Scripture to Read: Genesis 25:1-18
We begin this week in Genesis 25:1-18. God gives us the account of Abraham's death and the generations of Ishmael, which further displays how God fulfills His promises. In Genesis 25:7-12, Abraham's death is described. God's Word says, in Genesis 25:8, "Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people." The description God gives us in Genesis 25:8 is a reminder of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:15 when God told Abraham, "you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age." The same is true about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus died upon the cross, God the Father fulfilled His promise of salvation to all mankind. The salvation God provides through Christ is by His grace alone. God's grace is also promised in Genesis 25. In Genesis 25:12-18, we find Ishmael's genealogy. God provides for us the generations of Ishmael to provide a record of His faithfulness. The 12 sons of Ishmael are a fulfillment of God's promise in Genesis 17:20, "He [Ishmael] shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation." Although Abraham and Sarah sinned by not trusting our LORD, the result of their sin was Abraham having a son through Hagar. Through their sin, Ishmael came into the world through Hagar. Even though God's covenant would be fulfilled through Isaac, God, through His grace, made Ishmael into a great nation as well. In both death and through His grace, God fulfilled His promises.
Challenge & Application
1. How does Abraham’s death encourage us to see God is faithful and will fulfill His promises?
2. Where has God’s grace been evident in your life even when you have struggled to trust Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!