May 9, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 23 – Sarah’s Death and Abraham’s Purchase of a Family Burial Site

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Bible Text – Genesis 23 (KJV)

1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a burying-place amongst you.
10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
17 And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the sons of Heth.

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Introduction

Genesis 23 records the death of Sarah—unique in Scripture as the only woman whose age at death is specified—and Abraham’s dignified negotiation with the Hittites to secure a family burial plot in the Promised Land. This chapter highlights how a foreign believer, acting with honor and wisdom, lays claim to a lasting testament of faith.

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Commentary

1. Sarah’s Death and Abraham’s Mourning (vv. 1–2)

• Sarah dies at 127 years old.

• Abraham mourns her in Kirjath-arba (Hebron).

2. Request for a Burial Site (vv. 3–6)

• Abraham, a sojourner, asks the Hittites for permission to bury Sarah.

• They honor him as a “mighty prince” and invite him to choose any tomb.

3. Negotiation with Ephron (vv. 7–16)

• Abraham respectfully petitions Ephron son of Zohar for the cave of Machpelah.

• Ephron initially offers the field freely but then names a price of 400 shekels of silver.

• Abraham pays the full amount without bargaining, ensuring legal title.

4. Confirmation of Ownership (vv. 17–20)

• The deed to the field, cave, and surrounding trees is formally witnessed before the Hittites.

• Abraham buries Sarah in Machpelah, establishing the first ancestral claim to the land.

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Summary

Genesis 23 intertwines loss and faith: Abraham lays his beloved wife to rest, yet rather than returning home, he purchases a piece of Canaan—an enduring pledge of God’s promise. Machpelah becomes the first hereditary plot in the land God would fully give to his descendants.

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Message for Today

• Dignity in Grief: Mourning with respect and hope, as Abraham did, honors both memory and faith.

• Faith Beyond Death: Acquiring the land expresses Abraham’s confidence that God’s promises outlast our lifetimes.

• Witness to Outsiders: His conduct before the Hittites testifies to God’s character, reminding us that our lives can point others to Him.

• Trust in God’s Timing: Abraham waited decades for the promise and still acted decisively in faith.

“You are a mighty prince among us.” (v. 6) — May our lives likewise resonate as testimonies to God’s faithfulness.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/9-05-2025-genesis-chapter-23-believe-his-prophets/

May 8, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 22 – The Sacrifice of Isaac

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Bible Text – Genesis 22 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, 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.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

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Introduction

Genesis 22 relates one of the most dramatic and theologically profound passages in Scripture. God tests Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. This narrative reveals deep truths about obedience, faith, and God’s provision.

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Commentary

Section 1: God’s Test (vv. 1–2)
God places Abraham in the ultimate trial of faith, calling obedience above emotion or human understanding.

Section 2: Abraham’s Obedience (vv. 3–8)
Without hesitation, Abraham prepares for the journey. The poignant dialogue between Isaac and his father highlights mutual trust and submission.

Section 3: The Sacrifice (vv. 9–10)
Abraham binds Isaac and raises the knife—his absolute trust in God’s command is on full display.

Section 4: Divine Intervention (vv. 11–13)
At the pivotal moment, God intervenes. Isaac is spared, and a ram provided serves as the burnt offering instead.

Section 5: Covenant Renewal (vv. 15–18)
For Abraham’s obedience, God reaffirms and expands His promise: descendants as numerous as stars and universal blessing through his line.

Section 6: Return and Genealogy (vv. 19–24)
Abraham reunites with his servants at Beersheba, and the chapter closes with a genealogy introducing Rebekah, Isaac’s future wife.

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Summary

Genesis 22 showcases Abraham’s unwavering obedience and God’s faithfulness under trial. The near-sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows the ultimate provision of Christ. Abraham emerges as the exemplar of faith that endures even the greatest test.

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Message for Today

• Testing Refines Faith: God’s trials are meant to strengthen, not destroy, our trust in Him.

• Obedience Over Understanding: True faith obeys even when God’s purposes transcend our comprehension.

• God Provides: Like the ram in the thicket (v. 13), He supplies what we need at the critical moment.

• “The Lord Will Provide” (v. 8): In our times of greatest sacrifice, remember God’s provision and faithfulness.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/8-05-2025-genesis-chapter-22-believe-his-prophets/

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/7-05-2025-genesis-chapter-21-believe-his-prophets/

May 6, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 20 – Abraham’s Encounter with Abimelech: God’s Protection in Human Failure

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 Bible Text – Genesis 20 (KJV)

1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister”: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.”
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, “Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, ‘She is my sister’? and she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother’: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.”
6 And God said unto him in a dream, “Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.”
…
14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.”
16 And unto Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.”
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.

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Introduction

In Genesis 20, Abraham again resorts to fear-driven deception, claiming Sarah as his sister. Yet God intervenes—warning King Abimelech in a dream, vindicating Sarah’s honor, and safeguarding His covenant promises. This chapter reminds us that even our failures cannot thwart God’s protective plan.

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Commentary

1. Abraham’s Fear and Compromise (vv. 1–2)
   • Fearing for his life, Abraham repeats his “she is my sister” half-truth (cf. Gen. 12).
   • This expedient shows human weakness under threat.
2. Divine Intervention through a Dream (vv. 3–7)
   • God appears to the pagan king Abimelech in a midnight vision.
   • He rebukes him for taking another man’s wife, yet acknowledges Abimelech’s innocence: “I withheld thee from sinning against me.”
3. Abimelech’s Righteous Response (vv. 8–16)
   • At dawn, Abimelech confronts Abraham and demands an explanation.
   • He restores Sarah without reproach, compensates Abraham, and invites him to sojourn anywhere in his land.
4. Abraham’s Intercession and Restoration (vv. 17–18)
   • Abraham prays for Abimelech’s household; God heals them and opens their wombs.
   • This confirms that God honors intercession and mercy restores blessing.

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Summary

Though Abraham’s fear leads him to deception, God’s faithful intervention preserves Sarah’s dignity and the integrity of His promise. Abimelech’s integrity stands out under divine correction. Ultimately, Abraham’s prayer brings healing and fruitfulness back to the king’s household.

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Message for Today

• God transcends our fears and intervenes to uphold His purposes.
• Integrity and the fear of God shine even in unbelieving hearts.
• We, like Abraham, may intercede on behalf of others despite our own shortcomings.
• God’s grace outpaces our frailties—we can trust Him when fear tempts us to compromise.

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May 4–10, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 3

“The Temptation and the Fall”

Read online here

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Introduction

Following the perfect account of Creation in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 recounts the most tragic turning point in human history: the Fall. Amidst perfection, peace, and communion with God, the first human pair chooses disobedience. This single act unleashes a cascade of consequences—guilt, separation from God, suffering, and death. Yet even here, God’s mercy shines through: He does not abandon humanity but promises redemption.

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Commentary

1. Satan’s Purpose and Deception
   • Driven by envy, Satan seeks to lure humanity away from obedience to God.
   • He selects the most beautiful creature—the serpent—as his instrument.
   • Eve departs from Adam and the safety of their fellowship, taking the first step toward temptation.
2. Attack on God’s Word
   • Satan questions the very words of God: “Did God really say…?”
   • He lies: “You will not surely die”—the first great deception.
   • His aim: sow doubt, distrust, and rebellion against God’s character and commands.
3. The Fall
   • Eve listens to the serpent, sees the fruit, takes and eats.
   • Adam likewise eats, out of love for Eve—a tragic, deliberate choice.
   • Immediately they feel shame, fear, and guilt—they recognize their nakedness.
4. Divine Judgment
   • God seeks them: “Where are you?”
   • Adam shifts blame onto Eve—and indirectly onto God.
   • Eve blames the serpent.
   • The consequences: a curse on the serpent, pain for the woman, hardship for the man, and exile from the Tree of Life.
5. First Promise of the Gospel (v. 15)
   • The Proto-Evangelium: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
   • The first announcement of the Redeemer—victory over Satan is assured.
6. Mercy Amid Judgment
   • God clothes Adam and Eve in garments of skin.
   • The Garden is barred—not merely as punishment but to prevent eternal life in sin.
   • A hope remains for restoration in the “new Eden” (Revelation 21–22).

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Summary

The Fall marks the beginning of all human suffering but also the moment when God’s mercy appears. Adam and Eve’s decision to transgress God’s command was no minor slip—it was a fundamental breach of trust and obedience. Yet God speaks not only judgment but also grace, promising a Savior.

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Application for Today

• God warns and protects but never forces—true love grants freedom.
• Sin often begins with small steps: moving away from God, doubting His word, and yielding to curiosity.
• Despite our failures, God does not give up on us. He still calls, “Where are you?”
• Jesus is the promised offspring who crushed the serpent’s head. In Him we find hope, restoration, and new life.
• Our obedience today reflects our love for God—not as a work to earn His favor, but as a response to His grace.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/6-05-2025-genesis-chapter-20-believe-his-prophets/

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/5-05-2025-genesis-chapter-19-believe-his-prophets/