"Keeping His Promise" - Doug Rehberg

Gary was a high school friend of mine. Within days of my arrival in Tidewater, Virginia in 1970 I met him. He was the son of the minister of the church my family had started attending. He was a blond-haired, guitar-playing track guy who looked as Californian as anyone I knew in Virginia.

It was Gary and I who conceived the idea of starting a coffeehouse ministry in the barn of a friend. It was Gary who put together a band that played every night we were open. It was Gary who was the first songwriter I ever met whose music touched the heart and soul of most who listened. It was Gary with whom I spent the most time during those final two years of high school.

Whenever I think of Gary though, there’s one thing that always comes to mind first. His father’s lie. Now fathers are no different from anyone else. I’m sure that there have been plenty of promises that have escaped my lips that I have failed to honor. But this one was a big one. In fact, it was this broken promise that had a clear, deleterious effect on Gary throughout the balance of his life.

The promise was this: “If you keep your grades up, score well on your SATs, and get accepted to a school anywhere in the country, your mother and I will see that you go there.” Now that was a big promise for a former Navy man who had used his government stipend to pay for a Bible school education. Gary’s sister had gone to a community college. If Gary succeeded with his end of the bargain he’d be the first in his family to attend a university.

From the time I met him Gary had his heart set on attending the University of Michigan. For some reason attending Big Blue was his dream. When he finished high school with a top five percent GPA and over 1400 on his SATs he immediately filed his application for admission and within weeks he received his letter of admission.

Now none of this was done in secret. Gary was as transparent as he could be with family and friends. The day the letter came in the mail he was at my house with the widest of smiles. “What did your dad say?” I asked. “I haven’t told him yet. You are the first to know.” “That’s terrific Gary! Let me know as soon as the deal is inked.”

I didn’t hear from him for two days. I thought I’d see him in school, but he was missing. No one knew where he was until the afternoon he showed up at the track. It was after practice and I was sitting by one of the hurdles when he appeared. “Where have you been?” I asked. “I just had to get away, so I’ve just been driving around.” “For 3 days?” “Yep.” “But why?” “Because my father lied to me. He said I could go anywhere I wanted, but now he just laughed at me and said he couldn’t afford it.”

Within two years Gary was dead. I always wondered if he’d still be alive if his dad had made good on that promise.

We hear a lot these days about promises. In fact, if you google the promises of God you’ll find that there’s a debate as to how many there are in Scripture. The range is anywhere from hundreds to thirty-one thousand.

But of all the promises of God there is one that is far and away greater than any other. And it’s one of the first God ever utters. It’s that promise that’s at the heart of Genesis 20, this Sunday’s text. In a message entitled, “Keeping His Promise,” we are going to dig into this promise and see the lengths to which God is willing to go to keep it. In preparation for Sunday you may wish to consider the following:

1. Why does Abraham leave the hill country of Hebron and head to Gerar?

2. What’s the meaning of the name Gerar?

3. The name Abimelech is also a title like Pharaoh. Who is this man king over?

4. What are the similarities and differences between this account and the one in Genesis 12?

5. Why does Abraham want Sarah to be known as his sister?

6. What does verse 3 tell us about God’s relationship to all men and women?

7. Why does God threaten Abimelech?

8. What’s God saying about His sovereignty in verses 6 and 7?

9. Why had God closed all of the wombs in the house of Abimelech?

10. What is the significance of this story?

See you Sunday!

"Salvation at Sodom" - Doug Rehberg

In 2010 Stephan Tchividjian died. For most people beyond his immediate family his death was not a major event. He wasn’t particularly well-known, but his father-in-law was Billy Graham.

In 1962 Stephan married the oldest daughter of Ruth and Billy Graham, Gigi. Together they had seven children including their son Tullian. In his book, One Way Love, he tells of an incident he had with his father when after trying everything from private schools to counselling, his parents kicked him out of the house. And as he writes about it, it sounds a lot like Lot. Tullian writes:

A couple of years after I was kicked out of my house, when I was living in an apartment with some friends, I called my dad and said, “Rent’s due and I don’t have any money.”

My dad asked, “Well, what happened to your job?” I made up some lie about cutbacks or something. He said, “Meet me at Denny’s in an hour.” I said okay.

After we sat down, he signed a blank check, handed it to me, and said, “Take whatever you need. This should hold you until you can find another job.” He didn’t probe. He didn’t give me a limit. And I absolutely took advantage! I not only remember taking that check and writing it out for much more than I needed. I remember sneaking into my mom and dad’s house on numerous occasions and forging his signature. I mastered his signature. I went six months at one point without a job, because I didn’t need one! I completely abused his kindness and he knew it. Years later he told me that he saw every one of those checks being cashed, but he decided not to say anything. It didn’t happen immediately (the fruits of grace are always in the future), but that demonstration of unconditional grace was the beginning of God doing a miraculous work in my heart and life.”

Steve Brown once told me something I will never forget. He said, “Children will run from the law, and they’ll run from grace. The ones who run from law never come back. But the ones who run from grace always come back. Grace draws its own back home.”

The name “Lot” comes from the Hebrews verb, “lut” meaning, “to wrap closely,” “to envelop.” And from the first mention of him in Scripture that’s what we see the Lord doing.

In Genesis 12, after the death of his father, Haran, his uncle Abram takes him under his wing and they set out on a journey from Ur of the Chaldean’s to a land the Lord would show him. In chapter 13 his uncle gives him the best of the land of Canaan (see Genesis 13:10-11). In chapter 14 his uncle rescues him from the hands of his abductors. In chapter 18 his uncle intercedes for him and the city of Sodom. And in chapter 19 Lot and his family are saved from their certain destruction by two angels. His entire story is a picture of God’s enveloping grace, for there is nothing in him to commend him to God or to us.

Arthur Pink once said, “There are those who speak of grace as unmerited favor, but I disagree. Grace is divine favor in the face of absolute demerit.” That’s what we began to see in Lot last week as Henry preached from the first half of chapter 19. That’s what we will see in the balance of his story. It’s not just mercy that God dispenses, it’s pure 150-proof grace.

In preparation for Sunday’s message entitled “Salvation at Sodom,” you may wish to consider the following:

1. On what grounds does Peter refer to Lot as righteous in II Peter 2?

2. Why does Abraham stop with the number 10 in his pleading in Genesis 18?

3. What does verse 29 of Genesis 19 tell us about God and the grace He dispenses?

4. How is Lot a perfect portrait of a carnal Christian?

5. Why do the angels give Lot the same instruction four different ways in verse 17?

6. What is the significance of 19:17(b) when the angels tell him to escape to the hills?

7. Why does Lot ask for something that’s in opposition to God’s will for him and his family? And why does the Lord agree to it?

8. What’s the name Zoar tell us about God’s grace?

9. What’s verse 22 tell us about God’s grace?

10. How do the words of Ezekiel 16:53-63 show us the difference between God and us?

See you Sunday!

"Holding Back" - Henry Knapp

Mercy, Even When We Linger

“Steve, STOP! Steve, GO FORWARD!” This was the command. In a split second I hoped and prayed there would be follow-through obedience. I was just hanging out grilling with a buddy at seminary. We lived in a large apartment complex on campus. Steve was former military. He had just hopped into his van, put his window down on that sweltering day, and begun to back out when disaster loomed. Little Acacia had wandered away from her Mommy on the Gordon-Conwell playground and hung a quick turn right toward the back of Steve’s car as it was backing up. I witnessed it all and screamed to Steve as loud as I could. Five words aptly spoken. Loudly spoken. Steve stopped. Steve went forward. No questions asked. No shenanigans. No “But, WHY, Henrys?” I hollered. He obeyed. Acacia was banged up and bruised as the van had her in the position to drive right over her three-year-old neck, but she was given mercy. Great mercy.

Genesis 19 is all about God’s salvation. It is not about sexual immorality or a “righteous man” called Lot and his family being saved or any other themes that we would like to link to contemporary American culture. It is not primarily about commands and obedience either—but I couldn’t help but think about the kindness and mercy God had on little Acacia that day. This is the same sort of salvation God offers us. There is disobedience—a wandering off—and pending doom and destruction in those wanderings. God shows up in mercy. Is this not why Lot and his household were spared?

This mercy really strikes me, especially in light of our lackadaisical obedience to God’s command. Genesis 19:15-17 tells us of God’s urging to Lot—“Get up and go!” And, Lot’s response? Amazingly, “He lingered.” Lingered? Yep. In light of the coming destruction, Lot and his family lingered. And later on, sadly, the result of this kind of disobedience is found in Genesis 19:26, “Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

For many of us, we are just like Lot. God wants to save us—but we linger. See vs. 16! There is pending doom, yet we hesitate, we prevaricate. We think we know best. We are too self-absorbed. We don’t desire to say “Yes, sir!” but rather “Why?” I have struggled immensely in my life with this issue: If I can’t understand it, than it can’t be true. And, if I don’t like it, then perhaps I just won’t do it. This is a heart filled with unbelief, and this is clearly not what the Lord desires for those who would walk by faith and not by sight. God has offered Lot a “command of salvation”—UP! Take your family and go! Be free! But, no. Lot knew best.

However, Lot’s disobedience was not something that frustrated God’s plan; the Lord could handle Lot’s defiance. Verse 16 clearly states that God Himself acted to save Lot—even amidst Lot’s inaction. The Lord (being merciful to him) brought him out and set him outside the city. Salvation is 100% the work of God. The image of taking Lot by the hand, even seizing him by the hand portrays sovereignty, authority, determination—and mercy. This is the image of mercy in my own willful, disobedient life as well.

To be given a command and not to obey has grave, grave consequences. Not to understand something is very frustrating but is no excuse to disobey the Lord. But, thank you, God, that even amidst our failure, Your mercy overflows!

As you prepare for worship this week, read Genesis 19:1-22.

1. Read Genesis 18:20-21. What do you think is the “outcry” that has come to the Lord? Where did the “outcry” come from?

2. In Genesis 19:1 Lot is described as “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” Why does he do that? Note: in ancient times, city leaders would sit as leaders at the most public of all places in a walled city—the gate. What implications might there be with his “sitting” there?

3. What are all the positive reasons you can think of for Lot to invite these travelers in? What are some negative or cynical reasons?

4. Why would Lot offer his two daughters to the men of the city? What might be the reasons that they are specifically identified as virgins?

5. In verse 14 Lot appears to be amazingly ineffectual as motivating his sons-in-law. Why might that be?

6. How do you explain Lot’s attitude in verse 16? What appears to be Lot’s emotional state at this point?

7. Jumping ahead, Lot’s wife turns into a pillar of salt because she “looks back.” How is this an excellent description of Lot and his family? Note: salt in ancient times was used much more as a preservative as a flavoring. What was she “preserving”?

"Why to Pray" - Henry Knapp

 

Dare to Draw Near  

This is going to have the feel of a glorified book report. One of the very influential books I read during my early Christian life was first published in 1977 by John White entitled, Daring to Draw Near. I read the book at just the right time, and God used it in many ways in my life. While my prayer life has been shaped by examples from godly men and women, as well as from the writings of various authors, this book started me along the path of seeing the link between prayer and the Bible. 

What the author does in this book is to write about ten different prayers recorded in the Bible—prayers by David, Hannah, Paul, Jesus, and others. White tells the reader in the Preface to the work that he is not intending to write a book about prayer—this is not a "how to" discussion on prayer but an examination of the prayers and attitude of biblical pray-ers. As such, I was struck, not only by the prayers themselves, but also by the author's handling of Scripture. 

White has examined in this book only a few of the many prayers written out in the Bible. Like many people, I didn't really think of the Bible as recording prayers until I saw the list White generated. Suddenly, I realized just how often in Scripture God's people interact with Him in what can only be called "prayer." Biblical prayers happen in song, in praise, in joy, in lament. They are recorded during times of special celebration, as part of significant events, and flowing from everyday life. But what stands out in all the differences is that the Bible takes the time to record these prayers. 

Of course, part of what White uncovers in his book are great and abiding insights into the nature and practice of prayer itself. There have been a great number of discipleship books which can help us develop an active and vibrant prayer life. Daring to Draw Near certainly helps the reader learn about this important spiritual practice. However, for me it did more—it helped open for me the breadth of the Scripture as a whole. Woven into God's Book are these wonderful examples of prayer by men and women who were, for the most part, moving through life just like I am. 

The first prayer White examines in his book is the prayer of Abraham recorded in the last verses of Genesis 18. It is a prayer of fear, doubt, and confusion. It is also a prayer of intimacy, pleading, and maturing. Studying this text led White (and his readers) to confront many typical challenges in prayer. But overall, the prayer is a study of God and salvation—it is included in the Bible, not to teach us how to pray, but to teach us why we pray. 

This week in worship we will be looking at Abraham's interaction with our God, seeing not only the prayer of a faithful man, but also the why behind his prayer... and our prayers. 

Read Genesis 18:16-33. 

1. In verses 17-19, God explains why he is taking Abraham into his confidences. List out the reasons God gives here. How many of them would apply to God's interactions with you? 

2. Verses 17-18 are phrased as a question—it seems like a rhetorical one: God is stating that He will not hide from Abraham. But, why is the question rhetorical? How else might it be understood? 

3. In verse 19, God bases a lot of His thinking on the fact that He has "chosen" Abraham. What all might that mean? Note the footnote that "chosen" here might also mean "loved." How would these two meanings (and others) connect? 

4. Where does the "outcry" against Sodom come from? It reaches God's ears, but from where? And, what does it say about our God that He hears this in any case? 

5. Why does Abraham seem to challenge God in verse 23? What are his motivations? How does this speak to the practice of prayer? 

6. Why does Abraham "count down" from 50? What is he getting at? And, what is God teaching Abraham in how He responds? What implications does this mean for our prayers? 

7. Why does Abraham stop at 10? What lesson has he learned? What has Abraham's prayer "accomplished"? What was the reason for this interaction between God and Abraham? How might that speak to your own prayer life?

"HA HA HA" - Doug Rehberg

One time comedian, Alan King, took actress Judy Garland to dinner in New York City. They went to Chinatown, and as soon as they arrived, King ordered the first course—stir-fried chicken, lobster, and Chinese vegetables. When it came to the table, it had a large, black, round thing on top that Garland had never seen before, so she asked, “What is that”?

King’s reply was quick and confident, “Oh, that’s a very rare and exotic Chinese mushroom. It’s such a delicacy that they only use one per serving.” And as he finished his explanation, the exotic mushroom began to move. Suddenly, it crawled off the plate, across the table, and up the wall causing Garland to scream. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Sensing that she had lost control, King reached over and slapped her on the cheek saying, “Judy, snap out of it!” Instantly, Garland wheeled around and slapped him across the face saying, “What are you doing you idiot? I’m not hysterical, I’m just laughing.”

Cathy Guisewite is not a household name, but her cartoon series is. “Cathy” is one of the longest running cartoon strips in the country. A few years ago Cathy was asked, “Where did you get your sense of humor?” Her reply was immediate, “Well, to tell you the truth, when I was a little girl my parents and I were expecting company for dinner. My mother was hyper and so was I. When the company arrived and we sat down for dinner, I accidentally knocked over my glass of milk and it ran down to the floor. I sat there on the verge of tears until I happened to glance over at my dad who was holding the milk pitcher upside down. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Here was a grown man who was dumping all the milk on the floor. When my stunned mother finally composed herself she asked, “Bill, what are you doing?” My Dad replied, “Oh, what the heck. It looked like fun.” Cathy says, “From that moment on, I knew the power of laughter.”

Scientists who study these things have discovered that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every organ of the body. According to scientists, laughter reduces tension and relaxes body tissue as well as exercise. It’s said that laughter, even when forced, results in beneficial effects on us mentally and physically.

In Genesis 18 we have the first mention of laughter in the Bible. And interestingly, the first person in the Bible to laugh is one who has just had his name changed from “Exalted Father” to “The Father of Nations.” In the space of a moment, God joins His name to Abram’s name. In English it’s the addition of two letters, “H” and “A”; but in Hebrew it’s only one letter, pronounced, “Hay.” Linguists call it a voiceless, glottal fricative. It’s the letter formed by breathing out. It’s the same letter that is used to form the Hebrew word for the Spirit of God—rauch. It’s the same breath God uses to form the heavens and the earth. It’s the same breath or wind that hovers over the face of the deep. It’s the same breath the risen Christ expels on His disciples in John 20 saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” So think of it. When God changes Abram’s name in the early verses of chapter 17, it’s to prepare him to laugh in verse 17. It’s to prepare him to understand that often the only appropriate response to the grace of God is laughter.

But as you know, all laughter is not the same. There are laughs of contempt and doubt and there are laughs of joy and abandonment. Laughter can be derisive or delightful. It is the attitude of the heart that determines its essence.

In commenting on Genesis 17:17 someone writes, “Abraham’s mind was in a whirlwind. He was believing, doubting, hoping, fearing, laughing all at once. His laughter was not the laughter of scorn, or was it comic relief?... The context shows that it was laughter of astonishment which sometimes bursts from us involuntarily…”

Now whether that is a true commentary on the nature of Abraham’s laughter is open to debate. Even with the context it’s difficult to determine. What isn’t so difficult to determine is the laughter we find in chapter 18. This time it’s not Abraham who laughs, but Sarah, his wife. In fact, she’s called out for her laugh. In verse 13 the Lord says to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’” And it is immediately in the face of her laugh that the Lord asks the question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

This Sunday is Easter! Last year we were apart for Easter due to COVID-19. BUT this year we’re back together for WORSHIP with a message entitled, “HA HA HA!” Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18 and John 20 answer that question with a resounding “NO!”

In preparation for “HA HA HA” you may wish to consider the following:

1. Who are these three men who are standing near the door of Abraham’s tent?

2. Why does Abraham run to them and bow himself to the ground?

3. What does Abraham mean when he calls them “O Lord” in verse 3?

4. Why does he want them to stay and eat?

5. Why does Abraham do way more than he says he’ll do in verse 5?

6. Why does Abraham stand by while they eat?

7. Why do they have an interest in Sarah and her whereabouts?

8. Why does she laugh?

9. Why does she deny laughing?

10. What’s the essence of the Lord’s question in verse 14?

See you Sunday!

"Bearing Fruit" - Henry Knapp

Extraordinary Times 

We live in extraordinary times. Of course, with 2020 yet so near, that’s an easy thing to say. But, for the purposes of this article, when I say “extraordinary,” I mean, “beyond or outside the normal.” We live in times that, historically speaking, are way outside the norm, far beyond what most people most times had experienced. The American experiment with democracy is an aberration—just a tiny, wee-tiny portion of the population through the ages has known such a government. While a market-place capitalism, such as currently functions in the West, is not quite so rare, it is still an oddity in recorded history. The commonplace sense of religious freedom—feeling no pressure to attend a particular religious gathering—is almost unknown in centuries past, and in much of the world today. We do indeed live in extraordinary times. 

Not all that “extra” is good; being beyond-the-norm is not always healthy. For instance, much of the thinking of modern-day Christians regarding God’s plan of salvation differs significantly from that held throughout the church age. Today it is not uncommon to hear that God’s work of salvation has shifted throughout history: at one time, the Lord used one means to save humanity, in another time a different means. Sometimes salvation came through obedience to the Law; and now post-cross, we are saved through Jesus. God changed His plan as times changed. 

But, this is “extra-ordinary” thinking—it is a teaching that is “outside the norm” of centuries of biblical teaching. Reaching way back through time, God’s plan of salvation was understood as being one unified work of God, culminating in the cross of Christ. Finding its first expression in Genesis, God promises to save His people, and then works that salvation out in history. The promise is made in the Old Testament; the promise is fulfilled in the New Testament. This way of looking at the biblical message, that the Bible teaches a single story of redemption, is often referred to as “Covenant Theology.” 

Covenant Theology is shorthand for understanding God’s consistent saving work during the biblical period and down to today. It recognizes that God made a promise, a covenant, establishing a relationship of love, faith, trust, and obedience with His people. God’s promise is that He will do whatever is necessary to save His loved ones—He will be our God; we will be His people. This is a relationship established on His own character. It is certain because He is certain. It is reliable because He is reliable. 

This one overarching Covenant—to save His people—is expressed throughout time in various ways to various people. The story of God’s covenant promises to Noah, Moses, David, and others all form a chain, a trajectory, which together forms an overall picture of the faithful work of the Lord in salvation. One of the best, most memorable, expressions of this promise is God’s covenant with Abraham. And, as with Noah, Moses, and the rest, the Abrahamic Covenant has a covenant sign—a tangible, visible symbol which marks the covenant, helps identify the relationship between God and His people. For Abraham, that covenant sign is circumcision. While we could easily get lost in discussing the sign, the point here is the Covenant—the relationship we have with God, identifying us as His people. 

We live in extraordinary times. Sometimes that is good, sometimes, not so good. The story of our salvation has faithfully been understood in the Scripture as God working out His promises to us. That is both extraordinary (in its beauty) and very ordinary (in that it is in accordance with His nature and will). We are part of a long line of those bound to God with His Covenant promises and love, and there is no better place to be! 

As you prepare for worship this week, read of God’s covenant with Abraham, Genesis 17:1-14. 

1. If you can find a timeline for Abraham, note how long it is between chapters 12, when God first spoke to Abram, and this chapter. What is instructive here?

2. God begins by announcing His name—“God Almighty.” Why, what purpose, and what is distinctive here?

3. Look at the first eight verses. Count how many times the author uses “I” or “me” or “my.” What do you think is central to the author’s intent here?

4. Why does God rename Abram to Abraham—not so much the difference in names, but the actual process of renaming him?

5. How many times does the author use some kind of “amplifying” word? God wants the greatness of His action to be known.

6. List out the things that Abraham is supposed to do once God establishes the covenant relationship.

7. Read Romans 4:1-12. What does the timing of God’s command for circumcision mean for Paul? How does he read it? What does that mean for our relationship with God?

"Ishmael" - Doug Rehberg

Once upon a time there was a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occurred. On that coast was a little lifesaving hut, very crude, with only one boat. But there were a few devoted members who gave of themselves day and night, at the risk of their own lives, to rescue those who had been shipwrecked.

Soon the little station became famous because so many lives were saved. Others wanted to be associated with this enterprise and gave time and money to the effort to buy new boats and train more crew members. After a while some members grew unhappy with the poorly equipped center, so they enlarged the building and put in better furnishings. Immediately the lifesaving station grew in popularity as a gathering place, a place to be seen and it turned into a club.

As time passed fewer members were interested in the dangerous work of saving lives at sea, so they hired professional crews to do the work. Even though lifesaving motifs were prominent in the décor and the image of a lifeboat was stitched into every club wearable, the membership rarely even spoke of the original mission.

About this time there was a titanic shipwreck a few miles off the coast. The professional crews began bringing in scores of cold, half-drowned, dirty survivors into the club. The response of the property committee was to install outdoor showers and some crude bunks where victims could clean up and recuperate before making their way into town.

Soon a split developed among the members of the club. At a meeting they voted to discontinue lifesaving activities because they had become a hindrance to their social lives. The majority prevailed and the minority were told that they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast if they’d like. And they did.

As the years went by, the new station went through exactly the same changes as the old one. It evolved into a club and another station was founded. History repeated itself up and down that coastline. Today visitors can find a number of exclusive clubs all along those 200 miles. Shipwrecks are still frequent, but most victims now simply drown.

In Sunday’s text, Genesis 16, we see a perfect portrait of this parable perpetrated not by the Canaanites, or the Kenites, or some pagan sect, but by the children of the promise – Abram and Sarai. Remember the divine charge – “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth with my presence and glory.” The charge was to spread the grace of God around to others. They were blessed to be a blessing, but here these children of promise use and abuse a member of their own household. Rather than embracing her in her need, they shun her. After the glorious events of chapters 14 and 15, where God enfolds them in His loving embrace, they cast Hagar out of their sight.

After nearly 40 years of ordained ministry I have seen a lot of casting away by the children of promise. Those who have been most richly blessed with spiritual hunger and insight, rather than living with a trusting heart and outstretched arms grow more and more insular and rigid in their own self-aggrandizing convictions. Instead of having eyes on the God of Compassion, they fix their eyes on themselves and their firm conclusions regarding others around them.

Oh what a powerful and pointed reminder the story of Hagar is! We will dig deeply into it this week in a message entitled, “Ishmael”. In preparation for the message, you may wish to consider the following:

1. On what grounds does Sarai give her servant, Hagar, to Abram?

2. What’s her motive in doing this?

3. How is Sarai’s decision the opposite of grace? (see Galatians 4:21-31)

4. What’s Sarai’s reaction to Hagar becoming pregnant? Can you think of other parallels in scripture?

5. How does her perception of Hagar’s contempt morph into her own contempt, and why?

6. What does her statement, “May the Lord judge between you and me!” (verse 5) mean?

7. How does verse 6 perfectly reflect our natural heart condition?

8. How does this show His compassion and His outward gaze?

9. How does the angel’s statement in verse 10 verify God’s unchanging intention?

10. How do the names Ishmael and Beer-lahai-roi reveal to us the character of God?

See you Sunday!