Day 7 Reading Schedule: Genesis 20-24

Genesis 20: Abraham and Abimelech 

[Summary]

This chapter records the second mistake of Abraham, who is called the father of faith, and God's protection. It shows the incident where Abraham lied about his wife's sister to protect his life and the grace of God who saved Abraham in danger (verses 1-7), and it records Abimelech rebuking Abraham for deceiving him and the ending where Abraham received greater blessings through God's grace (verses 8-18). This chapter ultimately shows that human salvation depends not on human character or wisdom but entirely on God's grace.

chapter records the mistake Abraham made right after he moved to Gerar, which is between Kadesh and Shur. He tried to protect himself by giving his wife Sarah to the king of Gerar. This was a repeat of the mistake he made twenty-four years ago in Egypt. However, God covered Abraham's sin and worked to prevent the king of Gerar from committing a crime.

Genesis 21: Isaac and Ishmael 

[Summary]

This chapter deals with the starting point where the descendants of the covenant that God had already promised are finally born and appear as the main characters of the history of redemption. First, it shows that God's covenant of redemption is fulfilled through the birth of Isaac, the descendant of Abraham (verses 1-8). Also, through the event where Ishmael, the descendant of the covenant, is driven out due to the birth of Isaac, the descendant of the covenant, it shows that only those chosen by God's covenant will reach the place of salvation (verses 9-21). Finally, it records the event where Abraham and Abimelech, the Philistine king, make a peace treaty and Abraham appears as the actual main character of Canaan, the land of the covenant that God gave (verses 22-34).

God gave Abraham and Sarah the child that He had promised at the time that He had promised. Abraham was called and chosen at the age of 75 and received Isaac 25 years later. Isaac was circumcised eight days after his birth and grew up to be the heir of the inheritance promised by God. However, Ishmael mocked Isaac, so he ended up sending Ishmael away. And a peace treaty with Abimelech, king of Gerar, is mentioned.

Genesis 22: Abraham is Tested 

[Overview]

This chapter foreshadows the principle of redemption through faith and the atonement of Christ on the cross through the incident in which God tested Abraham. First, it records Abraham’s obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his only son Isaac, and the incident in which God personally prepared a ram as a sacrifice and saved Isaac after seeing his faith (verses 1-14). It also records God’s repeated blessings upon seeing Abraham’s faith (verses 15-19). Finally, it records the genealogy of Nahor, Abraham’s younger brother, which hints that the 12 tribes of Israel, the descendants of the covenant, would be born through the daughters of Nahor’s family, thereby showing how God’s covenant was specifically fulfilled (verses 20-24).

As Abraham’s faith gradually matured, peace and joy came to his family after the suffering of expelling Hagar and Ishmael. But then God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, who had been his overflowing joy in his old age. This incident was God’s holy test that put Abraham’s faith on the scale, and it was the Old Testament Calvary incident that foreshadowed the atonement of Jesus Christ. Abraham triumphed through faith and was acknowledged by God.

Genesis 23: Sarah's Death and Burial Site 

[Overview]

This chapter shows that the era of Abraham, the ancestor of faith, is gradually coming to an end through the death of Sarah, and the era of Isaac, the descendant of the covenant, has arrived. First, Sarah's death is recorded (verses 1-2). Then, it records the incident in which Abraham purchased land from Ephron the Hittite in order to bury Sarah (verses 3-18). In particular, this incident is an important event in the history of redemption as it is the incident in which Abraham came to directly own a portion of the blessed land promised by God. Finally, it shows the incident in which Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah (verses 19-20).

Before and after this chapter, the era of Abraham, the ancestor of faith, is gradually coming to an end, and the era of Isaac, the heir of the covenant, has arrived. Genesis 23 records the death and burial of Abraham's wife Sarah. The history of life ultimately ends with death. Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah from Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite to bury Sarah. This cave later became the burial site of Abraham and his family.

Genesis 24: The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah 

[Summary]

Abraham hastens the marriage of Isaac due to the death of his wife Sarah. God’s meticulous intervention in the marriage shows His providence to continue the bloodline of the covenant. Abraham sends his servant to Mesopotamia to find a spouse from the pure bloodline of the covenant (verses 1-9). Then, the servant prays to God for a spouse for Isaac, and God answers his prayer, and meets Rebekah in a way He has prepared, and the scene records the marriage approval from both himself and his parents. This shows us the providence of God, who plans every detail of the history of redemption and carries it out according to His will (verses 10-60). The following is a record of the meeting between Isaac and Rebekah (verses 61-67).

Chapter 24 of Genesis mainly deals with the process of Isaac, the descendant of promise, getting married. Abraham called his faithful old servant and asked him to send Isaac to his hometown to find a wife. This is how he met Rebekah and brought her back, according to God's special providence. This is shown in the chapter.