September 17, 2017

When you hear that I’m talking about wives submitting to their husbands, I suspect that many women and probably some men will think, “Seriously? How can he even think of giving such a message? Is he living in the Dark Ages?”

But if we believe that the Bible is God’s inspired, authoritative Word, then we need to step back from our godless culture and seek to understand what the Scripture says about this subject and why it says it. What it says is fairly straightforward:

As the church is subject to Christ, so wives are to be subject to their husbands in everything.

That’s almost verbatim from verse 24. But because of our modern culture, the command grates on many who profess faith in Christ. Many evangelical “egalitarians” try to come up with explanations that dodge the clear meaning of the text. But a few comments may help us approach it biblically.

First, as with all of God’s commandments, the command in our text is for our good from an all-wise, loving God (Deut. 6:24). He designed marriage and so He can tell us how we must live in it if we want His blessing. God is not a cosmic male chauvinist, who is punishing women and rewarding men by commanding these respective roles in marriage! Rather, they reflect His wise and loving care for us as we obey. Although most of us dislike the word “submit,” all Christians must submit to proper authority: government (Rom. 13:1); employers (Titus 2:9); church leaders (Heb. 13:17); and, family (Eph. 5:22; 6:1). To live in rebellion to authority is to live in defiance of God Himself, who ordains all authority.

Second, note that the church is in no way degraded by submitting to Jesus Christ. To the contrary, it is to the church’s glory to submit to Christ. Even so, it is not degrading for a wife to submit to her husband. Rather, it results in (Eph. 5:27), “her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Submission results in her ultimate good.

Third, a wife’s submission to her husband is not a cross that she glumly must bear. It is rather the path of joy. The context here is the joy and thankfulness of being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20). Thus, just as submission to God is the way to true and lasting joy, so a wife’s submission to her husband as to the Lord is the way to true and lasting joy.

Fourth, Christian marriage is to be a countercultural witness to a selfish world where everyone is fighting for his or her rights. The world should look at Christian marriages and instantly see the difference. They should see a Christian husband tenderly and selflessly loving his wife as Christ loved the church. They should see a Christian wife joyfully submitting to and respecting her husband, always seeking his good. The world should see Christian children obeying their parents and the parents lovingly and patiently training their children in the ways of the Lord. The difference between this picture and the garbage on TV should cause the world to marvel.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible uses the marriage relationship to picture the relationship between God and His people. Paul shows here that Christian marriage is an earthly picture of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32): “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” God created man as male and female to reflect His image (Gen. 1:27). In the Trinity, all three Persons are equally God; but to carry out the divine plan, the Son submits to the Father and the Spirit submits to the Father and the Son. There is perfect love and harmony among the members of the Trinity. There is no rivalry or competition. Even so in marriage, the husband and wife are equal as persons before God, sharing in the grace of salvation (Gal. 3:28; 1 Pet. 3:7). But there is an order of authority and submission to reflect the divine image.

If a husband puts his wife down or is abusive toward her, he is proclaiming the heresy that Christ puts down and abuses His bride. If he is a self-centered dictator over his wife, he tells the world that the gentle, loving Christ is a cruel, self-centered tyrant. When a man abdicates his headship and lets his wife lead, he preaches that Christ does not lovingly shepherd His church and that the church is free to live out from under submission to Christ, again heretical lies. If a husband is unfaithful to his wife or neglects her by being married to his career or hobbies, he preaches that Christ is unfaithful or indifferent to His church, another falsehood. So as married Christians, our witness to a watching world is very much entwined with how we relate as husbands and wives.

To explain and apply our text, consider four main statements:

1. To submit biblically to your husband, you must be in submission to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” The verb is in italics because it is not in the Greek text, but is carried over from verse 21. In the context, being subject to one another in the fear of Christ is a result of being filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit. “As to the Lord” does not mean that a wife must submit to her husband in exactly the same way that she submits to the Lord. The Lord is perfect, whereas every husband is far from perfect (all the wives say, Amen!). Rather, Paul means that submission to your husband is a part of obedience to the Lord. If you are fighting against the idea of being subject to your husband, your attitude reflects that you are really fighting against the Lord, who ordained this order in marriage. So you must begin by yielding to the Lord and His inspired Word.

2. To submit biblically to your husband, you must recognize that he is in fact your head.

Verse 23 explains (“for”) verse 22: “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Note that Paul does not say that the husband ought to be the head of his wife, but rather, “the husband is the head of his wife.” It’s a stated fact, not a command. Some husbands are weak, ineffective, and just plain lousy heads of their wives, but they are still in that position of authority. Douglas Wilson (Reforming Marriage [Canon Press], p. 24, italics his) writes,

Meditating on this is a very valuable thing for husbands to do. Because the husband is the head of the wife, he finds himself in a position of inescapable leadership. He cannot successfully refuse to lead. If he attempts to abdicate in some way, he may, through his rebellion, lead poorly. But no matter what he does, or where he goes, he does so as the head of his wife. This is how God designed marriage.

The fact of the husband’s headship, which is analogous to Christ’s headship over the church, has at least two implications:

A. The fact of the husband’s headship means that there are gender-based roles in marriage as ordained by God.

While there is a sense in which all believers submit to one another (Eph. 5:21), there is another sense in which wives submit to their husbands, but husbands do not submit to their wives. It is significant that whenever the New Testament addresses the subject of Christian marriage, it always commands the wife to be subject to her husband, using the same verb as here. But it never commands the husband to be subject to his wife (Col. 3:18; Titus 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:1). The verb means to put oneself in rank under another.

Also, all of the New Testament commands for wives to submit to their husbands are addressed to the wives, not to the husbands. The Bible never commands a husband to command his wife to submit. Rather, the headship of the husband is a fact and the wife is to respond to the Lord, who designed marriage in this way, by willingly submitting to her husband.

This is not a culturally-determined role that we are free to discard, since it doesn’t fit our culture. God could have created Adam and Eve at the same instant by speaking the word, but He did not. He created Eve out of Adam. From that fact, Paul concludes (1 Cor. 11:9), “for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.” She was to be a helper suitable for him, to assist him in his God-given tasks. So the roles in marriage are not culturally determined, but rather ordained by God at creation. Specific duties in a household are flexible and can be worked out in a marriage for the mutual good of the couple. But the role of the husband as head and the wife as subject to him are fixed.

B. Just as Christ’s headship over the church means that He is in authority over the church for her good, so the husband has authority over his wife for her good.

Headship here means “authority” (Eph. 1:22). Referring to an order of authority, Paul writes (1 Cor. 11:3), “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” Biblical authority is never given for the advantage of the one in authority or so that he can dominate those under authority. Rather, God delegates authority for the blessing and protection of those under authority, so that they will become all that God wants them to be. Also, the one in authority is accountable to God for those under his authority. This does not mean that a husband must make every decision, but he is responsible for every decision made. If he is negligent with that responsibility or if he abuses it for his own advantage, he will answer to God!

After explaining the analogy, “as Christ also is the head of the church,” Paul adds (Eph. 5:23), “He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Commentators puzzle over why he adds this here, but it seems to me that he is both assuring the wives and exhorting the husbands. Christ’s headship over the church meant that He gave Himself on the cross to save His people from their sins. While Christ’s role as Savior is unique, there is an analogy: husbands must sacrificially give themselves in love for their wives (Eph. 5:25). They must use their headship to protect and bless their wives, never to abuse them. Wives can be assured that they will not be harmed, but rather cared for and loved, when they submit to such godly husbands. Husbands who abdicate their God-given authority in the home leave their wives spiritually unprotected.

Thus to submit biblically to your husband, you must be in submission to the Lord. And, you must recognize that your husband is in fact your head, or authority.

3. To submit biblically to your husband, you must understand what biblical submission is (and is not).

First I will offer a definition and then I will describe seven characteristics of biblical submission.

A. Definition: Biblical submission is the attitude and action of willingly and wholeheartedly respecting, yielding to, and obeying the authority of another.

That definition applies to all of the spheres of authority: to God Himself; human government; church government; wives to husbands; children to parents; and workers to employers. It includes our attitude, because it is not to be forced, but willing and wholehearted. Applied to wives, it includes the following:

B. Description: Submission in marriage looks like this.

(1) Submission involves respecting your husband.

When Paul sums up his counsel (Eph. 5:33), he repeats (from verse 25) that the husband is to love his wife. But rather than saying that the wife must submit to her husband, he says that she must respect (lit. fear) him. A large part of submission involves respect. While books have been written on this (e.g., Emerson Eggerichs, Love and Respect, [Integrity Publishers]), at the very least it means that a wife not attack her husband or put him down. Rather, she should get on her husband’s team and cheer him on. If he makes a mistake, she can gently correct, but she should assure him of her loyalty and love.

(2) Submission includes the desire to please the one over you.

When I counsel couples whose marriages are in trouble, invariably they are competing with one another. Rather than seeking to please her husband, the wife is trying to win. She wants to make him pay for what he has done to hurt her. But submission means that you want him to be happy. You want to please him. If he likes a particular meal, you fix it often. If he likes the house to be neat, you try to keep it that way. You don’t punish him by making him unhappy. You please him in every way possible.

(3) Submission means not subverting your husband’s will and desires through deception, manipulation, or whining.

I’ve seen wives who put on a veneer of submission to their husband’s face, but then they go behind his back and use subversive tactics to get what they want. Or, they whine or nag him until to get some peace, he capitulates. That is not submission!

(4) Submission means responding to your husband as leader and lover.

Many husbands feel threatened and incompetent when it comes to leading their wives. If their feeble attempts to lead meet with criticism or apathy, they won’t try again. If your husband takes a stab at giving leadership in your marriage, even if it’s inept, encourage him! If he makes a suggestion for a romantic evening together, don’t criticize his idea! If he dares to share something on his heart with you or a fear that is nagging him, listen sensitively and thank him for it. Be responsive, not resistant!

(5) Submission does not imply the inferiority of the wife to her husband.

As I said, this would be heretical, because it would imply the inferiority of the Son to the Father, because the Son submits to the Father (even in eternity, 1 Cor. 15:28). A godly husband is to be a good manager of his household (1 Tim. 3:4, 12). A good manager utilizes and praises the strengths of those he manages. If a wife is better at something than the husband is, a wise husband will recognize that gift and let her use it for their common good.

(6) Submission does not imply passivity.

A wife can be submissive and still actively try to influence her husband for God (as 1 Peter 3:1-6 implies). The wife whose husband is disobedient to the Lord is not told to be passive and not influence him. Rather, she is told how to influence him by her quiet and gentle spirit. All Scripture, including the command to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), applies to wives as well as husbands. A submissive wife needs lovingly to admonish her husband if he is in sin (Rom. 15:14; Gal. 6:1). She needs truthfully to communicate her dissatisfaction with her husband’s insensitivity or aloofness. She may need to express her opinions vigorously, so that her husband knows exactly what she thinks. Without honest communication, a marriage cannot grow in intimacy.

Submission means that after a thorough, honest sharing of opinions and feelings, if there is still disagreement, the wife must go along with the husband’s decision, as long as it is not sinful. But, please note: he will answer to God for that decision, and so he should only override his wife’s objections after much prayer and with fear and trembling! In our now 43 years of marriage, Marla and I cannot come up with a single example of where I have had to overrule her. We’ve always come to mutual agreement as we’ve talked and prayed through decisions.

(7) Submission does not require a wife to bury her spiritual gifts.

There are many gifted women in the Bible and in church history who have been greatly used of God. Priscilla is often mentioned before her husband, Aquila. She was probably the prominent one in helping Apollos straighten out his theology (Acts 18:24-26). Timothy’s grandmother and mother, played key roles in training him in the Scriptures (2 Tim. 1:5, 3:15). Women have a huge ministry in influencing their children to follow the Lord (Titus 2:4). Paul refers to the mother of Rufus as “his mother and mine” (Rom. 16:13). Apparently she had ministered to Paul as a mother.

So Paul is saying that as the church is subject to Christ, so wives should be to their husbands. But, he adds one more thing:

4. Since genuine submission to Christ must be total, genuine submission to your husband must be total.

Paul adds two little words at the end of verse 24, “in everything.” Why did he add those words? What does he mean?

A. “In everything” means that you cannot create loopholes to dodge the commandment.

Paul knew that we’re all prone to try to dodge the difficult commands of the Bible. Many wives will say, “I would submit to my husband if he would just love me as you’ve described. But how can I submit when he is so selfish and insensitive?” In marriage counseling, this is always the biggest hurdle for couples to overcome. When they stop blaming the faults of their mate and start focusing on their own responsibilities, there is hope!

B. “In everything” includes submission in thoughts, words, and deeds.

Submission and respect begin in your thought life: Do you run down your husband and complain about his shortcomings or do you thankfully focus on his strengths? Are your words encouraging and affirming? Are your deeds supportive and responsive?

C. “In everything” does not include submission to sin.

If your husband asks you to do something that Scripture forbids, you must respectfully decline. If he asks you to view pornography, you must say no. If he asks you to lie for him or cheat on your taxes or stop going to church, you would sin against God to go along with your husband’s request. You should resist his sinful wishes respectfully, but you must resist.

D. “In everything” does not mean that you say yes to every demand, if by so doing you are fostering your husband’s laziness and irresponsibility.

If your husband is dumping his responsibilities on you or using you as his slave to cater to his laziness, you need to talk to him. He needs to be confronted with his faults in a gracious, but firm manner. To allow him to go on in his sin is not to love him as Christ commands you to do (Eph. 5:2).

E. “In everything” does not mean yielding to criminal behavior, including threats or physical abuse.

If a husband is getting drunk, using illegal drugs, or is abusing his wife or children, he is violating both God’s law and the law of the state. Submission does not mean passively tolerating such sin. A wife should call the police and the husband should go to jail. If he professes to be a Christian, she should call the church leaders.

A godly wife may need to endure some sinful verbal abuse, such as put-downs, name-calling, or cursing, if her husband is not a Christian (this is the clear implication of 1 Pet. 3:1-6). She should talk with him and explain that she would like to be close to him, but his abusive language is damaging their marriage. But if he is threatening her with physical abuse or death, she needs to move with any children to a place of safety and get some godly counsel.

Conclusion

I realize that this is not an easy subject to apply and obey, but I would encourage each of you to grapple with it especially in areas where you may be resisting the Lord. If you’re having trouble in your marriage, don’t blame your husband or wait for him to start loving you as he should. Instead, do something radical: Submit to your husband in every area, even as the church is to submit to Christ. If you’re fighting this portion of Scripture, you’re not submitting. And if you’re not submitting, the world won’t see Christ in your marriage.

Application Questions

1. How can a wife respect a husband who doesn’t deserve it? What does respect mean, practically, in this situation?
2. Does the submission of the wife imply that a husband makes all the decisions unilaterally? Would he be a good manager of his household to do this?
3. Are specific tasks in marriage gender-related (earning a paycheck, housework, caring for the children, etc.)? Give biblical support.
4. What if a wife is a better natural leader than her husband is? Must she still submit, even if he agrees to let her lead?

Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2017, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition © The Lockman Foundation

Bob, thanks for your teaching on Paul and Peter in Galatians 2. I’m beginning a sermon series in Galatians and am trying to discern if the confrontation between Paul and Peter was before or after the Jerusalem council?

The Lord bless you,
Thanks again for your ministry.

Answer

Brother *****,

As to your question concerning the relationship between the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 and Paul’s confronting Peter in Galatians 2, I’m just not sure. And since the Scriptures don’t take the effort to inform us on this matter clearly I’m inclined to view this in the light of Deuteronomy 29:29.

What I do see is this: In Acts 15 Peter takes his stand on the basis of divine revelation (Acts 10-11) and clearly declared principle, as declared by Peter himself:

7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:7-11

In Galatians 2 Peter denies his own principle (as declared by him in Acts 15) by disregarding it in practice at Antioch. And this he did out of fear of the circumcision party.

What one eats or does not has been dealt with by Paul as a matter of personal conviction (Romans 14 & 15). We are not to divide over our convictions, Paul says here, but to glorify God with one voice (15:5-6). It looks like convictions were held more strongly than doctrine. This is probably assuming the best as the circumcision party may still cling to the view they expressed in Acts 15:1: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

The wonder of it all to me is that even Barnabas (Galatians 2:13) was caught up in this, for he was the one who rejoiced at the report that Gentiles had come to faith (Acts 11:22-24).

If I were preaching this text, I would be inclined to expose ways in which we practically deny (or selectively obey) truths that we emphatically declare. For example, we pick and choose those sins which we denounce. We pound the pulpit, so to speak, with regard to adultery and sexual perversion, yet we are silent about sins included in the same list in Romans 1: greed, malice, envy, strife, deceit, gossiping. We love to condemn the sins we hate, but hate to denounce the sins we love.

Hope this helps,
Bob Deffinbaugh

Introduction (slide 1)

How many of you are on Facebook? If Facebook were a country #3 after China and India? Friend me. Imagine being on God’s Facebook page? Abram was…saw in your lesson, “friend of God” I want that said of me, don’t you. Definitely want to be on God’s Facebook page. Starts with a Call:

Outline:

I. The Call of Abram: includes God’s blessings v1-3 (slide 2)

II. The Commitment of Abram: obeys and builds altar v4-9

III. The Crisis of Abram: famine brings testing v10-20

The Call v1-3

We really need to start our story in Gen 11:27,28,31,32 READ. Terah, father, in Ur (MAP slide3) Describe city. Last 150 years great archeological discoveries abt this large city=quarter of million people lived in the district. Worshiped primarily moon god Nannar, remains of pyramid type temple called a ziggurat, beautiful tiered building with terraces and trees, outer courts, inner courts., 75 feet tall. Discovered the royal cemetery where kings, rulers were buried along with gold, silver, personal jewelry as well as chariots, sledges, musical instruments. City was thickly poplulated with private residences, several stories tall, some with 14 rooms, “mansions” marketplaces, trade was carried on by merchants with India, Africa through the Persian Gulf from its canal-basin harbor. Education was valued, circulating libraries, one of the most important, advanced, beautiful cities in the world. N.Y. London, Paris. Abram leaves big city life for a much more primitive culture. Leaving Rome and moving to Siberia, the Sahara desert. Dramatic change. Scripture tells us, Terah takes Abram, Sarai, Lot leave Ur move to Haran. Why do they leave? When does the call come? Acts 7:2-4 READ What we’re sure of is he left Ur, stopped in Haran settled there, don’t know how long Terah died there (slide4)

The Call of Abram is 3 fold: Read v1 leave your country, your people, go to land I’ll show (slide5)

This call to Abram comes with some incredible promises/blessings READ 2-3 (slide 6)

Great nation= God’s people/numerically great

I will bless you (Abram)=friend of God, relationship w/God, blessed materially, heir

Name great= Father Abraham, 3 religions, “elect of God”, prophet, mighty prince, Gal= “Father of the faithful

You will be a blessing=numerous ways household, people surrounding him

Bless those who bless you

Curse those who curse you= became prophetic warning to other nations

All peoples on earth will be blessed through you= ultimately Messiah Jesus Christ came thru

”THESE are big words, big promise, here Abram is given God’s big picture plan- the details will follow; add v7 land = Abrahamic Covenant= Nation, Blessing, Land.

God is beginning a new work with mankind. (slide 7) JEWISH STUDY BIBLE=

“Constitutes to a large extent a reversal of some of the curses on Adam and Eve-exile(instead Abram and Sarai are promised a home in Canaan in the land), pain in childbirth (contrast experience the joy of having a child and many descendants are promised), and uncooperative soil (blessings in the land).” This great new work, these promises to Abram, to realize them, Abram would have to pay a price.

Truth: God’s calls are often costly –(slide 8)

Which would have been the hardest for you? Country, family, going not knowing? All were costly. Jesus Luke 14:27,28 Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple, Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” You need to count the cost because following God is going to cost you something. Paul says it another way cost is simple= die to self, live for God (Romans 6). What has following God cost you? Relationship with family, friends or someone you love? Material, financial, lifestyle that is less than you had hoped for. Maybe the cost is becoming the person he wants you to be, learning new ways to live that please Him not others. Your time- you’re being called to give up some precious personal time.

Truth: God’s calls are often misunderstood by others (Fly in)

Text is silent on what Abram’s extended family thought when he left, but probably there those who thought it was ridiculous to leave the security and safety and accommodations of a large industrious city to go off not knowing where you were going. Just plain dangerous, risky Security and safety often drive our decisions rather than listening to God’s calls, and yet, “safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will” Safety is just one issue, many other reasons God’s calls are misunderstood: financial issues , perhaps call seems to others unrealistic and impractical, too sacrificial, endless how you may be misunderstood.

Ie. Lake Carroll pastor. Years ago, Florida, asked to teach in a para-church ministry, went in to my pastor and asked for his blessing, he told me I shouldn’t teach there but I should teach in my church, first priority. Disappointed w/his response, so I asked him if he would be willing to see me as a missionary to the local community, opportunity to teach some who were not churched, possibly not believers. He didn’t see it that way either, Left sad. Later I remember reading and then writing in my bible: Be willing to be misunderstood for doing God’s will in your life, are you willing?

Truth: God’s calls all His people to walk in faith =(fly in)

Heb 11:1 faith=being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we cannot see

Heb 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please God…

For Abram, God revealed a small portion of His global plan for mankind and said, leave everything you know, most of your family and go to a strange land and I’ll let you know along the way where you’re going, just trust Me, just believe that what I’m telling you is true.

Quote= “Walking in faith requires we accept God’ Word at face value, even when it seems impossible that His promises can come true” Abram was called to walk by faith, and 4000 yrs later you and I have the same call, we too are to walk by faith and not by sight. Starts at the beginning of our relationship w/God.

Our salvation is a walk of faith Eph 2:8,9

By grace you have been saved through faith-and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. Faith= believing, trusting though we have not seen , JC is Son of God , died for your sins, buried and 3^rd day rose again, coming again soon for us, this faith assures us of the only real security we have= eternal security, life forever with him

Our daily relationship w/God is also a walk of faith Paul =2Cor5:7

We live by faith and not by sight 10:15Our hope is that your faith continues to grow

Gal 2:20 We live by faith in the Son of God Col 1:23 Continue in your faith Peter= IPeter1:21 live holy lives because Our hope and faith are in God John= IJohn5:4 faith in the Son of God overcomes the world.

So what does a walk of faith look like? Different for each of us, but our common characteristic is that we trust God with our lives, the circumstances of our lives. A walk of faith means I believe God’s promises and what the scriptures say about him. I believe God is good and working out my life for good because I belong to him and want His will for my life. Our study is going to see Abraham’s walk of faith, at its high points and its low just like ours

Application: I hope you spent some time on the challenge question= trace your spiritual journey, your walk of faith, if you haven’t done that, ask you’d consider going back completing.

The Commitment of Abram: obeys and builds altar v4-9

The Calls of God present us with choices, as this one did Abram. What will we do? Obey or ignore, or we will outright reject the call? Abram had a call, had a choice, obeyed

READ V4-9 (slide 9) EXPLAIN THE MAP

Abram, Lot, Sarai left Haran and traveled to Shechem (MAP) slide 10, slide 11 “ there were Canaanites in the land” Why is that included? Not clear, perhaps it’s a foreshadow of all the challenges Abram and his descendants would have in possessing the promises of God. We know that the Canaanites were to become a thorn in Israel’s side, their false gods were tempting to the Jews for the next 1500 years. Perhaps also they point out the seeming impossibility of God’s promises to Abram, what was one single man among all these Canaanites, how would they react to his living among them? How would they respond to his belief that the land was given to him and his offspring?

The Canaanites were in the land, they certainly could represent all the challenges a believer who lives by faith not sight encounters.

Abram enters this land having faith in what God has said to him. No different for you and me. Trusting faith in this Word will be what overcomes our obstacles, our opposition.

Right in the midst of the Canaanites God says “this is your land, giving it to your children” v7. Abram believes and worships. Builds an altar in Shechem (MAP) right in front of the Canaanites and then moves to the area between Bethel and Ai and builds another altar and calls on the name of the Lord.

Last lesson we talked about themes in Abram’s life: tents= wanderer, nomad and altars= worshiped God were 2 reoccurring characteristics of his life. Reflected his trust and open expression of faith in God. The Hebrew word translated “called” v8 means to “cry out” or “to proclaim”. We see Abram crying out, witnessing to those around him that this is the true God, there is no other god but him. 500 years later, Moses is given the commandments on Mt Sinai, this will be the first commandment= You Hebrews, you descendants of Abraham, you shall have no other gods before me. Abram had a call, had a choice, obeyed

Truth: Yes is the response of faith from a committed believer to God’s calls (slide 12)

Truth: Worship is the desire of faith from a committed believer (fly in)

Application= no question in my mind that everyone here that is a believer wants to be a committed follower of God. We want to have the faith of Abraham. Question is= will we be willing to respond in faith to our calls, will we prioritize worship, will we live among the peoples of our world as women of faith?

As soon as you sincerely say yes and move out in God’s will, don’t be surprised if you encounter a test of your faith.

The Crisis of Abram v10-20 (slide 13)

READ v10a Famine =reoccurring theme in the bible. Famine in the land that causes Jacob to send his sons to Egypt for food. Famine in the land that causes Naomi and her husband to move to Moab in book of Ruth. Famines produce opportunities to seek God. We’re not told in the text why there was a famine at this time. We remember we live on fallen planet earth where Jesus said “in this world you will have tribulation, troubles” (John16:33) whether you’re in the will of God or not, you are going to face famines which God says are opportunities to trust His care of you. The disciples went out in the boat at night because they were in the will of God, Jesus had told them to go, storm came up that threatened to kill them, their opportunity to trust God.

Truth: Famines produce opportunities to seek God. (slide 14)

Something is missing here in our story.

But we don’t see Abram seeking God here, text is silent. It is just like God to let us make our own choices, our own decisions, try to work things out ourselves, and forget God in the process. This famine produced the opportunity to seek God, the testing of Abram: Would he pray? ask God what to do? Would he trust God to provide? Would he believe the promises God had made him? What was God’s will for him?

Truth: God uses the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad, to lead us to His will for us. (fly in)

Read v10b-13 “beautiful woman” (slide 15) Abram fears that Sarai’s beauty will mean that men will want to take her from him. She is late sixties- ok lives to 127 middle aged, “foxy forty” hard to imagine her competing with 20 year olds. Ie 40’s my middle son about 10 came home from a friend’s house, carpooled with, mom, Mrs looks so young, do you think she uses Oil of Olay? Power of advertisement. Sarai, was it her regal demeanor, kept her youthful figure, was she just plain gorgeous, some women just don’t age quickly, Sarai was more than attractive, she was beautiful.

This causes a problem for Abram, fears for his life, so he asks her to tell a half truth. She was his half sister, they had the same father, Terah different mothers. Half-truths are usually whole lies. Abram was so afraid for his own life that he put Sarai’s life in danger. Look at the consequences of his fears.

READ V14-15

Truth: Fears cannot co-exist with faith. Opposites. Fears lead to doubt not faith (slide 16)

All throughout scripture God calls to us and says, don’t be afraid, don’t fear, I will take care of you, I will be there for you. Yet all of us know the emotion of fear, how easily it can consume us, paralyze us, defeat us.

ie watershed time in my life. Skiing in Aspen, leaving to go home, blizzard closed airport, my husband another wonderful totally inexperienced man decided to rent a car drive to Denver, interstates closed, drove on, throwing up in the bathroom because of so afraid my children would be orphans, fear paralyzed me, prayed out loud in the back seat 10 drive. I hated that feeling, confess no trust in my husband or God to get us home. 3 weeks later I’m in the hospital with a blood clot in my leg from a skiing accident – doctor says if you get of bed to go to the bathroom the clot could break and go to your heart and die, don’t move, hospital 3 weeks – every 6 hours thin my blood and watch to make sure I didn’t hemorrhage, again I thought my life was threatened, but this time, I prayed God I don’t want to ever feel that afraid again, would you exchange my fear for your peace, I trust you that whatever happens to me you will take care of my kids, often nights I prayed that over and over again- God gave me peace – Jesus says is our inheritance because we belong to Him.

Application: Is there a circumstance is causing fear in your life right now? Threatens your fellowship with God? Troubles in your marriage, pregnant or rebellious teenager, maybe you know of someone who is cheating in business or on their husband, pending financial reversal that means bankruptcy, What makes you afraid?

Truth: Fears cannot co-exist with faith.(fly in)

Text is silent about what is happening to Sarai in the king’s harem. She had to be battling with fear too. Would she have to sleep with the king? Would he hurt her? Would Abram’s God help her?

That’s exactly what happens. God in his mercy and grace protects her and Abram READ v16-20

God intervenes and rescues Abram and Sarai and sends them home. This is the first time the promise is threatened but it won’t be the last, even in Abram’s lifetime.

God’s faithful and will protect his covenant with Abram, over and over in scripture God is faithful even when we are not.

I don’t know how God will come into your life and work through your fearful circumstances. Don’t know how, but I know He will if you trust him, if you live by faith, even if your situation doesn’t change, you can have peace, don’t have to be afraid. Promise, Abraham=Promise Believer

Choose to be a woman of faith, choose to follow God’s call on your life, choose to trust him.

Homework questions are available in the student study guide which may be downloaded from the "Related Media" box on the series home page: https://bible.org/series/abraham

Introduction= Exciting time to be studying Genesis, all the current events in Middle East, Egypt..esp chapt 14= within the last 90 years many of the cities mentioned in this war has been excavated. We have historical proof we are dealing with real places, real war, terrible destruction, many captives, and unbelievable yet successful rescue. Our study centers on the role played by one man- Abram. He is a man strangely aloof from the world, yet caring deeply for his own. When he finds out the situation, there is no hesitation in going to save Lot. After the battle, there is no hesitation in refusing to accept part of the spoils.

Outline:

I. Abram rescues Lot Gen 14:1-16 (slide2)

A. Inevitable War Gen 14:1-12

B. Invaluable Friend Gen 14:13-16

II. Abram receives Blessing Gen 14:17-24

A. King of Salem Gen 14:18-20

B. King of Sodom Gen 14:17,21-24

A. Inevitable War Gen 14:1-12.

1. Wealth from the plain of Jordan that attracted Lot also attracted foreign invaders. The text tells us that the original invasion of this territory 14 years previous to our story. For 12 years the people of this area paid tribute $ to Chedorlaomer (ked-aur-LAY-oh-mur) king of Elam (map slide 3).

Verse one=4 Kings from: Shinar= Babylon (Ur); Ellasar=Haran; Elam= Southwest Persia/Iran; Goiim=nations=Syria

Verse two=5 Kings from Sodom; Gomorrah; Admah; Zeboiim; Bela(Zoar)

No small battle

13^th year, the kings of the plains rebelled, wanted their freedom. Chedorlaomer was considered the Napoleon of his age, mighty warrior, determined to conqueror and rule other nations. He heard of their revolt and was compelled to squash it and regain his power in the area. He forms a coalition w/3 other Eastern Kings v1 plans to ravage the whole country. Follow the map (slide 4) This is what most all scholars believe to be the route Transjordan Hwy; defeating their enemies as far as El Paran, then swing northwestward into the Negev highlands defeating the Amalekites, turn east defeating Amorites. One after another city falls to them, but the 5 Kings of the plains determine to join together to stand against them.

2. Battle v8-11 v8 Battle is in the Valley of Siddim = by Moses’ Day called the Salt Sea =Dead Sea today. Archeologists believe that during the centuries between Abram/Moses Dead Sea rose up submerging Sodom /other cities of the plain. But in Abram’s day this area, Valley of Siddim was full of slime pits, tar pits. As the Kings fled, some fell in them, others escaped to the hills, others were taken as prisoners along with their possessions.

3. Reason this battle is in Genesis =v12

Last time we saw Lot, just left Abram, living in the Valley of the Jordan, “pitched his tents” toward Sodom. Now “living in Sodom” Wonder as he was being carried off if he is any way regretted his decision to live in Sodom? Wonder if he asked “what am I doing here?”

Do you ever do that? I wish I hadn’t said that, I wish we’d never gone there. If only I hadn’t, I know you can’t go back, can’t change history, but I wonder when we’re going forward, making decisions, how deeply we think through our choices? We know our choices have consequences. We know when we make our choices w/o God’s direction we suffer our own consequences.

Picture yourself as Lot. Carried off by enemy warriors, captive, mistreated, little food, little water, probably a life of slavery ahead, maybe death. What would you be feeling/ thinking? Would it be: I deserve this, this is my fate, too bad, but here I am. Or would you be saying: Help, God save me, get us out of here, rescue me quick. I would!

We sing song “I called, you answered, you came to my rescue and I want to be where you are”= that’s grace, that’s God. Lot really needed some grace, need to be rescued.

I know there are times that real love means tough love, but it should never come with the “you deserve it” attitude, Instead, it should be I’m so sorry you’re in this hard place, I’m sorry these are the consequences, it breaks my heart.

Really enjoyed the discussion on the question “how do we decide when to rescue a family member?” First, that decision needs much prayer! Asking questions “Would helping continue enabling bad behavior? Do they want help? If you don’t would they die?” Remember: God wants to give wisdom when we seek Him,

James 1:5-6a - If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. (MSG)

God wants to help us determine what to do, He knows what’s best: when to rescue and when to allow the consequences to be fully experienced.

In this case, potentially life or death situation, there is a rescue, Lot has an invaluable friend in Abram.

B. Invaluable Friend Gen 14:13-16

Abram heard READ Gen 14:13. Abram, the Hebrew. First time this word is used in scripture. Root word = “passed over”. Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew bible dates to 325BC used worldwide until the Vulgate =Latin translation in the 4^thC) translates the Hebrew as “the passenger” The first application of this name is Gen 10:24,25 “Shelah was the father of Eber”, Eber was an ancestor of Abram. Abram is still living near Hebron (Gen 13:18), become friendly with his neighbors, Mamre, Eschol, Aner, his allies.

Abram has basically two choices, two options: 1. Isolate 2. Get involved.

1. isolate=He could have argued for staying out of the situation: They’ve passed me by, I’d better stay home and protect my family because they are my first responsibility, I’m not going to put my family in danger. Or, God allowed this to happen, I’m not going to interfere with what God wants to do with Lot. Or “One things sure, you reap what you sow”, Lot chose to live with those foolish people, he probably deserved getting captured. I don’t see where I need to get involved.

This is not what we read…

2. Gen 14:14 READ. “he called out his trained men” Lot had been foolish, but he was “flesh and blood” and who among us hasn’t made a mistake? Most likely his life was at stake, as well as his wife and children. Abram prepared to go to battle, already trained his men to fight, ready, 318 plus his allies MAP

Quickly he covered 120 miles from Hebron to Dan to intercept the enemy. Commentators feel they probably could not have walked, too slow, mules would not have made the trip, possible they rode camels. When he got to Dan, made a surprise night attack, dividing his troops to appear to have greater numbers than they did. After the attack, he pursued the shaken and fleeing enemy to Hobath, north of Damascus. Then they circled back, collecting all the goods, all the people, including Lot, came home.

Abram took a great risk and rescued Lot, invaluable friend, we all want friends like Abram, who care deeply for us, there when we need them- but also we all need to be friends like Abram to others. Good definition of an invaluable friend=:

An invaluable friend discerns your greatest need and risks all to meet it.

Abram gave up any bitterness or resentment he might have felt toward Lot, he refused to stand off and let Lot suffer the consequences of this capture, instead he gave his all, his time, his energy, his money, potentially his very life for Lot, invaluable friend.

Are you this kind of person? Are you an invaluable friend to anyone? When you hear someone is hurting, in trouble, do you get involved or isolate, hoping someone else will take care of the situation. I know we need God’s wisdom and direction in our helping others, but if God asks you to risk something, give up something to help another person, would you? Be prepared to help others in life’s battles like Abram

Abram receives Blessing Gen 14:17-24

Time of great success is often the signal for great temptation to follow. Abram in returning from the battle would face all the temptations of success that comes after winning big. He has a new, growing reputation among the people in this area, jubilant to be released, he is the local hero.

King of Sodom who was hiding in the hills heard about Abram, went out to meet him in the King’s Valley READ Gen 14:17. However before they meet, the King of Salem appears.

King of Salem READ V18-20

Melchizedek. Meet him briefly here, next time=1,000yrs later Ps 110:4 Messianic psalm, “You, Messiah, are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” we wait another 1,000yrs writer of Hebrews speaks of him again, this time further comparisons with Jesus the Messiah.

Who was he? Name= “King of Righteousness” was the King of Salem=peace

Ancient Jewish interpreters thought he was Shem (Gen 11) lived 600 yrs possible still living same time as Abram. Early church father Origin thought he was an angel. Ambrose =pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, MOST probable that he was a “type of Christ”= Heb 7:3=”like the Son of God” handout, chart comparing the two. His identity = “remains an enigma” we just don’t know exactly who he was.

Meeting- Melchizedek brought out bread/wine to refresh and strengthen these weary

Warriors. Hard to overlook the symbolism here= very elements of communion. Bread= symbol of life, John 6:50= he is the bread of life. Wine is symbol of joy (Ps 104:15) I Cor 11:24-26 we are to eat bread and drink the wine in remembrance of Christ’s life and death for us- for believers taking communion is one of the most intimate times of fellowship with God. Melchizedek comes to physically and spiritually strengthen Abram, turning his thoughts toward God. READ Gen 14:19,20.

Melchizedek challenges Abram to give all the glory to the one God, God Most High =El ELYON, one sovereign God, who was creator of all the universe.

He tells him: This has to be a “God thing” you overcame all odds, miracle win.

Abram’s reaction v20b is he responds as a faithful, humble, servant, presents a

Tithe, tenth of all. Interesting looking back with 21^st century eyes, the first time we hear of the tithe is 500 years before Moses and the Law. Some Christians don’t tithe because they say we aren’t under law anymore but grace= Abram wasn’t under the law, it wasn’t even given yet, he was under grace-he gave a tenth. In giving the tithe he not only acknowledges Melchizedek as minister of God, but he also gives glory to God for his success.

King of Sodom – great contrast in the 2 kings and Abram’s response v21-24

Text seems to infer these events are happening back to back, as Abram is giving to King of Salem, the King of Sodom arrives. Sodom lost everything to Eastern Kings who then lost them to Abram. Now he wants them back READ Gen 14:21. Deal, I’ll take people, u=stuff.

Real temptation to Abram. New reputation as a mighty warrior, if he gave back the people (captives)=merciful, kept the goods=he would be rich. See his answer READ Gen 14:22-24. Abram knew that if he kept even a small part of the possessions from Sodom, he would never be able to say his sole dependence was on God. Later he might hear, “Oh yeah I know Abram’s rich, prosperous, has land, but remember he took all the spoils from that battle years ago” Abram said “I lifted my hand, I made an oath to God I wouldn’t take profit, nothing from this victory”

Two different Kings with two different perspectives on Abram’s success. King Melchizedek reminds Abram, God did this for you, all glory goes to him. King Sodom tempts him to take the spoils and compromise his oath. Abram who had eaten bread and wine with Melchizedek was strong in the strength of the Lord and kept his oath and refused the spoils.

Truth: Acknowledging God and expressing gratitude to Him for our successes gives Him glory in a watching world.

I’m reminded of athletes who are interviewed after a “win”- some say, I give God all the credit, thank Him for helping me, field goal and then a point to the sky. Heard people criticize=does God care who wins? Don’t know, but when an athlete thanks God for giving him the strength, ability, he’s acknowledging God and expressing gratitude. It’s easy for us, here in a bible study to be verbal in our thanks to God, but it takes boldness to publicly say I couldn’t have made it, done it, I wouldn’t have this success without God’s help. Is it hard for you? At work? At your children’s school? In your neighborhood?

Abram gave God the glory for his success. But he did not force his standards on others

READ Gen 14:24

Choice of following God is voluntary. We cannot force that decision on another, cannot make someone walk in faith. Individual choice. Those who have walked longer with the Lord should not force or expect younger Christians to live by standards they haven’t attained or experienced or have been taught. Years earlier, Abram himself didn’t take this public stand when he was in Egypt. Bible tells us it's the Holy Spirit's job to guide and teach us in truth. We need to be concerned with our own commitment, our own example to others, pray God will use us to affect other’s lives.

Are you ready to rescue others if God calls? Will you be faithful in giving God the glory when you have successes?

Prayer

Homework questions are available in the student study guide which may be downloaded from the "Related Media" box on the series home page: https://bible.org/series/abraham