The History of God's Interaction with His Creation

By Christopher S. Kuenzel

The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation is the Old Testament in chronological order, with New Testament analysis at the end of most of the chapters. This is not just the author’s summaries; it also includes over 1,000 verses from the Old Testament, as well as over 150 from the New.

The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation is intentionally written to read fast. The chapters are short, and the vocabulary and sentence structure are such that it can be easily read and understood by those in middle school. If you read through this book once and then continue to read it five minutes a day, your knowledge of what has been recorded in Scripture and why it has been recorded can increase dramatically.

I give my sincere thanks to several pastors who answered my plethora of questions. I did not write this book off the top of my head. It was a tremendous learning experience for me, and I hope it will be for you as well. The Bible has stood the test of time for over four thousand years—and with good reason.

The Old Testament is the most influential collection of writings in the history of the world. Not including the books of wisdom, within the Old Testaments pages are almost seven hundred chapters containing thousands of years of history that still affect us all today.

I wish someone had written this book several decades ago when I started studying the Bible. As far as I can tell no one did. So here it is, The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation. May God bless you as you read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490869889

Christopher S. Kuenzel

Chris has been studying the Scriptures for the past thirty years and has college degrees in religion and business management.

Book preview

The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation

Christopher S. Kuenzel

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Copyright © 2015 Christopher S. Kuenzel.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1985 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-6987-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-6989-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-6988-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015902535

Print information available on the last page.

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/06/2018

A few words from the editor…

When I was first approached to edit The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation, as a former pastor I was immediately intrigued by the subject matter. In my nearly three decades of serving my Saviour I have noticed a disturbing trend among the body of Christ. There is a horrible lack of understanding about the Old Testament. Many might think this is not a major problem since we are living under the new covenant established by Jesus Christ through his shed blood at Calvary, and therefore the Old Testament is no longer important. To those who may think this way I want to point out a few things.

First, the Bible declares that all scripture is given by inspiration, and the Psalms declare that God has magnified his word above his own name (Psalm 138:2). At the time this was written none of the New Testament books were yet penned by the human writers so this verse is a clear reference not just to the entire Bible, but the Old Testament.

Additionally, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, which was the most carnal church in the New Testament, and told them that the events recorded in the Old Testament were written for us to learn from to avoid repeating the same mistakes they did. Obviously, one cannot learn from them if we do not read what is said. By neglecting the Old Testament a Christian is depriving himself of a magnificent aid in his or her walk with God and in living a victorious Christian life.

Lastly, a simple look at authors who have written a series of books reveals an important reason for studying the Old Testament. While an author may reiterate certain facts about the characters in his book, to a certain extent it is also assumed the reader has read the previous books in the series in order to understand the full picture of what is going on. The Bible is no different. Since God is the ultimate author of the Bible, when He moved the New Testament writers to pen the books they wrote, it was with the understanding that the reader was already somewhat familiar with the previous books in the series, or the Old Testament books.

The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation is a magnificent study aid for the experienced Christian and the new babe in Christ alike. Rather than just go through the Bible one book at a time, Chris presents the material in a chronological order. This means there will be times where books of the Bible may overlap, like we often see in Kings and Chronicles. When they do Chris examines the passages not with a heavy-handed emphasis on doctrine and theology that may seem overwhelming and dull, instead the focus is on the Old Testament from an historical perspective. However, this does not mean this is the only information presented. The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation weaves in practical life-application lessons that are relevant for God’s people living today.

My recommendation for The History of God’s Interaction with His Creation is not due to my having edited it, but is rather based on my years of experience in teaching the Bible and its doctrines to God’s people. I highly recommend every Christian add it to their library.

In His name,

Jack Minor

Important - this book reads very fast; it is designed to read that way. Read through it once or twice and then continue reading a chapter a day. Ultimately, this book is a daily devotional. If you will read it for five minutes a day for a few years your knowledge of God and His Word will increase dramatically. Thank You, Lord, for revealing Your Word.

Suggestion - when reading this book on a daily basis, you may want to slowly read the shortest chapters two or three times.

Another suggestion – as in many New Testament Bibles, you might find it helpful to underline the words of the Lord in red.

For more on this author, visit his website at seekandyeshallfind.net.

Also, I read through the online commentaries at enduringword.com. To say that he went the extra mile with that site would be quite an understatement. If you are looking for good online Biblical analysis, enduringword.com is an excellent resource.

Lastly, a very, very special thank you to The Lockman Foundation for allowing me to quote far more verses from the NASB then they usually allow.

Acts 8:30-31; And when Philip had run up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Psalm 143:5; I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings …

Romans 15:4; For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Luke 24:27; And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

I Corinthians 10:11; Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Keep in mind, you do not study the Bible merely to become more knowledgeable of the Old Testament but to be adopted into God’s family (Rom. 8:12-17), the only way that your sins can be forgiven; it’s just a child-like step of faith away.

The events in I and II Chronicles that do not have their own chapter in this book have been added into the appropriate chapters in I and II Kings.

Contents

Genesis 1-10

Job

Genesis 11-19

Genesis 20-26

Genesis 27-32

Genesis 33-39

Genesis 40-45

Genesis 46-50

Exodus 1-11

Exodus 12-18

Exodus 19-31

Exodus 32-40

Leviticus 1-17

Leviticus 18-27

Numbers 1-6

Numbers 7-13

Numbers 14-18

Numbers 19-24

Numbers 25-30

Numbers 31-36

Deuteronomy 1-10

Deuteronomy 11-19

Deuteronomy 20-29

Deuteronomy 30-34

Joshua 1-6

Joshua 7-11

Joshua 12-18

Joshua 19-24

Judges 1-5

Judges 6-9

Judges 10-14

Judges 15-18

Judges 19-21

Ruth 1-4

I Samuel 1-10

I Samuel 11-15

I Samuel 16-20

I Samuel 21-25

I Samuel 26-31

II Samuel 1-6

II Samuel 10, 8, 7, 9

II Samuel 11-18

II Samuel 19-24

I Kings 1-10

Solomon-like Wisdom

I Kings 11-22

II Chronicles 17-21

II Kings 1, 3

II Chronicles 21-22

II Kings 2, 4-8

Obadiah

II Kings 9-13

Joel 1-3

II Kings 14

Jonah 1-4

II Kings 15 (part I)

Amos 1-9

Isaiah 20, 6, 8

II Kings 15 (part 2)

II Kings 16 (part 1)

Isaiah 7

II Kings 16 (part 2)

Isaiah 10

Hosea 1-14

Micah 1-7

II Kings 17

Isaiah 14

II Kings 18 (part 1-2)

Isaiah 33

II Kings 19-20

Nahum 1-2

II Kings 21

Zephaniah 1-3

II Kings 22

Isaiah: General Insights Of God And Man

Isaiah: General Insights Of God And Man (part 2)

Isaiah: God Selects Israel; Israel Rejects God

Isaiah: Sounds Like It Ought To Be In The New Testament

Isaiah: Future Events (part 1)

Isaiah: Future Events (part 2)

Isaiah: Future Events (part 3)

Isaiah: Future Events (part 4)

Isaiah: Future Events (part 5)

II Kings 23

Jeremiah 1-10

Jeremiah 12-19

Jeremiah 11, 20, 23, 25, 22, 47

Nahum 3

Jeremiah 46

Habakkuk 1-3

Jeremiah 26, 35, 30, 36, 45

II Kings 24

Jeremiah 24, 27-29, 37

Ezekiel 1-13

Ezekiel 14-24

Jeremiah 21, 32-34, 38

Ezekiel 25-32

Jeremiah 39, 52, 50-51

II Kings 25

Lamentations 1-5

Jeremiah 40

Ezekiel 33-39

Ezekiel 40-48

Jeremiah 41-44

Jeremiah 48-49, 31

Daniel 1-4

Daniel 7, 8, 5, 9

Daniel 11-12, 6, 10

Ezra 1-4

Haggai 1-2

Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah 8-14

Ezra 5-6

Esther 1-10

Ezra 7-10

Nehemiah 1-12

Malachi 1-3

Nehemiah 13

Malachi 4

Appendix 1   Lessons I Have Learned From Reading The Old Testament

Appendix 2   God’s Covenants With Man

Appendix 3   Excerpts From Galatians

Appendix 4   Excerpts From Colossians

Appendix 5   Excerpts From Hebrews

Appendix 6   Excerpts From Romans

Appendix 7   New Testament Response To Evil – Toward Sin, Individuals, And The World.

Appendix 8   Rewards

Appendix 9   What Is God’s Will For My Life?

Genesis 1

In the beginning God created the heavens … (v. 1).

After this God creates the angels. The psalmist wrote, Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created (Ps. 148:2, 5). Following His creation, there is a war in the heavens (Rev. 12:7) between God and His loyal angels and Lucifer and the fallen angels.

God did not just create the heavens. In the beginning God created … the earth (v. 1).

Initially the earth is formless, void, dark, and full of water. God continues to create, and on the first day, He creates light, night, and day.

On the second day, He puts an expanse between the waters and calls it heaven. On the third day He creates land, seas, and vegetation.

On the fourth day He makes the sun, moon, and stars.

On the fifth day He creates birds and fish, and on the sixth day, He creates the rest of the animals and man.

"Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’" (v. 26). (Notice how God uses the plural words Us and Our, not Me or Mine.) And God created man in His own image…male and female He created them (v. 27).

Lucifer and his angels lose the war (Rev. 12:8–12), and as a result Lucifer is renamed Satan (the accuser), and they are all cast down to earth. And He [Jesus] said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning’ (Luke 10:18).

Analysis:

Were the heavens and earth created at the same time, or was there an interval of time between them? Were the days twenty-four-hour days or long periods of time? If you took a rock sample on the first day of creation, how old would the earth be? The answers to these questions are all unknown. The Bible is a book about salvation, not science and math. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

Genesis 2

On the seventh day, God rests because He has completed His work. He then blesses and sanctifies the seventh day.

God plants a garden toward the east (v. 8), in Eden. He places the man there, along with the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. A river flows through Eden and then divides into four rivers: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. God tells the man that he may freely eat from any tree except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The man, Adam, names all the creatures.

Knowing that it is not good for the man to be alone, God causes Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He then takes one of Adam’s ribs, closes up the flesh, and builds another person out of the rib. God takes the person to Adam, who then says, She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man (v. 23).

Genesis 3

The serpent is craftier than any of the other beasts; he deceives the woman into believing that despite the clear warning from God, she will not die if she eats from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and that it will make her like a god. She takes the forbidden fruit, eats it, and also gives a piece to Adam, who eats as well. Their eyes are then opened, and upon realizing they are naked, they sew fig leaves together to make coverings for themselves.

Suddenly they hear the sound of the Lord God (Jesus Christ, although not known to man by that name at this time) walking in the garden. Being ashamed, they hide themselves. When questioned by the Lord God, Adam says he is afraid because he is naked. When asked how he knows he is naked and if he ate the fruit, Adam responds that the woman gave him the fruit, and he ate it. When questioned by the Lord God, the woman says the serpent deceived her and she ate.

The Lord God then curses everybody and everything – the serpent, the woman, the man, and the ground. Adam calls his wife Eve because she is the mother of all the living. The Lord God then makes garments of skin (which required a living blood sacrifice) for Adam and his wife. "Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold the man has become like Us [again, note the plural Us], knowing good and evil’" (v. 22). The Lord God sends them out of Eden to tend the ground from whence Adam came. The Lord God stations an angel with a flaming sword at the entrance to the garden to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

Genesis 4

Adam and Eve have two sons—Cain and Abel. Cain is a tiller of the ground while Abel is a keeper of the flocks. Through the course of time, Cain brings an offering to the Lord, as does Abel. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no regard (v. 4–5). (Notice that God had regard for Abel and his offering but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. God is concerned about the heart. Abel had a heart for God; Cain did not.) Cain becomes very angry, and his countenance falls.

Cain is no atheist or agnostic; his parents are Adam and Eve. Cain speaks directly to the Lord, and the Lord responds, Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it (v. 7).

In a fit of anger, Cain kills Abel. When the Lord questions him about where his brother is, Cain says, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? (v. 9). The Lord curses Cain, telling him that since the ground received Abel’s blood, it will no longer yield its strength to him (a tiller of the ground). As a result, Cain will be a wanderer and a vagrant and this concerns him because someone may kill him for what he has done. The Lord tells him that anyone who kills him will have vengeance come upon them sevenfold; the Lord gives Cain a sign lest anyone slay him.

Adam and Eve have another son, Seth, along with other sons and daughters (Gen. 5:4). Seth has a son and, Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord (v. 26). The godly line of Seth begins.

Cain settles east of Eden, marries, and has a son. One of Cain’s descendants, Lamech, kills a man for wounding him and kills a boy for striking him. The ungodly line of Cain has begun.

Genesis 5

Adam was one hundred thirty years old when he had Seth. Seth has a son named Enosh. Enosh has a son, Kenan. Kenan has a son, Mahalalel. Mahalalel has a son, Jared. Jared has a son, Enoch. Enoch has a son, Methuselah. Methuselah has a son, Lamech. Lamech has a son, Noah, and Noah has three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. All of these men live to be between seven hundred to nine hundred years old and have other sons and daughters as well—all except Enoch. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (v. 23–24).

Genesis 6

The sons of God (probably fallen angels) see that the daughters of men are beautiful. The sons of God take whichever of them they like as wives. God is not pleased and declares that it will be one hundred twenty years before He destroys almost all of mankind. During this time, the Nephilim (possibly giants or fallen ones) are also on the earth. They are mighty men, men of renown.¹ (There are many different opinions regarding the interpretation of the first four verses of Genesis 6.)

The Lord sees that the intent of man’s heart is evil and wicked, and because of this the Lord is sorry that He has made man. The Lord decides to blot out man and animals from the land. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (v. 8).

Noah is a righteous man; he walks with God while the rest of the earth is corrupt and full of violence. God advises Noah that He is going to bring a flood of water to destroy all flesh. Everything that is on the earth will perish. God also advises Noah that He will establish His covenant with him and tells him to build an ark for himself, along with his wife and his sons and their wives, and to store food for his family and all the animals. The ark is to have only one door through which one can enter to escape God’s wrath, which is also what the New Testament teaches (see Gen. 6:16, 7:16, Luke 13:24, John 10:9, 14:6). Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did (v. 22).

Genesis 7

The Lord tells Noah that in seven days the rain will start to fall for forty days and forty nights. In addition to his family, Noah is to take two of every unclean animal, seven of every clean animal, and seven of every bird. Noah and his family enter the ark with the animals.

After all have entered, the Lord closes the (one) door of the ark. The floodgates of the sky and the fountains of the deep burst open. (Tsunamis hit every city on the earth, but that’s just the start. The water continues to rise and rise and rise. Hundreds of millions, if not billions of people perish. Massive earthquakes push the land apart, forming the continents we have today.) All the high mountains on the earth are covered with water, and all living things except for those in the ark are blotted out. The water prevails upon the earth for one hundred fifty days.

Analysis:

The flood makes the location of the Garden of Eden impossible to determine.

Genesis 8

The waters recede steadily until the ark eventually comes to rest (in modern Turkey) on the mountains of Ararat. Noah sends out a raven from the ark; the raven continues to fly until the water completely recedes. Noah sends out a dove which comes back since it could not find a spot to rest. Seven days later Noah sends out the dove again. This time she returns with a freshly picked olive leaf. After another seven days, Noah sends out the dove again, but this time she does not return.

God speaks to Noah; He tells him to go out of the ark, along with his family and all the animals. After everyone exits the ark, Noah builds an altar where he offers burnt offerings of every clean animal to the Lord. The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, ‘I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done’ (v. 21).

Genesis 9

God blesses Noah and his sons; He tells them to be fruitful and multiply, and to fill the earth. He also tells them that the fear of them will be on all animals, and everything that moves will now be food for them. The only thing they cannot do is eat flesh with its blood. God also says, Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed (v. 6). God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and with every living creature. Never again will a flood destroy the earth and all flesh. The rainbow is a sign of this covenant.

Noah’s three sons are Shem (the oldest), Ham (the youngest), and Japheth. Ham’s son is Canaan. Ham sins when he enters Noah’s tent and sees him drunk, asleep, and naked. After Ham tells his brothers; they walk in backwards and cover their father without looking at him. When Noah awakes he is aware of what happened. As a result, he curses Ham’s son Canaan and blesses Shem and Japheth. Canaan shall be the lowest of all servants, a servant to Shem and Japheth. Noah dies at the age of nine hundred fifty.

Genesis 10

The sons of Noah’s sons are described. Cities and nations are built by these men. One of Ham’s sons, Cush, is the father of Nimrod (a mighty hunter) who is the founder of Babylon, which is just one of the cities he founded at the beginning of his kingdom. One of Ham’s other sons, Mizraim, is the father of Casluhim from whence come the Philistines. From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations (v. 5). These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood (v. 32).

Job

Job is a man of complete integrity; he fears God and is very wealthy. He has seven sons and three daughters.

In heaven, Satan stands before the Lord. The Lord asks him what he thinks of Job. Satan tells God that Job would curse the Lord if he was not rich. God tells Satan that he may do what he wants to Job but he may not harm him physically.

Satan kills all of Job’s sons and daughters and then kills or steals all of his animals. (One of the messengers who told Job what happened said that the fire of God came down from heaven and destroyed the sheep and shepherds. While the fire did come down from heaven, it came from Satan, not God. These types of signs can be very deceiving. Satan cleverly uses this type of attack in an attempt to get Job to think that it is God who is attacking him.) Job tears his robe and shaves his head. He says, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (KJV; 1:21).

Satan speaks with God again. This time he is given permission to attack Job’s health but is still not allowed to kill him. Job is struck with terrible boils from head to toe. Job’s wife tells him to disregard his integrity and to curse God and die. Job responds, Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity? (2:10).

Three of Job’s friends come to visit and comfort him. When they get close, they are shocked to see that they cannot even recognize him. They sit on the ground with him for seven days – no one says a word.

After seven days, Job finally speaks. He curses the day of his birth and at this point his friends start to talk. They give him mostly bad advice, telling him that he must have done something wrong to deserve this punishment from God. They incorrectly think that God is giving Job what he deserves. Job wants sympathy but instead he is only getting accusations. The three friends incorrectly think that wealth and integrity are linked. Job says, But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? (28:12). Job recalls that God has said, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding (28:28).

After thirty-five chapters of mostly hot-air from his friends, God then speaks to Job from a whirlwind. He tells Job to gird up your loins like a man (38:3) and then drills Job with two-chapters-worth of questions which he cannot answer. Job meekly responds, Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to Thee? I lay my hand on my mouth (40:4).

The Lord continues to question Job until he confesses and repents. Job says, I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know … therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes (42:3, 6).

Job prays for his friends and God restores Job’s wealth twofold. God also gives Job a new family with ten children like his first one and Job lives another one hundred forty years. Job is never told why these things happened.

Analysis:

Sometimes God interacts with you like He did with Noah. You have a specific plan (a calling) and you know why you are to do it. This is what we would all like. However, sometimes God interacts with you like he did with Job – you don’t get any information at all and are to respond/wrestle with it in as godly a way as possible.

Genesis 11

At a time when the whole earth is using the same language, the descendants of Noah journey east and settle on a plain in the land of Shinar (Babylonia). They make bricks and use tar for mortar in an attempt to build a tower to heaven. The Lord comes down to see the tower and the city they built and then confuses their language so they cannot understand one another. The city is called Babel because the Lord confused their language there and scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.

Shem has a son, Arpachshad, who has a son, Shelah, who has a son, Eber, who has a son, Peleg, who has a son, Reu, who has a son, Serug, who has a son, Nahor, who has a son Terah, who has a son, Abram. (Shem lives for another five hundred years after the flood.)

Terah (Abram’s father) has two other sons, Nahor and Haran. Haran has a son named Lot. After Haran dies Abram marries Haran’s daughter Sarai (who is barren) and Nahor marries Milcah, Haran’s other daughter. Terah then takes Abram, Lot, and Sarai out of Ur (modern day southern Iraq) to settle in Canaan (modern Israel and parts of the surrounding countries) but they end up only going as far as the city of Haran which is not in Canaan. Terah dies in Haran.

Genesis 12

Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’ (v. 1-3).

Abram departs from Haran. Lot, his nephew, Sarai, and all the other people and possessions that they acquired in Haran go with him. They set out for Canaan. When they arrive they see that there are already people in the land.

The Lord appears to Abram; He tells him, To your descendants I will give this land (v. 7). Abram builds an altar because the Lord appeared to him there. Abram travels to the mountain east of Bethel where he pitches his tent; he builds another altar.

A severe famine strikes the land which forces Abram to travel to Egypt. Since Sarai is very beautiful, Abram tells her to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister, lest they kill him and take her as a wife. Sarai agrees to the plan. As a result, the Egyptians take her to Pharaoh’s house and Abram is treated very well; he is given many animals and servants. However, the Lord strikes Pharaoh and his house with great plagues on account of Sarai. Pharaoh then calls for Abram, asking him why he lied and said that Sarai was his sister, for Pharaoh had taken her as his wife. Pharaoh tells them both to leave and to take all their new possessions with them.

Genesis 13

Abram leaves Egypt with Sarai and Lot and all their possessions. He travels back to where he originally pitched his tent near Bethel. Abram is now rich in livestock, silver and gold.

Lot also has flocks, herds and tents, so much so that the land cannot sustain both of them and strife arises between their herdsmen. In addition, the Canaanites and Perizzites are also living in this land. Abram does not want the strife so he tells Lot to choose all of the land on his left or on his right, and Abram will take whichever he doesn’t want. Lot chooses the Jordan valley and travels east while Abram settles in Canaan. Lot settles in the cities of the valley, moving his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord (v. 13).

After Abram and Lot separate, the Lord tells Abram to look north, east, south, and west because this is the land that He will give to his descendants who will be numbered like the dust of the earth. Abram moves his tent to the oaks of Mamre in Hebron and builds another altar for the Lord.

Genesis 14

In the land where Abram and Lot settle, four kings (the kings of Elam, Shinar, Ellasar and Goiim) unite and conquer numerous people and cities. Five kings rebel (the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela) and unite to stop them - Lot is now living in Sodom. The five kings come ready for battle in the valley of Siddim which is full of tar pits. The five kings lose the battle and as a result the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee and fall into the pits, but the others escape to the hills. The four kings take all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, their food supply and many of their people, including Lot.

A fugitive escapes and tells Abram (by the oaks of Mamre) what has happened. When Abram hears the news, he takes his trained men (three hundred eighteen of them) and pursues the four kings as far as Dan (northern modern Israel³). At night, Abram divides his forces and defeats them, pursuing them as far as Hobah (north of Damascus). Abram brings back all the goods, possessions and people, including Lot.

After Abram’s return from defeating the four kings, the king of Sodom comes to meet him and Melchizedek (the king of Salem; a priest of God Most High) is also there. Melchizedek brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram saying, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand (v. 19-20). Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all his possessions.

The king of Sodom (a king of wicked sinners) says to Abram, Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself (v. 21). Abram (a righteous man) responds, I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or sandal thong or anything (underscore mine) that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ (v. 22-23).

Analysis:

First, Abram wants no part of any deal that the king of Sodom has to offer.¹ Second, about a thousand years later the Holy Spirit will inspire King David to write, The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet’ … The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ (Ps. 110:1, 4). Look at this verse once again but this time with parentheticals: the Lord (God the Father) says to my Lord (King David’s Lord – the Son of God), sit at My right hand (the right hand of God the Father) until I (God the Father) make Thine enemies (the enemies of the Son) a footstool for Thy (the Son’s) feet. Thou (the Son) art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. King David is referring to two different Lords here and also wrote in Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Thy presence and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. So, David may have a good understanding of the Trinity and once again, God has already referred to Himself as Us and Our in Genesis 1:26 and 3:22.

In Matthew it says, Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘Then how does David in the Spirit call Him Lord saying, The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I put Thine enemies beneath Thy feet’? If David calls Him Lord, how is He his son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question (22:41-46).

Hebrews chapter seven reveals more details as to why God would swear that His Son would be a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. That is, He is to be a priest without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually. Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils … Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood … what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? (v. 3-4, 11).

Simply put, following the commandments (given to Moses, Aaron, and the rest of the priests) does not make one perfect. This is why God had to send His Son in addition to the commandments. The commandments tell us what is wrong but do not make anyone perfect. Again, being a kind, nice person who does good works does not make one perfect. The following verse will appear numerous times in this book and with good reason because many people seem to think that being good is a ticket to heaven. That is not true; you must be perfect to enter in. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Once again: saved by grace, through faith, not by works; salvation is a gift.

Genesis 15

The word of the Lord comes to Abram saying, Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great (v. 1). Abram is concerned that he has no son as an heir. God promises Abram that he will have a son. He takes Abram outside and says…

Now look toward the heavens and count the stars … so shall your descendants be. Then he (Abram) believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness (v. 5-6).

God gives Abram instructions to gather several types of animals. Abram gathers them and cuts them in two, except for the birds. (This is how covenants were signed in those days, by an animal sacrifice, and then by walking between the carcasses.¹)

Abram keeps the vultures away from the sacrificed animals, apparently waiting for God to appear and walk through the sacrifice. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him (v. 12).

God says to Abram, Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years (400!). But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions. Then in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete (v. 13-14, 16).

After the sun sets, a smoking oven and flaming torch appear; they pass between the animal pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates’ (v. 18).

Analysis:

Many of the events of the Old Testament are illustrative and symbolic of the spiritual lives we all live now. The nation the Lord is building will start out as slaves to the Egyptians, just as we all begin our lives as slaves to sin. Interestingly, Abram does not walk through the pieces as God did in the form of an oven and torch, and yet the covenant was still made. When one makes a covenant with God it is by faith, not by what we do. God is perfect and will live up to His promise. There is no need for Abram to sign the covenant because God has signed it; therefore it’s a done deal. God simply asks that you believe what He has promised. There are tremendous blessings and consequences for believing or for not believing. In verse six, Abram is given righteousness because he believed, not because he followed any of God’s commands. Finally, this won’t be the last time God appears in the form of smoke and fire.¹

Genesis 16

Ten years later, Abram’s wife has still not borne any children. She tells Abram to have relations with their Egyptian maid, Hagar, so perhaps she could have a son through the maid. Abram agrees and Hagar conceives. When Sarai sees that Hagar is pregnant, she hates her and treats her harshly.

Hagar flees into the wilderness. The angel of the Lord finds her by a spring, tells her to return to Abram, and to submit to Sarai’s authority. The angel of the Lord also says to her, I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they shall be too many to count. Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has given heed to your affliction. And he will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers (v. 10-12).

Hagar returns to Abram and Sarai. She bears Abram a son whom they call Ishmael. Abram is eighty-six when Ishmael is born.

Genesis 17

Abram is now ninety-nine. The Lord appears to him and tells Abram to walk blamelessly before Him and that He will establish His covenant with him. He also tells Abram that he will be the father of a multitude of nations, not just Israel. The Lord changes his name from Abram (exalted father⁴) to Abraham (father of a multitude⁴). He again states that He will give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and that He will be their God.

The Lord then informs Abraham that all the males of his household and his descendants shall be circumcised and that this will be a sign of the covenant between them; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant (v. 13). God also changes Sarai’s name to Sarah and says that she will be blessed and be the mother of nations.

Abraham laughs at the thought of a ninety-nine year old man and a ninety year old woman having a baby; he says (v. 18), Oh that Ishmael might live before thee! God says no, but then says that Sarah will have a son and that he is to be called Isaac. God also states that Ishmael will be the father of twelve princes and a great nation. He finishes by saying that it is Isaac with whom He will establish His covenant.

All the men are circumcised.

Analysis:

Hundreds of years later many of the Jews considered their circumcision to essentially be a free pass to heaven, or at least part of what was required for sins to be forgiven (in addition to believing in the one, true god.) In this day and age most would consider this to be ridiculous, yet many churches today teach, or infer, that religious deeds like baptism, communion, tithing, being as morally perfect as possible, etc. are required for a person’s sins to be forgiven, and this is just as ridiculous. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Regarding circumcision, the Apostle Paul wrote Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ … for neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation (Gal. 6:12-15).

Genesis 18

At Abraham’s tent by the oaks of Mamre, the Lord appears to Abraham; Abraham looks up and sees three men. Abraham bows down before them and asks if he may get them some food as well as water for their feet. The three of them say, So do, as you have said (v. 5). Abraham hurries. He has Sarah prepare bread cakes while one of his servants prepares his best calf. Abraham gives it to them along with some milk.

While eating, they ask, Where is Sarah? Abraham advises them that she is in the tent. (She is actually right behind the door of the tent listening to their conversation.) The three again say that she will have a son; Sarah laughs to herself. The Lord asks Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (v. 13-14). Sarah is afraid but she comes forth. She denies that she laughed but the Lord says, No, but you did laugh (v. 15).

Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom … and the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave’ (v. 16-17, 20).

The men turn to go toward Sodom; Abraham continues to stand before the Lord. Abraham asks, Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee! Shall not the judge of all the earth deal justly? (v. 23, 25).

The Lord says that if He finds fifty righteous men, then He will spare the entire city. Abraham asks Him to spare the city for just forty-five, then forty, then thirty, then twenty, then ten. The Lord finally says He will not destroy the city if He finds ten righteous men.

Genesis 19

In the evening, two angels come to Sodom as Lot sits by the gate. When Lot sees them he bows before them. Lot then invites them to his house to spend the night and wash their feet. They refuse, saying that they will stay in the square. Lot strongly urges them to come with him. They go and stay with him at his house.

Young and old men from Sodom surround Lot’s house. They yell at Lot demanding he send the two men outside so they may all have sex with them; Lot refuses. However, he then says that he will send out his two virgin daughters and they can do whatever they like to them. The men surrounding Lot’s house don’t want his girls and they don’t like that Lot is judging them. The men close in on the house and attempt to break down the door. The two angels grab Lot, pull him inside, shut the door and strike the men with blindness.

The angels tell Lot to take his family out of Sodom because the Lord has told them to destroy it. Lot goes to his future sons-in-laws and tells them to get out of the city but they think he is kidding. As the morning dawns the angels again urge Lot to take his wife and daughters out of Sodom. Lot hesitates so the angels take his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his daughters and lead them out.

They tell Lot and his family to escape for their lives. They also tell him not to look back. Lot arrives in the small city of Zoar and the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven (v. 24). Lot’s wife looks back and turns into a pillar of salt.

Abraham looks toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace (v. 28). So, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out from the midst of the destruction.

(We’re still fairly early in the history of mankind here, and this is now the second example of how God severely punishes those who reject His ways.)

Lot and his daughters leave Zoar. They go to the mountains and stay in a cave. The daughters are concerned that there are no men left on earth so they get their father drunk and each has relations with him. The older daughter has a son named Moab, the father of the Moabites, and the younger has a son, Ben-ammi, the father of the sons of Ammon.

Genesis 20

Abraham and Sarah journey south to Gerar. The king of Gerar, Abimelech, wants to take Sarah as his wife, and once again Abraham tells her to say that she is his sister; she agrees and goes with the king. That night, God comes to Abimelech in a dream and tells him that he will die because he has taken a woman who is already married. At this point Abimelech has not touched her, he says, Wilt Thou slay a nation, even though blameless? (v. 4). Abimelech argues that Abraham said She is my sister and Sarah said He is my brother. God tells him that He kept him from sinning and that if he restores her to Abraham then he and his household will not die, for Abraham is a prophet and will pray for the king.

In the morning the king questions Abraham; Abraham says that he said She is my sister because he thought that there was no fear of the Lord in this place, and besides, Sarah’s grandfather and Abraham’s father (Terah) are one and the same, but they do not have the same mother.

The king gives many animals, servants, and silver to Abraham and tells Abraham that he may live anywhere he likes in the king’s territory. Abraham prays for Abimelech; God heals the king and his wife so that they may now have children.

Genesis 21

Abraham and Sarah have a son; they name him Isaac. The child is circumcised. Abraham has a great feast.

Hagar’s son Ishmael mocks them. Sarah tells Abraham, Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac (v. 10). Abraham is distressed but God tells him to listen to his wife for through Isaac your descendants shall be named (v. 12).

Early one morning, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. The two of them wander in the wilderness of Beersheba⁵, about halfway between the southern end of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. When Hagar’s water runs out she puts Ishmael in some bushes, sits down and cries. God hears them; the angel of God calls to them telling them not to fear for He will make a great nation of Ishmael. God opens her eyes. Hagar sees a well, the two of them drink. God is with Ishmael as he lives and grows in the wilderness of Paran. He becomes an archer and marries a girl from Egypt.

King Abimelech and the commander of his army, Phicol, speak to Abraham; they realize that God is with him in everything he does. The king wants to make a covenant with Abraham that he will never deal falsely with the king or his descendants. Abraham agrees but also complains that some of the king’s servants have seized one of his wells. The king says he was not aware of this. Abraham gives the king seven lambs as a witness that he dug the well. He names the place Beersheba because it is where the two of them made an oath.

King Abimilech and Phicol return to the land of the Philistines, Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and calls on the name of the Lord. And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days (v. 34).

Genesis 22

God tests Abraham. He tells him to take his son Isaac to the land of Moriah (modern Jerusalem) and to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains. With a few servants and a donkey, Abraham leaves to take Isaac to the place which God commanded. After a few days journey, on the third day Abraham sees the place from a distance. Abraham advises the servants to stay at this spot with the donkey while he and Isaac continue to the place of the sacrifice.

Isaac asks, Where is the lamb for the burnt offering? (v. 7). Abraham responds, God will provide for Himself the lamb (v. 8).

Abraham binds his son Isaac, builds an altar, arranges the wood, and places Isaac on top of the wood. He takes a knife and is about to slay Isaac but the angel of the Lord calls from heaven and tells him to stop for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me (v. 12). Abraham looks around and sees a ram caught in the thicket. Abraham takes the ram and offers it as the burnt offering in the place of his son.

The angel of the Lord calls a second time saying, Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies (v. 17). Abraham, Isaac, and the servants return to Beersheba.

Abraham is told that his brother, Nahor, now has many sons who also have sons and daughters.

Genesis 23

Sarah dies at the age of one hundred twenty-seven in Hebron in Canaan. (She is the only woman in the Bible whose age at the time of her death is revealed.¹ She is also mentioned two other times in Scripture as an example of a godly woman; see Is. 51:2 and I Pet. 3:6.)

Abraham speaks with the sons of Heth, saying that although he is a stranger and a sojourner in this land, he wishes to buy a place to bury his dead. The sons say that Abraham is a mighty prince and may have any of their choicest graves. Abraham asks for the cave owned by Ephron and says that he will pay the full price for it. Ephron says he will give him the cave at no cost, but Abraham insists on paying for it. After going back and forth, Abraham pays four hundred shekels of silver for the cave and receives the deed. Abraham buries Sarah in the cave.

Analysis:

This is part of the land which God promised to Abraham and yet Abraham pays for the land. Similarly (Matt. 17:27), Jesus Christ (the King of kings) pays taxes to the king of Rome lest we give them offense. There is a certain way that God’s people should conduct themselves while on this earth. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor (Rom. 13:7). For our short time on earth, these are the people who are in charge.¹

Genesis 24

Abraham requests an oath from his oldest servant, who is in charge of everything that Abraham owns. He has him swear by the God of heaven and earth that he will not take a wife for Isaac from among the daughters of Canaan, but will go back to Abraham’s home country and find a wife for Isaac among his relatives. The servant agrees, places his hand under Abraham’s thigh, and swears to the oath. The servant takes ten camels, other servants, and some of Abraham’s finest possessions. He travels to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. (Nahor is Abraham’s brother.)

Outside of Nahor, it is the time in the evening when the women come out to draw water from the well. Abraham’s head servant makes a request to the Lord. He asks that the woman who volunteers to get water for all his camels to be the one to come back with him and marry Isaac. Before he finishes speaking, Rebekah (who is very beautiful and a virgin) comes out with a jar on her shoulder, walks down to the spring, and then comes back up.

The servant runs over to her and asks for some water. She agrees and also says that she will draw water for all his camels. After the ten camels finish drinking, the servant gives her a gold ring and two gold bracelets, then asks her about her family, and if he and his caravan may lodge with them. Rebekah tells him about her family (she is the daughter of Nahor’s son) and says that he may lodge with them.

Abraham’s servant bows low and worships the Lord. Rebekah runs to her household; she tells her family what happened. Her brother Laban runs back to the spring to talk with Abraham’s servant. They go back to the house, but before the servant will eat he explains who he is and why he came to the city. Abraham’s servant gives her family gold, silver, and clothes.

Rebekah travels back to Canaan with Abraham’s servants. Isaac loves Rebekah. They marry.

Genesis 25

Abraham takes another wife, Keturah; they have many sons. Abraham gives all that he has to Isaac and sends his other sons to the land of the east (v. 6). Abraham dies at the age of one hundred seventy-five; he is buried with Sarah in the cave that he bought from Ephron. Ishmael also has many sons. He dies at the age of one hundred thirty-seven.

Isaac married Rebekah at the age of forty. Twenty years later, Rebekah is still barren. Isaac prays on her behalf; Rebekah conceives twins. The children in her struggle with each other so she inquires of the Lord. The Lord says to her …

Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger (v. 23).

The first child born, Esau, is all red like a hairy garment. His brother, Jacob, then comes forth holding Esau’s heel.

The boys grow up; Esau becomes a skillful hunter, a man of the field while Jacob is a peaceful man living in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob (v. 28).

Jacob is cooking stew as Esau comes in from the field; Esau is famished. Esau asks Jacob for some of that red stuff there (v. 30). (Esau is also called ‘Edom’ (i.e., red⁶)). Jacob agrees, but says, First sell me your birthright (v31). Since Esau is famished and feels he is about to die, he agrees. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright (v. 34).

Analysis:

It may be hard to believe that Esau would give up his future rights and inheritance for a pot of stew. After all, it’s not like anyone these days would give up their eternity for a brief moment in time. Since Esau feels that he is about to die, he makes the deal. Many people feel that life is short and have unknowingly made a deal with the devil.

Genesis 26

Because there is a famine, Isaac moves to Gerar, to King Abimelech of the Philistines. The Lord appears to Isaac and warns him not to go to Egypt. The Lord reminds him of His promises to Abraham, Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and I will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws (v. 3-5).

Isaac lives in Gerar and when the men of that place ask about his wife, Isaac says that she is his sister. He is afraid because he fears that the men will kill him so that they can have her as a wife because she is so beautiful. A long time passes; King Abimelech looks out his window where he sees Isaac caressing Rebekah. Now knowing that she is his wife, the king calls Isaac to him saying,