Jo621

Q2. (16:7-9) Why does the angel ask Hagar something that the angel already knows? ("Where have you come from, and where are you going?") I believe the angel asked Hagar these questions to make her acknowledge her plight. It was important to realize from where she came from, and what she might be facing going forward. Why does she send her back to Sarah? Maybe to make her realize that she can't just run away from difficult situations. Things may be quite difficult, but if God is with you, He can make even your enemies to be at peace with you. Things you think you can't do you can, with God's help. Having to go back would be a true act of humility, with her having to bite her tongue more than ever. Yet God had a purpose in this, and I have to believe it was to teach her more of Himself. Have you ever reacted and got yourself out of the place God wanted you? Oh yes. Due to wrong choices and decisions, I have lost out in so many things. Yet God in His divine mercy forgave me, and brought me back to a deeper walk in Him. Though some of the former things still bring pain, God is so merciful, and is teaching me daily that I must not look back anymore but keep my eyes focused on Him, and Him alone. He will meet my every need, and be my daily strength and companion.

Q1. (16:1-6) Why does Sarah take her anger out on Abraham? Why does any woman take her anger out on her husband? Most often it's because she's upset not being able to conceive and feels like she is a failure, and has to vent her pain and frustrations out on someone. Why does she take her anger out on Hagar? As far as Hagar goes, she becomes jealous and enraged because her own maid servant immediately conceives, and begins to flaunt it. Her maids attitude is one of "better than thou", and she looks down on her mistress, causing a dagger to be cut into Sarai, feeling humiliated by her own servant. Is she trying to get rid of Hagar or the baby? Sarai just wanted to make Hagar leave so she doesn't have to contend with this servant. Even though it was at Sarai's instigation that Hagar be given to her husband, she can't deal with the consequences now. Looking at this woman who's pregnant with a baby, knowing that she herself can't conceive, rubs salt into the wound, and she acts irrationally. In what sense is Hagar's pride Abraham's fault? After being in Canaan for 10 years, Hagar is given to Abraham as his wife. When she conceives, Abraham had to feel quite pleased with himself knowing that he was going to be a father. He had to make her at least feel important, as she was going to have his baby. Maybe her self-worth shot up a bit, causing her to become prideful. In what sense is Hagar's affliction Abraham's fault? Abraham didn't want to face the facts that he was as much responsible for this situation. Frankly it's a typical male thing...to avoid conflict, he just tries to ignore it, or get rid of whatever is causing the problem. He tells Sarai to do with Hagar as she saw fit. That was a cop out on his part. Due to his not acting like the head of the home, he lets Sarai do as she pleases, leaving Hagar to the mercy of whatever Sarai wanted to do to her. What situation in your family does this reminds you of? Our daughter and her partner have caused our lives to completely be changed, in that we now have temporary custody of our grandchildren. To be honest, I would just like to shut the door to her, but yet have to deal with her many mood swings and attitudes, having been subject to it over the years. At times, I feel my husband doesn't want to face all the commotion and just tries to humor me, when it would be so good to have more support, as sometimes it gets quite lonely and so confining taking care of a 16 month and 7 yr old. My only hope in this situation is God, whom I am having to trust to guide and give me the needed strength and direction.

Q4 (15:17-18a) Why did God go through the covenant ritual with Abraham, with the divided carcasses? Why does God bind himself to a solemn promise? God in His infinite love for each one of us wanted to show how sincere He was and how important it was to make this convenant as a binding act between God and man. How does Abraham respond to God's promises (15:6)? He takes it all on faith, firmly that God will fulfill all that He has said and promised. What promises has God made to us that affect our futures? He has promised Our Lord will return to this earth one day, receiving His children unto Hisself. He has gone to prepare a home for us that we will one day live in. That is our eternal hope. What significance does blood sacrifice have in those promises? Only the blood can cleanse us from sin. The blood sacrifice made full atonement, signifying the importance of this sacrifice.

Q3. (15:16) Have you ever been frustrated with God for not fulfilling his promise to you immediately? Why does God sometimes delay the fulfillment of his promises to a future time? Most definitely. It's so much easier to want something right away, not having to wait. Yet my Pastor told me a long time ago, that God sees the whole picture or the whole scope of things. I only see a portion. My vision is narrow, and I am limited in what God wants to do in my life. So often it affects so many more, bringing about something that will bring God honor and glory. I realize that God is trying to help me grow in Him, and teach me to look to Him for all my needs.

Q1. (15:1) What does it mean to you personally to call God your "Shield"? What does it mean to you that he promises to you (as heir of the promises to Abraham) "an exceedingly great reward"? What does it mean to you to call God your Suzerain or Sovereign? To me, God is my shield, my covering, my hiding place, my all in all, my strong tower where I can go when all hell is coming against me. Those times when I can't see my way, when my very innermost being is being tested, I find out the only source of help is to go to the One who controls everything, who loved me so much He gave His only beloved Son who died for me. His promises of "an exceedingly great reward" is something I hold onto, knowing that the things I face today and go through will one day be worth it all, if I will just hold on and remain faithful. He does give me rewards still on this earth, but my heavenly reward is something I can't fathom yet. God is my Lord and Savior, the one who is with me through everything, who never leaves me alone, always constant in my life. Having Him as Sovereign Lord assures me that He will always direct my steps, providing for me even in ways that I may not understand, and gives me peace of mind. Being a daughter of the King is a divine blessing, and one that I never want to lose.

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the king of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn? Abraham refused to take the spoils of war from a sin-sick country, whereby if he partook of them, he would be compromising himself and what he professed to believe. He knew that it was important to make a stand and not take things from those who lived such wicked and sinful lives. The same thing applies to us today as Christians that we can't compromise with this world either. We must live in a total Christlike manner, avoiding all ties to those things that could cause us to trip up in our daily walk with the Lord. It's a daily walking close to God that will guide us and keep us close to Our Lord. The enemy of our souls is very subtle, and loves nothing more than to entice the child of God by trying to disguise the things of this world and make them appealing to us. Even if we don't take part in evil things, it's important that we separate ourselves from those things of questionable values, and remain on our guard. It's not that we are any better than they are, but we are just "saved by grace" and only God can and will keep us in His care.

Q3. (14:20) What is the significance of Abraham giving one tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek? Does tithing today represent the same kind of worship? Why should we tithe to God first (like Abraham did) before dividing up our paychecks to pay our bills? Abraham gave one tenth of his spoils as an act of thanksgiving to God for being with him in his battle. When our needs are met and our hearts are full of thanksgiving, we can't contain the joy we feel. We will find ourselves where we need to show our appreciation in some way. Today's tithing is a form of worship to God, as well as being an act of obedience to God. All that we have and receive comes from God. I have found that God has always been faithful in meeting every need in my life. As long as I put Him first, then all else falls into place. Even when things have seemed doubtful, God has always been right on time time and time again.

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate? Abraham wasn't afraid to defend his loved ones, and those whom God had placed in his care. He exhibited strong character and a determination to do his utmost with the gifts God had given him. Abraham was a man who made it a point to make friends and to seek their assistance for matters of great importance. I think we all need to remember that families are important, and that we should do our very best to help our loved ones as much as we are able. It's not always easy, but as long as we seek God's perfect will in these matters, He will lead and direct our steps.

I have always loved teaching and sharing God's Word. I was asked to do a Bible study class on the internet with a ladies group, and did so for about a year. Due to family problems and acquiring temporary custody of my two grandchildren (15 months and 7 years), I found my time tied up so much, not allowing me the freedom to continue this class. I have felt such a void that I wanted to take this class just to draw closer to the Lord, digging into His Word, to keep me encouraged in Him. At this time, I don't feel I can take on this load again.

My name is Jo, and I am recently retired and live in Florida, USA. I am married, with 3 children (17,21,24), and 1 grandchild. I am a cofounder in several Christian groups on Yahoo. I was raised ___ .... I didn't meet the Lord as my personal Savior until I graduated from high school. I now attend a pentecostal full gospel church, which I have been attending 20 years. I am looking forward to more of a in-depth study into God's Word, and drawing closer to the Lord.