This chapter continues after the death and burial of Sarah in Gen 23. The theme of God's covenantal promise continues on throughout events in this chapter.
(A) The Proper Princess (Gen 23:1-3)
(B) The Princely Price (Gen 23:4-16)
(C) The Promised Property (Gen 23:17-30)
This chapter is a significant milestone in the narrative in Genesis. The passage begins with the words "after these things" in verse 1, implying that the writer assumed that the readers know events prior to this chapter -- that the world is a cursed broken one (Gen 3), and that through Abraham and his offsprings, God promised to bless it (Gen 12). Therefore, understanding this passage in its context, as well as its place in the larger storyline will help us uncover its richness.
In this study, we took a slightly different approach and did a close reading of not one, but two passages. The case of Hagar and Ishmael present a very complicated situation in the reading of the Bible. Thus we need to look at what the Old and New Testaments say together about this. Both the Old and New Testaments interact and ultimately point us to Jesus.
These verses take us to the lives of two different families.
Last week we read of how Abraham interceded on behalf of Lot in Sodom. Today, the passage focused on events in Sodom itself.
In today's passage, the narrative continues from where we left off last week. Abraham sent the visitors on their way as part of his great hospitality, and shows kindness to these visitors.
In Genesis, God stages an encounter with Sarah. The previous chapters have focused on God making covenants and reiterating His promise to Abraham. But in this chapter, the spotlight shifts from Abraham to Sarah.
Events earlier in the chapter serve as an important backdrop to this study. In the previous 14 verses, God introduced circumcision as a symbol that marked the people of God. Circumcision marked a ratification of the covenant that God established. God also changed Abram's name to "Abraham", meaning "father of many nations", in line with the covenantal promise that He is making.
The passage brought out the failings of the characters mentioned. The flaws of Sarai, Hagar her maidservant and Abram were clear in these 16 verses.
This chapter flows from the events of the previous chapter, evident from the phrase "after these things". It refers to events in chapter 14, which was a high point in Abram’s life and also in a chapter before that, Egypt was a low point in his life. At the start of chapter 15, the word of the Lord came to him in a vision.
In the previous study, we learnt of how God called one man, Abram, and established a covenant with him. In the rest of chapter 12 and 13, we learn more about this man that God chose. What kind of a man do you think he is?
Gen 12-50 shows us how God keeps His promise to restore the world broken after Gen 3. In this next section of Genesis, we start off with the life of one man, and see how God works through Him and His family to achieve His purposes.
Last week, we studied the table of nations (Gen 10). Genesis 11 introduces a new story, with the use of the word "now". As readers, this signals to us that events in this chapter mark a new section in the ongoing narrative.
(A) Noah and his family teach us how God’s grace may seem to disappoint in day to day life (9:18-28)
(B) The table of nations teach us God’s common grace, and His amazing sovereignty (10:1-32)
(A) God provides immediately after judgment, despite Man’s continued wickedness (8:20-9:1-7)
(B) God makes a covenant with all the earth, and redirects His wrath (9:8-17)
Last week we saw how the world was a broken one mired in deep sin, and God saw the world for what it was. Yet, despite all the brokenness, there were faithful men like Enoch and Noah who walked with God. In this passage, we continue to see how God does not stand by idly at sin, and judges, but also holds out hope and salvation.
(A) Genesis describes the pre-flood history of sin as a time of growing human decay (6:1-4)
(B) Genesis describes the pre-flood history of sin as a time of complete human evil (6:5-7)
(C) Genesis describes the pre-flood history of sin as a difficult time for the righteous to be faithful yet God is faithful (6:8-12)
What do we do with passages like these, which basically just has a list of names? As we look at this passage, let us remember the words of Deuteronomy 8:3,
“And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
“This chapter shows mankind plunging further into sin, with Cain murdering his brother and his descendant Lamech taking indiscriminate revenge. “ (Taken from the ESV Study Bible)