Journey to Gerar

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Introduction: Abraham is maturing in his life. These two chapters deal with things in his life that are coming to some kind of completion. His life is bearing the fruit he has planted—for good or bad. An alternative title to this lesson could be “Wrapping Up Loose Ends.”

I.           A SECRET SIN DISCOVERED (20:1-18) 

A.   Abraham Lies Again (v.1-2; 12:10-13) 

B.   God Covers for Abraham (v.3-7) 

C.   Abraham is Confronted With His Sin (v.8-13; Psalm 90:8) 

D.   Abraham is Sent Away (v.14-18) 

E.   The Danger of Secret Sins (Psalm 19:12-13; Joshua 7:1,20-26)

II.          THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PROMISE (21:1-8) 

A.   Sarah Bares a Son (v.1-2) 

B.   The Son is Named Isaac (v.3-5) 

C.   Sarah Rejoices in Her Son (v.6-8) 

D.   God Always Fulfills His Promises (18:9-14; Romans 4:16-22) 

III.         FINAL SEPARATIONS ARE MADE (21:9-21) 

A.   Ishmael Mocks Isaac (v.9-11; cp.16:4) 

B.   Abraham is Told to Listen to Sarah (v.12-13; cp.16:1-2) 

C.   Hagar and Ishmael are Sent Away (v.14-16) 

D.   God Delivers Hagar and Ishmael (.v17-21) 

E.   Separations Sometimes Must be Made (12:1; 13:7-9; Romans 12:18)

IV.        TWO OPPONENTS COME TO TERMS (21:22-34) 

A.   Abimelech Seeks a Covenant (v.22-24) 

B.   Abraham Reproves Abimelech (v.25-26) – Sometimes, we need to air our differences (Proverbs 27:5-6) 

C.   They Make a Covenant at Beersheba (v.27-32) – Beersheba means the well of the oath 

D.   Abraham Plants a Grove and Calls on the Lord (v.33-34) 

E.   Sometimes, We Need to Come to Terms (Ephesians 4:26) 

Conclusion: What are the loose ends in your life that need to be tied up? These can be things that will one day destroy or seriously hurt you. They may be conflicts that have been going on for a long time. Do you need to separate and take different paths, or do you need to come to terms and make some sort of agreement? Perhaps, there is an area where you have relied on the promises of God, but nothing has happened yet. You need to renew your confidence in God and rest on His promises. Life bears fruit (Galatians 6:7-9). What are you sowing?

MEMORY VERSES:

1.         Ephesians 4:26

2.         Genesis 21:33

3.         Romans 12:18