Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:8-23:20, Genesis 11:32, Genesis 24:1-67
In yesterday’s devotion I grouped Abraham with the rest of the dysfunctionals, but today he recovered his position as a Patriarch of my faith!
My thoughts on today’s reading–There were so many things I wanted to share I had to list them in bullets:
- I realized for the first time that Abraham actually was willing to sacrifice both of his children. At the last minute he got a reprieve and did not have to sacrifice Isaac but he did sacrifice Ishmael. No Abraham did not have to kill Ishmael and burn him on an altar, but he did have to send him away and not get to be a part of his life for the good of God’s plan. In Genesis 21:12, God told Isaac not to be upset about Ishmael leaving because Isaac was the son through whom Abraham’s descendants would be counted.
- Abimelech, King of Gerar (the king who was going to marry Sarah because he thought Abraham was her brother) came back into Abraham’s life and the two men made a treaty to live peacefully together. The king had been observing Abraham and came to the conclusion that, “that God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do.” How wonderful would it be if the people in our neighborhood or office at work would say that about us!
- From my observations of Adam, Noah, and Abraham that God required three things from his chosen:
- To listen for God to speak
- To hear God when He speaks
- To be obedient to God’s instructions
- Abraham was a man of character who wanted to pay his way. He insisted on paying for the family tomb to bury his wife Sarah even though he was offered it for free several times.
- Isaac and Rebecca stories still happen today. God is still in the match-making business. I’ll have to tell you my story sometime!
- Nose-rings aren’t anything new.
- I want to be able to say these words of Abraham at the end of my life: “The Lord is whose presence I have lived…” (Gen 24:40)
- I can’t imagine allowing my young daughter to ride off into the desert on a camel with a man I just met yesterday, knowing I would probably never see her again.
This is the seventh day of our journey. As I look back on what I’ve learned, two scriptures come to mind. No, they weren’t written during Abraham or Isaac’s lifetime, but I believe our omnipresent God had already set them in place as spiritual laws before the world was created.
These two scriptures help me to rest in the things I can’t explain:
Genesis 50:20- You (Satan) intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Italics mine—in this instance Joseph was talking about his brothers, but harm and evil ultimately comes from the devil)
Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Congratulations on completing your first week of the journey!
Thanking God for you!
©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:1-4; 1 Chronicles 1:32-33; Genesis 25:5-6, 12-18; 1 Chronicles 1:28-31, 34; Genesis 25:19-26, 7-11
Do we know how old Rebecca was at the time of her betrothal to Isaac and his age. Also, why did her mother and brother want her to remain with them for 10 days before leaving? Was their perhaps a matrimonial ceremony/preparation that was common to their culture at that time.
I love your observation on the nose ring. LOL
Darlene, the Bible doesn’t specifically say how old Rebecca was. I didn’t see anything in my commentary about the 10 days.
The nose ring thing is an inside joke with my daughter. She has one and I don’t like it! LOL