kjrides4God

Q4. What lesson is God teaching you out of Hagar's experience? The first lesson that comes to mind is how important it is to be patient and wait for God's answer to prayer instead of taking things into our own hands. Second, is to understand how dangerous reacting to pride can be to a person or family. Which situation that God is calling you to is most difficult for you to submit to? Controlling my pride and practicing patience on a daily basis.

Q3. (16:13-14) What is the significance of Hagar's name for God -- El Roi, the God Who Sees? I believe Hagar realized that God acknowledged, loved and cared for a simple servant girl as herself, and in her time of despair she was elated to learn she was not alone. What does it mean to a person who is discouraged and losing hope? They will never have to face it alone, God will always be there to see them through any and all tribulations they might experience. What does it mean to you personally? Comfort and Peace in knowing if God brings me to it, he'll bring me through it, never leaving me on my own.

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?") Possibly to test her heart... making her accountable for a truthful response Why does she send her back to Sarah? Hagar's decision to run was not part of God's plan, just an easy out for Hagar in a time of pain and anger. Have you ever reacted and got yourself out of the place God wanted you? I'm sure I have due to my impulsive human reaction to unpleasant situations.

Q1. (16:1-6) Why does Sarah take her anger out on Abraham? I believe Sarah's anger and hurt was so great, that it was too difficult for her to admit it was her own impatiences that led to her maid servant's pregnancy, therefore lashing out at Abraham. Why does she take her anger out on Hagar? I believe her anger toward Hagar developed from jealousy Is she trying to get rid of Hagar or the baby? Mostly Hagar, due to her flaunting her pregnancy with prideful behavior In what sense is Hagar's pride Abraham's fault? If Abraham was aware of her behavior, he should have called her on it and corrected her behavior at once In what sense is Hagar's affliction Abraham's fault? Because Abraham choose to ignore what was transpiring between Sarah and Hagar What situation in your family does this reminds you of? No particular situation comes to mind at this time

Q4 (15:17-18a) Why did God go through the covenant ritual with Abraham, with the divided carcasses? This was a practice among the people of that time when creating a covenant. Therefore, God made this covenant in a way that Abraham would be familiar with to show him that God was serious, the covenant was real. Why does God bind himself to a solemn promise? I believe it was due to the love God had for Abraham How does Abraham respond to God's promises (15:6)? Abraham responds to God's promises by believing and trusting in those promises What promises has God made to us that affect our futures? What significance does blood sacrifice have in those promises? He promised that should we believe and have faith in the ultimate sacrifice, God's Son, we shall not only be forgiven for all our sins, but to have everlasting life.

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? I can't remember being frustrated with God... more so, there was a time when I thought God was ignoring me. Of course, now I believe God has an overall plan, a perfect plan that includes me... and I know in God's plan, it's his way, not mine...and it's in his time, not in my time. I think this is an example of where learning to be patient comes into play.

Q2. (15:6) What is so amazing about this verse? On what basis does God declare Abraham a righteous person? What significance does this have to our New Testament understanding of justification by faith? I believe it is not by Abraham's actions that God considers him righteous, but by his faith. The actions of praying, attending church, reading the Bible, etc. do not make a person righteous in the eyes of God... it's our belief and trust in God that result in being right with God...and as a result of our faith these kinds of actions follow. We are not righteous because of our actions, our actions are the result of our faith in the righteousness of Christ on our behalf.

Q1. (15:1) What does it mean to you personally to call God your "Shield"? It gives me a sense of peace to know my protector is also the God who created me. Who greater to trust with my life? What does it mean to you that he promises to you (as heir of the promises to Abraham) "an exceedingly great reward"? I am truly blessed to have a God who loves me with the grace that God loves me with What does it mean to you to call God your Suzerain or Sovereign? To me... that is the ultimate gift, and I consider myself more wealthy than any level of earthly wealth.

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? Abraham took an oath with God promising to take nothing belonging to the King of Solomon so the king could not take credit for Abraham's wealth What does this tell us about Abraham's character? This action by Abraham is just another example of his strive to be on the side of righteousness and his trust in God What is the lesson here for us to learn? One lesson is to separate ourselves as much as possible from the wicked...not necessarily from people who are different. As Christians we need to set an example for others as Abraham did for us

Q3. (14:20) What is the significance of Abraham giving one tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek? It was an act of worship for God to Melchizedek who was a representative of the same God of Abraham's. Does tithing today represent the same kind of worship? Tithing does represent the same kind of worship as it did back then...a thanksgiving for all of God's blessings. Why should we tithe to God first (like Abraham did) before dividing up our paychecks to pay our bills? All we have is due to the blessings of God...if not for his mercy and grace we would have nothing. Our mere being is due to God's love for us.

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? Abraham was a very loyal, brave and courageous, human being who loved and trusted God. He was a man who could set an example for those to follow About the way he deals with neighbors? Again... he was a person his neighbors could respect and trust and he set an example of how we should all follow the golden rule. What is here for us to emulate? In addition to the above and most important...Trust in God

Q1. (13:2) Does Abraham's material wealth reflect God's blessing on him? Partly... God promised Abraham many blessing, material wealth was just one. Does material wealth always reflect God's blessing? I don't think always. There are many who have so much, but are so far from God's will. I think material wealth can sometimes be a curse because as with the story in the Bible, some have a difficult time letting go, in order to serve God. Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? No...I think physical poverty can sometimes be a test

Q5. What relationship does God's promise to Abraham in 12:2-3 have to do with the incident of Sarah's abduction in 20:10-20? God's intervention with Sarah's abductions made it possible for his promises to continue to play out despite Abraham's decision to take matters into his own hands instead of laying them into God's hands.

Q4. What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? Are they ethically and morally wrong? Does the scripture intend to show that their actions as a lack of faith? What lessons should we disciples learn from these stories? It shows the human side of them... possibly making it easier for us to relate to the sometimes lack of faith or lack of focus on God that we humans sometimes have in difficult situations. To me... I don't think it was God's intentions with this story to have me judge Abraham and Sarah's decisions and actions, but I believe God was confirming his constant presents in my life no matter how difficult things seem at times. I think it's just a reminder to keep my focus on God at all times.

Q3. What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? It teaches us that God has zero tolerance for Adultery... God promised death should Abimelech commit adultery with Sarah, and did punish the Pharaoh's nation Can God forgive a person who has committed adultery? Yes... God can do anything especially forgive... but I do believe there are or can be consequences for all sin along with forgiveness.