5/4 Class 2: Abraham, Lot, Issac
Elder Packer; Compares Sodom to our Day
"Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which sorrows us now... At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now they are spread across the world, and they are among us."
Bednar "A Reservoir of Living Water"
"Reading a book of scripture from beginning to end initiates the flow of living water into our lives by introducing us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles. This approach also enables us to learn about major characters in the scriptures and the sequence, timing, and context of events and teachings. Reading the written word in this way exposes us to the breadth of a volume of scripture. This is the first and most fundamental way of obtaining living water."
Hebron (Genesis 13:12-18, 23:19)
After Abram and Lot part ways, Abram settles Hebron (Lot takes Sodom). Where Sarah dies and is buried. "Abraham removed his tent and dwelled in the plain Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built an alter unto the Lord."
Compare Genesis 19:16 with Genesis 18:2,6,7
WHILE HE LINGERED the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful, they brought them out of Sodom ABRAHAM PREPARED A FEAST RAN to meet the three holy men. HASTENED to get Sarah, RAN to the herd, young man HASTENED to dress it.
Elder Holland "Remember Lot's Wife"; Why she turned to salt
What did Lot's wife do that was so wrong? I...offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot's wife was that she wasn't just looking back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin.
Bethel
Very sacred site. Abraham built his altar on his first arrival in Canaan. (Also where Jacob had his dream; angels ascending and descending the ladder).
Dan (Genesis 14:14-16)
When Abram heard that Lot had been captured, he armed his servants (318) and perused them unto Dan and conquered. Emphasis: Dan was far from Hebron
Shechem or Sichem (Genesis 12: 6-7)
While Abram passed through Shechem, The Lord appeared and promised this land for his seed. Abraham built an altar unto the Lord.
Lot's Daughters
Wickedly made their father drunk and both conceived sons by him - Moab and Ben-ammi
Moriah
Abraham almost sacrifices Isaac
Haran
Brother of Abraham son of Terah - Died by famine in Ur of the Chaldees
Jerusalem (Salem)
Faith to pay tithes to Melchezidek
Luke 17:32 - Why did the Savior say this?
Remember Lot's wife
Abraham's Faith
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead." (Hebrews 11:17 - 19)
Melkizedek (Genesis 14:36 Alma 13:17-18)
"King of righteousness" in Hebrew Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and ... did preach repentance unto his people." Priest unto God.
whose descent is not counted from them..
"Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God... received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises." (Hebrews 7:1-6)
The Ultimate Irony
"My fathers having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice; For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah... Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life." (Abraham 1:5-7)
How Old were Sarah and Abraham when Isaac was born?
Abraham 100 Sarah 90
Hebron Correct
Burial place of Sariah
Sarai (Sarah)
Sarah means "princess." The wife of Abraham Gen. 11:29-17:15 previously called Sarai. She was married to Abraham before he left Ur. In her old age she became the mother of Isaac (Gen. 21:2). She died before her husband and was buried in the cave of Machpelah at Hebron (Gen. 23:2).
Face the future with faith - don't look back
Sodom
Lot's Wife
The Lord sent messengers to warn Lot to flee from Sodom before the Lord destroyed it because of the wickedness of the people (Gen. 13:8-13; 19:1, 13, 15); however, Lot's wife looked backward at the destruction and became a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26).
Terah
The father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. He migrated with Abram, Sarai, and Lot (Nahor following them later) from Ur of the Chaldees to Charran (Haran), where he died
Shechem
Abraham's first communication with God.
Spiritual Insights
Abraham's obedience, Lot's wife's disobedience, the Lord's mercy with Hagar and Ishmael.
Prophet Hunter Quote about Ishmael and the Arabs
"The Church has an interest in all of Abraham's descendants, and we should remember that the history of the Arabs goes back to Abraham through his son Ishmael. ... Both the Jews and the Arabs are children of our Father. They are both children of promise, and as a church we do not take sides. We have love for and an interest in each."
2 Priesthoods in the church
"There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic... Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood." (D&C 107:1-4)
The Symbolic Test
"We keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son." (Jacob 4:4-5)
Correct Translation of Lot's Daughters
"We will have the men and thy daughters also...Lot said...Plead with my brethren that I may not bring them out..." (JST Gen. 19:9-11) "And they did wickedly, and made their father..." (JST Gen. 19:37-39
One of God's Favorite Teaching Methods
A Story Characters who make choices There are consequences We can then integrate those characters, choices and consequences into our own lives. ex. The destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah Gen. 19 (see also JST Gen. 19) What lessons do we learn from this story?
Abraham traveled far to Sacrifice Isaac
Abraham rose up early in the morning, and.. went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off" (Genesis 22:3-4) Abraham approached Moriah from the South.
Summarize Genesis 22
Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac; both submitted to the will of the Lord. Abraham was stopped from sacrificing Isaac. Abraham receives the Abrahamic covenant for his obedience. PPP Atonement - God sending His only son to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.
Sodom and Gomorrah
City was destroyed for sensual wickedness. Lot's wife looked back and turned to salt.
Doctrines to Principles to Application: How do you see this fitting in with the story of Abraham and Isaac?
Doctrine: God is our Father Principles: Obedience, Faith, Submission Application: Carry it out immediately
Compare Luke 17:31 with Genesis 19:17, 26.
Don't look back / Look not behind thee
Abraham (Abram)
Father of a multitude. Originally called Abram, "exalted father" (Gen. 11:26; 17:5). Son of Terah, born in Ur of the Chaldees (Gen. 11:26-28). The migration to Haran, where Terah died, Gen. 11:31. Abraham's journey to Canaan, the divine call, and the covenant are recorded Gen. 12:1-5. His sojourn in Egypt Gen. 11-20 and Abr. 1-3. Other important events: settlement in Hebron (Gen. 13:18); rescue of Lot and the meeting with Melchizedek (Gen. 14); further blessings and promises (Gen. 15:1; 17:8); institution of circumcision and change of name to Abraham (Gen. 17:9-27); intercession for Lot at Sodom (Gen. 19); offering of Isaac and renewal of the covenant and blessings (Gen. 22); death of Sarah and purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a family burial place (Gen. 23); Abraham's death and burial
Where did Abraham bury Sarah?
Gen 23: 19 Cave of Mechpelah as a family burial place, in Hebron
Debate over where Abraham Sacrificed Isaac
Genesis 22:2: "And He said: 'Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.'" 2 Chronicles 3:1: "Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father; for which provision had been made in the Place of David, in the threshingfloor of Ornan [Araunah] the Jebusite."
How Abraham responds to Lot being Captured Genesis 14: 14-16
Go the extra mile for family! Principle: I should love those who are unkind to me, especially my relatives! When Abraham heard that Lot had been captured, he armed 318 of his servants and went to his rescue and pursued them unto Dan (far from Hebron; 55 hour walk, 265 km)
Hagar
In the Old Testament, the Egyptian handmaid of Sarah. She became a wife of Abraham and the mother of Ishmael (Gen. 16; 25:12; D&C 132:34, 65). The Lord promised Hagar that a great nation would descend from her son (Gen. 21:9-21).
Isaac
He laugheth. The son born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, the child of promise, and the heir of the promises (Gen. 15:1-6; 17:15-19; 18:9-15; 21:1-8). The main interest of his life gathers around his birth, the sacrifice on Mount Moriah (Gen. 22), his marriage (24; 25), and his dealings with his sons (27; 28). There are numerous references to him in various parts of the Bible (see especially Gal. 4:28; Heb. 11:9, 17, 20). In character he appears to have been a peace-loving shepherd of great personal piety, full of affection for the members of his own family.
Dan
Help out your family members even if they don't deserve it.
Beersheba
Home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The faith of Ishmael - praying when cast out. Where Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech, King of Gerar. (They covenanted peace over the well of water, which Abimelech's servants had stolen. Abraham gives Abimelech some of his cattle as a sign that the well really was his.) Called Beersheba because both of them swear (covenant)
Ishmael
In the Old Testament, a son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian handmaid (Gen. 16:11-16). The Lord promised both Abraham and Hagar that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation (Gen. 21:8-21).
Lot
In the Old Testament, the son of Haran and nephew of Abraham. Haran died because of the famine in Ur. Lot left Ur with Abraham and Sarah and traveled with them to Canaan. Lot chose to live in Sodom. The Lord sent messengers to warn Lot to flee from Sodom. Lot's wife looked backward at the destruction and became a pillar of salt.
How Isaac symbolizes Christ
Isaac's birth was prophesied (Genesis 17: 16) Isaac had been born miraculously (Gen 21: 1-2) Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son (Gen 22: 12; Heb 11:17) Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice on his back (JST Gen 22:7) Isaac questioned his father, but submitted to the sacrifice (Gen 22: 6-9) Abraham did not withhold his son from God Genesis 22: 12) Christ's birth was prophesied of (Isiah 7: 14) Christ was born miraculously (Luke 1: 31; 1 Nephi 11: 19-20) God sacrificed his only begotten son (John 3: 16) Christ carried his cross on his back (John 19:17) Christ questioned his father, but willingly submitted to his sacrifice (Luke 22: 42) God did not withhold his son from us (D&C 19: 18-19)
Summarize the negotiations between Abraham and the Lord. In the end, what did they agree upon?
Lot and Abram part ways. Lot goes East to the watered plain of Jordan, called Sodom. Abram lived in the land of Canaan. The Lord tells Abram, "lift up now thine eyes, and look North, south, east, and west. You and your seed will inherit this land. He will make his seed as the dust of the Earth.
Summarize Genesis 19
Lot is visited by 3 holy men. The people of Sodom were wicked; priests warn Lot to flee. They sent down fire and brimstone to destroy the city. Lot and his daughters escape, Lot's wife looks back and turned into a pillar of salt.
Abraham might have been here!
Middle Bronze Age Mud Brick Gate at Dan
Moriah
Mount where Isaac was offered in sacrifice (temple mount)
Imagine the situation with Abraham and his nephew, Lot
Nephew takes the best piece of land, and then later he is captured by some foreign kings. Would you say, well he got what he deserved?
Type
Person, thing, or event that prophetically foreshadows another person, thing, or event of greater magnitude (i.e. Christ)
What ultimately happens to Hagar?
Sarah did not want Ishmael to be heir with Isaac (he mocked her for having Isaac in her old age.) She said to Abraham to cast out the bondwoman and her son. Abraham gives them bread and water. Hagar and Ishmael thirst. She leaves Ishmael not wanting to see him die, the Lord hears their cries and responds by "opening her eyes to see the well". The Lord promises Ishmael will become a great nation.
Jerusalem (Salem) (Genesis 14:18, crf Psalms 76:1-2)
The Home of Melchizedek
Beersheba
The faith of Ishmael - praying when cast out.
Abraham approached Moriah from the South.
This is the view from the south, Tayelet (Promenade) on the Jerusalem Overlook FT. It is the first place you can see Jerusalem when you travel from the south (Hebron, Bethlehem)
