Step Into Your Future

Audio Teaching

NOTES

Interesting Observation

This week’s portion is called ‘The Life of Sarah,’ but why is it called The Life of Sarah when it begins with her death and burial? One answer is that the portion begins with her name, and another is that Rebekah, Isaac’s soon-to-be wife, will carry on her legacy.

Separating from Negative Influences

• Ishmael is sent away because of his idol worship (Gen. 21:9-14).
• Abraham’s other sons were sent away from Isaac (Gen. 25:1-6).
• Ishmael married an Egyptian (Gen. 21:21).
• Esau married Adah and Judith, two adulterous and idolatrous women (Gen. 26:34-35; Tanhuma, Vayeshev 1).
• King Solomon brought a snare to his life because he married foreign women and went after their gods (1 Kings 11).
• Issac was the seed of promise, so the woman he married had to be of a certain spiritual caliber.

 Genesis 24:1-15, 50-59 ESV

• Abraham was blessed in all things and wanted that blessing to continue through Isaac.
• The servant swore by putting his hand under the bris (a holy object).
• The God of heaven and the God of earth – pagans believed in gods that ruled in heaven, but they did not know the God of heaven and earth.
• Do not take a wife for my son from the Canaanites. (See ref. Above for reasoning).
• Do not take my son back there.
  • Isaac was laid on the altar there.
  • Isaac couldn’t go back and inherit the promise.
• Pressing forward and avoiding snares.
  • Israel had to continue pressing forward, just like their forefathers, to possess the land (see the book of Joshua).
  • Israel went through cycles of obedience and disobedience, worshipping God and worshipping idols (see the book of Judges).
  • Don’t delay your obedience.
    • Gen. 24:15, 58.
    • Abraham did not hesitate to obey (Gen. 12).
    • Lot lingered when he was told to flee (Gen. 19:15-16).
    • Rebekah responded I will go (Gen. 24:58).
    • We have left everything to follow you (Mk. 10:28-31).

The Woman at the Well (Jn. 4:3-26 ESV)

• Jer. 2:13 ESV “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that hold no water.”
• The renewed covenant promises that we will be washed with water and given a new heart, and God’s Spirit will be put in us and cause us to walk in His ways. (Ezek. 36:25-27).
• Jesus is the living water (Jn. 7:37-39).
• The woman at the well was confronted, convicted, and converted.

Conclusion

The woman at the well had to do spiritually what Rebekah did physically; she had to be willing to leave what she knew and embrace Jesus. The disciples forsook all they knew to follow Him. Are we ready to leave behind whatever he asks? Will we be willing and obedient? Abraham was, Sarah was, Isaac and Rebekah were – they are our examples.