June 21, 2015

Changing Circumstances

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Genesis 21:20-34
Service Type:
  • Last week:
    • 21:8-21
    • Hagar and Ishmael had to leave
  • Now:
    • Abimelech comes up again - circumstances change
    • 5 years have changed between these times
  • There had been a rift in the relationship between Abraham and Abimelech
    • A truce was brought
    • Time can change things
  • It is good when things change in relationships for the better
    • Peace with God
    • Peace with one another
    • Abraham has an opportunity to put things right with Abimelech
  • Abraham came from the Ur of the Chaldeans
    • It is likely the family worshiped the moon god
    • God had called him and Abraham came into the land of Canaan
    • Abraham did not own the land but was a nomad and pilgrim
    • He had gone down into Egypt and lied to Pharaoh and brought trouble to Pharaoh's Household
    • He did a similar thing in Gerrah and lied to Abimelech and brought trouble to Abimelech's Household
    • He had known times of great victory
    • He interceded for Sodom
    • Times of great weakness and failure
      • The biggest failure was listening to his wife telling him to take her maid servant - this was not God's promised son
      • A tremendous sadness when Hagar and Ishmael had to leave
  • Abimelech comes with his commander Phichol and recognises that God is with him
    • Abimelech is courting Abraham
    • Abimelech is fearful of Abraham
    • Abraham is now rebuking Abimelech (v25)
  • Things will not always remain as they are
    • Abraham is given an unexpected opportunity to make amends with Abimelech
  • How Abraham and Abimelech make a truce
    • Personal example
    • v23 - repay the kindness
  • v33 - Abraham has to settle a situation over a well
    • Abraham was a man of courage, waiting on God's time
    • He accepted Abimelech's word
    • Abraham is willing to forgive and forget
    • Abraham shows great kindness in v27
    • We must be peacemakers and not respond with the arm of flesh
    • We must be careful not to misinterpret things
  • They made a definite agreement to peace
    • Abraham gives Abimelech sheep as a tangible proof of the agreement
    • They swore oaths together (v31)
      • We need to be careful with oaths
      • Our 'yes' should be yes and our 'no' no
      • We should be people of integrity
    • They were very serious about peace
    • In later generations there was discord between the two families (Gen 26:20ff)
      • The servants of Abimelech filled in the wells of Abraham and Issac had to dig them up again
    • Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and calls on the name of the Lord - he is at peace (v33)
  • Abraham accepted the word of Abimelech and made peace with him
    • As Abraham called on God - this was a witness to Abimelech
    • God is with you in all you do
      • How can God be with us in all that we do?
  • If we are not Christians we must pray Lord enter me
  • If we are Christians we ask that Jesus stay close to us
  • This covenant brought peace
    • Later it was broken
  • We have a better covenant that the Lord Jesus made with His Church
    • This covenant can never be broken
    • God will never leave us nor forsake us

Leave a Reply