5 Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6 Butwhile he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of hisconcubines and sent them away from his son Isaac tothe land of the east - P104
9 His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave ofMachpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron sonZohar the Hittite, 10 the field Abraham had boughtfrom the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with hiswife Sarah. - P104
11 After Abraham‘s death, God blessed his son Isaac,
who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi. - P105
When we recall stories from our own
history, we are often biased in our retelling, perhaps by embellishing some
details while leaving out others entirely. - P106
But Scripture, as God‘s Word, is a reliable
record that clearlysets out the sins and
flaws of its so-called heroes. - P106
As we reflect on Abra-ham‘s life,
we see that he is truly the "father of faith," who embarkedon an incredible journey of trust and reliance upon God. - P106
However, he also had significant doubts
and failures. - P106
The true hero of Abraham‘s story is God, who constantly filled Abraham‘s life with favor and even blesses his
first son, Ishmael, by providing for him and multiplying his descendants although
he is not a member of the covenant. - P106
Whereveryou are on your spiritual journey, trust that God is faithful to see you
through, and that He will finish what He began in you. - P106
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us faith and welcoming us into Your family.
- P107
Thank you for the many blessings You give us each day. Help each of us remain
faithful to You as long as we live. In Your name, amen. - P107
Mali is a Muslim nation where only two percent of the population is Christian. - P106
In the past,
Christians have been subject to violent persecution, and the threat of attack still
lingers over believers. - P106
Being a Christian in Mali means living with constant pressure from religious
extremists, family, and the community-especially for those who have converted
from Islam.
- P106
The Eastern Maninka are one of the largest people groups in Guinea. They have a clear socialhierarchy: each village is ruled by a chief, and the lowest class is made up of craftsmen and former slaves. - P106
Their current belief system blends Islam with their traditional religions. - P106
Due to the risk of alienation from their
community, very few Eastern Maninka people have accepted Christ. - P106
21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer,
and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. - P108
22 The babies jostled each other within her, and shesaid, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went toinquire of the LORD. - P108
23 The LORD said to her, "Two nations are inwomb, and two peoples from within you will be sep-arated; one people will be stronger than the other, andthe older will serve the younger." - P108
24 When the time came for her to give birth, there weretwin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out wasred, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; sothey named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother cameout, with his hand grasping Esau‘s heel; so he was namedJacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birthto them. - P108
27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter,
a man of the open country, while Jacob was content tostay at home among the tents. - P109
28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. - P109
31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."
32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good isthe birthright to me?" - P109
33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore anoath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. - P109
Esau despised his birthright. - P109
Like Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah overcome childlessness through the
promise and power of God. - P110
And just as there was conflict between
Isaac and Ishmael, Isaac‘s twin sons are
destined for strife.
- P110
Conflict between brothers is a recurring
theme in Genesis, a testimony to the
destructive effects of the fall that trace back to the first offsprings of man
: Cain and Abel. - P110
In each instance, the firstborn is surpassed by the younger brother.
- P110
It is easy for readers today to miss how
shocking this would have been for that
time and culture. - P110
But the message is clear:God‘s sovereign ways are not dictated by social or cultural expectations, or by any human standard.
- P110
He chooses His own by His divine perfect
will. - P110
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