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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  God’s previous “promise” Gen 12:2  He would make of Abram “…a great nation”  Abram’s thoughts Gen 15:1-6  No offspring had come as of yet v. 2a  Abram was convinced Eliezer (another’s son born in his house) was his heir v. 2b  God told Abram he would father a child v. 3 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Abram’s thoughts Gen 15:1-6  God “reassured” Abram by use of the stars “if Abram could count them” v. 5  Abram “believed God and He reckoned (counted) it to him as righteousness” v. 6  This statement is used more than once when discussing Abraham and his faith Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Sarai’s thoughts Gen 16:1-6  She saw no fulfillment of God’s promise… she even appeared to blame God vv. 1-2a  Ten years had already elapsed v. 3  She told Abram to go into her maid Hagar… “perhaps I shall obtain children through her”  Abram “listened” to his wife v. 2b cp. 3:17 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Sarai’s thoughts Gen 16:1-6  When Hagar conceived, she treated Sarai with contempt v. 4  Sarai no longer liked her own idea…she chastised Abram v. 5  Abram put Hagar back under Sarai’s control and Sarai treated her harshly v. 6 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  More of Abram’s thoughts Gen 17:15-21  After having his name changed & receiving the sign of circumcision, God told Abraham Sarah would bear a child vv  Abraham laughed at this idea…Ishmael already made things seem “right” vv  God reassured him again vv Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  More of Abram’s thoughts Gen 17:15-21  Paul references this in Rom 4:3, 13-24a  Abraham = a “test case” in discussing justification by faith v. 3  The promise was not through law, but through faith vv Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  More of Abram’s thoughts Gen 17:15-21  Paul references this in Rom 4:3, 13-24a  God sees things not yet existing as though they were real, already here v. 17  Even when it seems “illogical,” we have to trust God, never wavering in faith vv Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  More of Abram’s thoughts Gen 17:15-21  Paul references this in Rom 4:3, 13-24a  God “accounts” (credits) such faith as “righteousness” vv a Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Sarah’s reaction Gen 18:9-15  Sarah overheard the angels telling Abraham she would conceive & give birth vv  Because she & Abraham were “old” and she was “past child-bearing age,” Sarah laughed in disbelief vv Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Sarah’s reaction Gen 18:9-15  Knowing Sarah had laughed, God asked Abraham why vv  “Is anything to difficult for the Lord?” v. 14  Sarah denied laughing…God confronted her for her lying v. 15 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Sarah’s reaction Gen 18:9-15  Sarah obviously repented Heb 11:11  She needed faith to “receive strength to conceive seed”  Abraham’s faith was greater in all this  He “never wavered in belief” Rom 4:20  Sarah did, but overcame Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  God’s fulfillment Gen 21:1-2  Eventually, God fulfilled His promise  He “took note of Sarah as He had said, and God did for Sarah as He had promised” v. 1  Sarah conceived & bore a son “…at the appointed time” v. 2 cp. 18:10, 14 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Paul’s allegory Gal 4:21-31  To convince the Galatian Christians to not forsake the gospel & return to the Law  The Law (represented by Hagar & Ishmael) was physical  God had not promised Ishmael  A “product of human wisdom” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Paul’s allegory Gal 4:21-31  The gospel (represented by Sarah & Isaac) was spiritual  God had promised Isaac  As Sarah had told Abraham to “Cast out the bondwoman…” Paul tells the Galatians to “cast out the law” & remain true to Christ Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of A Promise Gen 15-18, 21  Paul’s allegory Gal 4:21-31 Lesson  Anything (religious teaching or practice) not promised by God needs to be cast aside in favor of what He has instructed in His word Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Deception Gen 25, 27  The family God Abraham is growing  Just because these events involve Biblical people does not mean they were perfect  God’s word never hides “imperfections”  The choices of some in this story shows how God uses our good & bad decisions Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Deception Gen 25, 27  The twins before & at birth 25:21-26  Isaac prayed re: Rebekah being barren v. 21  God answered…she conceived and had “two nations” in her womb v. 23a  The “older would serve the younger” v. 23b  Indicative re: both Edom & Israel’s future (even while “striving” in the womb) Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Deception Gen 25, 27  The twins before & at birth 25:21-26  Esau was born first…red & hairy v. 25  Jacob came out of Rebekah holding onto Esau’s heel v. 26  “Supplanter” Ù one who grabs the heel  “Supersede by treachery; trip up” (deceive)  Naming him “Jacob” = prophetic Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Deception Gen 25, 27  Parental mistakes 25:27-28  Isaac loved Esau because of his hunting skills & his taste for his game  Rebekah loved Jacob because he was more “domesticated” than Esau  Parental favoritism is never good…it only breeds strife & hatred in the family Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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