Genesis Chapters 20, 21, 22, 23 Commentary by Mark Dunagan

Genesis Chapters 20-23

Chapter 20 20:1 “Gerar” is pronounced (GEE rar). “No reason is given in the text for Abraham’s departure from the grove at Mamre near Hebron. His flocks may have exhausted the grazing areas there, or political changes may have interrupted the peace. He journeyed southwest…a trip of more than sixty miles” (Davis p. 209).

20:2 “Abimelech” is pronounced (uh BIM eh leck). Probably, this is not a personal name, but rather a royal title. Once again, Abraham gives into fear.

Like many of us, he didn’t seem to learn from the consequences of his earlier deception, and like many of us, after a great success in reference to our faith, we often lapse back into old habits (1 Corinthians 10:12). “The episode is chiefly one of suspense: on the brink of Isaac’s birth-story here is the very Promise put in jeopardy, traded away for personal safety” (Kidner p. 137). Yet how many promises of God are we often tempted to trade away for things far less pressing than personal safety?

20:3-7 While many people in the world claim some experience or feeling from God or a Higher Power---this is actually the type of dream that most people deserve! Be impressed that Abimelech understood the difference between right and wrong, especially concerning marriage. God can providentially help the sinner from making huge mistakes due to ignorance (20:7), yet the sinner is still a dead man until he repents! God is fair and reasonable. Abimelech had unknowingly taken another man’s wife, but consider God’s mercy! How many times has God done the same for us, holding us providentially back from unintended sin in ways we can’t even detect? Obviously, God is not trying to trip people up, but is rather trying to keep them from unintentionally sinning against Him.

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20:8-13 Like Abraham, a good number of Christians have received or deserve a rebuke from the world. Abraham on this occasion had only been thinking about his welfare, not the welfare of others. He had only asked, “What will this do for me?” Instead of asking, “What will this do to them?” Once again, we see the short-comings of human wisdom when it is divorced from divine truth, human wisdom even when it is exercised by godly individuals (Jeremiah 10:23).

Abraham equally made the mistake of assuming the worst about another individual. He felt that Abimelech was just too wicked. It never dawned on him that this man might be interested in the true God. We are destined to contradict ourselves and we will end up looking like hypocrites when we rely upon human wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.

Abraham had justified his deceptive tactics on the basis that Abimelech and his people did not fear God (20:11), and yet, it was Abraham who acted like he did not fear God on this occasion, for he clearly knew the truth about lying.

Chapter 21 21:1-5 After 25 years of waiting and many trials (many caused by lack of trust), Isaac is born. Sarah’s laugher of unbelief is now changed to a laughter of joy (21:6-7).

21:8-13 Isaac was probably weaned around the age of 2 or 3. Ishmael, who was now at least 15, mocked Isaac during this feast. Obviously, this mocking was much more than just having fun. It appears to have been malicious and insulting, see Galatians 4:29. Ishmael is already demonstrating his future character as one whose hand is against every man (16:12). Abraham was a very loving father, even to Ishmael. God relieves Abraham of any worries that he might have about sending Ishmael away. In effect, God is telling Abraham, “Don’t worry, I will take good care of them”.

21:14-15 Once again, Abraham demonstrates that he was a man who had the habit of facing hard tasks. “The supply of water, pitiable in face of a desert, was as much as could be taken, for the waterskin had to be shouldered” (Kidner p.

140).

21:14-21 The descendants of Ishmael are listed in 25:12-18. Most Arabs claim Ishmael as the forefather of their race.

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21:22-34 “The scene is some twenty-five miles from Gerar, where disputes could soon arise over pasturing rights. The incident brings out the uncertainties and trials of the life Abraham had accepted…Here, in contrast to chapter 20, Abraham found that God was the shield He had promised to be” (Kidner p. 141).

Clearly Abimelech and his commander-in-chief knew that God was with Abraham and for that reason feared him as a potential military rival in the region. In view of Abraham’s deception in chapter 20, we can well understand the words of Abimelech in 21:23. “Abimelech, well aware of God’s blessing on Abraham, wished to enter into a nonaggression pact with him” (Morris p. 371).

Chapter 22 22:1 “Now it came about after these things” When Abraham was 75 years old, God had called him to leave the city of Haran (Genesis 12:4). Almost 25 years later, when Abraham was 99, it was revealed to him that Sarah his wife would have a son named Isaac (17:1,19). Chapter 21 of Genesis records the birth and young life of Isaac. During this same period of time, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away with God’s approval (21:12). The last verse of chapter 21 reads, “And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days” (21:34). We know that the time period between chapter 21 and 23 covers 38 years. Sarah is 90-91 when Isaac is born (17:17), and she dies at the age of 127 (23:1-2). We are not given the precise time during those 37 years when the events of chapter 22 transpire. While Isaac is called a “lad” (22:5,12), a term which is flexible concerning age. He may have been in his teens or older.

Morris notes, “Evidently the intervening years had been happy ones. Isaac was growing and in every way was a joy to Abraham and Sarah. He had been worth waiting for…Then, suddenly, the blow fell!”

(The Genesis Record, Henry M. Morris, p. 373).

22:1 “That God tested Abraham” Yet Abraham had already been tested many times and had proven his faithfulness. He had responded to God’s call in Ur (Acts 7:2-4) and Haran. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out….By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise” (Hebrews 11:8-9). He had fully believed God’s promise that his descendants would be like the stars in the heavens, while at the same time being childless (Genesis 15:6 “Then he believed in the Lord; and He

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reckoned it to him as righteousness”). After all these tests and after so many years of waiting for a child, from a human point of view it would seem that God would allow him to retire. Abraham is tested after he had already demonstrated his faith on many other occasions. The greatest test that Abraham faced, was not in his youth, it was in his old age. While there are many tests in our youth, the greatest test or trial that we will ever face might be still awaiting us.

Genesis 22:2 “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love…and offer him there as a burnt offering” Each word from God was extremely painful. Kidner notes, “Abraham’s trust was to be weighed in the balance against common sense, human affection, and lifelong ambition; in act against everything earthly” (Genesis, Derek Kidner, IVP, p.

143). God had called upon him to sacrifice the earthly thing which gave him the most joy. “It is one thing to claim to trust God’s word when waiting for something; it is quite another to trust and obey His word after it is received…

Would he cling to the boy now that he had him, or would he still obey and return him to the Lord? In other words how far would Abraham go in obedience?” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 64). There are times in our lives when obedience to the will of God in a specific situation might seem like the end of any hope for earthly happiness. God was asking Abraham to do something, that from a human perspective would take all the meaning and joy out of his life.

“And what about Sarah? Why, this will literally bring her down to the grave with grief!” (Morris p. 373). What God commanded Abraham---in principle, is exactly what God expects of us, that we are prepared to sacrifice all for Him (Luke 14:26).

22:2 “As a burnt offering” Wasn’t this something that only the heathens did? Abraham could have reasoned, “True, the false gods of the surrounding nations are sometimes worshipped by the sacrifice of sons and daughters, but surely this type of thing is not pleasing to You.” Rather, the Hebrew writer says, “He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead” (11:19). Point to Note: 1. Faith doesn’t argue with God. 2. Faith doesn’t stumble over what might seem to be a moral dilemma, rather faith finds an answer which leaves the integrity of God and His Word in tact (Romans 3:4 “let God be found true, though every man be found a liar”). 3. Abraham’s attitude was since God had given Isaac to him, had hinged all the promises for the future on Isaac living (Hebrews 11:18), God was able to raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. We need to have the same attitude. We 4

know that God will take care of us (Matthew 6:25-34). So we shouldn’t fret when economic hard times hit or when the car breaks down, medical expenses increase or expensive home repairs loom in the future. God can still take care of us!

22:3 “So Abraham rose early in the morning” His obedience was prompt. The land of Moriah, which seems to be located in the vicinity of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1), was a journey of three days (Genesis 22:4). God didn’t give Abraham a quick test, something that was done that very day. Rather, Abraham was given three days to think about what was going to happen. Time can have a way of eating away at our conviction, it can wear down our resolve, we start trying to wiggle out of the hardship, searching for a way of rationalizing disobedience. “Abraham could not just fulfill God’s command by a quick, spur of the moment decision. He had to sweat it out for at least three days…The very nature of the test was that he would be obedient to God’s demand in every detail after due consideration and considerable effort” (Bible Students Commentary, G.Ch. Aalders p. 46). The distance of this journey was probably about 50 miles.

22:5 “We will worship and return to you” Note the confidence that everything will work out. Abraham is not lying to these servants, rather he really believed somehow not only he would return but Isaac would also return. Here is faith, even when it looks like obedience to God hinders the fulfillment of what God wants, faith doesn’t hesitate. To many people placing yourself second, and serving others, seems to be a hindrance in finding personal happiness (Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 3:10). Others can’t seem to harmonize or understand how contentment (Philippians 4:11-12) can be obtained by someone who is no longer striving to put self in the first place (Matthew 16:24-25). Finally, some feel that God’s stress on doctrinal soundness (2 Timothy 4:2-4), is a great hindrance to uniting all professed Christians in one universal body (John 17:20-21).

22:7 “My father!……but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

This question must have cut through the heart of Abraham. Yet observe how Abraham reacts, “God will provide for Himself the lamb”. Do we believe “God will provide?” Romans 8:28 “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God”. Kidner notes, “It might (‘God will provide’) almost be called his lifelong motto” (p. 144). Faith doesn’t say, “God 5

failed me, God let me down, God didn’t come through for me”. Faith says, “God will provide” (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 13:6).

22:9 “And bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood” Isaac now realizes that he is the sacrifice! Yet there is no mention of Isaac resisting, struggling or arguing. He silently submits. We must remember, at this time Isaac may have been stronger or more agile than his father and could have easily escaped. Be impressed with not only the trust Abraham had in God, but the trust Isaac had in his father! “Never was such a loving father or obedient son put to such a test as this” (Morris p. 381). Think of the looks that they gave each other. But all the family affections in the world, all the emotions capable within the human being could not stop this man from obeying God. Be impressed “a man” did this, a man just like you or I. And what made all the difference in the world was his faith in God. Abraham wasn’t smarter or genetically superior and neither was true religion drilled into him from an early age. This is the faith which all of us are capable! Faith doesn’t trust feelings, emotions, intuition, common sense, human wisdom, tradition, and so on…..faith trusts God! 22:10-11 “Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

But the angel of the Lord called to him…”

God waited until the last possible moment! God may allow us to be brought right up to the brink of extreme hardship or trial. In Abraham we see the true worshipper holding nothing back from God. Faith doesn’t blink. Jesus instructs us to count the cost before we decide to serve Him (Luke 14:28ff). But once we have decided to follow, all such calculating is to end. Faith views not only whatever it has, but also itself as expendable. When we become a Christian, we in fact surrender everything we have to God. Hence, sacrifices don’t shock or surprise us, because we have already mentally accepted that it is no longer “I” am in control but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). Faith doesn’t give God the leftovers in time, talents or resources. God wants the gospel spread in this community (Mark 16:15). Faith isn’t staggered at the challenge, rather faith says, “Ok, what is it going to take to accomplish God’s desire?” Faith allows God to end the trial.

22:12 “For now I know that you fear God”

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God can know all things, yet at the same time, man has a free will. God doesn’t interfere with our ability to choose. Trials are necessary to reveal the true quality of our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Observations In citing this incident, James writes, “You see that faith was working with his works” (2:22). Along with Hebrews 11:17-19, this reveals the motivation in Abraham’s heart as he journeyed to Mount Moriah and then proceeded to offer up his only son. Faith was the motivation! Abraham’s heart wasn’t filled resentment, anger, bitterness, doubt, or confusion. You know people can keep many of the commands of God without having any faith in God. Some people attend out of duty, others resent responsibilities which are placed upon them.

The Bible can be studied from the motive of anger and malice, simply because I want to prove that others are in the wrong. We can attend the classes with the motivation of trying to look for something that is amiss. Abraham didn’t resent what God said. The command, from a human standpoint seemed to block Abraham’s desire to see Isaac grow up, yet Abraham didn’t become angry at God. If we think that God was hard upon Abraham, let us remember that God was a lot harder upon Himself. In the vicinity of Mount Moriah, some 2000 years later, the Son of God would sacrifice Himself upon the cross. And this time there wouldn’t be ram caught in the thicket, neither would the angels stop this sacrifice. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Chapter 23 This chapter records the death of Sarah and the only property that Abraham actually owned in Palestine.

Abraham never forgot that he was a pilgrim (23:4; Hebrews 11:16). The sons of Heth apparently were Hittites. The Hittites had a powerful empire in what is now modern Turkey. These men could have been traveling merchants who had settled in this area and owned much of the property. The details in this chapter conform to what is known of the various Hittite laws. For example, the reference to the trees on the property being sold (17) is characteristic of Hittite land transactions, which were careful to specify them. The cave of Machpelah 7

became the burial place of, in addition to Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (25:9; 49:31; 50:13). It appears that Ephron, was a very shrewd and or covetous business person, for according to Davis, “the four hundred shekels Abraham was forced to play for the land were far more than it was worth” (p.

223). By buying this property, Abraham was in effect saying, “This is where my descendants will live”. “When Abraham bought this cave, he was renouncing Paddan Aram, that is, northwest Mesopotamia (cf. 25:20). This had just been brought to the reader’s attention (22:20-24)…Canaan was now Abraham’s new native land” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 66).

“The polite interchange between Abraham and Ephron was typical of bargaining at that time. Ephron graciously offered to give his land to Abraham at no charge; Abraham insisted on paying for it; Ephron politely mentioned the price but said, in effect, that it wasn’t important; Abraham paid the 400 shekels of silver. Both men knew what was going on as they went through the bargaining process.

Four hundred shekels of silver was a high price for the piece of property Abraham bought. The Hittites were not thrilled about foreigners buying their property, so Abraham had little bargaining leverage” (Life Application Study Bible, p. 43).

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