Genesis 25:1-18 We come finally to the end of the story of Abraham. What is this about another wife? What lessons are there for us in the other sons of Abraham? Why does God give Ishmael his own toledot in the book of Genesis? At the end of Abraham's life we learn he was fully satisfied with life. How did this happen? How does this compare to the end of his grandson Jacob's life? Though satisfied with life, Abraham ends his life still longing for something else. What was that? Why does Hebrews say that God was not ashamed to be called Abraham's God? (56 min)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Ishamael, Hagar

Genesis 24:50-67 Having told his story, Abraham's servant awaits an answer from Rebekah's family. While the affirmative answer appears spiritual enough, it reveals a fatalistic view of God's direction, in sharp contrast to the response of the servant. By morning Laban's commitment appears to have waned. How does this change of circumstances fit into God's purposes? Given the choice, how will Rebekah respond to God's call on her life. What kinds of things do you think the traveling party discussed on the return to Canaan? What is the significance of Isaac's recent visit to Beer-lahai-roi? When Isaac and Rebekah are finally united, how will things work out? (60 min)

Keywords Isaac, Rebekah

Genesis 24:29-49 In his search for a wife for Isaac, Abraham's servant arrives in the home of Laban. Much of this passage is a repetition of the story we've already read. Why is this repetition important to us? Why is Laban so eager to invite this stranger into his house? As the servant tells the story about his prayer at the well, what is Rebekah thinking? By the time we reach the end of this passage Rebekah knows that she is being called to be the "second Abraham." What does that mean? Do you recall what it was like to discover God's intimate concern about you, and His involvement in your life? (56 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah

Genesis 24:12-28 Abraham's servant asks for God's help in finding a wife for Isaac. In doing so he asks God for a sign. What does God think about our asking for signs in seeking His will? What is the significance of the particular sign the servant selected? What did the servant discover about Rebekah by her response to his request for a drink? What do the characters in the narrative know at each step in the story? What things did Rebekah discover when she saw and heard the servant in worship? (64 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Will of God

Genesis 24:1-14 The aged Abraham has one very important task left to accomplish: to secure a wife for Isaac. What are some of the important things we will learn from this chapter? What are the qualities of the servant he enlists in this endeavor? Why is this endeavor so important? What are the indications of the solemn nature of the oath the servant is about to take? What are the two things a believer must consider when he or she is selecting a life mate? Why did Abraham's servant take so many things with him on his journey? (55 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah

Genesis 23:3-20 Abraham needs to secure a place to bury his wife. This encounter occupies virtually the entire chapter. Why is this so important? What is the cultural background to this chapter? Three areas to consider from this passage: Abraham's faith, Abraham and the world, and the importance of remembering. (26 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Sarah

Genesis 22:20-23:4 Abraham receives a report from Haran about his brother Nahor. When did Abraham receive this report, and how is it important to our unfolding story? Shortly thereafter we encounter the death of Abraham's wife, Sarah. It has been a remarkable life, but it ends as it always does, with death. Why? Abraham, the man of faith, mourns for his wife. Why? What is the chief thing about Abraham we will learn as he seeks a place to bury his wife?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah

Genesis 22:19-22 (part 2) Three important ways to look at this story of the Binding of Isaac. What were Isaac and Abraham each thinking as they watched the substitute ram being consumed on the altar? How is the Lord's promise to Abraham at Moriah different from the other several times He has given these promises. What does all of this have to do with you and me? How does Hebrews 6 help us understand this incident? What are the two sets of types we see in this account?

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Moriah

Genesis 22:9-19 Continuing our study of the "Binding of Isaac," we consider the contrast of the two figures walking together up that mountain in Moriah. What is the contrast of these two? How did this experience affect their relationship? Clearly we are to understand the greatness of Abraham's personal struggle and sacrifice, but what else is it clear that Abraham was thinking. At what point did Abraham consider his son to be dead? Fatalistic faith and pollyanna faith.

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Moriah

Genesis 22:1-8 We come now to the climax of the story of Abraham's life, what is sometimes called "The Binding Of Isaac." Abraham's happy existence in the fulfillment of God's promise is brutally interrupted by God's instruction to him to offer his son as a burnt offering on a distant mountain. What is God doing? Why does God identify the object of the burnt offering four different ways? What is the nature of our tests? Why does this narrative contain so many repetitions and seemingly unimportant details? What are three lessons to be learned from Abraham's struggle? How does this story relate to Jesus' words to Nicodemus in John 3?

Keywords Abraham, Isaac, Moriah

Genesis 21:22-34 Abraham has another encounter with Abimelech, the King of Gerar. How does this account advance the narrative of Abraham's life? Once again we see the importance of the idea of covenant. By the end of this passage Abraham has two tangible seals of God's promises to him, a small child and a hole in the ground. We reflect on the crucial places in Abraham's walk with God, and on the importance of place in his and our stories. What of the places in your life?

Keywords Abraham, Abimelech, Beersheba, Covenant

Genesis 21:8-21 In the middle of a celebratory feast, conflict arises as Isaac's older half-brother, Ishmael, makes sport his young sibling. What was Sarah's motivation for her seemingly harsh demand of Abraham? Why does God tell Abraham to listen to his wife? Why does he tell Abraham not to be distressed? Why is it so important to God that Ishmael have no part in the inheritance, and what is the relevance of that to us today? Why does Scripture call Isaac Abraham's "only begotten son?" What can we learn from Hagar's wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, Hagar

Genesis 21:1-8 At least five themes reveal themselves in this passage. Sarah, the role of God's Word, sonship, laughter, and impossibility. Sarah, long a seemingly incidental part of this story, is brought forcefully to center stage. What was the importance of Sarah’s faith to this unfolding story? God's promise and our reality. The contrast between the son of Abraham’s flesh and the son of Abraham’s faith. Naming your son "Laughter." Sarah says all who hear will laugh with her. Then she asks: Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac

Genesis 20:8-18 So, exactly what did Abimelech do wrong? What was his sin? Abimelech considers the sin into which he's fallen to also be the sin of his kingdom. What is this thing about national sin? What ought to be our response to the sins of our nation and our leaders? Abraham's troubles here began with his prejudice. What is the nature of prejudice, and what forms does it take in our lives? How is Abraham like the Church?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech

Genesis 20:1-7 Our story returns now to Abraham, and we contemplate the significance of his travels to the Negev and on to Gerar. But Abraham, like us, is prone to compartmentalize his life. Why does he say that his wife is his sister? This has happened before, but how often have Abraham and Sarah carried out this deception? We learn an important new lesson about Abraham’s love and reverence for God when we consider a fear that has dogged him since he left Haran. We see what an awful mess Abraham has made of God’s promise, with no way to set things right. But God…

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech

Genesis 19:26-38 As Lot arrives safely in Zoar, his wife lingers behind, longing for her life in Sodom. What are the consequences? What does it matter to us? The important thing we need to know about Abraham's prayer for Lot. What about the Lots in our lives? It is a long way from Bethel to a cave in Zoar. It took Lot fifteen years to travel there.

Keywords Lot, Sodom, Abraham, Moab

Genesis 19:24, 25 Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities? There are some troubling questions about this whole event. Why didn’t God do the things in Sodom that He did in Capernaum, if, as Jesus said, it would have resulted in the cities not being destroyed? And since He didn’t do those things, was God really just in what he did? What was Capernaum's sin that was so much greater than the exceeding wickedness of Sodom? What does that mean for you and me?

Keywords Sodom, Lot, Abraham

Genesis 19:12-22 The urgency of the situation in Lot’s home intensifies. What about the sanctifying affect of the believer in and unequal yoke? What was it about Lot that made his sons-in-law think he was only joking? Where was Lot’s treasure and why did he hesitate? What was the difference between Lot’s request and Abraham’s that God preserve a city?

Keywords Lot, Sodom, Abraham

Genesis 19:1-11 The two angelic visitors arrive at the gate of the city of Sodom. They are greeted there by Abraham’s nephew, Lot. What were the real problems with Sodom and her sister cities? Lot, the Righteous? What is the significance of Lot sitting in the city gate? This is the beginning of the most terrible night in Lot’s life. How did he arrive at this point, having begun by following the promise in Abraham? What do we do when we’re left with no good choices?

Keywords Abraham, Lot, Sodom, Homosexuality

Genesis 18:16-33 As Abraham’s three visitors prepare to leave, God reveals to Abraham what he is intending to do with Sodom and Gomorrah. Why does God choose to reveal His plans to Abraham? What is the source of the outcry and why does God say that He will know if things are not as bad as the outcry? What really was Abraham’s concern that prompted him to enter into this involved negotiation with God. What was Abraham’s personal investment in God’s answer to his prayer?

Keywords Abraham, Sodom, Lot, Justice

Genesis 18:10-16 Sarah has finally heard, directly from the Lord, the marvelous promise. But what of the reality that has been Sarah’s world her whole life? What will win out in her heart, the past reality or the promise of God? How can one verse tell us two opposite things about Sarah’s faith? Does Sarah’s failure here doom her future and leave her outside of the covenant promise?

Keywords Sarah, Abraham, Faith, Doubt

Genesis 18:1-9 Abraham has another encounter with God. Who were these three strangers who visited him at his tent in Mamre? What is the significance of Mamre? Why was Abraham so hospitable to these three? God has a lot “on HIs plate,” can He really be bothered by someone little like you or me? Why does Scripture record such detail about Abraham’s preparations? Why did these visitors ask about Sarah’s whereabouts?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hospitality

Genesis 17:15-27 Now we discover the place Sarai is to play in God's great covenant promises to Abraham. God gives to Sarai a new name, and prohibits Abraham from using her old name. Why? Complications appear from previous carnal choices. How will Abraham persuade all his men to obey God's instructions?

Keywords Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Circumcision

Genesis 17:4-14 Four elements of God’s covenant promise to Abram, and their significance in God’s purpose. God gives to Abram a new name. Why? What is God really doing in this Covenant? What is this circumcision thing really all about?

Keywords Abraham, Covenant, Circumcision

Genesis 17:1-3 Three new names, signifying God’s faithfulness and abiliity to carry out His covenant with Abraham. Why does God restate here the covenant which He has already made with Abram? (Audio interference for the first 18 minutes of this recording.)

Keywords Abraham, Elohim, Covenant

Genesis 16:13-16 Hagar, who has grown up worshiping the gods of Egypt, encounters the Living God of Abram. How will she respond when she discovers that God has always had His eye on her? (Apologies for inferior audio quality.)

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:7-12 Things are spinning out of control for everyone involved. Now Hagar, in an act of utter desperation, flees from Sarai. But she soon discovers that while she could hide from her mistress, yet God’s eyes are ever upon her. This turns out to be wonderful news for Hagar, as she discovers that He has been paying attention to all her suffering.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:4-7 In using a culturally accepted solution to his problem, Abram fails to exhibit that difference that makes others notice the greatness of his God. What happens when we try to take control of our lives from God?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:1-3 Discouraged that she is apparently excluded from God’s promise to Abram, Sarai offers her husband a solution to their problem. Both of them fail to see that, though “everybody’s doing it,” it is a deceptive option fraught with complications.

Keywords Abraham, Hagar, Sarah

Genesis 15:7-21 How can Abram know that God’s long delayed promise will ever be fulfilled? In answer to Abram’s questioning God provides a stunning answer. Abram will become a child of the Almighty by covenant. But first must come the Bloody Alley.

Keywords Abraham, Covenant

Genesis 15:1-6 Why was it necessary for Abram to wait twenty-five years to receive God’s promise? What does it take before the promise of God can resonate in our hearts? What was Abraham thinking about all those years? This is a watershed event in the life of Abraham. Finally, God considers him to be righteous. Why?

Keywords Abraham, Faith, Rigtheousness

Genesis 14:21-15:3 What can we learn from Abram about our rights and when we should exercise them? Abram lets go of one of the best chances he has to ensure the realization of the promise in his life. An introduction to a watershed event in Abram’s life which serves as a paradigm for all who would come to God.

Keywords Abraham, Faith, Rights, Doubt

Genesis 14:17-24 Who is this man Melchizedek and why does Abram pay a tithe to him? From what did Abram pay that tithe, and what did the King of Sodom think about that? A vasal always pays tribute to his suzerain lord. The tithe’s foundation in covenant faithfulness.

Keywords Abraham, Covenant, Melchizedek, Sodom, Tithe, Priesthood

Genesis 14:1-16 Four kings of Mesopotamia go to war against the five kings of the Pentapolis. Abram mobilizes his men to rescue his nephew Lot and his family. This is a battle in the ongoing war between the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent. What is the real issue of this story?

Keywords Abraham, Covenant, Sodom, Mesopotamia, Transjordan

Genesis 13 After a time of spiritual failure, Abram returns to the place where he first called on the Name of the Lord. Sometimes we need to return to our Bethel. After Abram and Lot are separated, God renews His promise to Abram.

Keywords Abraham, Lot, Bethel, Promise, Worship

Genesis 12:10-20 In the face of a severe famine in Canaan, Abram chooses to go to Egypt. Was Abram acting outside of God’s direction for his life? Abram’s forgetting of God’s promises to him causes him to put his own wife in peril. Will God abandon Abram in this hour of Abram’s faithlessness.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Egypt, Faith, Doubt

Genesis 12:4-9 Abram leaves Haran and journeys to Canaan. What happens in someone’s life and actions when he truly believes God? Where does Sarai fit into this story of Abram’s faith? What is the difference between someone who goes out in faith and the one who does not? How is great faith measured? When the promise of God shifts our reality.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Canaan, Faith, Promise

Genesis 12:1-3 Abram learns that his life is part of a much greater story, one that will be told for generations to come. What did God call Abram to leave? What is it like to have to move when you don’t know where God is leading you? Seven remarkable promises for a very ordinary man. Why does God bless Abram?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Canaan, Faith, Promise, Blessing

Genesis 11:10-32 The Righteous Line is considered from Shem to Terah. What was it like for Abram to grow up in Terah’s household in the city of Ur? How did Abram learn about the true God and His redemptive plan? But Sarai, Abram’s wife is barren. How could he ever be a part of God’s plan? Building the habits of faith.

Keywords Abraham, Terah, Shem, Sarah, Faith