RECAP: In Genesis 20, the Philistine King of Gerar, Abimelek, tangled with Abraham’s God when he took who he thought was Abraham’s sister for his harem.
The account does not record whether or not Abraham prayed and asked God for help. Although in my opinion he should have asked for guidance before he went to town and for help when his wife was taken, but it doesn’t appear he prayed either time.
When I was researching for the blog on Genesis 20 and noticed that omission, I got the impression that Abraham was still learning what it meant to walk with the God who had called Himself, El Shaddai, ‘The Almighty God.”
It didn’t matter, though; God took the initiative to deal with the situation and King Abimelek was seriously cursed, along with his household. Even though God allowed Abraham to pray for the king and God removed the curse, you could say the experience, “put the fear of God,” into the King. I also think it was intended as a learning experience for Abraham.
So, when King Abimelek heard that the wandering Abraham had returned to the neighborhood, he was just a little worried…
King Abimelech took Phicol, the commander of his army, and a troop of guards and soldiers to see Abraham where he was camped in the countryside near their city.
After the formalities were seen to and everyone was settled, the King said to Abraham, “It is clear that God is with you in everything you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. That you will show to me and this country, where you now reside as a sojourner, the same kindness that I have shown to you.”
Abraham said, “I so swear.”
When King Abimelek heard this, he said, “This is the first I have heard of it! I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me when it happened, you’ve only told me about it today.”
(Do you see how nervous the King was about maybe being cursed again because of inadvertently harming Abraham? Abraham didn’t do that to him, God did it because He had promised, “I will curse those who curse you.”)
Abraham replied, “Accept these seven ewe lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well here,” and the king did. So that place was called Beer-sheba, “Well of the Oath of Seven,” because the two leaders swore an oath there.
After the treaty ceremony and feast had been completed, King Abimelek and his guard returned to Gerar, their city-state in the land of the Philistines.
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📚 INFORMATIONAL:
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Although this Name for God is specifically used only twice in the Hebrew Bible, the concept of an eternal/everlasting God is frequently expressed using the Hebrew word olam and the equivalent words in the Greek New Testament. One of each is being presented with each devotional.
Deuteronomy 33:27
“The God of old¹ is your dwelling place, and underneath are His everlasting arms².”
¹Elohe qədem = the Ancient God or the God from Antiquity.
²zero’ot Olam = and here is our theme Name.
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🤓 This second OT verse is from the blessing of Israel by Moses before his departure. The fact that half of our four key OT verses about the Eternal God are from Moses hints at just how much the time spent in God’s presence led to him understanding more about who God was.
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📃 IIb. NEW TESTAMENT VERSE 2:
Hebrews 13:8
🤓 We have our relationship with the Eternal God through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ.
10. I touch base with Him once per day. 🤏
:
:
30. I spend a little time in His Word, in prayer, church, or talking about Him 3 times a day, just like eating my meals, so that I can stay spiritually nourished. 😃
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100. I think about Him all the time, just like when I’m separated from someone that I love very much. I see His hand in everything around me. I hear His voice speaking to me through Nature and through my brothers and sisters in the faith. Everything that happens to me reminds me of Him. I can’t wait until I can get home and can spend personal time with Him in praise, worship and devotion. ❤️
🍎 Obviously this is a spectrum from a little to a lot when it comes to how we feel about God and Jesus Christ. The point is, we should always be growing from where we are towards more and more of Him in our lives. I hope you are doing that. Do you have a strategy to help you?
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🙌 III. WORSHIP 2: Pray the following collection of personalized verses to God, our Eternal Father, and Jesus, our Everlasting Savior, as an act of worship.
O El Olam, Eternal God, ♾️
My Heavenly Father,
Abbá d’Celestiál mí Patrē, 👳♂️
There is no changing or shifting shadow with You. ☀️
You are the same yesterday, today and forever. ♾️
Yeshua ha’Mashiah, He who You sent,
– According to Your plan from ages past,
– According to Your love from the beginning, ❤
🌌 To fulfill the plan of Your Creation,
🌍 To fill the Earth with Your goodness,
🌎 To fill the World with Your love.
🤍 To fill my heart with Your Presence.
For making Your home in me. 💗
🤲 Thank You, Heavenly Father,
For making a home with You for me. 💒
🤲 Thank You, my Eternal Savior, for making a way to the Father. ✝️
By Your eternal nature You have established this, ♾️
By your eternal Word You have promised this, 📖
By Your Eternal Son You have purchased this– ✝️
–redemption, salvation and eternal life. 🛐
AMEN, HALLELUJAH❗️🙌
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