abraham starts out strong, what is the basis of his plea?  Why should Yahweh not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
• Abraham starts at 50 as the "saving threshold".  What skill is he using to reduce that number and how successful is he?

As you read over the chapter some more (yes, that's at least once as a whole, twice at least of each piece, and now a few times more as a whole...what's your point?), and as you do consider your relationship with God; use a few of these questions:

• What would it take for you to recognize God if He showed up at your door?
• What would you feed the Maker of all matter for Sunday lunch?  Why that?
• What has God revealed to you that made you laugh?
• When you ask God for something, how willing are you to "negotiate"?
• How willing do you believe God is to negotiate?

That should do for now (hurry, you only have two days!).  See you all on Thursday!