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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:1

“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

3a) Zechariah was a prophet of the Lord who was called to prophesy to the people. His grandfather was a priest who returned with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and with Joshua to Jerusalem, who was the head of a priestly family.

b) The timing of Zechariah’s prophecy sets it two months after Haggai’s first prophecy (Haggai 1:1) and within a month after another prophecy of Haggai (Haggai 2:1). This was between October and November of 520 B.C.

4a) Zechariah and Haggai were trying to get the people to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Jerusalem was paralyzed by fear and apathy. Temple construction had ceased for 14 years due to political enemies. The people prioritized their own luxury homes while God’s house lay in ruins, causing severe economic hardship. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah arrived to shatter this stagnation and spark immediate action.

b) That He cares about them and loves them infinitely. It reveals a relentless desire to dwell with His people. God refuses to abandon them to apathy or fear. By initiating contact, He shows that He remembers His covenant and values their relationship above their failures, actively intervening to restore their hope, purpose, and future glory.

c) He has guided me in the right direction and corrected me, too, if I misstepped. He always has the answers if we pray and listen and take the step we believe is right.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Wouldn’t it be cool if God called us now like He did in OT times? I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but to have God’s direct words from others must have been something to behold!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Zechariah is a prophet who lived at the same time as Haggai. He encouraged the Israelites to return to God and rebuild the temple. He wanted the Israelites’ spirits to renew and harken for God.

Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers.”

This is after the people have returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Note that there is no king of Judah or Israel at this time. Darius sits on the throne of Persia.

Be on the lookout for pictures and symbols that Zechariah is fond of using.

Fun Fact: There are at least 27 different Zechariahs mentioned in the Bible.

Zechariah encouraged the people by telling them how much God cares for them and wants to use them for His purposes.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus mentioned Zechariah in Matthew 23:35

Fun Fact: Zechariah refers to Jesus more than any other Old Testament prophet except for Isaiah.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Zechariah 1:1 serves as the historical and theological anchor for the entire book.

  • Historical Reality: By dating the prophecy to the “second year of Darius” (approx. Oct/Nov 520 BC), the text acknowledges that Israel is currently under foreign (Persian) domination, not a sovereign kingdom. It places the message two months after Haggai began preaching, creating a united front for spiritual renewal.

  • Thematic Hope: The prophet’s name, Zechariah, means “Yahweh remembers.” His lineage (son of Berechiah) implies “Yahweh blesses.” This immediately counters the people’s fear that God had forgotten them in their post-exile struggle.

  • Divine Authority: The phrase “the word of the LORD came” validates that this is a direct revelation from God, not merely social commentary or human wisdom.

Conclusion

God is sovereign over human calendars and foreign kings; even in times of political weakness and delay, He remembers His covenant and intervenes in history at the exact right moment.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

by atozmom, posted in BSF Revelation: The Hope 2024/2025

Summary of Revelation 13:1-4

John saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

3) John saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. What stood out to me the most was the details and the fact that these creatures are given authority by God.

4) The dragon gives the beast his power, throne, and authority like God gives his Son, Jesus, the same. The people worship the dragon because of this like they worship God and ask who is like the beast and who can wage war against it. God and Jesus are extremely close, which the dragon and the beast emulate as well. Note that the dragon and the beast have the same number of horns and heads, so they are similar beings. The beast imitates Jesus because it has been mortally wounded but is healed (just like Jesus was killed and then risen, too). The people are worshipping the dragon along with the beast since the dragon gave the beast authority. This is similar to God and Jesus, too.

5a) The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

b) Evil influences. Influences of unbelievers. Societal influences. The need to put the world’s things above Godly things. Distractions. An easier like than what God has called you for.

c) Unsure if I stood my ground in Christ that others would see, but I definitely have in my own life and choices for myself, such as doing God’s work and choosing Him over sin’s temptations. The results are that I am stronger in Christ for it all and I am closer to God as well.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

I love the details here and how God is gracious enough to allow us to “see” these things through John.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

The Jewish people saw the sea as a frightful place. This may be because most people could not swim and people did not know there were others across the wide ocean from them. Therefore, the sea was seen as evil and chaotic in ancient times.

Note that the beast is not the dragon. Therefore, this beast is not Satan as we’ve seen in Revelation 12:3. It’s separate from the dragon/Satan.

Note the dragon has the same number of heads and horns as the beast (Revelation 12:3)

Remember horns are a symbol of strength and power in the Bible. Therefore, the beast/dragon would be hard to kill with 7 heads.

Fun Fact: The word Antichrist only appears in the Bible five times in four verses (1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7). The beast is believed to be the antichrist. This thing will be the opposite of Christ. John uses the term to refer to false teachers.

Note that the 10 crowns of the beast is different than the 7 of the dragon. Remember, 7 is the number of completeness. Here, Bible scholars believe the 10 refers to the number of nations that the beast rules over, which comes from Daniel’s vision of the antichrist (Daniel 7:24). Bible scholars are divided over which head/heads are wearing the crowns. Many see this as the beast that Daniel saw due to the 10 horns Daniel 7:7

The description of the beast also connects with Daniel’s vision Daniel 7  Daniel’s beasts represent governments, so many think that this beast does so as well.

Since the beast is worshipped, he is considered a man here who is supported by Satan. This is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7, 17:8). Therefore, he is some sort of evil spirit.

The beast has been wounded, most likely by God, but the beast healed as mentioned here, too (Revelation 13:12 and 13:14)

The people are worshipping the dragon along with the beast since the dragon gave the beast authority. This is similar to God and Jesus, too. This is Satan worship, but people don’t like to acknowledge they are devil worshippers.

The dragon and beast will be strong, but not for long.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 2: John 13:1-5

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 13:1-5

Just before Passover Jesus knew his time had come. He also knew Judas would betray him. He washed his disciples’ feet.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 2: John 13:1-5

3) That his time had come to return to the Father. He also knew Judas would betray him.

4a) “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

b) He humbled himself completely by doing something only slaves did at the time.

5) That Jesus was about to sacrifice his life for the sake of the world by becoming the sacrificial lamb that was used during Passover to signify God’s protection over His people and how He brought them out of Egypt. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 2: John 13:1-5

So great! I love how Christ has no pretension about himself!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 2: John 13:1-5

John 13 begins the 3rd Division of the Gospel of John, also known as the Upper Room Discourse. Here, John focuses on Jesus’ last days with the disciples.

We must remember that Judas had a choice, as we all do — to accept Jesus or reject him.

“The Bible says believers have symbolically applied the sacrificial blood of Christ to their hearts and thus have escaped eternal death (Hebrews 9:12, 14). Just as the Passover lamb’s applied blood caused the “destroyer” to pass over each household, Christ’s applied blood causes God’s judgment to pass over sinners and gives life to believers (Romans 6:23).”

source: Gotquestions

Jesus had about 24 hours left on this side of heaven at this point. He would mostly be focused on preparing his disciples.

Jesus loved us “to the fullest” aka “to the end.” here. An unending love.

We see this sentiment before: Jesus said The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:35)

Jesus knew exactly from whence he came and where he was going to. Do you?

Washing the disciples’ feet was the ultimate act of love. Never would a teacher wash his students’ feet in Jewish culture. Here, in this act, Jesus showed true greatness (previously, his disciples had been arguing who was the greatest among them Luke 22:23 .)

Typically, the lowest servant of the house would wash the feet of the guests as they entered someone’s home. For some reason, this didn’t happen when Jesus and the disciples came into the room. They ate their meal with dirty feet.

They were sitting at a very low table (triclinium), which made washing their feet even more challenging.

Interestingly, if the disciples had washed Jesus’ feet, they would have had to offer to wash everyone’s feet, which would have put them in an inferior position to each other.

Jesus always used actions to teach. He showed true humility. Actions always speak louder than words.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 21; 2 CHRONICLES 33

2 Kings 21:

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord would punish him for this by bringing disaster on Jerusalem and Judah.

Manasseh’s son Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He was assassinated by his officials, and his son Josiah reigned after him.

2 Chronicles 33:

Manassah did evil in the eyes of hte Lord. The Lord brought Assyria against him and took him prisoner. Then, Manassah turned back to God and God took pity on him. He brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Manasseh rebuilt Jerusalem, restored the altar of God and sacrifices to him. The people did as well.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

3a)

 He followed the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5 In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.

7 He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. 8 I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.”

9 But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

It roused God’s anger towards Judah and would cause their eventual fall into slavery and exile by Assyria.

b) God warned Manasseh and His people of what would happen because of their sin. This still gives them time to repent and come to the Lord to ward off these consequences.

4a) The Lord brought Assyria against Manansseh and took him prisoner. Then, Manassah turned back to God and God took pity on him. He brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Manasseh rebuilt Jerusalem, restored the altar of God and sacrifices to him. The people did as well.

b) Through all the hardships God has restored me to him. The circumstances of life and the consequences of my bad choices bring me closer to him.

5) As the leader goes, so goes the country. It’s super important to lead by example (even in your family) if you want a certain outcome.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

Very sad to read about these rulers, but there’s always an olive branch extended by the Lord, which is encouraging to say the least.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 2: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33

2 Kings 21:

Note that Manasseh was born in the additional 15 years that Hezekiah prayed for and was granted by the Lord.

Fun Fact: Manasseh reigned 55 years, the longest reign of a king of Judah.

God promises judgment for all of Manasseh’s evil. Manesseh even kills his own people.

2 Chronicles 33:

This book records that Manasseh was taken by the Babylonians as prisoner, which caused him to turn back to God. Manasseh proved his repentance was genuine by taking away the idols and the foreign gods from Jerusalem, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel (2 Chronicles 33:16). Yet, Judah was too far into sin to be saved entirely.

Amon was no better, and he was assassinated as such.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 2: Matthew 16:1-12

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 16:1-12

The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from Jesus. Jesus replied that they say it will be stormy if the sky is red and overcast. He says they can interpret the skies but not the signs of the times. Only a wicked adulterous generaion looks for miraculous signs, and all they will be given is the sign of Jonah.

The disciples forgot to bring bread, so Jesus told them to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus realizes they are confused and says they have little faith because they don’t remember the five loaves for the five thousand or the seven loaves for the four thousand. He wonders why they did not understand he was using yeast as a metaphor, and that he meant to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 2: Matthew 16:1-12

3a) A sign from heaven in order to test Jesus’s identity.

b) Jesus replied that they say it will be stormy if the sky is red and overcast. He says they can interpret the skies but not the signs of the times. Only a wicked adulterous generaion looks for miraculous signs, and all they will be given is the sign of Jonah. It revealed that they had wicked hearts.

c) Jesus is saying he is sufficient

4a) To beware the teaching (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees

b) The disciples were focused on the literal bread because they had just commented that they had forgotten bread to eat. They had no idea what Jesus was talking about because of this.

c) Jesus realizes they are confused and says they have little faith because they don’t remember the five loaves for the five thousand or the seven loaves for the four thousand. He wonders why they did not understand he was using yeast as a metaphor, and that he meant to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He explains what he meant to them.

5) We, like the disciples, are too focused on the literal meaning that we can miss the spiritual meaning behind things, too. I think this comes with time, prayer, and learning to look for the spiritual in things.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 2: Matthew 16:1-12

I love how the Pharisees and Sadducees are constantly put in their place by Jesus in a nice way. Great example for us. Great learning from the disciples mistake, too.

Just a book I wanted to share!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 2: Matthew 16:1-12

It is worth noting that the Pharisees and Sadducees were normally not friends. They were politically opposed and held different beliefs. Yet, both wanted Jesus dead.

In Matthew 12:38, Jesus had already been asked for a sign, which he refused to give then. As if healing people was not enough. They could read the heavens, but not the Messianic signs. This is a warning to us to not miss the signs of the Second Coming as outlined in Revelation mainly.

Note that signs do not convert people; they will always have hard hearts.

Jesus’s resurrection would be a hard sign to deny. He would disappear like Jonah for three days and nights and then return.

Yeast, or leaven, was compared to sin and corruption as we’ve seen repeatedly in the Bible  (Matthew 13:33) Exodus 12:8, 12:15-20).

Note that the disciples were ignornant of what yeast symbolized, they didn’t believe they’d be find if they had forgotten bread since Jesus fed the 5,000, and they forgot all that had happened with regards to this.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 2: Genesis 27:1-13

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 27:1-13:

Isaac tells Esau to go and bring him a stew of the tasty wild game meat that he likes so that he can give him his blessing before he dies. Rebekah overhears Jacob tell Esau this, so she tells Jacob to bring her two of the choicest young goats so she can prepare him a meal just as he likes it. Then take it to him so that Jacob can receive the blessing instead. Jacob says he is not hairy like Esau, but Rebekah says the curse will fall on her if Jacob realizes he has been tricked.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 2: Genesis 27:1-13

3) Isaac wanted some good game meat to satisfy his hunger. Jacob, Esau, and Rebekah all wanted the spiritual blessing of Isaac.

4) Rebekah made sure that Jacob did receive the blessing as God intended. Isaac wanted his son, Esau, to receive the blessing instead and fully intended to bless Esau and not Jacob as God has revealed.

5) I think most of the time Christians mean to do good, but end up using trickery to do so with good intentions. However, sin and selfishness drive us so people can mean good for them and not others.

6) I think they could have talked this through. Rebekah could have talked to Jacob’s about God’s prophetic words to her, and they arrange to give the blessing to Jacob as planned without trickery involved. Jacob did this on the sly, meaning he was hoping no one found out about it. I would think this would be a big ceremony back in that time. Communication was definitely lacking here as each tried to achieve their own desires. I can improve in that as well.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 2: Genesis 27:1-13

I had forgotten Rebekah’s involvement in the blessing. On one hand, you see the good intentions of a parent who only wants the best for her children. Yet, you see favoritism here as well. You see Rebekah though ensuring God’s words came true, too. You see Jacob driven by the physical need for food and his desire for Esau to have the blessing even though he knew God’s words. It’s interesting how we are constantly trying to help God out when He needs no help at all. We only end up making a muck of things.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 2: Genesis 27:1-13

Martin Luther calculated Isaac’s age to be 137 during this time. Isaac lived to be 180 (Genesis 35:28), so he was not as near to death at he thought.

Since Isaac was giving Esau the blessing in secret, he knew what he was doing was wrong. Usually, there would have been a celebration and a feast of the passing of the torch. Yet, Isaac tried to scheme against God anyways. He also asked for food first instead of just giving Esau the blessing in the first place. It’s as if Esau had to work to be blessed by God. Instead of giving the gift of his own free will, there’s a condition attached. Luckily, all mankind has to do is believe in Jesus. One and done.

Rebekah knew her food would taste the same to Isaac. Rebekah was wrong to help God out here. She did not trust God to do His will; she thought he needed help. She was also wrong to lead her son into sin.

Jacob willingly went along with Rebekah’s plan, living up to his name, which means trickster. He was concerned about getting caught, not if he was right or wrong.

Esau knew the blessing was not his because he had sold it to Jacob, so he was eager when Isaac offered it. Everyone in this scene is acting for their own interest. Yet, only God can bestow a blessing. In reality, all of this was meaningless.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 17, Day 2: Genesis 20 with Genesis 12:10-20 & 21:22-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 20:  Abraham had been staying near the great trees of Mamre (Genesis 18) and now has moved on to the Negev between Kadesh and Shur.  He stayed in Gerar for a time and again lied about Sarah being his sister.  So, of course, the king of Gerar, Abimelech, took her for his wife.

God rescued Sarah (again) when he came to Abimelech in a dream and told him he had taken a married woman unbeknownst and that is why God has kept him from touching her.  God tells him to return Sarah and Abraham will pray for him so that he may live.  Otherwise, he will die.

Abimelech called in Abraham and chastized him (like Pharaoh did) and asked him why he lied to him.  Abraham again gave his lame excuse of how he was afraid and he wasn’t really lying because Sarah is his half-sister.  Abraham as the head of the household told Sarah to lie for him on their travels.

So afraid of God was Abimelech that he gave Abraham sheep, cattle, slaves, and whatever piece of land he wanted.  He gave silver to Sarah’s “brother” so she would be vindicated for the wrongs he did.

Abraham prayed and God healed Abimelech and his household so that they could have kids again.

Genesis 12:10-20:

Abram went to Egypt due to a famine.  Abram told Sarai to tell the Egyptians she was his sister in order to protect himself because he was afraid the Egyptians would kill him.  So Pharaoh married Sarai (thinking she wasn’t married) and treated Abram well because of it.  He was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, and camels.

The Lord was angry at this so he punished Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked Abram why he lied to him. Pharaoh sent them out of his land.  They returned to the Negev much wealthier from his lie to Pharaoh.

 Genesis 21:22-34:  Abimelech makes a treaty with Abraham probably because he doesn’t trust him.  Abraham said that some of Abimelech’s servants had seized a well. Abraham gifted sheep and cattle to Abimelech and set aside 7 ewe lambs to prove he dug the well.  The place was called Beersheba.  Abimelech returned to Philistine and Abraham planted a tree and called upon the name of the Lord.  Abraham stayed here a long time.

Questions:

3)  Abraham uses the same fear and mistrust in God to tell Sarah to lie for him.  Abraham was well rewarded both times when Sarah was taken.  It was the Lord who saved Sarah both times by inflicting disease in Egypt and appearing to Abimelech in a dream and preventing child-bearing.

Both Pharaoh and Abimelech were innocent, not knowing Abraham had lied to them.

Abimelech and Pharaoh gave everything to Abraham to atone for their wrongs (shouldn’t it have been the other way around?).  We are told Abraham prayed for Abimelech to be healed and we are not told in Pharaoh’s case but Abraham could have prayed for them as well.

In both instances, God leaves the healing, the repentance, up to Abraham.

4a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Abraham tells Abimelech he does this so he won’t be killed just like in Egypt.  I think he truly doesn’t care about Sarah to do this twice.  He seems to have some problems to me–selfishness, not trusting in God, egotistical even.

Why is Abraham moving to these places (Egypt and Negev) if he is fearful of the kings?  What is his reasoning?  Or is he that greedy for good land for his flocks and for his self-preservation that he just doesn’t care?

b)  People do this all the time especially in terms of the work environment.  They would rather stab you in the back to climb the corporate ladder than help you.  They do this with land fights as well.  Anytime man wants something he throws his comrades under the bus.  We see it in war situations, politics, and power plays.

5a)  He didn’t suffer just like in Egypt.  In fact, he prospered even more by being given sheep, cattle, and slaves.

Here’s the guy who one minute is refusing bounty from the King of Sodom (Genesis 14:22:24), has God appear to him in Genesis 15 and say He is his great reward, and then the next selling his wife again to a king of a foreign land.  Does Abraham expect to be rewarded like he was in Egypt?  Is he using Sarah for material gain?  It seems to me to be so.  Or he is completely untrusting of God who appeared to him and turning his back on Him.

b)  Others will get hurt due to our actions.  God is receiving no glory for His work when we don’t trust.  Relationships are broken (I’m sure Sarah didn’t appreciate or respect Abraham after all this as much).

6a)  He did not treat Abraham as he deserved.  He did not retaliate against Abraham.  He forgave Abraham’s sin and redeemed him in others’ eyes.  He gave Abraham good things out of it.  Through grace and love, He did not get angry or accuse.  He showed compassion on Abraham, knowing he is merely a man, formed out of dust, and inherently sinful.  He loved Abraham and did not remove righteousness from him.  Instead, God corrected.

b)  Abraham gave Abimelech sheep and cattle.  It seems Abraham brought peace for we are told Abimelech and Phicol, his commander of his forces, returned to Philistine without a fight.  Abraham may have prevented war just by having his presence there and God protecting Abraham.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  He has loved me despite my sins.  He has humbled me with this nasty flu I caught.  He has blessed me with my husband being home to take care of me.  In His mercy, I have faith my husband will land a job this week so in that sense I am grateful.

Conclusions:  Did Abraham NOT learn from Egypt?  The whole “calling your wife your sister” thing didn’t have such a great ending so why would he do it again?  God had to intervene (again) and rescue Sarah.  What an idiot!  Abraham’s explanation is flimsy to say the least!  It’s like he’s floundering.  He’s definitely indifferent that’s for sure!

AND did you pick up that Abraham is partly blaming GOD for his actions.  Verse 13 “And when God had me wander from my father’s household…”  SERIOUSLY?  God, the One, True God has called you to greatness and now you are blaming Him for your lies, your fear, your lack of trust, and apparent incompetency to handle such a charge.

Hey, God!  Call me!  Like Isaiah saying, “Here am I!  Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)  Use me. How many of us would jump at such a chance to be made the father of nations and then we blame God for the hardships along the way.  Can you picture a little kid jumping up and down, waving their arms, waiting to be chosen???  Unbelievable!  Definitely NOT Abraham here.

And then Abraham is rewarded for it!  It’s like Abraham is taking advantage of God’s protection over his family to see what he can get out of the deal.  Ridiculous in my opinion.

But we see God’s grace throughout it all and I’m assuming that’s why both of these passages are recorded.  God loved Abraham despite his bad choices.  Just as He loves us when we make bad choices.  God redeemed Abraham just like He redeems us afterwards.

Even if our choices are idiotic, repetitive, fearful, and doesn’t make sense to anyone God loves us and offers us His grace.  Always.  God is good!

Maps:  Map of Gerar and Beersheba where the treaty was made: http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010115.htm

Another map of Gerar:  http://www.biblicalzionist.com/gerar.htm

Another interesting map showing Negev and Zoar from Lesson 16:  http://www.ibiblemaps.com/m002.html

This one I am just including so you can see Mamre (you do have to scroll down a bit):  http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/sodom-and-gomorrah.html

End Note:  The Abimelech in Genesis 21 is NOT the same Abimelech in Genesis 20. Abimelech was a generic title for ruler amongst the Canaanites and is not a specific name. Question 6b makes it seem like it’s the same guy when it’s not.