I found this show via Rhonda Smith. Great conversation about Biblical Discipleship.

So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.  — Genesis 16: 4 New Living Translation

FULL SCRIPTURE LESSON: Genesis 16:1-6; 21:8-18

Facts

• Sarai’s Egyptian maidservant
• Mother of Ishmael

Summary

God promised Abram and Sarai a child. In Genesis 15:4, "… a son coming from your own body will be your heir … Look up at the heavens and count the stars…if indeed you can count them … so shall your offspring be."

Sarai, Abram’s wife, had been barren or unable to conceive a child. In her haste (Read Sarah, Wait on the Lord) to remove the burden of childlessness, she asked Abram to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar. When Hagar became pregnant, she openly despised her mistress. In response, to the changed attitude, Sarai mistreated the young woman provoking her to runaway.

While Hagar was in the wilderness, the angel of the Lord arrived with a message. "Go back to your mistress and submit to her …I will so increase your descendants they will be too numerous to count (Genesis 16:10)." With a renewed attitude, Hagar returned to her mistress, and later gave birth to Ishmael.

Years later, God fulfilled his promise and Sarai finally gives birth to her own child, Isaac. During Isaac’s weaning celebration, Sarai noticed Ishmael mocking her son. She demands Abraham to remove Hagar and Ishmael from their home.

Study

Background Information

Male offspring were vital to the continuation of Hebrew genealogy lines. It was a common practice for a slave or a maidservant to bear children for her barren mistress in biblical times. If a slave had a child, the child belonged to the family of the mistress not the slave.

A similar example can be found later in Genesis, when a barren Rachel offers her maidservant, Bilhah, to Jacob. Bilhah had two of Jacob’s sons, Dan and Naptali. Leah (Rachel’s sister and Jacob’s other wife) had already given birth to four sons. Motivated by the competitive spirit between the sisters, Leah offers her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob. Zilpah gave birth to Gad and Asher. One half of the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob’s twelve sons) were born to maidservants.

Why Hagar Despised Sarai

In the beginning, Sarai and Hagar had a pleasant relationship as mistress and maidservant. The pregnancy changed everything. When Hagar realized she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. To despise means to show extreme malice or defiance with contempt.

In Every Woman in the Bible, the co-authors explained, Hagar may have despised Sarai because her pregnancy proved her mistress infertility–thus Sarai was less of a woman in comparison to her. Hagar may have also felt contempt toward Sarai because she was considered property, not a human being with feelings and emotions. This young girl was commanded to have sex with her much older master.

As a result, she conceived and carried a child that was her flesh and blood, but not legally her child. Up until this point, Hagar simply served Sarai, but now her body was the object of use as a surrogate. Sarai, who created the situation by not staying faithful to God’s timing, may have been oblivious to the girl’s emotions.

Submit to Authority

While Hagar was in the wilderness, God sent her a messenger. The first portion of the message was " Hagar, servant of Sarai … go back to your mistress and submit to her (Genesis. 16:9a)". To submit means to do what is right by obeying a person in charge. The second portion of the conversation was a promise to increase her "descendants that they will be too numerous to count" (Genesis 16:16). Hagar  was also given a name for her unborn son – Ishmael which means "God hears."

An Attitude Adjustment

"You are the God who sees me… I have now seen the One who sees me. Genesis 16:13 NIV

Hagar couldn’t change her circumstances and couldn’t have her baby alone. This Egyptian maidservant, who probably had her own gods, chose to adjust her attitude and trust in the real and living God.

Application

Let’s Talk About Submission

We are all under authority — whether it’s the government, at the workplace, or in the home. Submission really boils down to one’s attitude.

Government

In Romans 13:1, it states "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Elected politicians create and pass laws, while other public officials (judges, police officers) carry out the written laws. Whether we agree or disagree with those in government, we must submit to all "governing authorities." If we choose to break laws, the consequences of disobedience are tickets/fines, probation, prison terms, and in some cases, death.

Workplace

In Hagar’s situation, we witnessed the consequences of her unwillingness to submit to her employer/mistress. "Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. (Ephesians 6:5)" Hagar’s extreme change in attitude resulted in unnecessary cruelty from Sarai. "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:2)".

Employees can avoid conflict at the workplace by following Hagar’s example–even though her situation was difficult, she chose to trust God. Hagar remained with Abraham and Sarah for many years until Isaac, the promised child, was born. Only the Lord could have strengthened her to stay so long in this obviously strained environment.

Family Life

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother — that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. – Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV.

We often see rebellion in the home. As a child comes to terms with his/her blossoming manhood/womanhood, struggles usually breakout between parent and child/young adult. The bible has a solution for a young rebellious spirit and even an older child who must take on the responsibility of an aging parent.

Marriage

"Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord. – Ephesians 5:22

Women may cringe at this verse, but someone must
serve as head of
the household or be the main decision maker. God designated the husband with this role. In order to keep husbands from mistreating their wives, God commands men to submit as well.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. –Ephesians 5:25

The art of submission requires obedience and an occasional attitude adjustment. If we can’t submit to earthly laws how can we expect to submit to heavenly laws. Certain circumstances may push the boundaries of our ethics and morality. In these instances, we must seek the highest authority for answers, NOT decide to blatantly step out of God’s will, but allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Through prayer and attentive listening for the still small voice, the Lord will show us the paths that we must take just as he sent an angel of the Lord to meet with Hagar.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her. – Genesis 16:1-2 NIV

FULL SCRIPTURE LESSON: Genesis 16:1-6

Quick Facts

• Husband: Abraham
• Son: Isaac
• Original name was "Sarai"

Summary

Sarah was unable to have children. With both her and Abraham, being on the far end of being senior citizens, it appeared to be a pretty dim chance they would ever produce children. But God had clearly promised Abraham (at age 75) that all the people on earth would be blessed through his offspring.

Not full comprehending God’s plan, Sarah decided to interpret a bit by following a traditional custom. She asked her Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar, to sleep with her husband. When Hagar became pregnant, Sarah noticed her handmaiden began to act superior to her. The word used in the scripture was “despise.” The value of having a child still haunted Sarah in her own household as the mistress realized her own value to Abraham compared to  Sarah who had remained barren after so many years of marriage.

Study

God had promised Abraham that he would have descendents …so many that he could not even count for they would be numbered like the stars (Genesis 15:5). As time passed by, the couple became older and physically it seemed impossible for them to conceive a child. But what seemed impossible in human eyes is often possible in God’s eyes. The child would be born according to God’s timing and plan.

Often we become impatient waiting on God’s plan and we decide to hurry the process along ourselves. When we do our own thing, like Sarah we often feel the results our actions afterward. Sarah regretted her hasty decision to provide her husband an heir through her handmaiden because she did not comprehend one important aspect.

When the servant ridiculed Sarah’s inability to conceive, it proved to make matters worse. It was very important during biblical times for a woman to provide her husband with sons. Sons were needed to ensure the continuation of the family genealogy.  While her husband received a son, Sarah still was unfulfilled. God intended for both of them to be fulfilled which included ending Sarah’s barren state. By not waiting on the Lord, Sarah delayed her personal opportunity to be blessed.

Some of our troubles are unexpected trials and tests of faith, but many times, the cause for our suffering, stems from our own "Mr or Ms. Fix-It" mentality. What we thought was broken and needed our expertise, in fact was never broken but God’s will. His intent is to bless us when were are full ready to receive.

Application

Those that wait on the Lord will fly up like eagles, they will walk and not be weary, they will run and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31

It took me almost ten years to figure out my career calling. I’ve wanted to try everything from nursing to teaching to engineering.  My confusion was caused by my need to find my calling "NOW" in terms of waiting on the Lord.  I also had to many people telling me what I should try, So I tried this and that, never feeling completely fulfilled.

I finally discovered God wanted me equipped to use technology and  I’m more comfortable than I ever have been in pursuing my career goals.  My early years of  pursuing how things work and passion for creativity were purposeful designed to be a part of my personality.

Whenever we try to handle things our own way, we show distrust in God. Don’t give up on the Lord when it seems your prayers are going unanswered. When you pray to him, He has already worked out a solution to your problems and has the next step mapped out in your journey.

One of my favorite songs is by gospel artist, Dottie Peeples, is "He’s an on-time God, yes, he is! He’s an on-time God, yes, he is! He may not come when you want Him, but He’ll be there right on time. He’s an on-time God, yes, he is!"

Further Reading

• Read further to see how God blesses Sarah in Genesis 21:1-6.
• Read I Did Not Laugh
• Read Did You Inquire?

© 2000 Tyora Moody. All Rights Reserved

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22 NIV

FULL SCRIPTURE LESSON: Genesis 2:18-3:24

Quick Facts

• the first woman; “Eve…mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20
• Husband- Adam
• Children – Cain, Abel and Seth.

Summary

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

The Lord formed the first man from the dust of the earth and then breathed life into him. The man was given authority over the Garden of Eden. With this authority came specific instructions to eat from any tree in the garden. All but one. The tree of knowledge of good and evil. If the fruit was eaten, death was inevitable.

The man lived in the Garden with the animals where God had given him dominion over the Garden and the animals. The Lord saw that the man was lonely.

He put Adam to sleep and then took one of his ribs. From that curvaceous bone, God fashioned the first woman and then presented her to Adam. The couple officially became the first husband and wife and they lived together peacefully in the garden. What they didn’t realize was an adversary lurked nearby.

The serpent, the craftiest as well as the most beautiful of all the animals, approached the woman and questioned her about God’s little rule.

Could they really not eat from a certain tree in the garden?

He eventually convinced the woman to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. After tasting the fruit, she passed the fruit to her husband who also tasted it. Once the man ate of the fruit, both their eyes were opened and they were suddenly ashamed of their nakedness and hid. God came looking for them. A swift and grave punishment followed as a result of their disobedience.

Study

The story of creation is one many are familiar with even if he/she is not a regular bible reader. In the first chapter of Genesis, God is seen in his magnificence as He created the world. On the sixth day of His creative process, God created male and female in His image.

Adam and Eve lived in the beautiful Garden of Eden. In the garden, they dwelt with the animals and were allowed to eat any fruit they wanted to except from one particular tree, the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Satan arrived on the scene manifested as a serpent. From the very beginning, he’s described as “crafty.” This meant he was “adept in the use of subtlety and cunning” according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. To this day, Satan continues to use crafty methods to tempt humans to sin against God.

Here are a few methods you may recognize:

Place DOUBT in the mind.

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1

He tempts people to question God and His Word by planting a seed of doubt.

Twist the TRUTH.

You will surely not die…For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will surely be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4

Satan has a way of making “wrong” seem attractive to humans. They are deceived to believing certain actions are right or okay.

Some other methods he uses are:

• DISCOURAGEMENT - He makes you look at your problems instead of trusting God.
• DEPRESSION - He makes you feel depressed or like a failure, so you don’t bother to try.
• PROCRASTINATION – You will continue to put off doing or obeying God’s will.

Thank goodness we serve a FORGIVING God. Despite Eve’s disobedience and painful child-bearing punishment, God still established Eve as the mother of all living. Through her Seed (Jesus), believers can be redeemed from the horrible after-effects of the Fall.

Even though we may mess up, get off track and disobey God’s will, He will not turn his back on us. But we must make our way to him and confess our sins. Then, we must recognize temptation and nip it in the bud.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Application

Here are some assertive tips to avoid temptation. They are very simple, but so easy to NOT follow when you should.

Prayer & Quiet Time

When we become weary (afraid, stressed, frustrated, etc), we must choose to spend time alone with God. Jesus always went off alone to pray and prepare himself. It’s during those times when we are vulnerable, we can often get sidetracked.

Bible Study (Know the Word)

Our best example on how to apply God’s Word when it comes to temptation is Jesus. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), he used the Word of God each of the three times Satan tempted him.

Don’t Live in Denial, Know Your Weaknesses

When Jesus came from the Garden of Gethsemane after praying, he found his three companions asleep. He warned them, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 NIV

You have to be aware of your weaknesses, because you are certainly being watched and studied, the same way the serpent did to Eve. He sought her out and knew exactly how to capture her attention away from God.

Beware of What You Are Ingesting

There is an old saying, “You are what you eat.” This applies not only to physical food but to spiritual feeding too. Are you cautiously choosing television programs, movies and music?  Are you a gossiper or do just listen (not good either)? Filthy language and demeaning jokes – are these acceptable to you?

Further Study

Temptation

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
–1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.”
– 1 Timothy 6:11 NIV

“Because he himself suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. “
– Hebrews 2:18 NIV

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ” – 1 James 1:12-15 NIV

© 2000 Tyora Moody. All Rights Reserved

The first five books of the bible are known as the Pentateuch. Some scholars say Moses wrote them.  It’s possible he may have  recorded his thoughts and later someone else organized them. Whoever the author, the reading can be painful. Though the reading is not the most exciting at times, these books are the foundational in so many ways.

Exodus

I’ve always been puzzled by the part where Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. I do sense from repeated reading, the way people react to situations, God is well aware of the outcome long before we see the results. The Egyptians and the Israelites needed to see God, the Alpha and the Omega, in action.

Despite the awesome miracles with the ten plagues and the Red Sea, Moses troubles only worsened as he led an estimated 2 million people, the Israelites (Hebrews) farther into the wilderness. With the people now out of Egypt, God goes to work setting them apart by providing very detailed instructions for assembling a place of worship. In Hebrews, it states the tabernacle set-up was a representation of the worship experience in heaven.

They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5

I’ve found it was very helpful to have visuals of the tent or tabernacle.  View photos here at BiblePlaces.com.

Leviticus

By the time I reached Leviticus, I chose to read The Message to tackle these chapters. In some cases, The Message was almost too blunt, but with all the instructions for the sacrifices, several patterns emerged. The God who loves and wants his children to be in relationship with him. God wanted to restore the relationship that was broken in the garden by setting a group of people apart. Where it came so easy for Adam and Eve, this new system involved some requirements for the Israelites.

1. Sacrifice had to be without defect. God expected you to take full responsibility for your sin and bring the best sacrifice.

2. I wouldn’t compare these chapters to a slasher horror movie, but there’s a lot of blood. Life is in the blood and God wanted the one doing the sacrifice to understand the extent of his sin. Imagine if we had to do this today!

3. No matter your economic status, blood was required to make atonement for sin with sacrifices consisting of bulls, next up sheep, birds and grain. God provided a way for ALL to be forgiven.

Leviticus reminds us how truly world changing, Jesus’ death was for mankind. He was the ultimate sacrifice.

¹¹When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. ¹²He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:11-14

It’s hard to comprehend the graphic details, but both of these books all point back to worship – giving honor to a Holy God.

Keep that in mind the next time you are struggling to read. If you have any thoughts, feel free to comment.

Next up, I will talk a bit about Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The Season of Lent

Lent is the season of the church year in which Christians celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection during a forty day period. The forty day period is based on the 40 days and 40 night, Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting after his baptism(Matthew 4:2). Satan knew Jesus was hungry and exhausted and proceeded to tempt Jesus to sin on three occasions, but of course, Satan did not succeed.

During this season, the color purple is used to symbolize repentance, humility and suffering.
Important Days

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The ashes used by the priests are from last year’s palm tree branches. Ashes in the bible were used synonymously with the word “sackcloth”. These both were signs that a person was sorry for his or her sins or in mourning.  Many times an individual would tear his clothes, throw ashes on their head, sit in the dust and wear a sackcloth as a physical sign to others of repentance or mourning. Some individuals in the bible who did this was Tamar (2 Samuel 13:19) and Job (Job 2:8).

Passion Week is the week before Holy Week.  It is a time for us to turn our hearts and minds toward Jesus’ suffering on the cross to save us from our sins. This is something we should do all year, but the Church especially highlights this reflection time prior to Easter.

Holy Week is the week before Easter.  Most of the Easter story takes place during this week.

On Palm Sunday Jesus traveled into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowd placed palm branches on the ground at his feet. The palm tree was a tree of honor. This day starts Holy Week.  Mark 11:8-10

During Maundy Thursday, Jesus and his twelve disciples had their “Last Supper” together. During this dinner, Jesus asked us to remember him by observing the Lord’s Supper.

Passover is an annual Jewish holiday that reminds the Jewish people of how God freed them from slavery in Egypt. The Angel of the Lord ”passed over” the homes marked with the blood of a lamb on their doorframes, but killed all the other firstborn of Egypt.  Read Exodus 12

The Passover also has a special meaning for Christians.  Jesus’ last supper with His disciples was the Passover meal. This was the first communion meal.

Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross.

Resurrection Sunday or Easter marks the end of the Lent season.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

There are four types of love:

• Eros describes the relationship between male and female.
• Stergos describes affection or the mutual love between family members.
• Philos describes the care and concern that friends have for each other.
• Agape describes a unique type of love that involves a conscious and deliberate choice to do good for another person regardless of the circumstances. This unconditional love is best seen in God’s love for the world (John 3:16) and in the love that God calls believers to display (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

In the passage above, Jesus’ answer to the lawyer in Matthew 22 tells us as Christians we must have an "agape" love for one another. To learn how to show real love, we must first learn from The Master … God is love (1 John 4:16).

People often fail in their relationships because they seek the wrong places for answers. When we concentrate on learning to love God with our entire beings, it becomes easier to unconditionally love our neighbors, families, friends, and even our enemies. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).