Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

This week we complete our study in the life of Abraham. We have chapters 24 and 25 of Genesis remaining. What a powerful story! What a journey of faith! And that is exactly what faith is - a journey. I trust that these studies in Abraham's life have encouraged your journey of faith as it has mine.

Genesis 24

Key Words: "God of my master Abraham"

Key Verse: Success in our finding God's will depends upon our walking with the Lord according to verse 40.

Purpose Statement: God was keeping the line of His people pure by not having Isaac marry one of the girls from the neighboring tribes.

Outline: A Bride for Isaac

I. Abraham's desires are expressed concerning getting a wife for Isaac (vs. 1-9)
II. The prayer for guidance by Abraham's servant (vs. 10-14)
III. Rebekah is God's answer to that prayer (vs. 15-21)
IV. A request and an invitation to stay (vs. 22-25)
V. The prayer of praise (vs. 26-27)
VI. Hospitality is shown (vs. 28-33)
VII. The servant relates his story (vs. 34-49)
VIII. The family and Rebekah respond (vs. 50-58)
IX. Meeting of Isaac and Rebekah (vs. 59-67)

Thoughts to Ponder: What an amazing story of God's guidance. After a journey of several hundred miles, Abraham's servant stops at a well as a stranger in a foreign land. He is certain that he is near the location of Abraham's immediate family. He offers a simple yet specific prayer to God for guidance: "God, I am here. Now bless my journey by causing this to happen." There is a lesson to be learned in listening to this man's prayer. He did not ask for some vague directions or for some mysterious answer. He needed to know God's will for that moment so he was very specific in how he desired an answer. Abraham's servant had observed the great faith of his master. As he left on his important journey, he tested that faith and God rewarded him by answering in such a powerful way. This story reminds us that others do watch our lives and are led to model what they observe. So, may all who come behind us find us faithful. If we can learn to pray specifically, then I believe God will answer specifically and our response will be like Abraham's servant - praise to the Lord!

This chapter introduces us to Rebekah and her family. One wonders about the state of her father, Bethuel, as he is only mentioned in verse 50 and then listed second to his son Laban. It appears that Laban was the decision-maker in the family. Perhaps Bethuel was an invalid of some kind. We just don't know.

Genesis 25

Key Words: "Abraham died"; "God blessed Isaac"; "Esau despised his birthright"

Key Verse: Verse 23 helps us to anticipate the struggles that will come between Jacob and Esau. They started even before the boys were born.

Purpose Statement: This chapter lays the background for some of the significant conflicts to occur in the Old Testament - Midian, Ishmaelites, Esau and Jacob.

Outline: Abraham's Death, Births of Jacob and Esau

I. Abraham's last days and his death (vs. 1-11)
A. His children by Keturah (vs. 1-4)
B. His legacy to his children (vs. 5-6)
C. His death and burial (vs. 7-11)
II. Ishmael's family (vs. 12-18)
III. Isaac, Jacob, and Esau (vs. 19-34)
A. Births of Jacob and Esau (vs. 19-26)
B. The character of the two boys (vs. 27-28)
C. Esau sells his birthright (vs. 29-34)

Questions to Probe: One wonders why Abraham took another wife after Sarah died. He was 137 years old then.

Thoughts to Ponder: Two boys could not be much different than Jacob and Esau. They were total opposites. Esau lived for the moment - he needed food, now. Jacob lived for the future - he wanted the birthright and all the privileges that went with it. Esau gave up that which was priceless for a bowl of stew because he had stomach pangs. We say, "how foolish of him." Yet, how many times do we do the same? We sacrifice a moment with our children to take another business call. We surrender a night with our spouse for overtime at the office. We give up our time of silence before God to attend another meeting. I am afraid that too many times we make the same bad choice that Esau made. Those are moments and opportunities that we can never revisit. So, let's learn to make our choices more carefully with eternity's values in view.

Note: The last time the Bible records Isaac and Ishmael being together was at the funeral of their father Abraham. Having grown apart, the only person that bound them together was now gone. Each went his separate way only to live in hostility against the other. This was a sad part of the legacy that Abraham left behind.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Sleep with clean hands, either kept clean all day by integrity or washed clean at night by repentance. (John Donne)

Genesis 23 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 26