Actually I am combining two weeks worth of Bible studies in this one posting. Our group is pleased to announce the birth of Solomon Jacob S. The Lord blessed the couple with a wonderful son. Also, our group hosted the grandmother for one of our studies. She came all the way from California...not for the study but to see the newborn. :-)
GEN 18
Our group noted the apparent Christophany or even possible allusion to the Trinityi in the men that visited Abraham. We noted that Gen 18:3 and Gen 18:13 both use the word "Lord" however verse 3 is Adonay whereas verse 13 is Yehovah. Yet the context seems to indicate the person in verse 3 is the same person as in very 13; thus making it possible that Abraham only later realized he was hosting the Lord God.
In Gen 18:16-33 our group noted how it appeared Abraham was trying to negotiate with God on how "tolerant" God would be with Sodom. Although some people may find it offensive to even discuss, the phrase "to Jew down" (haggle/bargain) came from this account; where Abraham is sequentially decreases the amount of righteous people that could be in Sodom that would keep God from destroying it. It seemed that even Abraham knew Sodom probably didn't have enough righteous people to keep it from God's wrathi.
GEN 19
It is interesting to note that Gen 19:1 speaks of only 2 angels which were presumably part of the trio that spoke with Abraham in Gen 18. In Gen 19:5 is traditionally interpreted as the rampant homosexual activity within Sodom, as men desire to have the two men/angels in Lot's house. The Sodomites wanted to "know" (Hebrew: yada) the men. For people who try to claim the Sodomites simply wanted to meet the visitors, compare Gen 4:1, Gen 4:17, Gen 4:25 where the word is certainly used to indicate sexual intercourse. However, it is true the word can simply mean to acquaint. The context of what Lot does next helps to established the intent of the Sodomites, as Gen 19:6-8 has Lot understanding the Sodomites of wanting to do something "wicked" and Lot offering instead his two daughters "who have known no man". So, we see here that homosexuality considered "wicked" even this early on in the Bible.
In Gen 19:12-38 Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed. Lot and his two daughters flee first to the city of Zoar but then to the mountains. There in the seclusion of the mountains and out of fear of not carrying on the family line Lot's daughters get him drunk and become pregnant by him.
GEN 20
In Gen 20 we see once again as Abraham did in Egypt, fearing for his safety, telling the king of Gerar that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech, the king of Gerar was warned in a dream that he would be killed if he touched Sarah. Interestingly, after Abimelech protests that he was tricked by Abraham and Sarah and that he didn't have evil intentions, God says in Gen 20:6
"Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her."
Here is an example of how the sovereignty of God DOES impose upon man's so-called "freewill".
In Gen 20:12 Abraham reveals how he hasn't been lying about Sarah being his sister (and his wife).
"But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife."
Thus, a step-sister but not maternally.
As in Egypt, Abraham is given gifts by the king and sent on his way.
Oh, our group also noted that Sarah must have been one beautiful woman since by this time she was close to 100 years old yet everywhere she went kings wanted here. :-)
GEN 21
This chapter recounts the birth of Isaac and the banishment of Ishmael. Further is discusses a property dispute between Abraham and Abimelech.
GEN 22
This chapter is about the potential sacrifice of Abraham's beloved son Isaac. Our group noted not only how difficult it would be for any of us to do such a thing but also how it is an allusion to Jesus, the only begotten, beloved son of God and how God DID sacrifice Him on our behalf. We also noted how the Koran has Abraham supposedly attempting to sacrifice Ishmael rather than Isaac -- this is important when people claim Christianity and Judaism are compatible with Islam in anyway.
GEN 23
Sarah dies and Abraham secures a burial place in the land of foreigners. Our group noted that Abraham specifically wanted to actually pay for the burial place, seemingly so that that a "gift" could not be held over his head in the future.
GEN 24
Abraham in his old-age makes his servant swear to find a bride for his son Isaac, not from among the foreigners but from kinfolk. The servant journeys to Mesopotamia and after praying that God would reveal the potential bride through pre-determined actions, Rebekah did exactly as the servant prayed would be the sign that she was to be the wife of Isaac.
Our group noted that Rebekah only donned a veil upon meeting Isaac, thus the veil is worn more as a garment of "mystery" or seduction rather than modesty around men; since Rebekah remained unveiled around the servant (see Gen 24:64-65). We also noted that Rebekah family asked her if she wanted to marry Isaac, rather than how we might think ancient peoples to sell or force their daughters into marriage (Gen 24:58).
GEN 25
This chapter speaks of Abraham re-marrying and details his off-spring from this wife and his concubines. Abraham dies and is buried next to Sarah.
The chapter end with Isaac's wife Rebekah giving birth to twins, Jacob and Esau and the boys' dispositions.
