Unit 14

Question 1

1. Review each of the “tests” of Abraham that we discussed in the lecture (for Genesis chapters 12-14 and 16-18) and determine the problem, what Abraham and/or Sarah did in each case and what we learn about them from each episode. Were there other players and what role did they play? Was there any divine intervention? There will be a few questions about each episodein addition to those just listed.

Answer 1

• 12: Lech Lecha; Sarah and Pharaoh (Obedience)
• 13: Dividing the Land (Peacemaker)
• 14: Rescue Lot: Arbraham the warrior, tithing, Melchizedek (Warrior, savior, tithe payer, priesthood holder)
• 16: Sarah gives Hagar to Abraham, Ishmael is born (Sacrafice of Sarah)
• 17: Be perfect, name changes, circumcision (Covenant w/ God, obedience)
• 18: Three visitors, Sarah to have son, conversation with God (Host, faith, relationship w/ God, mediator, good father)

Question 2

2. Genesis 12: How is Abraham reassured when he leaves Haran?
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Answer 2

The Lord appears to Abraham when he builds the altar and promises him land

Question 3

3. Compare Genesis 12:10-20 with the account in Abraham 2:22-25 of the story of Abraham and Sarah going to Egypt. What is different?Could Sarah be called Abraham’s sister (at least in a cultural sense)?

Answer 3

• Yes in a cultural sense because they were related

Question 4

4. Genesis 13:Why would Abraham give Lot the first choice? What consequence does Lot encounter from his choice of where to live? Why do you think the Lord’s promise of land to Abraham is so very important?

Answer 4

• Abraham was being a peacemaker
  
  • He was carried away captive when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed
  • Because at this point Abraham has no place

Question 5

5. Genesis 14: What does taking 318 men to battle tell us about Abraham? Why was Abraham so adamant about not taking any booty of war? Why is it amazing that Abraham was willing to do this?

Answer 5

• Abraham didn’t want anyone besides the Lord to be able to say that they made Abraham rich. He is a man of integrity, even in war
  
  • Because Lot had just taken all of the best land for himself
  • Abraham is willing to drop everything to help others

Question 6

6. Genesis 14:What significant things occurred when Abraham met with Melchizedek? In what ways is Melchizedek a great model or mentor for Abraham?

Answer 6

• He ordained him to the priesthood, had a sacrament meal, blessed Abraham, Abraham payed tithes to Melchizedek
  
  • Melchizedek was very righteous and powerfully faithful

Question 7

7. Genesis 16: How do the customs of the time play in to the actions of Sarah? Who makes the decision to involve Hagar as a wife? How is this both an “offering” and a “sacrifice”? For Sarah? For Hagar? For Abraham?

Answer 7

• Sarah makes the decision, Hagar was hers to give because she was her slave. Sarah didn’t want the shame of not having a child
  
  • For Sarah: She offers Hagar to Abraham that the covenant may be fulfilled. She sacrificed the opportunity of being the literal mother of Abraham’s children
  • For Hagar: This is an offering because Sarah could take her child to raise as her own. Sacrafice because of strife that it caused between Hagar and Sarah
  • For Abraham: Offering because Abraham did what Sarah wanted and told Sarah she could do what she wants. Sacrafice because of the his relationship with Sarah and gets an heir through someone else

Question 8

8. Genesis 17: What does the Lord expect of Abraham? What is the significance of getting a new name? What do each of their new names mean? Why is circumcision not an expectation of covenant living today?

Answer 8

• To be perfect and walk before me
  
  • Getting a new name: pattern of receiving a divine mission (reflecting the covenant)
  • Abraham: Exalted father or father of many nations
  • Sarah: Princess
  • Circumcision is not expected today because the practice was discontinued through revelation to Peter in Acts 15 (the law of moses had been fulfilled)

Question 9

9. Genesis: 18:Who came to visit? Why is it hard to know if they are men or angels? Why is hospitality an important trait for a patriarch? A covenant person? Why do you think Abraham and Sarah laugh at the message from the visitors? What do we learn from the Lord’s rebuke to them?

Answer 9

• Three visitors (and the Lord)
  
  • Because they were old and didn’t believe that it could be done
  • Nothing is too hard for the Lord, it is never a good idea to laugh at the Lord

Question 10

10. Genesis 18:What do we learn about Abraham in his home? (Gen. 18:19) What is the “cry of the oppressed”? What was Sodom’s great sin? How would you describe Abraham’s conversation with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah? What does this tell us about Abraham’s relationship with God?

Answer 10

• He and his children keep the way of the Lord
  
  • Sodom’s great sin is that they have forgotten their poor
  • Abraham is bartering with the Lord to not destroy Gomorrah
  • Abraham had a very deep, personal relationship with the Lord in which he spoke with Him very much as a man speaks with another man
  • The cry of the oppressed is the reason that the Lord came. It’s the cry of the abused and maltreated poor and needy

Question 11

11. Why does Elder Holland suggest that “salvation never was easy”? You should know that this quote is from Elder Holland.

Answer 11

Because salvation is not a cheap experience