Genesis - 52 - Gen. 22:20-24 and Genesis 23:1-2 - DON‘T JUST SIT THERE, DO SOMETHING!

What is a non-sequitur?  From Merriam-Webbster we see that …

Definition of non sequitur

1: an inference (see INFERENCE sense 1) that does not follow from the premises (see PREMISE entry 1 sense 1)

specifically : a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative (see AFFIRMATIVE entry 1 sense 3) proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent (see CONSEQUENT entry 1 sense 1)

2: a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said

Here’s an example.  If someone asks what it's like outside and you reply, "It's 2:00," you've just used a non sequitur; you made a statement that does not follow what was being discussed.  Shown below are five more simple examples.

• My refrigerator is acting up. I’d better finish that book by Friday.
• I read about a pitbull attack. Our neighbor owns a pitbull. My life is in danger.
• It's time to take my car in for service. I wonder if my stylist is available this Saturday.
• I had a crazy music teacher in elementary school. All music teachers are crazy.
• When it's sunny, I see my neighbor walking his dog. He must only walk the dog when the sun is out.

It is clear that one statement does not follow logically into the second.  It also seems that in Genesis 22:20-24 we have a non-sequitur.  Why after studying the awesome events of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the child of promise, do we get this?

Now it came about after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel." Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.  (Gen 22:20-24)

 

This seems so out of place.  It seems like it doesn’t belong, it doesn’t follow.  Why does the Lord inspire Moses to put this in in this place?  It’s like a non-sequitur.  Or is it?  Remember, this is God’s word.  Something is up.  In this lesson will attempt to understand why these verses are put in here.  The suggestions are powerful.

We will then turn our attention to Genesis 23.  One thing we will focus on is the geography of Israel.  Look at the map below. (Map is royalty free at Wikimedia)

Abraham was about 30 miles away from Sarah when Sarah died.  Huh?  This means they were not living together as married couple.  This escapes most of us since we are so cutoff from understanding the geography of the Middle East as it relates to the Bible events.  The geography tells us something.  We missed it.  There’s more to the events that preceded Sarah’s death.  There’s more we missed that adds to a deeper understanding of the word of the Lord. 

Lastly, we will focus on Abraham and his reliance, his dependency, his trust, or, one might say, his faith in God and that what God promised and what God said is true.  Abraham's worldview is a total trust and reliance on the Lord.  What's interesting is Abraham doesn't just sit there and not do anything.  Abraham knows the promises of God and HE DOESN'T JUST SIT THERE, HE ACTS!!  He acts in such a way that his actions show that he relies on the promises of the Lord and they are true even though not seen.  This is the type of "father" we have as Paul teaches about us in Gal. 3:7.  We are part of the family.  He's our daddy.  We should live and be believers who have the same faith, the same worldview of Abraham.  So, Christian, don't just sit there, do something!!

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background