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Abraham Didn’t Fail Here (Genesis 20) · Todd's World

• Todd: classically commentaries and pastors and teachers, they they kind of present this like Abraham had this is it's a little bit of a lapse of faith on Abraham's part. Like Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Todd: like he misrepresented himself because he didn't quite trust God to keep everything you know what I mean? And whatever. And It I mean I've heard that I've heard this presented that way my whole life. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: And when I read it, the story just flat out doesn't read that way to me. It's an example of where I see the commentaries and I think, there's not an there's no nobody would read this unless you're bringing that idea to it and think God had any problem with Abraham at all in any of this. So Yo, it's Carrie: Right. I don't think so. I d yeah, I don't think so. I also think Abraham is human. I mean he has incredibly Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: strong faith. He's following God's plan. He's been trusting him for decades on these on these his plan and these promises. Yet he's a human man who going into a f a foreign kingdom with the king and you know with a beautiful wife. He wants to protect his wife. He wants to protect his own his own life and his wife's safety. Todd: Welcome to Beers with Jesus on Todd's World. I'm Todd. Carrie is with me. And Yo, it's Carrie: Hello. Todd: we are here every week. We do Beers with Jesus. How's it going, Carrie? Yo, it's Carrie: Going great. How about you? Todd: Awesome. We just walk through stories of the Bible on Beers with Jesus. It's kind of that's how I describe Yo, it's Carrie: Glad you're here. Todd: it to people anyway. I said, you know, we just kinda go through the stories. We don't really preach it, you know, we just kinda talk about it. We also do the wildly opinionated news hour. So we do Beers with Jesus every week, Wildly Opinionated News Hour every other week. Check out the last episode of Wildly Opinionated News Hour about I think the headlines like Talarico vanishes or something is the first part of it. And Yo, it's Carrie: that's right. Todd: he has he has been found, by the way, safe. Yes. Yo, it's Carrie: Has he? Is he campaigning or has he just been visible he's just been sighted? Todd: He's he's in witness protection. No. so check that out, guys. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: Wild Day P News hour, we go through clips of the show. That's kind of just a wild freewheeling fun thing. and then beers with you. We keep our religion and our politics separate, I guess, mostly. So Beers with Jesus, we just kind of we Yo, it's Carrie: But we dive in. We like both. Todd: stick with the Bible, we have fun with the stories. Carrie tells us what we need to take out of each passage and away we go. Yo, it's Carrie: Do I? I don't know. If I happen to have some realization during the show, I share it, but I don't know, Todd. I usually come up with stuff through later throughout the week. Just it's just kind of yeah, it's Todd: Do you? I think you do pretty good during the show. Yo, it's Carrie: thanks. I af it's just like after church. Like you leave church and you go and you're Todd: Y you start thinking. Yo, it's Carrie: thinking about it and a few days later you're like, like that's cool, you know, and just so Todd: Hmm. Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: it keeps keeps working, keeps percolating. Yeah. Todd: It keeps keeps percolating. That was what I was looking for. A little coffee reference for you. Yo, it's Carrie: Yes. That's what we need. Todd: So this week we are well last week we did Sodom and Gomorrah. We got through Sodom Yo, it's Carrie: Whew. We did. Todd: and Gomorrah last week. And I think that honestly, as far as I know, is the last we're gonna hear of Abraham's nephew Lot in in Genesis. So Yo, it's Carrie: That's it. It's it's quite a note it's quite a no on Todd: Yeah. He kinda goes he goes out on a bang. Yo, it's Carrie: two. Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: It's quite a note to end on for his character. one of my sons is doing the the Bible in a year. Yeah, he just started it recently. Todd: But in first is he? How's he like that's where they kinda jump you around, right? You have like four different passages or something. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, like you're reading something from Genesis, something from yeah, Psalms, something yeah. Todd: Okay. Yo, it's Carrie: But he just read Sodom and Gomorrah and he was like, didn't know that we had just talked about it because, you know, just like just like your family, my family doesn't listen. It doesn't listen. And I'm like, Can you believe that story? I know. Todd: really? He's not an avid listener. My frickin' kids, man. Raise your whole life. Yo, it's Carrie: But he was just shocked and, you know, we were having a laugh about it. Todd: Was it? Yo, it's Carrie: I was like, I was shocked too. Yeah. Todd: Yeah. The part they skipped in Sunday school. That's what that's what we that's what we called it. Yo, it's Carrie: Right? Edited for adult content. My goodness. Todd: So now we are in chapter 20 this week. Yo, it's Carrie: Uh-huh. Todd: And we are I'm reading this week. All we do, we read the message. We just go through the stories. So Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: usually about a chapter. Sometimes it's a little different. I like the message. In my opinion, the message is the best. I was having, you know, I'll I'll have these conversations with Grok, X is AI. kind of studying mostly. You know, that's a that's it Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: that's kind of my person that I can converse with and go back and forth and bounce some things and I can be like i Yo, it's Carrie: Your person. Todd: are there any not a person, but like it's it's kind of a glorified Google to me because I want to know like what are the commentaries like saying? And Yo, it's Carrie: Your resource. Mm-hmm. Todd: this was a week where I there weren't many we're a little we're a little off the page on this one, I think, in my take on it. It's not Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: necessarily And you know, I said I said to to I think that sometimes the difference is that theologians maybe, people writing commentaries, people in universities or whatever, maybe they're not first and foremost storytellers. You know what I mean? And so I think Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Todd: once in a while something will get kind of ingrained and it'll get in the commentaries and then it just starts i i everybody starts to think that way. And I think if you look at the story that doesn't make a lot of sense. C. S. Lewis, Yo, it's Carrie: interesting. Todd: one of my favorite writers, like his his whole thing was he was he was a professor in medieval literature. And so he like stories were Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: his gig, which is part of why I think he resonates so much with me. Is I think that sometimes theologians kind of miss can miss the forest for the trees sometimes. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Sure, I think theologians. Todd: Whereas a storyteller can look at it and at least catch the forest and then maybe between the two we can get something close to right. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Well yeah, I was gonna say that's an interesting way of looking at it because a a storyteller is going to look at the structure of a story, from like, you know, character introductions and development, con Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: conflict resolution arcs and and such themes, whereas a theologian is looking at the faith related implications, you know. Todd: I think sometimes they get hung up on the details a little bit. And I don't mean that the details are important. I actually think in stories they are. Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Just a different lens. Mm-hmm. Todd: Just sometimes i if you're if you're more focused on the details, you can you can sometimes miss the the whole point. And I think that happens in this one. So yeah, so let's read it. We're we do Yo, it's Carrie: Okay, for this one in particular. Okay. Todd: the message. If you don't read the message, well you g you can listen to me read it and till you buy one and burn your other Bible. Just kidding, kidding, kidding. Yo, it's Carrie: You can follow follow along in your Bible. It's cl Todd: Ha ha ha ha. Yo, it's Carrie: I it's close, just you know. Todd: So this is chapter twenty, right after Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham travelled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abram Abraham said of his wife Sarah, She's my sister. So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, You're as good as dead. That woman you took she's a married woman. Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn't he tell me she's my sister? And didn't she herself say he's my brother? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this. God said to him in the dream, Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me. I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. Now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you. Pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family. Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. Shocked. Then Abimelech called and came. in Abraham and said, What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring offen that you would bring on me in my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done. Abimelech went on to Abraham. Whatever you were thinking of when you did or whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing? Abraham said, I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place. And that they'd kill me to get my wife. Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister. She's my father's daughter, but not my mother's. sorry, I just lost my place. When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, Do me a favor, wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother. Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham And along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. He said, My land is open to you, live wherever you wish. And to Sarah he said, I've given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. That clears you of even a shadow of suspicion before the eyes of the world. You're vindicated. Then Abraham prayed to God and healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants. And they started having babies again, for God had shut down every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife. There you go. So this is the second Yo, it's Carrie: Wow. Good job. Todd: time Abraham and Sarah pulled this particular or that we may be more than that. Because Abraham says when he started off wandering, this is the what they decided to do. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: And we're we're told at least twice of it. The first time they went Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: down to Egypt with Pharaoh. And Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: and then now this time, and now this I would say this is fresh off God coming to Abraham and saying, A year from now I'm gonna come back and you're gonna have Isaac and it's gonna be Sarah who has it, right? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: So kind of important, I guess, to keep Sarah with Abraham at this point in the story, right? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Right. So I mean, it isn't explained why they're traveling, but I I think he does I mean it this really emphasizes why it's so important to put this ruse out there, you know, to Todd: Mm-hmm. Yo, it's Carrie: pretend that they're a brother and sister. 'cause he just feels like she's really beautiful and he feels like Todd: Well you know Yo, it's Carrie: Someone in power is just gonna kill him and and take her. Todd: You know what's weird about that? Yo, it's Carrie: Hm. Todd: Is that she's ninety ninety years old. Way Yo, it's Carrie: That's true. Todd: past the point of having kids, it says, right? So this'll be wh when she has Isaac, this will be it's not like an immaculate conception like Mary, where she's he's born Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: of a virgin, but the point is it's still kind of a supernatural thing, right? More like Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yep. Todd: more like Elizabeth and John when they had John the Baptist, where they're real old and they were past Yo, it's Carrie: Right. 'Cause she was older too. Mm-hmm. Todd: Yeah, and it like it was impossible and everybody when they heard about it thought it was impossible. So Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: not impossible like a virgin having a baby, impossible, but you know, just just old age. So Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Todd: so yeah, that's a that that's it's it's interesting. First of all, there there's a few details in the story that trip me up a little because Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: I thought it's hard for me to imagine okay, God says To Abraham and Sarah. The last the last chapter, nineteen, was about Sodom and Gabor, but before that was eighteen and then seventeen, and he tells him, Listen, I'm gonna come back in a year and Sarah's gonna have a baby. And I thought, It's hard for me to see how this all fits into a year. You know what I mean? Like, to be sure Yo, it's Carrie: Right. This Todd: Sarah's not pregnant when when Abimelech takes her, it doesn't seem like. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: So, but it has to be it has to be long enough. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, I mean we don't know. Yeah. Todd: Because it makes it sound like but God came to Abimelech in a dream that night, like the night he took Sarah is kind of what it sounds like. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: But it can't possibly mean that because if God's shutting down wombs and stuff, it would take a it would take a little bit to realize. Even if you had a harem of a hundred people and then different chicks are getting pregnant at different times, it'd take you what, three or four weeks to realize, hey, something's off. You know what mean? Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: right. It c because because at the because at the end it says for God had shut down every womb and for him taking her. Yeah, Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: I don't I I was gonna ask about that as well. So it's Todd: But I you know, I ask I asked Grok about it. This is the kind of thing I asked Grok, is like this timeline doesn't seem to fit to me. And Grok Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Sure. Okay. Todd: claims that no, based on all the different commentaries and everything, that the timeline could work. He he may he goes down and that gives him about three months before Sarah has to get pregnant. And so I I I maybe it works. It Yo, it's Carrie: That that part doesn't confuse me as much as the timing of the Abimelech taking her, Abimelech having the dream and returning her, giving her silver, and then it it makes it sound like but it makes Todd: I know. Yo, it's Carrie: it sound like there was this period of time in between where all the wombs were were shut down. So that's the part that's confusing to me, but mm-hmm. Todd: Right. Well, and the and it's not only that, because God says to him, Yeah, I know your intentions were pure. That's why I kept you from sinning against me. God's the reason why Abimelech didn't get to go to bed with Sarah. Well, it's hard Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: to imagine God's the reason that night why he didn't. Do you know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: Like it seems like again, it it it implies that Sarah's there for at least some period of time. I don't know how long. Yo, it's Carrie: For for a while. Hmm. Todd: So anyway, like I i Our our the way that we've approached Genesis we'll go back to our creation approach, which is we don't get hung up on the details. We don't treat Yo, it's Carrie: Okay, yeah. Todd: it like a science book. I'm not entirely sure. But I Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Todd: I mean clearly the story happened and in so maybe I I don't know. Maybe that doesn't matter. Point is God comes back in a year and Sarah has Isaac, we're gonna find that out, and this happens in between somehow. So I g Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. All right. Todd: I guess we're I'm gonna take we'll take the Bible's word on it. And I think that's okay. You're gonna have to take somebody's word on it. So the you know what everybody gets hung up? This is this is the classic interpretation of this. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, it says that night. So interesting. Okay. Todd: I know. But but I don't know if it means that night, like it's not necessarily referring to the night that he took or just the night that he had the dream. Yo, it's Carrie: okay. yeah, that could be. Cause I was gonna Todd: You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: say, try trying to take into account that these these are translations from, you know, eight these are ancient ancient te Todd: Well in their ancient stories, said Yo, it's Carrie: yeah, ancient t stories, ancient documentation. So Right. So mm-hmm. Todd: These stories were five hundred years old when Noah or not Noah when Moses wrote down. Right. You know what I mean? And so i yeah, I don't I don't know if if maybe we're gonna have a perfect you know, they don't have the they he didn't have the editor from like Simon and Schuster that's making sure everything fits perfectly. Yo, it's Carrie: Exactly. Got it. Okay. Todd: And God doesn't seem to worry as much about that. He he wants to get the stories out. Again, maybe that's Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Okay. Todd: maybe there's a difference that God's focus more on story than on all the every particular, you know what I mean, with within the story. Yo, it's Carrie: Yes. Yes. The content and the lessons and Okay. All right. So we're gonna let that let that go. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Todd: think so. a classic on the the classic way this story's painted, and this isn't much different than the Egypt one earlier that we talked about. And classically commentaries and pastors and teachers, they they kind of present this like Abraham had this is it's a little bit of a lapse of faith on Abraham's part. Like Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Todd: like he misrepresented himself because he didn't quite trust God to keep everything you know what I mean? And whatever. And It I mean I've heard that I've heard this presented that way my whole life. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: And when I read it, the story just flat out doesn't read that way to me. It's an example of where I see the commentaries and I think, there's not an there's no nobody would read this unless you're bringing that idea to it and think God had any problem with Abraham at all in any of this. So Yo, it's Carrie: Right. I don't think so. I d yeah, I don't think so. I also think Abraham is human. I mean he has incredibly Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: strong faith. He's following God's plan. He's been trusting him for decades on these on these his plan and these promises. Yet he's a human man who going into a f a foreign kingdom with the king and you know with a beautiful wife. He wants to protect his wife. He wants to protect his own his own life and his wife's safety. I mean, sort of. Todd: You you I want to go back to the beautiful wife thing because I I learned something this week that I have never I'd never known before. Yo, it's Carrie: yeah. You s you started k okay. Mm-hmm. Todd: And that is that Jewish Jewish commentaries by and large, not Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: Christian, Jewish commentaries by and large, because remember there's thousands of years with the stories just for the Jews. So it was before we came along, right? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Mm-hmm. Todd: So the Jewish commentaries believe that when when God made the promise to both Abraham and Sarah Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: that included in the promise that Sarah was going to have Isaac and and you know the kind of be rejuvenated and whatever that Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: Sarah possessed an almost supernatural beauty. Like her clock almost went backwards. Not Abraham though. They don't think that about Abraham because Abraham had had Ishmael so his his stuff's still working, I guess. But Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: that Sarah was supernaturally kind of beautiful. And that's why at ninety Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: or ninety five or however old she is, Abimelech is like, I want you know, this king wants Sarah. Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Todd: And yet she's old. And so it it's traditional Jewish comedy treats Sarah's continued or restored attractiveness at nearly ninety as the same cluster of miracles surrounding the birth of Isaac. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: I thought that was kind of interesting. This is this is from the Talmud Yo, it's Carrie: That is interesting. I've never heard that that take on it. Todd: Which the Talmud is kind of the Jewish, you know, scriptures. And it says this is a this is a rabbi writing, Yo, it's Carrie: not familiar with that. Todd: after the flesh had worn out and become full of wrinkles, the flesh was rejuvenated, the wrinkles smoothed out, and beauty returned in its place. so I I I don't know. That I'll be honest, I didn't have never heard that before. Yo, it's Carrie: I haven't either. Todd: I'm not a Jew, I guess. That's why. Maybe I would have known. You know what I mean? But but But certainly when we're when we're dealing with Jewish scriptures, you would want to put some weight on how the Jews taught it for thousands of years. You know what I mean? Like like they Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: they so Yo, it's Carrie: So can I j I just want to finish the thought on Abraham, you know, Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: maybe lacking some faith. I just I've I'm not I view it less as a lack of faith and more of a just being human and reacting in a human normal way to a potential threat to his life and and his marriage. Todd: I think so too. i if you look at if you look at ancient kind of civilizations like that, what we know of and we know some, but we don't know obviously everything. But what Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: we know of them, Abraham's Abraham's concern was was very valid. That would be what would happen. Would Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, legitimate. Yeah. Todd: I mean Abimelech did take her. No, I understood Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: he didn't kill Abraham because he didn't think he had to, but we're we're Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: maybe maybe Abimelech Wouldn't have taken her if he'd known Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: But but Abimelech would have been the and when I say Abimelech I should say that's it's for these Phil for this Philistine kingdom, it's it's Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: a word comparable to Pharaoh in English. So in other words, there's multiple Abimelechs. You're you're gonna see Isaac deals with an Abimelech. It's not a name as much as a title. Yeah, just so you know. It's more like Pharaoh. So Yo, it's Carrie: that's a title, not a name. thank you. Okay. Got it. Okay. Got it. Todd: But Yo, it's Carrie: So Okay. Mm-hmm. Todd: I want to read to you Matthew ten, because I think I think you're right. And I think Jesus I think gives some cover in to to that idea in in Matthew ten. In Matthew ten, what he's doing is Jesus calls together the twelve and he's sending them out into the fields kind of on their own. He's sending them out in pairs. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: And he gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. And he sent him out with this charge and then he starts to tell him, okay, don't begin with traveling to some far off place to convert unbelievers, and don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick, raise the dead, touch the untouchables, kick out demons. You've been treated generously, so live generously. Don't think you have to put on a fundraising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment. All you need Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: to keep going is three meals a day. Travel light. Okay? That's kind of the that that's Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: kind of what Jesus is telling them, kind of how they deal with it. And then he tells them when you enter a village, you know, don't insist on staying in a luxury in. Just find a modest place with some modest people and be content. And then Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: it and then the next thing he tells them is how to deal with with failure. So if you if you Yo, it's Carrie: yeah. Todd: because that's how Discipleship. Disciple we we become disciples and we learn how to follow Christ through failure. You take a risk, you step out, you fail. You take a risk. And and and and this is how God's kind of kind of teaching us. Right? So the first thing Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Mm-hmm. Todd: Jesus does tell them how to deal with failure. He says, if they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw, don't make a scene, shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on judgment day they'll be mighty sorry. But it's of no concern of yours right now. So Jesus says, Don't make a big scene about it, you know, just withdraw Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Todd: and move on your way and on to the next. Okay, then he says, This is the part that I think relates to Abraham. Because Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: I think Abraham, as God sended him out to be a wanderer, is kind of comparable to what Jesus is doing with his followers here. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: And then Jesus says to them, Stay alert, this is hazardous work I'm assigning you to. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack. So don't call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. That's the message version. Classic is wise as serpents, harmless as doves. And I Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: think that's what's going on with Sarah here. And I think that's why God, you don't ever see God act like Abraham and Sarah do anything wrong at all. They're Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: they're they're dealing with and they're making decisions. Based on the time, culture, and place where God has them, and they're Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: doing the best they can. They're being as why correct. I agree with you 100%. So I th I don't Yo, it's Carrie: And there's nothing wrong with self preservation. Right. Yeah. Todd: think this story, I'll be honest with you, I Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: kept coming back to it this week and I thought, I don't think this story has that much to do with Abraham and Sarah. I know that's an odd thing to say. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: I think this story is about God and Abimelech and the Philistines mostly. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And the promise that that God is is is working on. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Right, and the evidence that he's yeah, that he's protecting them, obviously. Todd: God doesn't ever I mean there's just no there's not any there there's no way to read this and think that Abraham's anything but the good guy in the story. He's the one who has to pray for Abimelech, for his life, for all these things. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. And the reason that you're bringing this up is because when you looked into commentary on this chapter, that's that was a recurring thing. That theologians Todd: Yeah, and I felt like Yo, it's Carrie: were saying perhaps that this was due to a lack of faith on Abraham's part. okay. Yeah. Yeah. I don't view it that way. Todd: Yeah, but that God was protect well the the overall idea would be that but they but but God was protecting the promise and everything anyway in in spite Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Yeah. Todd: of God's because even even with even with Grok they'll say like I I asked him that I said they said yes Abraham's fear was culturally plausible even if it was also a failure of trust And I just didn't see the failure of trust part. I still don't. And I and and and I know if Grok says that Grok's getting it listen, all Grok is is just a compilation of what Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: thousands of humans over thousands of years have put together and put into print so that we can now look at it and they categorize and that's what these algorithms are doing. It's still human knowledge and human wisdom that it's that it's it's correlated. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Compiling. Right, right. Todd: Compiling, right. So I think when I Yo, it's Carrie: That's what's that's what's special about joining us is that you get a different point of view sometimes. Todd: Well then that's what I think on this. I don't I just don't see it that way. To me, what I Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: see is Abraham was right. His his hit his fear and Sarah's fear and their concern was was legitimate. They're doing the best they can. They're being wise as serpents, the best that they can. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: And also inoffensive, not trying to cause offense, not trying to do whatever. But I think Yo, it's Carrie: Right. He didn't go in as a married couple, start to cut you up and and then say you Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: can't have her. Like he didn't he wasn't confrontational, like making a scene. Mm-hmm. Todd: No, I think this is a sign that he was trusting God. He was saying, you know what, God, you're saying this and I'm gonna trust you that you're gonna handle it. And God Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Todd: does. And God never rebukes him once. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Yes, he does. Right. Todd: The only person who's rebuked is Abimelech in the whole thing. I also Yo, it's Carrie: Mm hmm. Who right away is right away agrees like Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: he obeys. Todd: I think what this is, is this is a this is another this is another place where we're seeing God start to widen out already. Mind you, he hasn't even he's gonna make a nation, you know, and he's he's reengaging with humanity. And he's telling he's telling Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: Abraham, Listen, I'm gonna make a great nation out of you. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: It's gonna be a nation of priests and kings. I don't know if he says it here. That's an Exodus. But Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: But the whole point is that that this nation he's going to grow, Israel, this nation of priests and kings, is going to be a nation that ministers to the world. That's what what natural Israel is supposed to be. Natural Israel ends up failing in that, rejecting the Messiah. But that that same call, Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: that same promise is then laid on spiritual Israel, the church, the remnant on us. We're out there and we're supposed to be ministering. to the world, to a lost world. Right? Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: And I think that's what Abraham is doing here. I think that that the that God shows up. So they they do it. A Abimelech comes and takes first of all, to say that that that Abimelech's just completely pure on his motives when he just takes what he wants, whether it's his sister or not, I'm not sure you understand what I'm saying? Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, the pure intentions comment made me chuckle. I was like Yeah. Todd: It's interesting, right? But I I again think what we're seeing here is we're seeing God working like we did last week, some Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: dealing with people with the light that they have, and then when they need it, increasing that light. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: There's something kind of interesting. God, the way the the the Hebrew word that's used for God in this chapter Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: is Elohim, which is Elohim. Is not as personal of a name. It's more of a generic name for God. When Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: God's dealing with Abraham, the Hebrew word is Yahweh or Jehovah, right? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: That's a personal God entering. But he's coming to Abimelech, but he's not coming to Abimelech in as much light or in the same way that he is Abraham. Abraham's his prophet. Abraham's going to be his nation. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: But Abimelech, but he still cares about. Abimelech. He still cares about the Philistines. He still cares about the rest of the world. And he still recognizes when with what limited light they have, Abimelech's trying to do the best that he can. And God gives him more light and says, Listen, Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: that chick's married, dude. You need to give her back. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, like Todd: It's going to be a world of hurt if you don't. And then and Abimelech listens. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Right. Not this one. Move along. Mm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Todd: And see, what what the commentaries and things will say is that by Abimelech well look at Abimelech's speech to Abraham. I mean, you can tell who Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: was in the wrong there, and I think, well, what it looks like to me is a king trying to save face with his people when he's about to just not only give Sarah back, but give Abraham sheep and goats and male servants and maidservants and everything else, and then Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: ask Abraham to pray for his life. Like that's a pretty submiss that he's submitting himself in a way to Abraham. Yo, it's Carrie: But it's because of God's command. So I feel like it's more submitting to Todd: Right, but I think what he I think when he's go Yo, it's Carrie: God, not to Abraham. Todd: I agree, but I think when he's going off on Abraham, he's just that's political. He's just trying to save face. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Okay. All right. Todd: I I think that's all that he's doing. I don't think that that that that speaks one way or the other to Abraham having any guilt in the situation. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. that's true. I also think Abimelech might have behaved that way. This is just speculation 'cause when we talk about these as stories, that's what we do. he didn't know what kind of man Abraham was. I mean, Todd: No. Yo, it's Carrie: Abraham's not the type who would give him cause to s have to save face, but he might have been doing that as a you Todd: Right. Yo, it's Carrie: know, a proactive kind of step. Mhm. Preemptive, that's the word. Todd: Well and then and and Abraham would understand that. He would understand the position that that Abimelech is in. You know what I mean? And Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: they don't part on bad terms. We're gonna see later that they have another he stays in that country. It it says where does it say? At the end of the next passage, which obviously we'll get to next week, it says Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: th there's another interaction between Abraham and Abimelech about a well Yo, it's Carrie: okay. Todd: and they come to an agreement. But what it says at the very end of that chapter is Abraham lived in Philistine country for a long time. So they were there for a long time. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: And in fact, Isaac was there, you know, Isaac's born in there, the Yo, it's Carrie: gotcha. Todd: whole thing. So Abraham and Abraham never had he didn't have a home in the way that we think of a home. They were camping, he was wandering. You know, they would camp and they were kind of bedouining. kinda style and they'd camp and they'd live someplace for a while, then they'd move on because you gotta move on to new pastures. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: I was gonna ask you why they were travelling here, if this was because I thought they had quite settled where they were. Okay. Todd: They had for a time, and I don't know what caused him to move. I mean, it could just be the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Could be the Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: air had gotten a little unhealthy to breathe around there. Even if you're Abraham Yo, it's Carrie: gosh. Todd: in the hill country, you're like maybe not. Maybe it's not good for the sheep. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Yeah. Can you can you talk about this this vindication? So when Abimelech gives or or tells Sarah about the money that he gave, Todd: Mm-hmm. Yo, it's Carrie: he says it clears you of even a shadow of suspicion before the eyes of the world. You're vindicated. I don't understand what that is. Todd: Well in other words, the the most important thing I guess from God's Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: perspective was the son of promise, Isaac. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: God didn't want and and seemed to make sure throughout this entire ordeal that there was not going to be a shadow of a doubt whether or not he and he alone was responsible for Isaac from Sarah and Abraham. You know what I mean? I Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Okay. Todd: think I think it's I think it's that. And and so Yo, it's Carrie: All right. Todd: Abimelech's going up over and above. to show to the whole world, listen, I didn't do anything as woman we you know what I mean? So that so that nobody thinks maybe Isaac got something to do with Abimelech. You know what I mean? 'Cause it's gonna be pretty tight. You know what I mean? I mean, regardless Yo, it's Carrie: Gotcha. You're right. Interesting. Right. Todd: of of when this is, Sarah's gotta get pregnant pretty quick. Yo, it's Carrie: Well Todd, I'm I'm gonna admit, it crossed my mind when it said that he took her. It said Todd: Uh-huh. Yo, it's Carrie: and and he did and he did. I was like, Wait, what? you know, and it crossed my mind. But i it was clarified. Interesting. Todd: Yeah. And I think that's the reason you see him kind of going so over and above is plus he realizes, I mean, you're Abimelech, you gotta you gotta put yourself in you're a pagan king. You Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: may have some light of some kind of basic morality. You may you may look around at the design. Like Paul says, you should be Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: able to look around just at creation and know that there's a creator. Abimelech may have been like that. He may have the Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Todd: you know, he may have looked around and said God, clearly there's a God that made this. And so there was more, perhaps there was more fear of God than Abraham gave him credit for. Although Abraham, given what he was dealing with with pagan kings, you know, there was no fault in him assuming that what he did. Yo, it's Carrie: Sure. Todd: If anything, maybe he was a little bit pleasantly surprised to find some fear of God among Abimelech and the Philistines. But he also ministers to him. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Well, and I think after that dream yeah, I think after that dream it's pretty hard to to deny too. So mm. Todd: Yeah. So I think that what I think what's happening here is God is already in the process of widening out his revelation. Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: So here we have this pagan king Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: who takes Sarah and God starts shutting down his womb and and whatever and and he he responds, his his response to God y you see this You see what how far God's willing to go to Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Todd: fulfill his own promises. We're gonna see that again. This is this is kind of like a mini version of what we see in Exodus with all the plagues on Egypt and everything else. You know what I mean? You Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. right. Mm-hmm. Todd: see the extent to which God is willing to go to ensure that exactly what he wants to happen is exactly what's gonna happen. I think. You know what I mean? And Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Todd: in the process. Abraham has an opportunity to minister to Abimelech. I mean, that's what he's doing when he's praying for him. Right? He's praying for him. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Todd: He's praying for his healing. And God's Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: listening to Abraham. God says it listen, this is the way. You see the same thing in Job. It's kind of interesting. The story of Job where God takes everything from him, and Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: Job still says. You know, because the devil says, Listen, if you just take everything he owns, he'll curse you to your face. And Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: that doesn't happen. Job says the Lord gave the Lord took away. Blessed be the name of Lord. So the first two chapters of Job, but then you get it like you get thirty seven chapters of Job, where it's his these three friends and they're going back and forth and they're and they're telling Job it's really his fault and and this whole thing is going back and forth. At the very end of Job, God shows up finally. Job kind of gets this revelation. And then God, after addressing Job, addresses Job's friends, and he says, My, I think he says, My friend Job will pray for you. It's the same idea. These Job has to offer a sacrifice and pray for his friends, and then God forgives his friends. So it's the same Yo, it's Carrie: Hmm. Todd: kind of an ordeal. And what you see there is some is something of an of kind of an intercessory role. It Yo, it's Carrie: I was gonna say I I love I love God speaking about intercession because you know, that's just some it's something big in in my church, in my faith, Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: you know. and so I I like hearing him actually fostering that and explaining that. That's cool. Todd: And who knows how much w we don't know, but who knows how much light this particular culture at the time, this pagan Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: culture, was actually given through Abraham. I mean, Abraham lived there a long time. You know what I mean? He ministered to Abimelech. He eat so Yo, it's Carrie: Right. You said he lived there. I right, I'm sure. Mm-hmm. Todd: Abraham is kind of, in a sense, doing what Jesus sent the twelve out to do on a real limited basis, you know. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: And and I think so to me that was what was going on here is I'm reading the story, and what I'm seeing is not Abraham failing in any way, I see Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: God's mercy expanding in his in his control and in in how he this promise is going to go just like he wants. But he's Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: not just gonna wipe. We've already watched him, mind you, in the chapter before, wipe out towns. So we know he's not above that. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Todd: But also God shows mercy here on Abimelech and on his family, and he says, Listen, I know that you weren't necessarily trying to do this. That's why I'm preventing you. Right. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. He didn't have all the information. He was doing something that without all the inf information. but also if Abraham has lives there a long time and has an impact on basically the king of I mean, he's Todd: Mm-hmm. Yo, it's Carrie: called the king here, that would certainly have an impact on the rest of of the Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: kingdom. It would have an impact on the culture. So Todd: One would hope that it would increase both justice and mercy, maybe in the culture. You know? Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Sure. Todd: They may not they're they're not gonna become Jews like Abraham or Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: or whatever, and they are gonna end up but hundreds of thousands of years later, the Philistines are a thorn in the side of Israel. But nearly every country was a thorn in the side of Israel, ex you know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Gotcha. Mm-hmm. Todd: Just kind of like Jesus told the twelve, I'm sending you out like sheep among the wolves. That was kind of what he did with Israel at first. I mean he's protecting them, but they're surrounded by wolves. And Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: yet they're the they're they're a kingdom of priests and kings meant to minister to the world, just like the church is now. That's what I think. I think we're priests Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: and kings. We're here to minister. And we're Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: here to minis minister grace and justice and mercy. You know what I mean? What do you think? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. I think yes, but I have a question. I'm glad you you posed a questi I I'm glad you posed this right here because when you read from Matthew, we were Todd: Mm-hmm. Yo, it's Carrie: just we were just discussing that particular passage here this week. Todd: Look at us go. Yo, it's Carrie: I know. This is like it's all coming together. No, my Todd: Ha ha. Yo, it's Carrie: question for you is this because one of my sons asked about about Jesus commanding It was Peter, I think he's I I think he's commanding Peter and someone to go well, all of them, to go to these cities and if yeah, if they're not interested, if the people in those cities aren't receptive, he tells them to move on. And yeah, they'll Todd: Mm-hmm. Shake the dust off their feet and move on. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. so we were talking about that and whether I think the the concern of my son was like Shouldn't they work harder and shouldn't they be trying trying to save them? And Exactly, well, exactly. That's like that's Todd: I know, I get it. Yo, it's Carrie: the dilemma that has been on the table for discussion here in recent weeks. But one of the things I said was, you know, Jesus knows that I think Jesus knew at that time that his message isn't going to be received by everyone when it's delivered. And I said, Todd: Mm-hmm. Yo, it's Carrie: and You know, God knows the big picture and maybe some people will receive that better a year from now or five years from now or you know, whatever. I don't think it means that they're lost forever because Jesus says just l move on, let them Todd: Right. Yo, it's Carrie: let them go. I think, I mean, if if I had, you know, if if I had started throwing Bible passages in their faces five years ago. and start drag you know, dragging them to church, they might have been like, I'm good, mom, thanks. Yeah. Todd: your kids are talking your Yeah, yeah. I gotcha. Yo, it's Carrie: But right now they're seeking it themselves. Like it's the time like those seeds are now sprouting. Yeah. Exactly. So I wanted to ask if that's what do you do you think that that's the case here in this context? Mm-hmm. Todd: Well there's times and seas there's times and seasons, yeah. Paul talks about how Yeah. I I do. I I actually think now see I don't know exactly how it works out from here on out with the Philistines, you know what I mean? Because you got Goliath and David and David finally subjugates the Philistines. Philistines Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Right. Mm-hmm. Todd: and Saul fights the Philistines forever. But Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: But I think in I think the picture you're talking about is right. I because I think the Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: picture is that yes, God cares about Abraham, God cares about the Jews, they're gonna be his special people, his special nation, but that's not all God cares about. And God cares Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Okay. Todd: about making them ministers to the rest of the world. And so when when Abimelech shows some some signs of receptivity to God, it's like Ask and the door will be open. Knock and you know, or knock and the door will be open, ask and the answer will come. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And so I do think that, yeah, I think there's a lot to that. I think that this this story is way more about God and Abimelech and the Philistines than it is about Abraham. Other Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Todd: than with Abraham, I think it's just talking about him ministering. It's showing it's Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: showing us ministering to people. But if you think about Jesus, like when rich young ruler comes to him, remember, and and he says, Yo, it's Carrie: yeah, the one who doesn't want to give up. He's following Todd: Yeah, he says, What what do I gotta do to be saved? Yo, it's Carrie: the commandments. Todd: And Jesus starts with the commandments. He says, Well, you know the commandments, you know that he's Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: he runs through five or six of them quick, but just and Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: and you know the commandments, keep the commandments, you know. It's typical, typical Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: Jew answer. Like that's what Jesus answered right there wasn't any different than than than Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: a thousand Jews would have said for a thousand years before him. Like that's just Jewish rabbi teaching, right? You got the commandments, obey the commandments. And Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Mm-hmm. Todd: he said the the rich young ruler says to him I've done that my whole life. What else am I missing? So he sees there seems to be something in him that knows he's missing something else. And Jesus says, S go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, then all your treasure will be in heaven. And then come follow me. And then it says that the rich young ruler went away sad because he had many possessions. And Jesus is sad too in that particular one. But Jesus Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: doesn't run after him. Jesus doesn't tackle them and say, you don't understand. I've seen the place waiting for you, buddy. You know what I mean? He just, Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: that isn't how Jesus does it. He never ever, He doesn't force himself on people, and I don't think he expects his followers to force himself on people. We're here to declare the kingdom. If you declare the kingdom, give them the news, plant the seeds. Maybe it maybe it takes, maybe it doesn't. Paul talks about how people were saying, some are of Paul, some are of Apollos, some are of, and Paul said, some people plant the seed, some people water the seed, some people harvest the seed. I'm just glad. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Todd: So there's different phases, there's different seasons, and you can have different people ministry. So so you have one person who comes into a field that where there's a harvest and he's and he gets this great harvest, but he doesn't know. the of all the decades before where that harvest has been prepared by different people. You know what I mean? So we just don't Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Mm-hmm. Todd: know. I think what that's talking about is just trusting God. So in other words, Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: Jesus is telling his followers, you can't get hung up on every like you can't look at a person and think, if I don't win them to Jesus today, they're burning forever. Or you're just it's gonna s it's gonna screw up. You're you're not gonna have any kind of efficacy. You're not gonna get anything done. That way, Jesus Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Right. Todd: is saying, just tell them that's all Jesus does. They can accept or reject based on what they want. What happens after that's between them and God? It doesn't necessarily mean they're lost forever. I don't think. How do you know what God's gonna do with that with that seed? You know, that seed could lie dormant for 10 years. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, I don't I don't think. Right. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Todd: It could come up that person might never even remember. The person who planted the seed or that the seed was Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: planted, but we can trust that we got a God who's going to reward all of us along the way, who's who's working. We just do what he calls us to do. It's not up to us whether Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: or not Beers of Jesus gets millions and millions of listeners and changes the whole world. We're called to do what he calls us to do and let it do what it does. Right? We just plant the seeds. It's kind of how I look at it. What do you think? Yo, it's Carrie: Yep. Right. Cool. Yeah. I think so. I think yeah. I'd like to know where Paul talks about that, about different people planting, watering, harvesting. Todd: If I knew off top of my head I would tell you. I'm sure we could actually get it. Sorry. I think I think it's Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Alaska Grock. Groc Where No, I I I like that. Todd: in the Corinthians. I can't remember which one, but I'm not positive. I i I could be off on that. One of the Yo, it's Carrie: Okay. Okay. Thank you. Todd: churches that he writes to. Yo, it's Carrie: It's good though, I mean like everything else, hm? Todd: I mean, what did your boys think when you're talking about Like they were just wondering, shouldn't you try a little harder? I mean, I understand that idea. Yo, it's Carrie: Well, yeah, right now they're right now they're concerned. They're concerned Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: about the people they know who aren't even open to it. So and I've said it might just Todd: Right. I I try to Yo, it's Carrie: not be the time for them yet. Todd: Yeah, I think we can trust God. Th what I think is that Yo, it's Carrie: yeah. Todd: we can trust God. What whatever whatever is gonna happen in the afterlife, whatever happens when it comes to salvation, to not Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Todd: s you know what I mean, whatever, all of that, Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: we can leave that in God's hands and be confident Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: that if anything, he's more merciful than us. So if if you run into things where you think, you know what? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: I feel like I'm a little more merciful than God in this one. Trust me or not. That's a it's a l it's a it's a wrong reading. Or it's a his judgment's coming off in Sodom and Gomorrah, whatever. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Mm-hmm. Todd: I'm telling you, there's there's even even in Sodom and Gomorrah we saw the mercy with him hauling Lot and his wife and his daughters out, and God was so merciful to him, dragging him out of the destruction. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm. Todd: Here he's merciful to Abimelech and to the Philistines. You Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: know what I mean? And then he provides an opportunity for Abraham to minister to him. And man and Abraham stays there a long time. You know, I just I I think Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: to me this is a picture of us ministering to the world and yeah, we don't know what's gonna happen. We're not responsible for the results. All we can do is plant the seeds. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. It's it's more about yes, it's more about obedience what we're called to do. Todd: I think. And and it's Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: more about us. I I think I I think that things get sketchy. We talked about this last week when I when I told the story about how Jesus is telling Peter after he sent it given Peter a preview of how Peter's gonna be martyred. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And Peter's like, What about him? Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: And pointing to John and Jesus is like, What about him? I think that's his response to us all the time. When when we take our eyes, like we know God. And we're supposed to be eternal life is to know God. That's that's the kingdom of God is to continually know Him, to continually to continually walk into more and more revelation of God. You know what I mean? The the the Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: Lord's prayer in the message says, Reveal yourself to me, do what's Yo, it's Carrie: Hm. Todd: best, as above, so below. But I think that revelation, that progressive and ongoing revelation of God through his Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: word, through him working in your life, through prayer, through whatever it is. So but but when we shift our focus and we're like, what about them? And I don't think this matters whether it's what about them? Aren't they bad? Or what about them? Aren't they good? Shouldn't they be okay? I think the answer, God, is always like, I got that. That is not your concern. Your concern is you and me. You Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: do what I told you to do. I'll take care of the rest. I don't know. What do you think? Yo, it's Carrie: I think so, but I think it's difficult for some people to let that. Yeah. Todd: Well if you're mixed up if you're mixed up on your health stuff and you think there's an eternal barbecue out there, then that's gonna skew a lot of things. For Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: any for for for thinking people who follow it far enough along, like you know what I mean, like like your sons probably would. So I think I think part of the I Yo, it's Carrie: Yes, yes, exactly. The Eternal Barbecue It's awful. Todd: think if we can fi if you can fix that That kind of hell Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: eternal damnation idea. If if you can if Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: you can get some understanding maybe of where God's going with that and feel like then I think it helps on on on a lot of things because Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: I I know lots of people like that and that's how they think. You know what I mean? And and it's because they Yo, it's Carrie: Right. I mean there's an Todd: they they think that they're gonna burn in hell forever and my God, what wouldn't you do to stop someone from burning forever? And I Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: think, well, I don't know, but Yo, it's Carrie: I mean there's quite a bit. Right. Todd: Jesus wasn't tackling people. He wasn't like, no, you're gonna be mine. Yo, it's Carrie: Right, but that's that's the concern because very again, we're jumping into the gospels here, but that's very much Jesus' message. It's kinda like, Todd: Yeah. Yo, it's Carrie: well, I'm not gonna you know, I I never knew you, you know. You you come to the door and he says I never knew you. Todd: Yeah, but he's you know who he says most of that to? The most of that, the people he's telling it to are the people who are the most religious and would be shocked if that happened to them. They're convinced Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: that they're in. That's the people that he's t it's never Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Right. Todd: the people that like the Samaritan woman. It's never you know what I mean? That's not who he's telling that stuff to. Yo, it's Carrie: Exactly. Right. And and I I said, I think yeah, I think it's his I think he's reflecting on that shakeup of the status quo that existed at that time. It's him really trying to rock the the worlds of the Pharisees. Todd: Yeah, trying to get not so they're they're so comfortable. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: They're so comfortable that they know everything about God that they're gonna kill him when he comes. Because I mean they're just convinced. Them being con Yo, it's Carrie: All right. It makes no it makes no sense. Todd: th they didn't have a problem with thinking that they were right. They knew they were right. You know, Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Right. Todd: and and Jesus is yeah, I think Trying to shake things up, trying to get into Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Todd: he's telling people stories, and you know what I mean, and and Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: those who have ears to hear. The disciples say to him, Why do you just tell stories all the time? Because it'll say over and over in the gospels. It was a long day of storytelling. All he did that day was tell stories. You know, he's sitting Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: up on the hill just telling stories, telling parables and stories. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And he tells his disciples, For you, you've been given insight by the Spirit. Most of these people haven't. And stories. create readiness. They create a readiness to receive faith. And I think the reason is because they cut through our defenses. If you try to come at somebody with with a with with with just a doctrine or just this or just that, they aren't that receptive. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Yeah. Rules and regs. Yeah, rules and regs. Todd: But you come at somebody with a story and you can bypass some of those defenses and then maybe Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: you can soften up their hearts. Maybe you can create some readiness like Jesus is. I mean, that's what Jesus did. And I'm I'm assuming if God came and did it, that that's our best bet. I think Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: I think he's at an example that we should follow. So I think Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Todd: to come at people with that's why I Personally I'm so into the stories of the Bible. And it's because I think I think people miss th they have all these preconceptions about Jesus and these preconceptions about the Bible and it's the list of do's and the list of don'ts. And if you do this you're okay, and if you don't do this, you're frying. And I just think, no, you're missing all of it. We we gotta Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: a and the only way to get it right is to to to tell some stories, to Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: retell the stories of the Bible and and and have you kinda I didn't realize. You know what Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And and and they can buy we're they're we're not as defensive about stories. You don't sit Yo, it's Carrie: Or not. Todd: down to watch a movie and instantly think, I gotta make sure I don't believe anything they say. You know what I mean? Yo, it's Carrie: Yes. Yes, exactly. Yeah. That's cool. No, I think that was I think I Todd: So I don't know. That's what I think. What do you think? Did I miss anything? Did we miss anything we should talk about? Yo, it's Carrie: think that was great. Todd: So that like I said, it's a little different take. I don't think Abraham did anything wrong. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Yo, it's Carrie: I don't think you did. Yeah. Todd: I'm wrong. I don't know. But it just doesn't there's an Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Todd: awful lot of the Bible. And I can promise you that when people do things wrong, God doesn't respond to them like he did Abraham here. So I just Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, true. True. Todd: I'm just basing it on what it says is all. Sounds to me like Abimelech was the one that God wasn't happy with. And he was and and even Abimelech he showed mercy on. And how much Yo, it's Carrie: Right. 'Cause he listened. Todd: blessing did Abimelech walk into that we don't that isn't recorded here? Because he obeyed. You know what I mean? Abraham lives Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Absolutely. Todd: there a long time. You've got this prophet of God. The only prophet of God that we know of at that time is living in your land. He's ministering Yo, it's Carrie: Yes. Todd: and blessing your people. Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: You know what I mean? Because you obeyed. So Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Yeah. Yeah, that's interesting. Cool. Thanks, Todd. You need to go Todd: Anyway. Fun. Yo, it's Carrie: go set Grox straight on this one. good. good. Todd: I did. We went back and forth. And Grok said, No, you're you're probably this it's a little different take. It's not a completely unique take. I try to find if I'm I'd like to to not feel like I'm the only one out on a limb, but I mean I'll go there if I have to. I just would I I prefer a little backup if I can get it. Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah, in history, I'm not the only one who's ever had this thought. Right. I was gonna say that doesn't sound completely sure. No, thank you. I liked this. All right. Todd: Alright. Well listen, I thought it was great. Next week we are on to twenty-one. Which I'm not sure might be the birth of Isaac. I'm not entirely sure. so anyway guys, thank you for joining us. Yo, it's Carrie: Cool. I think it is. Yep. Cool. Todd: Check out Wildly Opinionated News Hour if you haven't. Like I was telling Kathy, a friend of mine today that like It's it's conservative. I mean, you know, it's it's it's a little different take. We separate our politics and religion, but we have a lot of fun with it. And I I hope that people could listen and enjoy it even if they don't agree with everything, because you know, you don't have to agree with everything. But let's have some fun Yo, it's Carrie: Yeah. Sometimes we just talk about Todd: at the expense of these politicians. Exactly. It's an awful lot of corruption all to go around, I think. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. 'Cause it doesn't matter what side you're on, all the politicians are a little crazy. Yeah, true. Thank you. Todd: So anyway, join us for that. Subscribe if you haven't. We're here every week. Toddsworld.net Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: is the site. You can get my books, my memoirs on there. There's some fabulous stories, insurrection, witness, Yo, it's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Todd: just some good stuff. So follow us if you haven't. We're on the socials, Todd's World 2023. You can find us at either X or on YouTube. subscribe and follow, and you'll get everything. So and share clips with your friends. You know, we've had we've we've had some shows do really well lately for us, really well. Yo, it's Carrie: Right. Todd: And I mean not for like Joe Rogan. He wouldn't think he was doing really well, but for us it's pretty good. And and so we appreciate everybody Yo, it's Carrie: Right. But hey, no, it's cool. So Todd: listening. and hope that you'll tell your friends about us and hope you'll tune in again. And and just we're gonna keep walking through the stories of the Bible. So hopefully you enjoy it. Yo, it's Carrie: Thanks for joining us. Todd: All right. Thanks guys, we'll see you next week. Yo, it's Carrie: Bye.