Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Get Attention:

Illustration -

WHEN a river is approaching its plunge down some mighty chasm, its waters flow with placid stillness; every ripple is smoothed out of the peaceful surface, and the great volume of water is hushed and quieted.

There could hardly be a greater contrast than that which exists between the restfulness of the river before it is torn by the ragged rocks in its downward rush, and its excitement and foam at the foot of the falls.

In the one case you can discern, through the translucent waters, the stones and rocks that line its bed; in the other you are blinded by the spray and deafened by the noise.

Is not this an emblem of our lives?—Our

Father often inserts in them a parenthesis of rest and peace, to prepare us for some coming trial.

It is not invariably so.

We need not always temper our enjoyment of some precious gift with a foreboding dread of its afterwards.

But this, at least, is largely true: that if every season of clear-shining is not followed by a time of cloud, yet seasons of sorrow and trial are almost always preceded by hours or days or years of sunny experience, which lie in the retrospect of life, as a bright and comforting memory, where the soul was able to gather the strength it was to expend, and to prepare itself for its supreme effort.

[F.

B. Meyer, Abraham: Or, The Obedience of Faith, Old Testament Heroes (New York; Chicago: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d.), 160–161.]

Orient Theme:

Moses is describing the peace between Abraham & Abimelech who observed the hand of God on Abraham & sought peace in perpetuity among their issuing generations.

When the world observes us as peacemakers calling us God's children, it brings lasting impact for generations to come regarding the influence of God's Word.

People of the world desire the peaceable fruits of God's righteousness, even if they don't know God personally as of yet.

Learn to maintain peace where able, without compromising convictions of principle.

State Purpose:

Let God prepare you in times of peace for trials of faith that may be lingering on the horizon.

Main Thought:

Make the most in times of refreshing as a peacemaker leaving a legacy of faith for following generations.

Sub-Introduction:

Connecting Context:

Connect the events of earlier (the birth of Isaac and expulsion of Ishmael)

Background/Intro Material:

Describe Beer-Sheba

I.

The Request for Peace (Gen.

21:22-24).

A. Abimelech's Approach (Gen.

21:22-23).

1.

The Power of God's Presence (Gen.

21:22).

State Point -

Abimelech had noticed God's presence and blessing fulfilling His promises to Abraham, and desired to be a part of that.

Validate Point -

He took his general, and called a peace summit between him and Abraham.

2. For the Protection of Posterity (Gen.

21:23).

State Point -

Abimelech says, Don't lie to me, my kids, or my grand-kids.

I was kind to you before.

All I'm asking is that your folks be kind in the same way to my folks.

Let's do this for those who are coming behind us later.

B. Abraham's Acquiescence (Gen.

21:24).

State Point -

Abraham says, I'll make you a promise.

What a testimony: “God is with you in all that you do” (21:22, NKJV).

Abraham did not permit one lapse of faith to cripple him; he got right with God and made a new beginning.

James Strahan said, “Men are not to be judged by the presence or absence of faults, but by the direction of their lives” (Hebrew Ideals, p. 142).

God is willing to bless when we are in the place of blessing (Ps.

1:1–3).

While living at Hebron, Abraham had allied himself with some of the local leaders (Gen.

14:13); so there was no problem with entering into an agreement with Abimelech.

It did not compromise Abraham’s testimony.

God’s people cooperate with different people at different times for different purposes, and the discerning believer knows when any alliance is not in the will of God.

[Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Obedient, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1991), 92.]

Application:

There seems to be no reason to think that in this covenant made upon the basis of the recognition of God, there was anything contrary to the purpose of God.

The friendship existing between these two men as the result of that covenant, based upon that recognition, affords an illustration of the influence which might have been growingly exerted by the people of faith, had they been true to God. [Morgan, AnBib9]

Transition: We've seen the request for peace, now let's look at:

II.

The Requirements for Peace (Gen.

21:25-31).

A. Possible Admonishment (Gen.

21:25-26).

1. Past Grievances Presented (Gen.

21:25).

State Point -

Abraham brings up a past issue his workers had with Abimelech's government.

Why did he wait so long?

Statute of Limitations...

[Apply Point] -

Clearly there were all the makings of a typical feud between the two men but they were both too wise to allow that to happen.

The situation needed to be healed, not heated.

[Genesis (Preacher's Commentary)]

2. Pleading Ignorance (Gen.

21:26).

B. Participative Agreement (Gen.

21:27).

C. Perpetual Attestation (Gen.

21:28-31).

1. Sacrifice & Separation (Gen.

21:28-29).

2. Swearing in Solemn Promise (Gen.

21:30-31).

The word šāḇa‘ (“to swear or take an oath”) occurs three times in the passage (vv.

23–24 [swear], 31 [swore]); the numerical adjective šeba‘ (seven) occurs three times as well (vv.

28–30); the name be’ēr šāḇa‘ (“well of seven” or “well of the oath”) also occurs three times (vv.

31–33).

[Allen P. Ross, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed.

J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 63.]

Application:

This entire transaction involved three elements: sacrifices (21:27), witnesses (21:28–30), and promises (21:31–32).

You find these same elements in God’s covenant with us through our Lord Jesus Christ, as outlined in Hebrews 10:1–18.

First, there is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (10:1–14); then, the witness of the Spirit within the believer (10:15); and finally, the promise of God’s Word (10:16–18).

Abraham’s covenant with Abimelech only guaranteed possession of a well that provides water to sustain life.

God’s covenant with His people guarantees that we have the living water that gives everlasting life to all who will trust the Savior!

[Wiersbe, 93.]

Transition: The request was made and well-received; The requirements were fulfilled satisfactorily by both parties; now let's consider:

II.

The Results of Peace (Gen.

21:32-33).

A. Abimelech's Appeasement (Gen.

21:32).

[Apply Point] -

If you read what the Bible says about vowing you will see how culpably negligent we are in the way we promise.

If we do not fulfil a promise, we damage our moral and spiritual life.

It is infinitely better to refuse to promise anything, even in the most superficial relationships, than to promise and not perform.

Spiritual leakages are accounted for in this way.

Always do what you ought to do, but be careful of promising anything, because a promise puts the blood of God on your character.

If you make a promise you must see that it is fulfilled, no matter what it costs you.

The glib way we promise is indicative of the slipshod ways we have got into, and of our laziness and indifference.

The word of a natural man is his bond; the word of a saint binds God.

It is a question of relationship to God all through.