The Heart of God: Genesis (4)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Genesis 18, 21, 22, 26.1-5.
In this section of the book of Genesis, God brings the promises made to Abraham down to his son, Isaac. The action of Genesis has slowed down considerably from the first 11 chapters. The reason for this is, in part, because God wants us to understand the details of how His covenant unfolds and how grace progresses from one generation to the next.

For reflection
1.  In what ways is the birth of Isaac a kind of down payment or “guarantee” on the promises to Abraham? What would Isaac’s birth have said to Abraham about the rest of His promises? Has God made anything like this – a guarantee with us (Eph. 1.13, 14)? What do we learn from Isaac’s birth about how God expects His people to relate to Him?

2.  Can you see any growth in Abraham in this section? In what ways? To what should we attribute that growth? What should we learn from this about what it means to be one of the people of God, living in order to bring glory to Him?

3.  Genesis 22 is packed with significance in helping us understand God’s covenant and how to live within it. Briefly comment on the role of each of the following, from what we see in this chapter:

  - the Word of God:

  - the grace of God:
 
  - the response God seeks from His people:
 
  - the relationship between faith and understanding:

4.  Comment on the significance of Genesis 26.1-5, 24, 25 with respect to God’s covenant with His people. What do we learn about God from watching Him in these covenantal dealings with His people?

5.  How can you see the cyclical nature of God’s covenant as it rolls forward into the life of Isaac? Is there any enlarging of the covenant with him? Any more clarity to be gained into the nature of God’s covenant? Explain.

Summary
The continuation of God’s covenant from one generation to the next depends on God and His grace. However, God works through His people, as they believe and obey Him, to bring His promises to them, and to extend His promises beyond them to others. How can you see that in this section, and what does this teach you about living within the framework of God’s covenant?

Closing Prayer
Give ear, O my people, to my law;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments…

Psalm 78.1-7

Next steps – Conversation: What are you learning thus far about the nature of God’s covenant and what it means to lay hold on His promises? Share what you’re learning with a Christian friend, and encourage your friend to begin reading these Scriptorium studies with you.

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understand the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your God develops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here).

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

We are happy to be able to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in this series by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.