Genesis 20—21: The Consequences of Unbelief

Warming Up to God

What have you struggled with recently? Tell Christ about it and let him take it from you as you come near to him in Scripture.

• My biggest struggle is desiring growth. For the first time in a while, I am actually truly comfortable. This mostly has to do with our current financial state, but it also has to do with the fact that I have a good job that I like. If I ask God to bring me closer to him, I am afraid of what he will do to me. Yes, you read right. What will God do to me if I allow him to really work in my life. Growth is generally painful in some way.
• Lately I have been asking for the desire to draw near. God, bring me to your truth, help me see value in your presence.

Discovering the Word

Describe Abraham's situation and how God deals with it (20:1-7).

• Abraham lies yet again about Sarah's relationship to him.
• God curses an unknowing man for taking another man's wife. (Do you see why I am afraid of God? This man has done nothing wrong on purpose, yet God puts a curse on him and all his family.)
• God tells Abimelech to give Sarah back and have Abraham pray for him. (Which is supposed to make it all better, but why did God have to do this in the first place? Why couldn't he just tell Abimelech to give her back...unless Abimelech would not have done so unless the consequence was fierce. People can be pretty hard headed.)
• Oh God! I understand why you seem to "make things difficult" for us, but that doesn't make it easy for me to desire closeness with you. You care for me and you will do what you will, and I'm scared!

What do the questions Abimelech asks the next day reveal about his attitude toward Abraham (20:8-10)?

• Abimelech is scared of Abraham. He is also indignant that Abraham would bring this curse upon Abimelech's family.

How does the patriarch try to explain his way out of this difficulty (20:11-13)?

• Abraham basically calls Abimelech a heathen. Since "there is no fear of God in this place," they would surely kill him for his wife.
• Also, Sarah kind of is his sister- half truth. This was a prearranged agreement between Abraham and Sarah.

The name Isaac means "he laughs." Describe Sarah's reaction and how she feels after waiting so long for this joyful event (21:1-7).

• All people will wonder and be joyful with her at the amazing thing that God has done for her.

What problem does Abraham face in 21:8-14, and how is it resolved?

• Anger and contempt grows in Sarah's heart toward Hagar and Ishmael. In this anger, Sarah asks Abraham to cast them out. Abraham did not want to do this, because Ishmael was his son too, but God told Abraham that He would take care of Ishmael.

How does God help and encourage Hagar in her hour of crisis (21:15-21)?

• God did provide for Hagar and Ishmael. In the dessert they ran out of food and water, so she left her son a way off and went to die on her own. But God provided water for her and Ishmael, and he grew to be a strong man
• But God first let them run out of water and food, He let them nearly die before he helped them, Why? Would Hagar not have learned to Trust God unless he let this misfortune befall her? Perhaps....perhaps.

Applying the Word

Think of a difficult situation in which fear or unbelief led you to a course of action that didn't honor God. What were the consequences and lessons you learned?

• I have always believed, but I have not always believed well. In college I struggled with impurity. I wanted to do right, but my body screamed wrong. The consequence was shame and frustration with myself. It was the first really hard situation that challenged my faith. I remember thinking, "how far is too far?" Thank goodness I married my husband, otherwise I would have memories of intimacy with a man other than my husband, that could have been very bad for me.

How can Sarah and Abraham's experience encourage us to be more patient and faithful in waiting for unanswered prayer?

• God's plan was infinitely better than Sarah and Abraham's plan. I don't know why God has us wait so long sometimes. It seems difficult (sometimes devastatingly so) to wait for God when I feel like I deserve to have the thing I want. Right now it's time. I have very little time to do the things that I want to do. With two little ones in the home, I am lucky if I get the dishes done, let alone play my guitar, or sew, or go dancing. In my situation, I know that time needs to pass and my children need to grow and this season needs to pass. But if I look forward to fiercely, I will miss what is happening now. Watching my children grow is a joy, and I really must remember that when I am frustrated by the fact that I don't get to do what I want to do.

Responding in Prayer

Thank your Father for the laughter he's brought into your heart.

• I do indeed have much to be joyful for. I love my children and my husband. And while I find some things difficult about the life I have been given, in many, many ways I count myself blessed. God is faithful. He has drawn me into a place where I feel I am supposed to be. Christian, Wife, Mother, Teacher, Business owner. A lot of hats, I know, but God will provide if that is what he wants for my life.