The Bible Journey OT - Genesis - Part Four

Genesis: Sodom's Judgment, Isaac's Birth & Abraham's Test | Bible Journey (Week 4) Pastor Mark Green continues the Old Testament Bible Journey through Genesis, covering chapters 18–19, 21–22, and 24. He opens with Abraham's encounter with three visitors in chapter 18 — likely a theophany, a visible manifestation of God — who reaffirm the promise of Isaac and reveal coming judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Pastor Mark walks through Abraham's bargaining with God over the cities' fate, the devastating reality in chapter 19 that not even ten righteous people can be found there, and God's mercy toward Lot despite his family's failures. He then moves to the long-awaited birth of Isaac, the dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael, the profound testing of Abraham's faith in the near-sacrifice of Isaac, and closes with the story of how Rebekah becomes Isaac's wife following Sarah's death — framing the whole journey as God unfolding His redemptive plan. Questions Pastor Mark Raises — and How He Answers Them Q: Who are the three visitors in Genesis 18? A: Pastor Mark identifies this as likely a theophany — a visible, tangible appearance of God in human form — based on the text's use of "LORD" (Yahweh) to describe them. Q: What two messages does God bring to Abraham? A: First, He gives a specific timeline for Isaac's birth. Second, He reveals He's about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah for their great evil. Q: Why does God involve Abraham in the decision about Sodom and Gomorrah? A: Because Abraham is being formed into a nation meant to model righteousness and justice to the world — so God includes him in the process as part of that formation. Q: What happens in Abraham's bargaining session with God? A: Abraham negotiates God down from sparing the city for 50 righteous people to just 10 — showing God's grace and desire for repentance. Q: Were there even 10 righteous people in Sodom? A: No — not even Lot's own family proves righteous, as revealed by Lot's troubling actions, his daughters' behavior, and his sons-in-law's refusal to leave. Q: Why did God rescue Lot despite his lack of righteousness? A: Genesis 19:29 says God "remembered Abraham" — Lot was spared because of God's covenant love and promise to Abraham, not because Lot deserved it. Q: What happened to Hagar and Ishmael in chapter 21? A: After Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac, she demanded they be sent away. Unlike in chapter 16, God doesn't send Hagar back this time — He shows her mercy directly. Q: What is the significance of God's wording in the test of Abraham (chapter 22)? A: Pastor Mark notes God says "offer," not "sacrifice," Isaac — a subtle but important distinction, since God never intends for Isaac to actually die. Q: Why doesn't Abraham bargain with God this time, unlike with Sodom? A: Pastor Mark observes Abraham responds immediately and without negotiation, suggesting this moment tests the authenticity of both Abraham's and Isaac's faith in real time. Q: How is Isaac's wife Rebekah found in chapter 24? A: Abraham sends a trusted servant back to his homeland; the servant prays for guidance, and God provides Rebekah, whose family blesses her with language echoing God's promise to Sarah — showing her being woven into God's covenant plan. #Genesis #BibleJourney #SodomAndGomorrah #AbrahamAndIsaac #PastorMarkGreen #OtterbeinChurch #OldTestament #Theophany #FaithAndObedience #TestOfAbraham #BirthOfIsaac #RebekahAndIsaac #BibleStudy #GenesisStudy #ChristianTeaching #FaithJourney #GodsPromises #ScriptureStudy