What did the Lord promise Abraham in Genesis 17:4?
"Thou shalt be a father of many nations."
Briefly tell the story of "Lot."
(if you need, Genesis 15-17, 26)
Lot's family lived in a wicked city called Sodom. Angels warned Lot's family to leave the city. When Lot, his wife, and two daughters started to leave the city, the wife looked back because she didn't want to leave. Lot's wife turned into a "pillar of salt." Lot and his two daughters fled to a cave in the mountains and survived. The wicked city/people were burned and destroyed.
Tell the story of when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19)
God commanded Abraham to make a burnt offering of his only son, Isaac. Abraham obeyed and took his son to the altar in the mountains. Right before the sacrifice, an angel stopped him. A ram appeared, and Abraham used that for the sacrifice instead. Abraham was promised that his seed would multiply and be blessed for his obedience to God's commandment.
How did Abraham and Sarah respond to the news of having a baby at such an old age? (See Genesis 17:17)
Laughed! Abraham was 100 years old, Sarah was 90 years old. They did not think they could have a baby at such an old age.
How are Abraham and Lot related?
Abraham (uncle) Lot (nephew)
Abraham's brother was Lot's dad.
What is Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac a similitude of? (See Jacob 4:5)
God and His Son, Jesus Christ
In Genesis 18:4, how did the Lord respond to Abraham and Sarah (when they laughed) to help them have greater faith in His promises?
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?...Sarah shall have a son."
In Genesis 19:15, who told Lot to leave the wicked city of Sodom?
Angels
Why do you think God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
A test of Abraham's faith.
Like Abraham and Sarah, sometimes we must be patient and TRUST that God will keep His promises. What has God promised us if we are faithful to the commandments?
In Genesis 19:26, Lot's wife became a pillar of salt for looking back toward Sodom. Why do you think she did that? What is this symbolic of in our day?
Lot's wife looked back because her heart remained attached to the worldly life, sins, and comforts of Sodom and Gomorrah, representing a lack of faith in God's future for her. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained that her action was a long-term, longing look, signaling a desire to return to her past rather than trust in the future.
Why is a lamb such a powerful symbol of the Son of God?
How can you stay faithful when promised blessings have not yet been fulfilled?
Any response. Thanks for sharing!
Think of a situation where you may be tempted to "look back" when you could be looking forward with faith in the Savior.
Any response. Thanks for sharing!
What are the similarities between Abraham's offering of Isaac AND the Heavenly Father's offering of His Son, Jesus Christ? (Genesis 22:1-19) Points for each similarity.
Only son.
Sacrificial lamb / Lamb of God
Submitted to Heavenly Father's will
Isaac and Jesus carried wood to be sacrificed on
Faith in raising Isaac from the dead, Faith in Christ's resurrection
God provides - (a ram was provided in place of Isaac. Jesus Christ was provided for us.)