[Brother V]

Genesis 16-18

Today we get some more of the story of Abram (at least until the end).

Sarai was still barren, but she had a great idea. Since she couldn't get pregnant, she decided to let her handmaiden Hagar get pregnant instead.

Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

The term "in unto" is used 71 times in the KJV1611. A majority of the time it means "KNEW", like how Noah KNEW what his son did to him. Other times it just means "went into". But if you think of the word as KNEW, well, then some of the other verses that it's used in, take on a whole new meaning.

Exodus 7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Well, when Moses and Aaron went and visited Pharaoh, then all the plagues came, pharaoh was definately screwed...

OK, back to todays readings.

Genesis 16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

So Abram's wife Sarai said that because she couldn't conceive, that Abram could attempt to get her handmaid pregnant. Well, it worked, and when it did, Sarai got very angry, go figure.

Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar, so Hagar left. An angel finds Hagar by a fountain, 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

So, Hagar goes back. Then gives birth to Ishmael. That ends Genesis 16.

In Genesis 17, we find 13 years have passed and Abram is now 99.

The LORD shows up and goes for a walk with Abram. God then makes a covenant between Himself and Abram and his seed. In verse 5, the LORD tells Abram that he's getting a new name.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

AWESOME !!!!

And all they have to do to keep the covenant is...

10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Then God tells Abraham to change Sarai's name to Sarah.

Then he tells Abraham that Sarah will have a son.

17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

This verse is important. (Not that other verses are less important). Arab mudslimes claim to be decendants of Ishmael (which they aren't) but they claim the covenant between themselves and God, due to their claim of being decendants of Abraham (which they aren't). But we see in Genesis 17:19, that the covenant is ONLY between the LORD and the seed of Isaac; not Ishmael. Any claims that mudslimes think they have through Ishmael don't exist, because the covenant is not theirs. (now back to today's readings)

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

He (God) again states that Ishmael doesn't get the covenant, only Isaac.

Then Abraham goes on a circumcision spree in verses 23-27.

Thus ends Genesis 17; onto 18.

In verse 2 we find the 3 men appearing and Abraham playing the good host.

4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

In verse 8, it's rather interesting, that it wasn't a kosher meal (not that the kosher rules had been made yet; but still, meat and dairy in the same meal).

10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

"Manner of women" means having her monthly issue. Sarah may have been barren before, but now, she's had Menopause.

So Sarah chuckles it off, Abraham is also amused.

So God (a bit annoyed) said; 14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Then the men wanted to leave and go to Sodom.


20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

So then Abraham starts to barter with the LORD for saving Sodom (remember Lot lives there).

Abraham (realizing that there aren't very many good people in Sodom) starts the barter at 50.

26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

Do I hear 45... 45... who'll give me 45.

28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

I got 45... can I get a 40... 40.

29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.

30... yes I've got 30... 20... what about 20...

Can I get 10!!!

32 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

Then the LORD left.

Thus concludes Day 6.