Be At Peace With Your Neighbors Genesis 21:22-34 Created By David Turner

Pursue Peace With Your Neighbors! Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

Have you ever been at tension with a neighbor? Little issues can lead to big fights! o Lady sent her boyfriend out for two Egg Mcmuffins. He returned with a ham, egg and cheese bagel. She stabbed him to death. o A roommate was killed over an argument about the temperature on the thermostat. o In Miami a young man was beat and later died when he wouldn’t give a man a cigarette. o In New York a store merchant was killed for his Nike shoes.

Man Killed his neighbor because his dog urinated on his lawn.

The Context: Abraham’s Neighbor Pursues Peace with Abraham o Abraham left Membre after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and moved to the Negev. o Once there He deceived Abimelech telling him that his wife Sarah was his sister. o A year later Sarah had Isaac. o At Sarah’s request, Abraham had just cast Hagar and Ishmael out.

Neighbors Sometimes Visit With An Agenda! 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. o Abimelech was coming to Abraham with an agenda! o Be slow with assumptions o Abraham had previously deceived him o He is bringing the commander of his army with him. o Hear them out! o “God is with you …” o In spite of his shortcomings, Abraham had a testimony.

Listen to Your Neighbor! 23 Now swear to me right here in God’s name that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. Show me, and the land where you are staying, the same loyalty that I have shown you.” o You deceived me before and it cost me, swear you won’t do it again. o Treat me with the same kindness I’m showing you so we can both live in peace.

Resolve Issues That Cause Conflict! 24 Abraham said, “I swear to do this.” 25 But Abraham lodged a complaint against Abimelech concerning a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26 “I do not know who has done this thing,” Abimelech replied. “Moreover, you did not tell me. I did not hear about it until today.” o Don’t simply say you’ll live at peace, resolve issues that lead to strife. o Abraham brings up a conflict with his servants. o Abimilech pleads innocence on the grounds of ignorance.

Peace is more valuable than prosperity. Sacrifice your belongings to procure peace. 27 Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a treaty. o Abraham has become a master of treaties (a good politician). o Three brothers at Membre o Melchizedek o Covenant with God o To gain peace often requires giving up something. Easier to have a treaty with Abimelech than with Sarah. He could make peace with nations, but not in the home.

Make the terms of Peace Contractual! 28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs apart from the flock by themselves. 29 Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He replied, “You must take these seven ewe lambs from my hand as legal proof that I dug this well.” 31 That is why he named that place Beer Sheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. o Abraham knew that a verbal agreement was not as binding as a legal contract. o The name Beer Sheba ( בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, bé’er shava’) means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven.” Both the verb “to swear” and the number “seven” have been used throughout the account. Now they are drawn in as part of the explanation of the significance of the name.

Peace Secured Makes Good Neighbors! 32 So they made a treaty at Beer Sheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines. o What is a Good Neighbor? o One that recognizes you’re relationship with God. o One that wants peace with you. o One that will talk out issues with you. o One that knows when its time to go home.

Peaceful Neighbors is a Cause For Praise! 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer Sheba. There he worshiped the L ORD, the eternal God. 34 So Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for quite some time. o Build a memorial to remind you of God’s Grace. Tamarisk is an evergreen. o Worship God! Praise Him for Peaceful Neighbors. o When you live at peace with neighbors you don’t need to run away.

How to be a good neighbor? o Don’t do anything to deceive or give them the impression that you want to cause them harm. o Let your relationship with God be obvious. o Desire to have peace with your neighbor. o Listen to their concerns before assuming their agenda. o Discuss issues of possible conflict that need to be resolved. They may not be aware of them. Don’t assume they know. o On majors issues write it out, don’t just expect words to be enough. Have witnesses and get it in writing. o Be willing to make sacrifices to obtain peace.

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Galatians 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”