So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. So Abraham brought sheep and cattleIn the ancient Near East, livestock was a sign of wealth and prosperity. Abraham's offering of sheep and cattle signifies his wealth and his willingness to establish peace and goodwill. This act of giving is reminiscent of other biblical instances where offerings are made to establish or confirm agreements, such as Jacob's gift to Esau in Genesis 32. The use of livestock in covenants also foreshadows the sacrificial system later established in the Mosaic Law. and gave them to Abimelech
Abimelech was the king of Gerar, a Philistine city. This gesture of giving livestock to Abimelech indicates a formal and respectful approach to diplomacy. It reflects the cultural practices of the time, where gifts were often exchanged to solidify alliances or peace treaties. This act also demonstrates Abraham's integrity and desire to live peacefully with his neighbors, aligning with the biblical principle of living at peace with all men (Romans 12:18). and the two men made a covenant
Covenants in the biblical context were solemn agreements that involved commitments and promises between parties. This covenant between Abraham and Abimelech is significant as it represents a peaceful resolution to previous tensions over water rights (Genesis 21:25-26). The making of a covenant often involved a ritual or symbolic act, such as the exchange of gifts or a shared meal, to seal the agreement. This covenant is a precursor to the more significant covenants God makes with His people, such as the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 15 and the New Covenant through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20). Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is making a covenant with Abimelech. 2. AbimelechThe king of Gerar, who previously had interactions with Abraham regarding Sarah. Here, he enters into a covenant with Abraham to ensure peaceful relations. 3. CovenantA formal agreement or treaty between two parties. In this context, it signifies a mutual understanding and commitment to peace and cooperation. 4. Sheep and CattleThese animals were used as a form of currency or barter in ancient times, symbolizing wealth and the seriousness of the covenant. 5. GerarA Philistine city where Abimelech ruled. It is significant as a place of interaction between Abraham and the Philistines. Teaching Points The Importance of CovenantsCovenants are foundational in biblical accounts, representing commitments and promises. They teach us about the seriousness of our commitments to God and others. Peaceful RelationsAbraham's covenant with Abimelech demonstrates the value of seeking peace and cooperation with others, even those outside of one's immediate community. Faith and ObedienceAbraham's actions reflect his faith and obedience to God, serving as a model for how we should live our lives in accordance with God's will. Symbolism of SacrificeThe use of sheep and cattle in the covenant symbolizes the cost and value of maintaining peace and fulfilling promises. Legacy of FaithThe continuation of peaceful relations through covenants, as seen in Isaac's life, highlights the impact of a faithful legacy. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the act of making a covenant with Abimelech reveal about Abraham's character and his relationship with God? 2. How can the concept of covenants in the Bible inform our understanding of commitments in our personal and spiritual lives today? 3. In what ways can we seek to establish peaceful and cooperative relationships with those who may not share our beliefs, as Abraham did with Abimelech? 4. How does the symbolism of sheep and cattle in this passage relate to the sacrifices we are called to make in our own lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a significant commitment or promise. How did your faith influence that decision, and what can you learn from Abraham's example? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15The covenant between God and Abraham, where God promises Abraham numerous descendants and land. This earlier covenant underscores the importance of covenants in Abraham's life. Genesis 26Isaac, Abraham's son, also makes a covenant with Abimelech, showing a continuation of peaceful relations between their descendants. Hebrews 6:13-18Discusses God's unchangeable promise to Abraham, highlighting the importance of covenants in God's dealings with humanity. People Abimelech, Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Phichol, SarahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Gerar, ParanTopics Abimelech, Abim'elech, Agreement, Cattle, Covenant, Giveth, Oxen, Sheep, Taketh, TreatyDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 21:27 1346 covenants, nature of
4684 sheep
5205 alliance
5783 agreement
8711 covenant breakers Genesis 21:22-31 5430 oaths, human Genesis 21:22-32 5592 treaty Genesis 21:25-31 5077 Abraham, character Library Compassion for Souls
Behold the compassion of a mother for her child expiring with thirst, and remember that such a compassion ought all Christians to feel towards souls that are perishing for lack of Christ, perishing eternally, perishing without hope of salvation. If the mother lifted up her voice arid wept, so also should we; and if the contemplation of her dying, child was all too painful for her, so may the contemplation of the wrath to come, which is to pass upon every soul that dies impenitent, become too painful …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871Therefore, if we Compare the Things Themselves, we May no Way Doubt that The...
28. Therefore, if we compare the things themselves, we may no way doubt that the chastity of continence is better than marriage chastity, whilst yet both are good: but when we compare the persons, he is better, who hath a greater good than another. Further, he who hath a greater of the same kind, hath also that which is less; but he, who only hath what is less, assuredly hath not that which is greater. For in sixty, thirty also are contained, not sixty also in thirty. But not to work from out that …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his Forerunner.
FROM the Temple to Nazareth! It seems indeed most fitting that the Evangelic story should have taken its beginning within the Sanctuary, and at the time of sacrifice. Despite its outward veneration for them, the Temple, its services, and specially its sacrifices, were, by an inward logical necessity, fast becoming a superfluity for Rabbinism. But the new development, passing over the intruded elements, which were, after all, of rationalistic origin, connected its beginning directly with the Old Testament …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 21:27 NIVGenesis 21:27 NLTGenesis 21:27 ESVGenesis 21:27 NASBGenesis 21:27 KJV
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