Isaac's Birth & Abimelech's Request

Splitting this chapter up by character. This week we will look at Abraham, the birth of Isaac, and how Abimelech continues to work with Abraham. Next week we will look at Hagar and Ishmael.

Genesis 21:1–7 ESV

1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

We are going to look at what is happening here and apply it through 1 Thess 5.

God’s character is to fulfill what He says.

Promise for a son is given in chapters 12, 15, & 17.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV

24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Genesis 21:22–24 ESV

22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” 24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

Man’s character is to pursue his self interest.

1 Thessalonians 5:2–3 ESV

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Genesis 21:25–31 ESV

25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.

Christian character is to become like Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 ESV

14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Have PATIENCE

Admonish the idle

Encourage the fainthearted

Help the weak

Follow GOD’S WILL

Do not repay evil for evil - Seek to do good

Rejoice always

Pray without ceasing

Give thanks in ALL circumstances

Live in PURITY

Do not quench the Spirit

Do not despise prophecies

Test everything, hold fast to good/godliness.