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The relationships established by God with Abraham to make Abrah a great nation and to bless those who blessed Abraham or curse those who cursed Abraham.The Lord kept His word when the Lord intervened with Abimelech

What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? I think it shows the humanity of both as they react to the world they live in. They use human reasoning and guile as they face the unknown.. Much like Adam and Eve in the garden covering themselves with fig leaves, trying to resolve their fears with what they feel is expedient. Another parallel with Abram

1.What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? It has consequences for all concerned... As it is in conflict with God

Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? Because the Lord had afflicted them. What effect did this have? It caused Pharaoh to force Abram and Sarai to leave the country. What was God seeking to accomplish through this affliction? To prevent Sarai from having a child or children with Pharaoh. Did it have the desired effect? Yes, it did as they were sent packing.

1.What dangers faced Abraham and his family as aliens and sojourners in Egypt and elsewhere? As strangers and aliens in a strange land they were in danger from the normal predators the residents were but in addition they were often regarded as easy prey to be pressed into servitude or worse robbed and plundered even feeling free to kill them if they thought they posed a threat to the community. 2. Who might oppress them? The residents of the communities as well as those in authority. 3. What "aliens and sojourners" live in your community? We have many Hispanics from Mexico and Central America as well as Chinese. 4. Why did they come? The Hispanics to work and improve their living conditions. The Chinese to work in restaurants. 5. .How are they being oppressed or discriminated against by employers and others in the community? Some if they are undocumented do day work by the job for lower wages. Others like the Chinese work for chain restaurants as cooks and waiters, subject to subsistence level living conditions and low wage compensation. 6. What can you and your church do to "love those who are aliens"? Accept them as people beloved by God and entitled to our respect and assistance with citizenship requirements and worker permits. The children can be encouraged to come be a part of social programs and activities geared to their ages. The adults can be tutored in English and ministered to as we would minister to the native born among us. The difficulty in doing this is the cultural differences that seem to be built-in the aliens mind-set toward our language as well as moral and social customs. These attitudes make evangelism hard so our approach is to be sure they have the basics of food, shelter, clothing and help with local customs.

Abram called on the Name of Yahweh because Yahweh had become a reality in his life. An everpresent reality that continued to mature into a believing and trusting relationship. A relationship that delivered on the promise of a new land. It is interesting that this tradition was to continue with Issac and Jacob and down through history all the way to the early explorers of America and the new world and even to the prayer of dedication of the landing on the moon. Calling on the Name of the Lord to me is what defines who I am. In gratitude, in the joy of the sweetness of a relationship that holds promise to encompass all of eternity.

In what ways was Abraham blessed? By God promising and delivering a son to he and Sarai. He was blessed with the promise and title to land for his descendants. He was blessed with God's presence to sustain him in his many travels and especially blessed with the physical means (prosperity ) to enable his mission.How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? All the fleshly children of Abraham were blessed in a special way with the physical means to prosper. This influence and resulting discipline were to be examples and influence to all the nations of the world that there is a righteous God who loves all His creation so much that He offers the free gift of eternal salvation though the blood of His only righteous Son Jesus the Messiah as an eternal blessing. In what way does Abraham continue bless people through your life? As I live my life in acceptance of God's gift of His Son Jesus, Abrahams Son of the promise) and in obedience to His commands my life is a means that God will use to continue to bless people through Abraham.

Q4. (12:9) What was the significance of Abraham "calling on the name of Yahweh"? What does it mean for you to "call on the name of the Lord"? It's significant because he felt that only Yahweh had been trustworthy in dealing with Abraham. My being able to call on the Name of the Lord is a necessary part of who I am. To do so means I share life with the One who is beyond all life who sees all my tomorrows.

Q3. (12:1 with Hebrews 11:8-10) Why does it take special faith to begin to do something in obedience to God before we see how it will turn out? Have you had any of these "opportunities"? Are you in the midst of this adventure now? Oh mercy yes it does take a leap to respond. It takes a special trusting faith because we like the safe and comfortable so much and that keeps us from getting to close and really surrendering to God. We don't want to get that involved because we fear God may cause us to lose our jobs or allow some disappointment to come along to force us to do something beyond our comfort zone. So yes! That's been me in several ways, yet this is truly opportunity to learn to trust God, because we need to understand the means God uses to work His purposes into our life. we need to be taught how to trust God it's not something we automatically get by being born. In a way this aspect of trusting has to come by being with Jesus through lifes experiences. But then how do we know it's a calling from God to do something or other? I've not had such a call except through the church to teach or at times share my faith with others, or be active to help with some need others have that I can help with. But one thing I've noticed the more diligent I am to stay focused on Christ the more often ministry opportunities come as well as challenges and blessings.

Q2. (12:2-3) In what ways was Abraham blessed? How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? In what way does Abraham continue bless people through your life? Abraham is revered by the descendants of all his wives and Hagar. All the people of the earth have been blessed because of the ongoing presence of God amongest the people of God. The blessings continue in my life because of the change God has worked in me through the faith of His Son Jesus Christ. That my life has a fruitfulness and deep satisfaction that as I share the Lord with others God is blessed.

Most of us have several false starts in our Christian life and I'm no exception. In my case getting older in age and mellowness has greatly contributed to my being consistent and faithful in responding to God's call. God has been merciful to me over the years as He has been teaching me His ways of loving and sharing His love. I often wonder how my Christian ministry would have looked if I had not experienced the things I have over the years. God through His circumstancial will has used the experiences and circumstances (many painful and regretful) that have shaped and molded me as a follower of Christ and now enable me to identify and relate to others in need of spiritual direction and help with the issues of life. God in that same circumstancial will used the human family of Abraham in much the same manner. In this world we live amidst forces that want to corrupt us and being vigilent to stay watchful and humbly in league with God through the community of faith is a most valued asset, as it was for Abraham and Sarah.