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©John Yerkes (whatyousee.kc)

Chapter 22:15-24 (ESV)

Posted on September 25, 2020  - By Chris LaBelle  

Chapter 22:15-24 (ESV) - And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Question to consider: Who is the angel of the Lord?

The word Lord in the passage is used in place of God’s covenantal name, YHWH. The “angel” in this case is referring to Christ himself reiterating the promises that would come to pass for Abraham. Isaac was once again proclaimed to Abraham to be the promised seed that will be a blessing to the whole earth. It is kind of wild to think that the Son of God verified that Isaac was to be the line in which He would be born.

Chapter 22 ends with Abraham going back to live out the rest of his days at Beersheba. Somehow, he hears news of his brother, Nahor, and his family who were still living in Ur. This includes a concubine name Reumah. Mormons and Muslims have taken Abraham’s relationship with Hagar and Nahor’s concubine to justify polygamy. However, just because it was done at that time does not mean that God blessed it. It just speaks to its origins. In fact, in every instance mentioned where a Hebrew took multiple wives, there seemed to be jealousy and favoritism that caused division and strife.

Nahor’s descendents are most likely listed because of the birth of Bethuel who was the father of Rebekah. Rebekah would become Isaac’s wife.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we praise You for being sovereign over history so that what You proclaim will come to pass. Help us to see Your work in our lives and be grateful for Your provision and protection. We lift up those in our lives who do not know You and pray that You will help us be a witness of Your grace in their lives. Amen.