Genesis 21:22-21:34

Citizenship on Earth & in Heaven

Speaking to Moses, God refers to Himself as "the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). Jesus quotes this passage, explaining that by referring to Himself as the God of the patriarchs, God reveals that He "is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). The patriarchs, whose stories we find in Genesis, were the recipients of an extraordinary covenant. They live on in God's presence to enjoy the fulfillment of His promises. Christians today can learn much from these living patriarchs. Looking at Abraham, we see a life lived by faith, and God's faithfulness even in times of weakness. In Isaac, we see the fulfillment of God's promises and generosity in the face of persecution. In Jacob, we discover God's power in the birth of a new nation and its twelve tribes. Join Pastor Lloyd for this in-depth look at the patriarchs in Genesis, and learn how you too can live a life of faith and promise!

  1. And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
  2. Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
  3. And Abraham said, I will swear.
  4. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
  5. And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
  6. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
  7. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
  8. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
  9. And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
  10. Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
  11. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
  12. And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
  13. And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.