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7. History of Abram and Lot. Ishmael Born.

Genesis xii. 10-xvi. 16.

'Abram went down into Egypt, because there was a famine in Canaan. He told Sarai, his wife, to say to the Egyptians, that she was his sister. The king of Egypt 'took Sarai into his house, but God sent 'plagues upon 'Pharaoh, who soon after sent Abram and Sarai away.

Abram was very rich in cattle, and silver, and gold. Lot also had flocks, and herds, and tents.2 They journeyed together to Bethel. Their herdsmen quarrelled, because there was not food enough for their cattle. Abram wished that there should be no strife between them. He told Lot to choose a part of the land for himself, and he chose the "plain of Jordan, near Sodom, because it was 'well watered. Abram dwelt in Canaan. The men of Sodom were 'very wicked. God 'renewed his promises to Abram, and he removed to the plain of **Mamre.

Four 'kings made war against the cities of the plain of Sodom. They conquered the kings of the plain, and took Lot 'prisoner. When Abram heard that Lot was taken captive, he armed his servants, and pursued the four kings. He defeated them, and brought Lot back and all his goods. 'Melchizedek, the king of "Salem, and 'priest of the most high God, met Abram and blessed him, saying, "Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand."

God afterwards renewed his promises again to Abram, and said his seed should be as numerous 'as the stars of heaven. Abram then had a 'vision, and God made known to him the future bondage of his descendants in Egypt.

Hagar was Sarai's handmaid whom she gave to Abram. She despised her mistress, and fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar by a fountain of water in the wilderness. He told her to return, and 'submit to her mistress. He said that she should have a son, and should call his name Ishmael. He said Ishmael would be a 'wild man; that his hand would be against every man, and every man's hand against him. Hagar called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, "Thou God seest me." The well was called "Beer-lahai-roi. Soon after this Ishmael was born; at which time Abram was eighty-six years old.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Plain of Jordan-the southern part of the valley of the river Jordan fast flowing'; this region was very fertile, part of it was called the vale of Siddim, where stood Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar, now covered by

the Dead Sea.

Sodom-the chief of the five cities of the plain of Jordan.

Salem-'peace'; the city of which Melchizedek was king; it is supposed to have been the earliest name for Jerusalem.

Mamre-a plain near Hebron; it is supposed that the name Mamre was derived from one of the three chieftains who accompanied Abram in the pursuit of Chedorlaomer.

Beer-lahai-roi-'the well of him that liveth and seeth me'; it was in the wilderness of Shur, on the southern border of the land of Canaan.

EXPLANATIONS.

Abram went, &c.-the sojourning of the children of Israel and their fathers in the land of Egypt for 430 years, as mentioned in Exodus xii. 40., is dated from this event.

as the stars, &c.-an Eastern metaphor for
a vast multitude. It refers not merely
to the number, but to the gloriousness
of Abram's spiritual seed.
vision-a supernatural appearance.
submit, &c.-see Eph. vi. 5-8; Col. iii. 22,24.

into Egypt—from time immemorial Egypt wild, &c.-literally, 'as a wild ass,' one

has been celebrated for wheat. famine-in all countries where the people are nomadic, and the earth is uncultivated, the inhabitants are liable to a scarcity of food, arising from the un

certainty of the seasons. He told, &c.-this duplicity of Abram was the result of fear, and nearly cost the loss of his wife. Thus," the fear of man bringeth a snare.' took Sarai, &c.-with the intention of making her his wife.

"

plagues, &c.-punishments so significant that the king quickly perceived that Sarai was Abram's wife. Pharaoh-the king,' or 'sun,' a title common to Egyptian kings. wished, &c.-it is the duty of God's people to avoid, even at a loss, all occasions of strife.

choose, &c.-thus were exemplified the humility, disinterestedness, and condescension of him who had inherited

the promises.

well watered-the scarcity of herbage which had led to the separation of Abram and Lot, was doubtless owing to the want of rain. very wicked-Lot overlooked this spiritual disadvantage for the minor consideration of a fruitful soil. How inconsiderate! renewed, &c.-lest despondency should steal over him, now that he was separated from the last member ofhis kindred. kings-in those days almost every city, with its immediate neighbourhood, had its own king. prisoner-Lot was now taught that "the way of transgressors is hard." Melchizedek-Melchi, a king, and zedek, righteousness; King of righteousness, so called in Hebrews vii. 2. priest, &c,-he sustained the worship of the True God in his region.

incapable of being brought under the restraints of civil government, as his descendants, the Arabs are to this day.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. PHARAOH-a king of Egypt whom Abram deceived by saying that Sarai was his sister. CHEDORLAOMER-an Assyrian king who with three other kings made war against the cities of the plain. ANER, ESHCOL, and MAMRE-the three chieftains of the Canaanites who joined Abram in the pursuit of Chedorlaomer and the other kings who had spoiled Sodom and taken Lot prisoner. MELCHIZEDEK-he gave Abram and his people bread and wine, after they returned from pursuing the kings.

QUESTIONS.
Why did Abram go into Egypt?
Of what error was he there guilty?
What result nearly arose from his dupli-
city?

How was Sarai rescued?
What course did Pharaoh adopt?
What unpleasantness occurred on the re-

turn of Abram and Lot into Canaan?
How did Abram act towards Lot?
Did Lot display wisdom in his choice of a
residence?

State some particulars respecting the
plain of Jordan.
What divine communication was renewed
to Abram?

Whither did he go to reside?
What trouble soon overtook Lot?
By whom and how was he rescued?
Who was Hagar?

What was her sin and punishment?
Who found her in the wilderness?
What was her son to be?
What did she call the Lord?
What was the well called?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

From the danger into which Abram fell, we should learn to avoid evasion; from his fear of the Egyptians, that danger may be less than our fears make it; and that we often think worse of strangers than they deserve; from the quarrels of the herdsmen, we see the wickedness of servants in sowing discord among relations and neighbours; and from the conduct of Abram towards Lot, we learn that it is our duty to "live peaceably with all men." In Lot's choice we see the conduct of thousands who seek only worldly advantages; "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," is the precept of our divine Redeemer. From the success of Abram in the first war recorded in Bible History, we learn that those who incur personal danger in a good cause are under God's protection. The counsel delivered to Hagar by the angel should teach servants the duty of submission to those who are placed over them.

8. The Destruction of Sodom.

Genesis xvii.-xix. 29.

Neither shall thy name shall be 'Abraham; for a

When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to him, and said unto him, "I am the Almighty God; 'walk before me, and be thou 'perfect. And I will make my covenant3 between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." God then said to Abram, "And thou shalt be a father of many nations. any more be called 'Abram, but thy name father of many nations have I made thee." He also changed the name of Sarai to Sarah, and said she should have a son, and that she should be a mother of nations. Sarah was then nearly ninety years old. God said the name of Abraham's son should be 'Isaac.

Three angels visited Abraham, and were 'entertained by him. The 'promise of a son was repeated, and when Sarah heard it she laughed within herself. And the Lord said unto Abraham, "Wherefore did Sarah laugh,... Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" The 'coming destruction of the cities and people of Sodom was made known to Abraham, God said their sins were 'very grievous. Abraham 'interceded for Sodom, saying, "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" The Lord answered that he would not destroy the city if there were ten righteous persons in it.

Two angels went to Lot, and he entertained them in his house. The men of Sodom wanted to do wickedly, and the angels struck them with blindness. The angels hastened Lot and his family from the city, the Lord being merciful to him. God then rained upon "Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from heaven, and he overthrew the Cities of the plain, and all the inhabitants. Lot's wife disobeyed the divine command, not to look back as they fled from the city; she looked behind her, and became a pillar of salt. God permitted Lot, with his two daughters to take refuge in "Zoar. Abraham arose early the next morning and looked towards Sodom, he saw that the smoke of the country went up like the smoke of a furnace. "And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt."

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Sodom and Gomorrah-two cities in the vale of Siddim; the Dead Sea, or salt sea which now covers their site is about thirty miles long and ten wide; the Arabs call this lake the Sea of Lot.'

Zoar-little;' its former name was Bela; though threatened with the 'same destruction as that which fell upon the other cities of the plain, it was spared at Lot's entreaty.

EXPLANATIONS.

appeared-in human form, or by some visible display of Almighty power. Almighty-able to do all things, in despite of every appearance of physical impossibility. "With God all things are possible."

walk before me-let your principles and conduct be regulated as in my sight. perfect-that is upright, sincere, singleminded, not endeavouring to appear to serve God, but "doing the will of God from the heart." Abram-means 'high father,' a name expressive of patriarchal dignity. Abraham-that is 'father of a great multitude'; viz., the Ishmaelites, the Israelites, the Edomites, the Midianites, and other tribes or nations. Sarai-my princess'; denoting the affection and interest with which her parents regarded her. Sarah-princess of multitudes'; as the Israelites and Edomites; it signifies more particularly that from her should come the Messiah, "the prince of the

kings of the earth." Rev. i. 5. Isaac laughter,' because Abraham rejoiced in spirit when his son was promised; he laughed from holy joy. "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." Rom. iv. 20. entertained, &c.-Abraham's generous and princely hospitality is worthy of imitation. Heb. xiii. 2. Hospitality is one of the prominent virtues of nomadic

life. promise... repeated-that every doubt as to its literal fulfilment might be removed.

coming destruction, &c.-though God bears long with sinners, his judgments will surely fall upon the impenitent.

very grievous-so intolerable that God's patience could no longer endure them. interceded, &c.-placed himself by earnest prayer between the wicked sinners of Sodom, and an offended and righteous

God.

if... ten, &c.-How universal was the depravity of the people of that city who did not include even ten righteous persons in their number. hastened, &c.-Lot seems to have lingered, he did not make so much haste as the case required, for the danger was at hand, and judgment could not be delayed.

refuge-this was all that was left to just

Lot, whose righteous soul had been vexed from day to day with the filthy conversation and unlawful deeds of the wicked inhabitants of Sodom. 2 Pet. ii. 7,8.

QUESTIONS. What communication did God make to Abram in his 99th year? How was God's reference to his attribute of Almightiness peculiarly appropriate? What is it to walk before God? What does the term perfect mean? What promise was made to Abram? What are the significations of Abram'.

'Abraham,' Sarai,' and 'Sarah'? How old was Sarah at this time? By whom is hospitality much practised? Whom did Abraham entertain? What did the Lord disclose to him, and how did he act?

What does interceded mean?
What answer did God give?
Who visited Lot, and for what purpose?
What did they do to the Sodomites?
How were the cities overthrown?
What occurred to Lot's wife?

Whither did Lot escape, and who accom

panied him? What was the appearance of Sodom when Abraham saw it the next day?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

Abraham, "the Friend of God" is to become the father of the faithful; the promise of a son is expressly given, and we see from Abraham's faith, that he deems it the same as if it was accomplished. The spirit of Abraham's hospitality to strangers is a duty incumbent on Christians in every age. Abraham's intercession for Sodom teaches us the importance of prayer. Had ten righteous persons been found there it would have been saved. The merciful deliverance of Lot, who was hastened by the angels from the city, should remind us that "it is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." It also teaches us that "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations." The punishment of the Sodomites teaches us 1st The evils of sin; 2nd. The terrors of the Lord; "fire an 1 brimstone, and a horrible tempest, (was) the portion of their cap." Never was there a punishment like it before or since.

9. The Birth of Isaac. The Trial of Abraham's Faith.

Genesis xx.-xxiii.

After the destruction of the Cities of the plain, Abrahams went southwards and sojourned in "Gerar. He deceived Abimelech, the king, by saying that Sarahs was his sister. God reproved Abimelech in a dream, and told him to restore Sarah to Abraham. Abimelech 'rebuked Abraham for his deceit, but afterwards made him presents. Some years after Abraham and Abimelech made a covenants of peace. Abraham called the name of that place "Beersheba, and he called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.

The son which God had promised to Abraham was born. Abraham called the child's name Isaac.8 Abraham was then a hundred years old. He and his family lived at Beersheba. Ishmael 'mocked Isaac ; and for this offence he and his mother were cast out of Abraham's house. Hagar went with her son into the wilderness of Beersheba. She thought Ishmael would die of thirst, but God provided water for them both. God promised Hagar that he would make of Ishmael a great nation. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness of Paran, and became an archer. His mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.5

God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham prepared to obey God. He went to a mountain which God had told him of in the land of "Moriah. There he built an altar, upon which he laid his son; but as he was about to slay him the angel of the Lord said, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." Abraham then offered up a ram which God had 'provided for a sacrifice instead of Isaac. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, "By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."

Sarah died at the age of one-hundred-and-twenty-seven years. Abraham 'bought of Ephron, the Hittite, the field and cave of **Machpelah, and there he buried Sarah. Sarah is the only woman whose age is recorded in the Bible.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Gerar-a royal city and country of the Philistines, near Gaza, the territory of which was extensive.

Beersheba-the well of the oath,' was the place in the south of Canaan where Abraham and Abimelech, made a covenant of peace.

Wilderness of Beersheba-this extensive tract of land was to the south of Beersheba; it was not entirely desert.

Wilderness of Paran, or Shur-this desert region was south-west of Canaan and extended to the mountainous region of Sinai.

Moriah-the name of a mountain on the north-east of Jerusalem.

Machpelah-the name of the field and cave, near Hebron, which Abraham purchased of Ephron, for a burying-place. Several of the patriarchs, and their wives were buried there.

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