Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT ANNOUNCES TO LABAN HIS PURPOSE

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January 8

GENESIS 24

34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’ – Genesis 24:34-41

GENESIS 24 THE SERVANT ANNOUNCES TO LABAN HIS PURPOSE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Abraham’s servant was open and honest with his purpose

He didn’t want to mislead Laban as to the reason why he was there

He also spoke of his master’s instructions for a wife for Isaac

He declared his master’s faithful obedience to the Lord

The servant gave Laban all the details he needed to know

He was relentless to ensure that he follow Abraham’s instructions.

We witness another character of the servant of Abraham in this account. He could have waited until he was given the comfort that was offered by Rebekah and Laban, but he was focused on his purpose of going to their homeland. Abraham has truly been a great witness and teacher to his servant with regards to obedience, allegiance and diligence. He didn’t want them to focus on his own needs, but to fulfill his promise to his master.

We can learn much from this servant. His allegiance and obedience shine bright. Do we have this faithful heart to serve our King Jesus? Do we obey him at all times even when no one is watching? Do we fulfill our promise to our King to follow his laws?

REFLECTION

  • How relentless are you to follow God’s instructions and be selfless when we carry out God’s purpose in our lives?

GENESIS 24 LABAN’S FOCUS ON THE RICHES GIVEN TO REBEKAH

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January 7

GENESIS 24

29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”  – Genesis 24:29-33

GENESIS 24 LABAN’S FOCUS ON THE RICHES GIVEN TO REBEKAH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

The jewelry given to Rebekah by the servant stimulated Laban

We see Laban’s ulterior motives in giving hospitality to the servant

Even though he isn’t the father of Rebekah, he made sure he doesn’t miss out

The servant’s priority was not convenience but to bring a wife for Isaac.

It is clear that the riches manifested in the gifts given to Rebekah by the stranger was the reason for taking him in by Laban, the brother. Though we know that Rebekah’s hospitality was genuine because she didn’t know anything about the man who asked her for a drink, she gave him water and also his camels. That isn’t the same with Laban though.  We see that Laban’s interest was stirred by his dazzlement with the riches offered to his sister. It was self-serving motives. The opposite is true of the servant. He was thinking more of his master’s purpose for sending him there rather than the comfort and convenience offered to him by Laban.

Don’t we humans fall prey to this selfish streak in us? We try to find out what we could get in return for a good deed we intend to do instead of doing it out of love. Most humans are not truly seeking the good of others, but we are concerned more to see what we can get from an act. When we do this, we are not truly loving but only “transactional”.

REFLECTION

  • How can wealth and riches distract us from truly doing what is right and good?
  • Why is it important for us to be mindful of our selfish streaks as human beings?

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT PRAISES GOD

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    January 6

GENESIS 24

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things. – Genesis 24:22-28

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT PRAISES GOD

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After Rebekah showed much hospitality to the servant

He gave her a gold ring and two bracelets for her arms

He asked about her family and who they were

It is at this time the servant realized she is Abraham’s kin

So, he praised and worshiped the Lord for answered prayer

He himself witnessed God’s faithfulness to his godly master.

Notice that the servant gave the jewelry to Rebekah even before he knew that she was his master’s relative. It was surely the work of the Holy Spirit that led him to show kindness to Rebekah as she did to him. It was a clear manifestation that the Holy Spirit led him to his prayer and to be at that right place at the right time when Rebekah was going to be there. Oftentimes we fail to notice the little nudging of God’s Spirit in us, especially when we are tunnel vision to do things our way. If we only pray fervently and in the Spirit of God and in truth, we will clearly see the work of the Spirit of God.

We get a glimpse of the faithfulness of Abraham’s servant in this account as well as he followed his master’s example of prayerfulness. Even though he didn’t know how someone would actually come with him to marry Isaac, he prayed and it was answered.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it essential for believers to give thanks and praise God especially for answered prayers?

GENESIS 24 GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

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January 5

GENESIS 24

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maidenwhom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. – Genesis 24:15-21

GENESIS 24 GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

While still praying, Abraham’s servants request was answered

Rebekah appeared right in front of him with a jar on her shoulder

As his prayer specified, a woman who is so beautiful came

She was also very kind and generous to help the servant

She went out of her way to even give his camels a drink

That was more than enough sign from God to grant him his plea.

The evidence of God answering fervent prayers is so clear in this account. Just like in Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9, while he was still speaking, there was a reply right away from the Lord. James 5:16 also tells us that there is power in the prayer of a righteous man. We clearly see that Abraham’s servant was righteous. He interceded for his faithful master Abraham so that he will find the right woman for Isaac.

The servant asked to be led to Abraham’s kinsmen and while he was still in prayer, Rebekah appeared and showed him much kindness and hospitality. Clearly, it was an answered prayer for him to find Abraham’s relatives right away. She was the first woman to appear while he was still finishing his prayers. Only God can do that.

REFLECTION

  • Share an instance when your prayers were answered right away by the Lord.

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT’S PRAYER

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January 4

GENESIS 24

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”  – Genesis 24:10-14

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM’S SERVANT’S PRAYER

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

My Lord, please give my master Abraham favor

He wants to honor your covenant with him for Isaac’s sake

Let the woman whom you have reserved for Isaac come to me

Let the one you chose show kindness to me as a sign of your answer

Give favor to my master that the right woman will be here for Isaac

Show me that right one whom you have planned to fulfill your promise.

In this account, we witness how Abraham’s servant was truly trained in faith by him. As one of the most senior of his servants, he probably witnessed many miracles and blessings that the Lord has granted his master. He must have seen how obedient Abraham was to the Lord and learned that same obedience to follow his master. Even though he was doubting at the beginning if he would` find someone to go back with him to marry Isaac, he pressed on and prayed for the impossible.

REFLECTION

  • What can we learn from Abraham’s servant in this account?
  • Why is prayer an important component in the fulfillment of God’s promises to us?
  • Why is it a good idea to pray even when we doubt at first?

What happens when we raise our requests to the Lord?

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM MAKES HIS SERVANT MAKE AN OATH

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January 3

GENESIS 24

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

                                                                   – Genesis 24:1-9

GENESIS 24 ABRAHAM MAKES HIS SERVANT MAKE AN OATH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

To ensure that Abraham’s covenant with God is fulfilled

Abraham made his servant promise to find the right wife for Isaac

She must not come from the Canaanites and made him swear

Though the servant hesitated, he made the oath to his master.

It is interesting that Abraham, in his old age, continues to think of his covenant promise with God. By now, Isaac has not yet married and Abraham wanted to make sure that he marries from his own kindred. There were doubts from the servant that the woman he finds will even come with him and travel all the way to meet Isaac from where they are.

Because they were living in Canaan that time and it was the promised land to Abraham and his offspring, he didn’t want Isaac to leave the place. Up to this point, Abraham kept his end of the covenant in his promise to God. 

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Abraham didn’t want Isaac to come with the servant?

GENESIS 23 ABRAHAM BUYS A BURIAL GROUND FOR SARAH

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January 2

                                                                         GENESIS 23               

10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, 11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” 12 Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. 13 And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels[c] of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.17 So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

                                                                        – Genesis 23:10-20

GENESIS 23 ABRAHAM BUYS A BURIAL GROUND FOR SARAH

According to a commentary, ancient and modern practices in that culture was this. As a gesture of kindness, the seller may offer to give the property to the buyer, until the buyer insists on paying a price. Ephron the Hittite followed this custom. When Abraham refused to receive it as a gift, he suggested a price, which he claimed was modest but was really very high. This was supposed to be the beginning of the bargaining. No questions or haggling happened. In front of many other Hittites, he let them weigh the amount of silver that Ephron asked.

This was probably the only property that Abraham owned because he never settled in one place. He just followed and obeyed where God took him. It wasn’t even for him to permanently reside, but for Sarah to have a burial ground.

REFLECTION

  • What trait or character of Abraham was evident in this incident?

GENESIS 23 ABRAHAM’S SEARCH FOR SARAH’S GRAVE

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January 1

GENESIS 23

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The Hittites answered Abraham, 6 “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” 7 Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. 8 And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.” – Genesis 23:1-9

GENESIS 23 ABRAHAM’S SEARCH FOR SARAH’S GRAVE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Sarah reached age one hundred and twenty -seven when she died

As sojourners, they have no place they can call their own

So, Abraham went to the Hittites to ask them if they could bury her there

The Hittites responded well because they considered him a prince of God

Abraham was given the choice to select whichever is the best place to bury Sarah

And he chose the cave of Machpelah at the end of the field as her burial ground.

I cannot imagine the grief that Abraham felt when he lost Sarah. In our present-day perspective, it is hard to comprehend how Abraham lived a life of no permanence. He was travelling from place to place with no permanent and comfortable home. Nowadays, we can prepare for the death of our loved ones by having funeral plans arranged for where our loved ones’ bodies can rest. In his day, Abraham had to ask permission from where he was to be able to buy a plot to bury his beloved wife. He was totally dependent on God and where he was taking him next. Because of his integrity, the Hittites considered him as a prince of God amongst them and he was blessed to pick whatever lot he desires to use for Sarah’s grave.

REFLECTION

  • Explain how being a foreigner is an advantage or not in the case of Abraham?

GENESIS 22 THE LORD PROVIDES

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December 30

GENESIS 22

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”– Genesis 22:9-14

GENESIS 22 THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

When Abraham totally trusted the Lord with his son’s life

He was stopped by an angel of the Lord to spare Isaac

The Lord will provide was his answer to Isaac when he asked

And true enough, God was faithful to have a ram nearby.

What faith Abraham had! When Isaac asked earlier where the animal for the offering was, he answered “The Lord will provide.” That was God’s mind that he spoke. Our faith comes from the Lord and because he was righteous and faithful to give up his one and only beloved son, God himself provided an offering.

How many of us would have this confidence that no matter how impossible the situation is, God has us covered? The faith of Abraham is such an inspiration and model for all Christians to follow. Sometimes the world system can draw us into a lack of faith and trust that God is in control. Our little minds do not see what the Almighty God sees and we tend to rely on our own ability to comprehend things.

REFLECTION

  • How can we grow our faith in the Lord amidst living in this world?

GENESIS 22 GOD TESTS ABRAHAM

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December 29

GENESIS 22

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. – Genesis 22:1-8

GENESIS 22 GOD TESTS ABRAHAM

I can’t imagine what was going on in Abraham’s mind when God told him to bring Isaac to Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering. I would have gone so scared to let go of my one and only son whom I waited for so long to have and be asked to be used as an offering. I would have been confused as to what God was doing asking me to snap off the life of the only one who would fulfill the promise of many offsprings. Only by the grace of God could he have that much faith and trust. In recent chapters, we see Abraham’s weakness when he was fending for his life in Egypt and Greer and lied to these two kings in order to save himself from being killed. His faith must have grown so much by then after God has shown him many miracles. He and Sarah had a child in their very old age of ninety to a hundred years old. That was an impossibility that God made possible.

The constant character of Abraham that sets him apart from others is his obedience. He follows God’s instructions without questions. How many of us can do that? Even though he laughed at the announcement of Sarah bearing a child at her age, it was a joyful laughter, not a mocking one. It shows that he truly trusts God especially after witnessing many impossible things that had happen in his life since he left Ur of the Chaldeans.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Abraham never doubted God even at this challenging test?