Embark on a journey through time as we unravel the complexities of ancient covenants with Abraham and Abimelech. This episode promises to deliver a mosaic of historical and cultural wisdom, shedding light on the intricate dance of diplomacy and faith that fashioned the foundations of Beersheba. Through the narrative of Genesis 21, we peel back the layers of a story where divine providence and human relationships intertwine.
Navigating the terrain of biblical accounts, we examine the pivotal moments between the patriarch Abraham and the Philistine king, Abimelech. The exchange of seven ewe lambs goes beyond a mere transaction; it becomes a testament to the sacredness of oaths in a time when a man's word was his bond, and honor was the currency of empires. As we dissect the symbolism and the silent vows echoed in the desert sands, this episode is not just a history lesson but a reflection on the enduring nature of integrity, respect, and the pursuit of peace in a world where these virtues are as relevant as ever.
Embark on a journey through time as we unravel the complexities of ancient covenants with Abraham and Abimelech. This episode promises to deliver a mosaic of historical and cultural wisdom, shedding light on the intricate dance of diplomacy and faith that fashioned the foundations of Beersheba. Through the narrative of Genesis 21, we peel back the layers of a story where divine providence and human relationships intertwine.
Navigating the terrain of biblical accounts, we examine the pivotal moments between the patriarch Abraham and the Philistine king, Abimelech. The exchange of seven ewe lambs goes beyond a mere transaction; it becomes a testament to the sacredness of oaths in a time when a man's word was his bond, and honor was the currency of empires. As we dissect the symbolism and the silent vows echoed in the desert sands, this episode is not just a history lesson but a reflection on the enduring nature of integrity, respect, and the pursuit of peace in a world where these virtues are as relevant as ever.
Thank you again for joining me for the mysteries of God's Word. We will be examining the treaty with Abimalik that Abraham made. We'll be starting in Genesis 21, verse 22. At that time, abimalik and Faiqal, the commander of his army, said to Abraham God is with you in all that you do Now. Therefore, swear to me here by God, that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned. And Abraham said I will swear.
Speaker 1:
When Abraham reproved Abimalik about a well of water that Abimalik's servants had seized, abimalik said I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me and I have not heard of it until today. So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimalik, and the two men made a covenant. Abraham set seven yulams of the flock apart and Abimalik said to Abraham what is the meaning of these seven yulams that you've set apart, these seven yulams? You will take from my hand that this may be a witness for me that I dug this. Well, as we dig into this text and look at this oath that Abraham is taking with Abimalik. Let's remind ourselves who Abimalik is. Abimalik is the king of Gerar, he's the king of the Philistines and his reign was for many years. Two weeks ago we learned he reigned during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Here we see Abraham making a covenant with him and later in Genesis, when Isaac is full grown, we will see Abimalik still the king of Gerar. Fikol is the commander of Abimalik's army and he as well will remain the commander for many years, both during the lives of Abraham and Isaac.
Speaker 1:
And as we saw in Genesis, chapter 20, abimalik came to have a fear or respect for Abraham's God, and Abimalik has a respect for Abraham as a prophet of God, not because Abimalik follows the Lord God, but he has seen the power of Abraham's God and he is genuinely afraid. So Abimelech is saying swear to me here, by God, that you will not deal falsely with me. From the context of this discussion, abimelech doesn't trust the business dealings of Abraham, and this really falls into the larger relationship that Abimelech has had with Abraham, because about approximately six years prior, abraham had lied to Abimelech about his relationship with Sarah, and that's when the Lord God had come to Abimelech in a dream and threatened his very life for taking a married woman. Abimelech reminds Abraham how he has dealt kindly with him. He's asking Abraham to swear to deal kindly with him, to deal honestly with him, and Abraham says I swear. Abraham assures Abimelech that he's not going to deceive him in this matter. Now, when Abraham swears to Abimelech, he also reproves Abimelech about a well. That's been an issue. The Hebrew language implies that Abraham's been trying to talk with Abimelech several times over a well that he has dug, but Abimelech's servants had taken it over. It seemed that Abimelech was avoiding this conversation with Abraham.
Speaker 1:
Having over a working well was not an uncommon thing in the desert, which is why we will see this very well revisited again with Isaac in Genesis, chapter 26. But we see that the two men agree and the two men make a covenant. In verse 27 we see Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech. We also know that ancient customs included cutting animals in half and walking through Abraham, which is probably also something that was done at this time between Abraham and Abimelech. And then Abraham sets seven U-lams of the flock apart. The seven U-lams were a separate gift from the formal covenant of peace, and Abimelech asks Abraham what's the meaning of these seven U-lams that he set apart. Abraham tells him that those seven U-lams are to be a witness to everyone that Abraham dug the well. Abimelech, taking those seven U-lams publicly obligated him to acknowledge that Abraham had dug that well. Therefore, that place was called Birsheba because they're both of them sworn oath To.
Speaker 1:
Couple of notes on Birsheba it's a town in the Negeb that still exists today. Birsheba is often mentioned in Scripture as the southernmost part of the Israelite kingdom. It's located about 45 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Birsheba drives its name from the word saba, which means to swear an oath. That phrase, to swear an oath, occurs three times in our text today. It is worth noting that the root word saba is similar to seven and some scholars believe Birsheba means the well of seven. However, we see in verse 31 that Scripture only gives reference to its name being called Birsheba because both of them sworn oath. So they made a covenant at Birsheba.
Speaker 1:
Then Abimelech and Flaikal, the commander of his army, rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines. And again in verse 32 we see that Abimelech and Flaikal are Philistines and they're returning to the land of the Philistines. And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Birsheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God, and Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines. Abraham planting a tamarisk tree is to commemorate how the Lord had worked to bring peace between himself and Abimelech. Abraham is establishing a permanent oasis where he has water and shade in the promised land. Birsheba would mark one of Abraham's worship sites where he called on the Lord, the everlasting God. Thank you for joining me this week. Join me next week for an in-depth look at the sacrifice of Isaac. God bless you this week.