could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest But Abimelek said, I dont know who has done this. fear 7. Sensible of the many favours he had received from Abimelech in times past, and was still indulged with, he very readily agreed to his proposal; and the rather, as he knew by the vision between the pieces, that it would be four hundred years before his posterity should be put into the possession of the land of Canaan; and therefore could take an oath that neither he, nor his son, nor his grandson, should be injured or dispossessed. CHRISTI GENESISNOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. He checked his police cruiser, it looked good, the light bar was on. that Abimelech, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host, spake unto Abraham; Abimelech was king of Gerar, the same that is spoken of in the preceding chapter, and Phichol was the general of his army; these two great personages came together and paid Abraham a visit, and had some conversation with him, who was still in Gerar, or however in some part of that country not far from it: saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest; greatly prospered him in the things of the world, for of them only could they make a judgment; they saw that he increased in worldly substance, and that his family was increased, and that he succeeded in everything in which he engaged; and, being jealous of his growing greatness and power, were desirous of securing an interest in him and in his favour. Wherefore he called that place Beersheba. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in The grocer, who was not a believer, was unmoved by her need. In this section and poetical word. His men may have dug who knows how many dry wells before finding this one. In this narrative, Abraham appears as a chieftain powerful enough for a king to wish to make an alliance with him; and thus his abandonment of Sarah, and his receiving of presents in compensation for the wrong done her, seems the more unworthy of him. All rights reserved. A covenant between the patriarch and the Philistine king. _The Covenant with Abimelech_ (Genesis 21:22-34) This is also remarkable in light of Abrahams past dealings with Abimelech. This passage chronicles a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. @#$ %^&*^$!, Im not doin it! Abraham denies his relationship "'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. Q. Genesis 21:22 God burned the words into his heart and gave him the faith to believe. 1. As the psalmist proclaims, Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine (Ps. 17 The Angel comforteth her. Sarah's demand GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? 7. "the well of the oath," (LXX; Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmller), or the well of the seven (Keil), rather than the seven wells (Lange); discovered by Robinson in Bir-es-seba, in the Wady-es-seba, twelve miles to the south of Hebron, with two deep wells of excellent water. 20:16 in the command not to bear false witness against ones neighbor. Abimelech, that is _Father-King,_ was He wasnt a TV evangelist. CRITICAL NOTES. Didnt Jesus tell us If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Genesis 21:22. Its about relationships with people. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. of his host, spoke to Abraham saying, God is with you in all that Read Genesis 21:22-34 Ripped Off Abimelek the king of Gerar and his top general Phicol approach Abraham and say to him, We recognize that God is with you in everything you do. the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, God is with you in everything you do. Genesis 21:22. How much specialized training (if any) do Christians need to be effective witnesses for Christ? The trouble is, people can see that it isnt true. The term for making a treaty (used here and vs. 32) is karat. favourite of God, chap. all that thou doest: Here is old Abraham just planting a tree and living by his well. 4. Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets (or Beginning of the End), chapter 13. How Jesus didnt love everyone the same (and why you shouldnt either). Whereas the first conflict, Scene 5 ( Genesis 20:1-18 ), concerned jeopardy of the . Abimelech's treaty with Abraham 21:22-34. ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS ALSO CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH The honest and fearless revelations of Bennetts own moral failures affirm he wrote this book for himself as much as for others. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. (1) that as the land of the Philistines had no fixed boundary toward the desert, Beersheba may at this time have been claimed for the kingdom of Gerar (Keil); or. The satisfactory explanation. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abimeleks servants save face. Cyril Barber on Morris' The Genesis Record : a Scientific and Devotional Commentary (It can be borrowed) - Valuable as corollary reading. 4. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah. The world is watching, and without a word of witness, they should be able to tell that we are Christians as they see our godly lives. CHAPTER 21 ISAAC AND ISHMAEL AND THE COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH Genesis 21:22-34 . Fort Worth, Texas. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. I. 1. I heard a story about a new police officer who, on his first day on the job, caught someone speeding. Well it didnt turn out quite the way he expected. A few years ago Abraham told this same Abimelek that Sarah was his sister. I like this. Separate from the sheep and oxen he gave to Abimelech, and from those that were used in making the covenant. Sarah as he had spoken." Of _Abimelech, _ see GENESIS 20:2. And the Lord visited Sarah, as he had said, and the Lord did unto reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH MAKE A COVENANT AT BEERSHEBA. When the owner asked how much she could afford, she replied, My husband was killed in the war. He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo More. So its a huge deal for someone to take over a well as Abimeleks servants did. Wheres the balance between taking measures for our own safety versus trusting God to protect us? Its not our job to meet out justice anyway. Maybe youre sinking into sudden depression, because youre thinking, Im not perfect! Stay tuned: (2) For the world to see God in our lives we dont have to be perfect. Abimelech claimed no prior knowledge of the matter, and the covenant the two men ratified stipulated that the well belonged to Abraham (21:30). Abimeleks servants seized the well so Abraham mustered his servants and seized it right back, correct? 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Neither didst thou toll me, neither yet heard I of it, but today. all-commanding. CONTENTS: Birth of Isaac. the three main sources, J. E, P are present. The apparent contradiction between the statement of this verse and that of Genesis 21:32 may be removed by supposing either. It hadnt worked the two times they tried it. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. @#$%^&* salary!. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not de Genesis 21 22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SONS SON.] He rained down fire and brimstone to destroy wicked Sodom. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech As the usual covenant presents (cf. trial and utter ruin of the creature, with the revelation of divine On the flight that crashed was a godly pastor from Southern California. And you know what else? Genesis 21 This chapter deals with three different topics. Contests for wells "are now very common all over the country, but more especially in the southern deserts". that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. 14. BIRTH OF ISAAC. He suggested that Abraham and he make a treaty that would guarantee good relations between them (22-24). and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: So Abraham, to demonstrate his commitment to the treaty and to demonstrate his good will toward Abimelek, brings to Abimelek sheep and cattle. So the treaty is solidified. Sarah's demand GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers The oath a testimony to God where reverently made. "Blessed are the peace-makers," and "beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that publisheth peace.". Sometimes when you read the Bible, you get the feeling that God majors in the spectacular. The new name of God bore witness to Gods unchanging faithfulness and to the fact that Abrahams faith was not in Abimelech nor in the treaty between them, but in the eternal God who was his dwelling place. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. In that desert land, a well was essential for survival, both for a mans flocks and for his family. 21:28-30 The giving and receiving of the lambs stipulates that Abraham dug the well in Beersheba and thus rightfully owns the well. - Genesis 21:22-23 Review After waiting years, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with their promised baby, Isaac. could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. Genesis 21:22-34 What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves? Its done, these two powerful men have entered into the treaty with one another. In like manner Phichol, mouth of all, seems to have been the official designation of the prime minister, and commander-in-chief. to Abraham. (22) ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL. Most of Gods people have been simple, ordinary folks who are not famous or politically powerful. ), Posted on October 2, 2011 by Kurt Bennett, Category: Bible Study, Genesis, How Jesus Loved People - How You Can Too, I Wish Someone Had Told Me This When I Was Young, Tags: Abraham and Abimelek, Bible relationships, Christian, depression, how to be happy, how to love, love, Well of Beersheba, ive had a dream on this subject and have was awaken, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). 'Do not do anything to him. Youll be happier, people will be more cooperative toward you, and youll have healthier relationships. Just because youve blown it with someone in the past doesnt mean that you cant be used later to influence that person toward God. . In this section all that thou doest: The inducement to it was God's favour to Abraham (Gen. 21:22): ?God is with thee in all that thou doest, read more, Observe, 1. 1. Abimelech, on the other hand, acts generously as of old, and shows no signs of ill-will at the growing power of one whose expectation was that his race would possess the whole land. His flight from New York was first delayed and then cancelled, so that he would have missed his meetings. 15. _ALUN OWEN_ I. chesed) to Abraham. 4. Most of us in our land of plenty dont have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. Heres a bag. _The birth of Isaac. Good men mostly desire to have the saints as friends, and even the wicked can perceive an advantage in being allied to the righteous. 4 He is circumcised. He wasnt building a sprawling complex of buildings to house his international ministry. It also signified a tranquil, settled life, under Gods providential care. I like this. Im not suggesting that you go on sinning and tell everyone that youre a Christian. 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. Abimelech could sense that in spite of Abrahams previous failure in the incident with Sarah, he was a man who walked with God. CHARACTERS: Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Hagar, Ishmael, Abimelech. _GOD IS WITH - The Birth of Isaac 2. This Bible study on Genesis 21 shows God's promise to Sarah and Abraham fulfilled in the birth of their son Isaac, the son of promise. Here God shows Abraham that not only would the people of the land not take his wife, they wouldnt even take his well. Do you see what happened here? *** Abimelech reenters the picture with his enforcer, Phicol. 14. The outcast. This is one of the attributes of God to His people. Now if Abraham dug the well it was his. But the problem is, most of us dont live in the realm of the spectacular. Around the mouth of the well is a circular course of masonry, topped by a circular parapet of about a foot high; and at a distance of ten or twelve feet are stone troughs placed in a concentric circle with the well, the sides of which have deep indentions made by the wear of ropes on the upper edges The second well, about 200 yards farther south, is not more than five feet in diameter, but is formed of equally good masonry, and furnishes equally good water". Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE Perhaps Abimelech had heard of how God had given Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. Some try to convey that they are perfect. He normally didnt attend church, but he was troubled about some matters and went to church, hoping to find some relief. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in Ver. The question extends beyond how does God fit in with our ordinary schedules to, How does God fit in with ordinary people? After all, in the history of the church, not many of Gods people have been able to speak to packed stadiums around the world, like Billy Graham. the long-promised son was born. not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Phichol.] 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Vs.1-7 The birth of Isaac. Checking his ticket which he hadnt used, he realized that if his earlier flight to Chicago had not been cancelled, he would have been on that flight. But Abraham still struggled with this fear long after he had been living in the land. God is That led to an obsessive seven year deep dive. He was simply living his daily life as the friend of God before the watching world. Th Genesis 21:22 time H6256 Abimelech H40 Phichol H6369 commander H8269 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. I Wish Someone Had Told Me This When I Was Young, Genesis 21:1-21 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6 KJV), You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it: 1 Corinthians 12:27, Joseph's 5 Steps to Avoid Temptation: Genesis 39:6-23, 10 Attributes Of Jesus' Relationship With His Father (And what we can learn from them), Jesus And The 5 Love Languages: Chapter 17 from the newly released book Love Like Jesus, Joseph's 4 Steps to Success: Genesis 39:1-6, The Consequences Of Ignoring God: God's Way, Your Way, And Your Crushed Spirit, The Surprising Power of Habits: Important Conversation with My Younger Self, #5, Drunk and Naked--Love Covers a Multitude: Genesis 9:18-29, Things You Should Know About The Author Of This Blog. Now Abraham and his descendants can dwell securely in the land. Abimelech and PhicholHere a proof of the promise (Ge 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in As a tax payer Im your boss I pay your ! all that thou _AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, THAT ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL THE Another wrong thing happens: An imperfect Christian concludes that he had better not say anything about his faith until he gets all his problems solved. The covenanting parties. Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the CHAPTER 21 Genesis 21:1; Genesis 22:1 Abimelek continued, I have treated you well all this time that youve resided here in my kingdom as a foreigner. He wasnt traveling all over the globe. 22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken ( Genesis 21:1 ). Finally he blurted out, Well, thats all it will hold anyway. 7. As a prince, Abimelech was afraid of Abraham's growing power; as a good man, he insures the safety of himself and his dominions not by resorting to war, but by forming an amicable treaty with his neighbornor with my son, nor with my son's son: (LXX. Whenever he looks at the slip of paper that contains her prayer, he is amazed, for it reads, Please, dear Lord, give us this day our daily bread. (Our Daily Bread.). I read about a successful man who was on a business trip. But thats not fair! You might be saying. Abimelech, however, was still wary of Abraham and fearful of the God whom Abraham worshipped. "Abraham stretched forth his hand, ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH COVENANT Here we have accomplished promise the blessed CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM, SAYING, GOD IS WITH THEE Sarah who at an earlier point had 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries.