This week we are continuing our study in the book of Genesis with chapters 16-17, and the intriguing interaction between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and God Himself. We will also look into a conditional part of the Abrahamic Covenant called circumcision and its purpose for God’s people. This study will help us understand the history and importance of not only the faithfulness of God through His Covenant Promise, but the love He has for His people, even those who are flawed like Abraham and us!
Defending our faith and developing a Biblical worldview based on our understanding of God’s Word takes time and practice, and must be part of a lifetime commitment we make to the LORD. It should form our purpose and identity in everyday life as we grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, modeling Him to our family, friends and neighbors. As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis, and this can only be done if we know Jesus and what His Word teaches.
All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, a presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation overview and Bible study questions below with basic answers for your review and, or to use as a leader’s guide.
Watch this week’s presentation:
Presentation
Foundations Bible Study
Genesis Chapters 16-17
Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, and the Covenant of Circumcision
INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW
Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class.
Review:
- What did we learn about Abram and Lot in chapters 13-14?
- What is our focus verse, why is it important, and what other Covenants does it relate to?
Focus verse
THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
“Now the Lord said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” “ Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB)
Three Parts of the Covenant:
- Land
- Nation
- Blessing
Chapter Reading for Step #3: Context
– What does it say?
Chapter 16
- 16:1-6
- 16:7-12
- 16:13-16
Discuss (summarize) the chapter
1. (Genesis 16:1-15) In ancient cultures (and some still today) taking a second wife, or a concubine, was not forbidden by law, especially when child bearing was necessary for a family’s tribal survival and inheritance. Summarize the story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar then discuss the following questions:
a. What was wrong with what Abram and Sarai did from God’s view? Can you think of other stories in the Old Testament with similar situations that have heartbreaking consequences?
b. How did God counsel Hagar, how did she respond, and is it different than you might have responded?
- In Scripture, when God asks people questions, it is not because He does not know the answer, it is to get the person to reflect on what they are doing, and why? He asked her where did you come from, where are you going? (eg. Adam and Eve at the Fall)
- God listened to Hagar answers and then told her to return and submit.
- This is the place where Hagar calls on the Name of God and uses the term “El Roi” – God who sees.
- My response might have been one of doubt, yet it is the LORD speaking directly to her!
c. Cross-referencing: Where do you think Hagar came from originally, and could that have any implications for how things unfolded here (review the story in 12:10-20)?
In chapter 12:16 we find: 16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and [n]gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.
We can reasonably speculate:
- Hagar came from Egypt when Abram and Sarai had previously gone there because of the famine, and Egypt was famous for slavery, both buying and selling.
- The text tells us that Abram had left Egypt richer than he was before.
- It doesn’t appear in the text that Hagar had been with them since Ur/Haran and it would be reasonable that Sarai got her as a payment for their troubles.
d. Going Deeper: Do a study on the term “Angel of the LORD” and discuss what you learned about this person who met with Hagar.
- Anthropomorphism = God taking human form; or assigning a human characteristic to God
- Theophany = A visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god
- Christophany = A preincarnate appearance of Jesus – usually in the form of the “Angel of the LORD
- The term “Angel of the LORD” appears some 58 times in Scripture
- When the word “Angel” is combined with LORD (YHWH) it always refers to the second person in the Godhead = Jesus
- When Theophanies/Christophanies happen there is always a first-person pronoun like “I or Me” used.
- Other signs include giving praise or glory, bowing, praying to or referencing as LORD
- Sometimes we see a characteristic name used that tells us it is the LORD (v. 13) “Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”” El Roi = God who sees
Chapter Reading for Step #3: Context
– What does it say?
Chapter 17
- 17:1-8
- 17:9-14
- 17:15-21
- 17:22-27
Discuss (summarize) the chapter
2. (Genesis 17:1-8 and 17:15-16)What new names did God give Abram and Sarai, and why? Research the differences in the meaning of their old and new names.
Change of Names:
- God changes both Abram and Sarai’s names to reflect their purpose in the plan and their role in the Covenant promise. He changed their roles in life by giving them a child in their impossible advanced age – it is in the name that one identifies with their God and we do the same when we call ourselves Christians.
- The “ah” in Hebrew ruach=breath. The name change represents the breath of God who can instantly with His breath make something happen – It also reflects their relationship with God in that YHWH (the YH) now becomes part of who they are in God. (YH – breath in; WH – breath out)
- Abram= Exalted Father becomes Abraham=Father of many Nations
- Sarai = A Princess becomes Sarah=The Princess (emphasizing that she would become the mother of many nations and kings)
Special Notes:
- El Shadai= God Almighty – This name of God is introduced here in v. 1
- This is the longest that God spoke directly to anyone in Genesis, it peaks here, and there will be less and less direct contact from God as Israel’s history moves forward
- God will use prophets and priests to speak through, especially as the people begin to rebel and misrepresent God resulting ultimately in their eviction from the land (Job actually has the most direct speaking from God) .
- This is the first time God says specifically that it would be offspring from Sarah, and this also gives proof that women are an important part of the Covenant Promise too.
3. (Genesis 17:9-27) Circumcision was not an unusual practice in ancient cultures, but God had a specific purpose for it here. What was the purpose of the Covenant of circumcision and how did Abraham respond to God’s command?
- This is now the first time there is an action clause as part of the Covenant – Abraham needed to do something to identify himself, his family and his descendants as being a recognizable part of God’s Covenant Promise. His salvation was assured because of his faith (belief in God’s Promise) – like ours is in Christ, this now becomes an “after salvation” issue in that he needed to show an outward sign of his faith and connection to God and the Covenant Promise.
- Circumcision set apart the Hebrew people (men) as followers of God. It was an outward sign of an inward covenant to be kept with God.
- The Covenant of Circumcision does four things: (also see Romans 2:28)
- Reinforces the importance of the spilling of blood
- It is the reproductive organ which means it is generational (passed down)
- It includes the females because the male covers the female as their protector
- It identified them as recipients of God’s covenant as God’s people
- Note: With Christians, it is spiritual – the circumcision of the heart = the cutting away of the earthly flesh/desires and taking on Jesus – and we make a public proclamation of this in baptism.
Special Notes:
- On the 8thday, only God could have known, is the best day for 1) the clotting agent is optimal; 2) vitamin k maxes out between the 5th-7th days; 3) prothrombin is below normal until the 8th day, so this was the best time to perform the circumcision.
- Flint knives were to be used and sharpened with each circumcision, thus sterilizing the knife each time and preventing infection – these things were not known until modern times!
- God also specifically says, in v. 21, that He will establish the Covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear (not with Ishmael).
Step #5: Application for chapters 16-17
– How do I use what I have learned?
Answers will vary, but could include…
- In application (for chapter 16), God always knows what is best for us in the long run, we should listen to Him and search out His help, because He can use our circumstances to prepare us for what is to come.
- (In chapter 17) God was still promising a son directly to Abraham and Sarah but they were 99 and 89 respectively – We often pray for things, not expecting that God will answer the impossible – we often use prayer as a last resort – we often do not ask in God’s will to be done, and for our desires to align with His.
- We all speak God’s name when we are born, and when we die: YH-WH (breath in; breath out)
HOMEWORK
Read Genesis chapters 18-19, then answer the following questions:
- (Genesis 18:1-15) Who appeared to Abraham while he was sitting by the oaks of Mamre, and what are some clues that help us know? Review:What is a Theophany or Christophany? Discuss: How did Sarah respond to what God said would happen, and would we have responded differently?
- (Genesis 18:16-33) In this part of the story the LORD (YHWH) stays behind to talk with Abraham while the other two men (Angels) head for Sodom. What did Abraham ask for and how did God respond? Discuss:Why do you think God entertained Abraham’s questions/requests? Was Abraham right in questioning God?
- (Genesis 19:1-29) Summarize: What happened when the two men (Angels) went down to Lot’s house in Sodom, and what was the outcome? Discuss: Why do you think Lot’s family did not take the Angels’ warning seriously? Cross-referencing:Was Lot considered to be a righteous man? Read 2 Peter 2:6-8
- Discuss for application: Do we see the same attitude in people today, toward God and His Word, that the people of Sodom and Lot’s wife had? If so, give some examples.
Please continue to join us each week for Foundations Bible Study and the book of Genesis!
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15