Bible Study

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The book of Matthew opens with a genealogy of Jesus and a note that there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to “exile in Babylon" (when Nebuchadnezzar took the southern tribe of Judah into captivity in Babylon), and fourteen generations from exile to the birth of Jesus. What the story means

Jacob and Esau have become grown men. Esau is a very good hunter, a wild sort of man, who loves the outdoors. Jacob on the other hand, is more civilized and mature, preferring to stay within the home. Their father, Isaac, loved the taste of wild game and as a result, grew close to Esau.

After a quick peek at Ishmael’s genealogical record, the Bible now turns back to the family line of Abraham and Isaac. We are reminded that Abraham was the father of Isaac who, at 40 years of age, married Rebekah. After 20 years of marriage, Isaac prayed for a child and God answered the call. Rebekah became

This section of the Bible presents a genealogical account of the line of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hager (Sarah’s Egyptian slave). In this story, Ishmael’s sons are listed, some of who prove important to the continuing narrative of the Old Testament. Ishmael lived to be 137 years old. His sons and their families settled

In later age, Abraham took a new wife, Keturah who bore him six sons, including some lines which would become significant (and enemies of Isaac) in later chapters – the Ashurites (Assyrians), Letushites, Midianites, Shuhites, and Leummites.  Abraham left everything to Isaac and gave gifts to his remaining sons and sent them away to land

Abraham was an advanced age when he asked his servant to swear he would find a wife for his son Isaac and that he not get a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites (from the area where Abraham was living at the time) but would instead travel to his old country to find a wife

After living to the age of 127 years old, Sarah died in Hebron.  After mourning her death, Abraham approached the Hittites and asked if they would be willing to sell him land he could use as a burial site for Sarah (being a foreigner to the area, Abraham owned no land).  Out of respect for

God called out to Abraham commanding he take his son Isaac to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Following God’s instructions, Abraham cut wood for the offering and the following morning, loaded his donkey and took two servants and Isaac with him to the location of the sacrifice. After three

Abimelek (also spelled Abimelech) and his military commander Phicol (who acted as a witness to the events that unfolded) approached Abraham and asked that he swear to an oath, or truce of sorts, promising that they will deal faithfully with each other. Abraham agreed with Abimelek but mentioned his dissatisfaction that a well had been