avimelech

Isaac Blessed Because of a drought Isaac moves to Gerer, an area ruled by Abimelech (Avi-melech), king of the Philistines. Isaac’s father, Abraham, had also lived in this area during a drought. At that time Abraham lied about his Sarah, saying she is his sister, instead of saying that she is his wife. Avimelech innocently takes Sarah as wife, but is restrained by God from having relations with her. This incident took place within the year that God Himself came in the flesh and prophesied to Abraham that Sarah would conceive Isaac. This whole incident endangered the conception of Isaac. The lie brought shame upon Abraham. Then over 60 years later Isaac comes to this same man and also lies about his wife saying she is his sister. In some ways Isaac’s lie is worse in that Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister, but that was not the case with Isaac and Rebecca (she was his cousin). In this account Avimelech does not take Rebecca as wife, but he does find out Isaac’s lie and rebukes him for it. In spite of Isaac’s lack of faith, lying, and not immediately repenting of the wrong, God abundantly blesses Isaac. Being blessed while in disobedience seems contrary to other statements in the Bible. God did have a reason for blessing Isaac at this point in his life. Problems: While being blessed by God, Isaac has problems from people. Isaac’s example helps teach us some important life lessons. Have you been blessed by God? Have you always deserved it? Have you appreciated it? Have people ever caused problems in your life? How should we reacted to these situations? Join Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky by viewing this week’s sermon and finding why God would bless Isaac while Isaac was acting in disobedience to God, and how to deal when misused by others. Come along for the Adventure, you will stay for the Shalom – ShalomAdventure.com You can also view any and all of Shalom Adventure videos in one convenient, easy to navigate, https://shalomadventure.lightcast.com/

In Genesis chapter 20 we read about Abraham lying to Avimelech regarding Sarah. Then in chapter 21 Avimelech comes back to Abraham, this time with the commander of his army to call Abraham out for his sin and to get an assurance from Abraham that he will not do it again. After Abraham is humbled and promises not to do it again, Abraham uses this opportunity to call out a wrong that he feels Avimelech has done to him. Then the two of them go about making peace together through a covenant ceremony. Preparing for Yom Kippur: During the Ten Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we are reminded to make our records clean and right with God. This Biblical account is a good reminder for us to speak with those who have wronged us and do all that we can on our part, by God’s grace, to make things right. Not only is this Biblical account of Abraham and Avimelech historical, it has spiritual significance regarding God’s eternal plan for humanity and for our own personal lives. Are their people in your life that you need to address for wrongs they have done to you? Listen to this sermon to find out the right and wrong way to do it. Have people called you out for wrongs you have done? Listen to this sermon to find out the right and wrong way to do it? Join Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky in learning how to have better relationships with those around you and how to make peace. Come along for the Adventure, you will stay for the Shalom – ShalomAdventure.com You can also view any and all of Shalom Adventure videos in one convenient, easy to navigate, site. https://shalomadventure.lightcast.com/

Abraham and Abimelech, Abraham Lies Again For reasons not revealed, after being given the promise that in a year’s time Sarah will have a son, and after sodom & gommorah were destroyed, Abraham moved his caravan south near Gaza. Abimelech was king in that area. Like Abraham did twenty years before, he lied (or half truthed) about Sarah being his sister. Abimelech took 90 year old Sarah as a wife. This was a precarious situation because it was during this time that Sarah needed to be conceiving through Abraham so they could have a child within the year that God promised they would. One might excuse Abraham for not initially remembering the events of 20 years before when he did a similar thing with the Egyptian Pharaoh. One might excuse Abraham for being fearful for his life if it was known that Sarah was his wife. But when Abimelech took it to heart and indicated he was going to take Sarah as his wife Abraham should have spoken up. All is well that ends well? By the end of this Biblical account it looks like Abraham made out pretty well. But surface reading could be deceiving. This was not a time when Abraham was a good example. More to the story One might wonder why this story is in the Bible. Certainly we can learn from Abraham’s mistakes, but is there more to it than just that? Yes there is, and this story is no exception. There are some very profound insights hidden in this story that demonstrate that this story is bigger than just Abraham lying and everything working out fine in spite of it. This account, like everything in the Bible, has deep significance in understanding God’s work for humanity, and for God’s calling upon us individuality. Good news Once again in this sermon Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky helps us find the “good news” in the story. Join us in finding out what that good news is and how it applies to your life. Come along for the Adventure, you will stay for the Shalom – ShalomAdventure.com You can also view all and any of Shalom Adventure videos in one convenient, easy to navigate, site.