Genesis 20: Abraham and Abimelech
Once again, Abraham deceives a foreign king by claiming Sarah is his sister. God intervenes to protect Sarah and warns Abimelech in a dream. This story mirrors Genesis 12 and reminds us that even faithful people like Abraham can repeat the same mistakes, yet God’s protection and mercy remain constant, even in human failure. Abraham’s fear-driven choices didn’t derail God’s covenant. God’s plans are bigger than human mistakes. God’s grace covers us even when our faith is weak. His plans are not thwarted by our shortcomings.
Genesis 21: The Birth of Isaac and Hagar Sent Away
God keeps his promises. At last, Isaac is born after many years of waiting. Tension rises between Sarah and Hagar and Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, stating that Ishmael would not share the inheritance with Isaac. God comforts Abraham, promising to also make a nation from Ishmael. God sees the outcast. Though Ishmael wasn’t the child of the promise, God cared for him and his mother.
Genesis 22: The Testing of Abraham
One of the most profound and intense moments in Genesis, God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. As he and Isaac are walking to the place of sacrifice, Abraham places the wood for the fire on Isaac’s shoulder. This reminded me of Jesus carrying the cross as he went to be crucified. As they are walking, Isaac asks where the sheep is for the burnt offering and Abraham tells him that God will provide. Abraham obeys in faith, and God stops him at the last moment, providing a ram instead. This chapter points to Jesus—God’s own Son offered as a substitute. The ram provided prefigures the Lamb of God. When I was a child, I remember my father used to say that the Lord always has a ram in the bush. True faith trusts God even when His commands are mysterious or painful. God is both just and merciful, and He always provides. Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord will provide,” is not just a name, but a truth to hold on to.
Genesis 23: The Death of Sarah
Sarah dies at 127 years old. Abraham mourns and negotiates to buy a burial site, the cave of Machpelah, so he will have a permanent burial site for his family. Buying the cave of Machpelah shows Abraham’s belief that the land will indeed belong to his descendants and is a powerful testimony to his belief in God’s promises of inheritance.
Genesis 24: A Wife for Isaac
Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant prays for guidance and meets Rebekah, who generously offers water to him and his camels, which is what the servant prayed for as a sign that she is the one the Lord has selected to be Isaac’s wife. The servant’s prayer and watchfulness teach us about seeking God’s guidance with faith and clarity. Rebekah’s generosity was the sign of her suitability—our character matters in how we serve others. Rebekah’s story shows how God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises.
Genesis 25: Abraham’s Death and the Birth of Esau and Jacob
Abraham dies at 175 years old, full of years and full of faith, and is buried with Sarah. Isaac becomes the focus, and Rebekah gives birth to twins—Esau and Jacob—whose rivalry is foretold before their birth (Genesis 25:23). Esau sells his birthright, revealing a careless attitude toward the things of God. The legacy of faith continues, but new challenges arise. Jacob and Esau remind us that God’s purposes often unfold in surprising, even uncomfortable ways. God’s choice isn’t always about human merit but about His sovereign plan.
Overall Themes and Takeaways:
- God Keeps His Promises – Even if fulfillment takes years, God is faithful.
- Faith Requires Obedience – Abraham’s test in Chapter 22 shows that faith is more than belief; it requires action.
- God Works Through Imperfect People – Abraham’s repeated failings, yet continued favor, show that God’s grace abounds.
- God’s personal involvement in the lives of His people – From guiding a servant to Rebekah to preserving Sarah in Abimelech’s house, God is intimately involved in the lives of His people.
- Spiritual Birthright Matters – Esau’s disregard for his birthright serves as a warning about undervaluing spiritual inheritance.
Sandra Smith
