# 26 - Abraham's Alliance - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Abraham enters into a peace treaty with King Abimelech, securing essential resources and solidifying an agreement for future prosperity. The episode explores themes of trust, diplomacy, and the importance of integrity in leadership, set against the backdrop of ancient political alliances.
Episode 26 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Genesis.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 133:1, “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!”
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Shown Notes:
(02:49) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(04:50) Abraham's Alliance - Cinematic Retelling
(20:18) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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<v Speaker 1>Previously on the chosen people.
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<v Speaker 2>Abrahm, you answered my call and left your land. You
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<v Speaker 2>left your father's house, and now here you are. Yes,
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<v Speaker 2>I have done what you asked. Now what you have
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<v Speaker 2>been faithful so far in what I have asked you.
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<v Speaker 2>Because of your faithfulness, I will uphold my promise to you.
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<v Speaker 2>You now stand on the land that I will one
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<v Speaker 2>day give your offspring.
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<v Speaker 3>Lord, we've seen how these clans treat their people. They
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<v Speaker 3>sanctioned such cruelty in their warfare, and the worship of
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<v Speaker 3>their vengeful gods involves human sacrifice and other unsavory acts.
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<v Speaker 3>I'm not so sure we should compromise our ways, Abraham.
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<v Speaker 4>Tell me who is this lovely woman of your house?
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<v Speaker 4>Sold surely she must be your wife?
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<v Speaker 3>Oh no, no, she's my Sarah. Is bimelek? I present Sarah,
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<v Speaker 3>my sister.
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<v Speaker 4>Well, that is very fortunate. You will add her to
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<v Speaker 4>my hospitable terms for allowing you to camp here. That
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<v Speaker 4>should be more than enough to cover the bride price.
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<v Speaker 4>She is advanced in years but exceedingly beautiful. You would
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<v Speaker 4>not get a more favorable offer for her hand. And
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<v Speaker 4>I think she would make a fine addition to my
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<v Speaker 4>harem of wives.
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<v Speaker 2>Don't you think behold Bible, you are a dead man?
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<v Speaker 4>Is this a god?
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<v Speaker 5>What do you mean?
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<v Speaker 2>You have done a terrible thing and you will die
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<v Speaker 2>because of the woman whom you have taken, for she
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<v Speaker 2>is another man's wife.
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<v Speaker 4>Abraham, what have I done to you for you to
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<v Speaker 4>deceive me? I will return her to you, and it's
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<v Speaker 4>a gesture of my good faith in the reluctant friendship
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<v Speaker 4>we have struck. I will also give you sheep and auxy,
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<v Speaker 4>and add to the servants of your household. My land
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<v Speaker 4>is before you. I would ask that you dwell wherever
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<v Speaker 4>it pleases you. And to you, Sarah, I will give
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<v Speaker 4>your husband a thousand shekels of server. Let this serve
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<v Speaker 4>as a sign of your innocence and the eyes of all.
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<v Speaker 4>With this price, I pronounce you have vindicated and your
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<v Speaker 4>honor is restored. Let all this be said right, and
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<v Speaker 4>peace go between us. Pay from the Hebrews have blown
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<v Speaker 4>into her town on the winds of prosperity.
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<v Speaker 6>Two men stood beneath the scorching sun, their words binding
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<v Speaker 6>them in a pact that would span generations. Shallo, my
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<v Speaker 6>friends from here in the Holy Land, Welcome to the
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<v Speaker 6>Chosen people, i'm Ya l Extein with the International Fellowship
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<v Speaker 6>of Christians and Jews. Each day we'll hear a dramatic
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<v Speaker 6>story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons
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<v Speaker 6>of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel story,
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<v Speaker 6>we find this truth that we are all chosen for
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<v Speaker 6>something great. If you haven't yet followed the podcast, be
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<v Speaker 6>sure to do so now. That way you never have
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<v Speaker 6>to miss an episode, and that small step helps us
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<v Speaker 6>tremendously as we try to be discovered by more people
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<v Speaker 6>so that we can inspire them. If you're interested in
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<v Speaker 6>finding out more about the prophetic, life saving work of
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<v Speaker 6>the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, you can visit
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<v Speaker 6>our website at IFCJ dot org. Let's begin in the
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<v Speaker 6>land of the Negev amid the arid whispers and desert sands.
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<v Speaker 6>A tale unfolds, a story of oaths and wells, of
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<v Speaker 6>treaties and trust, a drama etched into the timeless dust
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<v Speaker 6>of the Holy Land. But before we step into this
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<v Speaker 6>ancient land, let's pause and ponder what does it mean
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<v Speaker 6>to trust in the face of uncertainty? What lessons can
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<v Speaker 6>we learn from the past that speak to our own
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<v Speaker 6>journeys of faith today and how do we navigate a
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<v Speaker 6>world fraught with tension and strife. This story inspired by
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<v Speaker 6>Genesis twenty one twenty two to thirty four. It's not
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<v Speaker 6>just about Abraham and Appimele. It's about the human heart
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<v Speaker 6>searching for peace amid turmoil, searching for truth among the shadows.
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<v Speaker 7>This walk gets longer and longer each day. It's like
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<v Speaker 7>descending to the depths of Choelle itself.
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<v Speaker 5>Don't say that, Temna well.
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<v Speaker 7>All I'm saying is the heat is drying up the
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<v Speaker 7>water and our walk to the bottom is only getting longer.
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<v Speaker 3>Aye.
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<v Speaker 8>And with the summer he did's only gonna get worse.
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<v Speaker 8>For it gets better, and at least we have this well.
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<v Speaker 8>Abraham was wise to dig one here for us. We
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<v Speaker 8>don't like relyon on our neighbors as we have been doing.
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<v Speaker 1>As the sun sank in the sky, the two women
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<v Speaker 1>from Abraham's camp were the last of the wells visitors
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<v Speaker 1>for the day. They were gathering their water supply for
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<v Speaker 1>the next day, and trying to do so before they
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<v Speaker 1>lost the light entirely. On their way up the chiseled
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<v Speaker 1>stone steps back to ground level, the younger woman stopped
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<v Speaker 1>dead in her tracks.
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<v Speaker 5>Why temnah, what's the hold up? We have to get
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<v Speaker 5>back for it gets dark.
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<v Speaker 1>The younger woman dropped her water skins and timidly held
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<v Speaker 1>her hands in the air. The older peered around her
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<v Speaker 1>to see a company of armed men standing before her.
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<v Speaker 1>She gasped, nearly dropping her own load, and descended a stare.
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<v Speaker 9>Not so first, I see there are two of you.
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<v Speaker 9>Leave the water and exit the well.
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<v Speaker 1>The women did what he asked, now, both warily holding
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<v Speaker 1>their arms up, trying for submission and praying that the
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<v Speaker 1>men would not harm them. But it was difficult to
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<v Speaker 1>believe that these hardened men with spears and battle axes
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<v Speaker 1>in their hands would not use them.
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<v Speaker 9>A bit late to be gathering at the well, don't
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<v Speaker 9>you think, please, we.
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<v Speaker 5>Were just trying to avoid the heat of the day.
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<v Speaker 10>Why are there no guards on this edge of your settlement?
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<v Speaker 9>Don't you have protectors?
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<v Speaker 5>We have armed men, but not nearby.
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<v Speaker 2>What are their numbers?
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<v Speaker 5>I if we tell you, will you let us go?
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<v Speaker 9>I like you, tell us the number of your fighting men,
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<v Speaker 9>and we will let you go.
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<v Speaker 5>We have your word. Your people respect oaths? Do they not?
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<v Speaker 9>I will not savages? We may take what we want
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<v Speaker 9>from time to time, but we keep burrows. I swear
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<v Speaker 9>on the grave of my dear Mama. I will let
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<v Speaker 9>you go from this site if you tell us about
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<v Speaker 9>your fighting men.
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<v Speaker 7>Unharmed.
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<v Speaker 2>I unharmed.
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<v Speaker 5>We have a few hundred armed men. They're battle hardened,
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<v Speaker 5>but they're no army, not like.
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<v Speaker 7>Your people's there. Now you know our numbers. Let us
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<v Speaker 7>leave in peace.
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<v Speaker 9>You may go, But tell your people this well belongs
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<v Speaker 9>to the new Bimelech. Tell them there's a new king
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<v Speaker 9>in the land. Do not forget it is he who
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<v Speaker 9>lets you dwell here in peace.
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<v Speaker 3>This business with the well, Master, Drapraham, Yes, this must
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<v Speaker 3>be dealt with. Tell me has any blood been spilled?
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<v Speaker 3>Have our men found a weakness in their defenses?
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<v Speaker 9>No, Master, They have the well mound, which is well fortified,
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<v Speaker 9>with watchmen on all sides. They have the advantage of
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<v Speaker 9>the high ground. We cannot take it back by surprising them.
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<v Speaker 9>We would need to engage them directly in conflict.
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<v Speaker 3>I cannot provoke a war. We must proceed with caution.
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<v Speaker 3>But what do we know about this new regime in Gerrar.
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<v Speaker 9>Not much, Master, But we do know he relies heavily
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<v Speaker 9>on the council of his commander, the.
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<v Speaker 3>Fical a military commander as his chief adviser. That does
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<v Speaker 3>not bode well for hopes of peace. Ah, perhaps we've
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<v Speaker 3>come to rely too heavily on the friendship of the
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<v Speaker 3>priory Bimelech.
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<v Speaker 2>We should never.
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<v Speaker 9>Have left the well unguarded as we, yes, Master, in hindsight,
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<v Speaker 9>that was a grave error, But the old regime never
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<v Speaker 9>gave us any reason to fear. Our boundaries were well established.
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<v Speaker 3>But the season turns now to warmer weather. Our only
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<v Speaker 3>option for watering our people and livestock lies and securing
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<v Speaker 3>the water deep underground. We need to win back that well.
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<v Speaker 4>Fichael, these calculations cannot be accurate. Surely this immigrant clan
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<v Speaker 4>leader cannot be prospering this much, can he? If these
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<v Speaker 4>are the figures he is paying us as his landlord,
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<v Speaker 4>how much more must he be profiting to afford such
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<v Speaker 4>a sum, Yes.
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<v Speaker 11>Your highness, King of Bimleck, I had them verify the
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<v Speaker 11>figures three times to be sure, and I personally verified
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<v Speaker 11>that Abraham has been a dutiful tenant since he arrived
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<v Speaker 11>here over a decade ago.
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<v Speaker 4>I know he had favorable dealings with my predecessor on
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<v Speaker 4>the la. You're recording a large sum that was gifted
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<v Speaker 4>to him. The notes say that it was on account
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<v Speaker 4>of some business with his wife. A memory stirs, but
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<v Speaker 4>I do not.
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<v Speaker 10>Remember the details. What do we know of this Hebrew?
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<v Speaker 10>I have learned a fair amount, my King. His reputation
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<v Speaker 10>precedes him, though he keeps to his lance. He had
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<v Speaker 10>been prosperous in his trade, bringing wealth wherever he settled.
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<v Speaker 10>He is generally very peaceful, but led a great military
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<v Speaker 10>campaign and united many clans a number of years ago. However,
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<v Speaker 10>I have heard he is a great man of faith
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<v Speaker 10>to some powerful foreign god. They say his god is
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<v Speaker 10>the one responsible for the destruction of Sodom. Some call
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<v Speaker 10>him a prophet.
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<v Speaker 2>He would be a formidable.
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<v Speaker 9>Ally to make, and perhaps an even more formidable enemy
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<v Speaker 9>if we don't tread lightly. We should keep that in mind,
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<v Speaker 9>my king.
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<v Speaker 8>Hmm.
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<v Speaker 4>Interesting. And perhaps it is his God who makes him
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<v Speaker 4>so rich, and for the former of Bimelech to hand
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<v Speaker 4>him such a fortune. Are we sure there was no scandal?
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<v Speaker 9>Yes, very astute of you, my king. There were outlandish
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<v Speaker 9>rumors about a curse on the former of Bimelech's household.
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<v Speaker 2>I hardly know what to believe. There were not.
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<v Speaker 9>Many who wished to speak of it, but the sums
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<v Speaker 9>given to Abraham speak for themselves. Perhaps he really is
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<v Speaker 9>a prophet. Perhaps the sum was a payment for lifting
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<v Speaker 9>the curse.
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<v Speaker 4>We should meet with him, Perhaps we can win him,
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<v Speaker 4>and therefore is God to our side. I would like
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<v Speaker 4>to set up an arrangement that binds him to us. Fichel,
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<v Speaker 4>send for him to meet with me, as you wish, my.
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<v Speaker 1>King, Abraham and Delhi. As a road to the palace
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<v Speaker 1>dwelling of abe Malek, it was hewn from rough sandstone
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<v Speaker 1>and balsa wood, crafted crudely but nonetheless remarkable. Within its
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<v Speaker 1>halls were torches illuminating carvings of prior conquests. The room
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<v Speaker 1>stank of leftover meat and incense to pagan gods. Helieza
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<v Speaker 1>felt unsettled.
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<v Speaker 9>No, Master, be sure, he'll let him speak first. We
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<v Speaker 9>should find out his intentions before we raise our grievances
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<v Speaker 9>with his men.
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<v Speaker 3>Yes, Eliezar, as you said many times, now.
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<v Speaker 4>Don't be so nervous, my old friend. We met with
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<v Speaker 4>kings before.
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<v Speaker 3>Our God has always protected us.
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<v Speaker 9>Yes, my lord, you're right, of course, you're right.
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<v Speaker 1>The two men entered Abye Malek's throne room, and Abraham
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<v Speaker 1>smiled as he remembered the circumstances of his last visit.
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<v Speaker 1>He had been terrified of the preys Abimelech and fell
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<v Speaker 1>back on old habits of self reliance. But how things
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<v Speaker 1>had changed since then. Not only had his wife been
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<v Speaker 1>returned to him, but the generous gifts of the king
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<v Speaker 1>had kicked off a decade of prosperity even he had
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<v Speaker 1>never seen before. Not to mention, the promise of his
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<v Speaker 1>son Isaac had come to fruition in this land. He
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<v Speaker 1>felt confident in his God. His faith had been tested,
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<v Speaker 1>and every time his God had come through. Thus Abraham
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<v Speaker 1>wore the confidence of a man who knew his place
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<v Speaker 1>in the world and his status among kings and war lords.
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<v Speaker 1>If God was on his side, there was no reason
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<v Speaker 1>to fear.
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<v Speaker 12>I present his majesty of Bimlik, King of Gharah, proud
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<v Speaker 12>colony and outposts of the Philistines. And I present my
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<v Speaker 12>master Abraham, son of Terror, of the line of Shem,
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<v Speaker 12>a prophet to the God Almighty, the One True God.
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<v Speaker 4>Well met, Abraham, Welcome to my city. I understand you
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<v Speaker 4>had a friendship with my predecessor. I see no reason
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<v Speaker 4>for that friendship not to continue.
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<v Speaker 1>Abraham stole a smug glance in Elias's direction. The old
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<v Speaker 1>servant seemed to relax at the king's words.
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<v Speaker 3>That is very generous of you, your highness.
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<v Speaker 4>You have heard reports that this God of yours is
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<v Speaker 4>with you in everything you do. Swear to me by
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<v Speaker 4>your God here and now that you will not break
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<v Speaker 4>an agreement with me or my children and descendants. I
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<v Speaker 4>wish there to be peace and prosperity between our two peoples,
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<v Speaker 4>and as I have been loyal to you, you will
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<v Speaker 4>be faithful to me and to this country where you
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<v Speaker 4>are a resident alien.
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<v Speaker 3>This is welcome news, a bimelet, and I look forward
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<v Speaker 3>to peace between us. I will agree to your treaty.
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<v Speaker 3>I would even invite you to bind this agreement between
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<v Speaker 3>us by way of cutting the covenant, which is the
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<v Speaker 3>custom among my people and in the covenant tradition. I
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<v Speaker 3>will gift you flocks and cattle. This will seal our
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<v Speaker 3>promise to one another.
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<v Speaker 4>It shall be as you say, I will cut the
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<v Speaker 4>covenant with you so that it may serve as a
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<v Speaker 4>witness to this agreement between us.
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<v Speaker 3>Thank you, Bimelech. I would bring one more matter to
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<v Speaker 3>your attention. Though I wish to start our friendship off
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<v Speaker 3>with transparency speak. Perhaps word has not reached you yet.
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<v Speaker 3>I doubt you could have ordered it, since you arranged
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<v Speaker 3>this meeting with me today. But your men have seized
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<v Speaker 3>one of my wells.
0:15:49 --> 0:15:52
<v Speaker 4>I was not aware of this. Fichael, have you heard anything?
0:15:53 --> 0:15:56
<v Speaker 4>Were they armed men? Were they acting under your orders?
0:15:56 --> 0:16:01
<v Speaker 4>I never mind. We will do what we can to
0:16:01 --> 0:16:05
<v Speaker 4>rectify the situation. I extend friendship to you so we
0:16:05 --> 0:16:08
<v Speaker 4>may share in your God's blessing. I would not have
0:16:08 --> 0:16:12
<v Speaker 4>this conflict. Send between us, Fichel, see that the matter
0:16:12 --> 0:16:14
<v Speaker 4>is resolved, and call back your men.
0:16:16 --> 0:16:19
<v Speaker 1>Shortly after, Abraham and Delia, as it were dismissed from
0:16:19 --> 0:16:24
<v Speaker 1>Abimelek's presence, they celebrated the fortunate turn of events.
0:16:24 --> 0:16:28
<v Speaker 9>Master Abraham, I cannot believe how well that worked out
0:16:28 --> 0:16:30
<v Speaker 9>for us. Praise God Almighty.
0:16:31 --> 0:16:36
<v Speaker 3>Indeed, it's just as he foretold when he first called me.
0:16:37 --> 0:16:41
<v Speaker 3>The nations who bless me will also be blessed. The
0:16:41 --> 0:16:44
<v Speaker 3>Bimelech is wise to heed that part of the promise,
0:16:44 --> 0:16:47
<v Speaker 3>even if he does not understand our faith.
0:16:48 --> 0:16:52
<v Speaker 9>Whatever the reason is, Master, I'm glad for this diplomatic solution.
0:16:53 --> 0:16:55
<v Speaker 9>Shall I see how to arrange the animals for the
0:16:55 --> 0:16:57
<v Speaker 9>agreement for the covenant as well?
0:16:59 --> 0:17:03
<v Speaker 3>Yes, thank you, YESA. I would also have you pulled
0:17:03 --> 0:17:05
<v Speaker 3>seven u lambs for the ceremony.
0:17:07 --> 0:17:12
<v Speaker 9>Of course, Master may I ask why, mister Abraham.
0:17:12 --> 0:17:14
<v Speaker 3>Oh, you shall see, my friend.
0:17:15 --> 0:17:16
<v Speaker 4>You shall see.
0:17:17 --> 0:17:23
<v Speaker 1>Bellies full from hours of feasting together. Abraham escorted a
0:17:23 --> 0:17:26
<v Speaker 1>beemelek to the edge of his territory and friendship.
0:17:26 --> 0:17:31
<v Speaker 4>Abraham, I must commend you. Your hospitality has honored me.
0:17:32 --> 0:17:33
<v Speaker 4>I look forward to our friendship.
0:17:34 --> 0:17:38
<v Speaker 3>Thank you, a bimelek, as do I I have won
0:17:39 --> 0:17:42
<v Speaker 3>more gift I would give you before you depart.
0:17:42 --> 0:17:47
<v Speaker 4>Abraham, this is most generous. You've already gifted me many
0:17:47 --> 0:17:48
<v Speaker 4>flocks and cattle.
0:17:49 --> 0:17:53
<v Speaker 3>I have, my king, I have separated seven ewes from
0:17:53 --> 0:17:55
<v Speaker 3>the flocks. I now present to you.
0:17:57 --> 0:18:02
<v Speaker 1>Sure enough, Abraham's servants brought out the seven sheep as
0:18:02 --> 0:18:05
<v Speaker 1>a beameleg and his entourage turned to look, what is
0:18:05 --> 0:18:06
<v Speaker 1>this custom?
0:18:07 --> 0:18:08
<v Speaker 4>Why have you separated these es?
0:18:09 --> 0:18:12
<v Speaker 3>I would have you accept these seven us from me,
0:18:12 --> 0:18:15
<v Speaker 3>so that this act will be my witness that I
0:18:15 --> 0:18:16
<v Speaker 3>dug this well.
0:18:16 --> 0:18:21
<v Speaker 4>Your highness, I see you have sealed our friendship and
0:18:21 --> 0:18:24
<v Speaker 4>insured peace between us in the blood of our covenant.
0:18:25 --> 0:18:27
<v Speaker 4>But now you mean to confirm the ownership of this
0:18:28 --> 0:18:32
<v Speaker 4>well by bearing witness both through this payment and this
0:18:32 --> 0:18:38
<v Speaker 4>crowd of onlookers. You you are a shrewd man, Abraham.
0:18:38 --> 0:18:41
<v Speaker 4>If I say no, I've spat in the face of
0:18:41 --> 0:18:44
<v Speaker 4>the alliance we brokered. If I say yes, then I
0:18:44 --> 0:18:48
<v Speaker 4>have yielded some ownership of my whimb to you. I
0:18:49 --> 0:18:52
<v Speaker 4>accept your gift, Abraham. The well will remain in your
0:18:52 --> 0:18:56
<v Speaker 4>possession as well as the possession of your family Forevermore.
0:18:58 --> 0:19:02
<v Speaker 1>Satisfied with both the treaty and the guaranteed ownership of
0:19:02 --> 0:19:06
<v Speaker 1>the well for generations to come, Abraham returned to the
0:19:06 --> 0:19:10
<v Speaker 1>sight of the agreement a few days later. He brought
0:19:10 --> 0:19:14
<v Speaker 1>with him a seedling of a tamarisk tree. After he
0:19:14 --> 0:19:17
<v Speaker 1>knelt in the dust and packed in the dirt around
0:19:17 --> 0:19:21
<v Speaker 1>the tiny tree, he stood back and admired his work.
0:19:21 --> 0:19:24
<v Speaker 1>He would return to this spot often to look after
0:19:24 --> 0:19:27
<v Speaker 1>the tree and remember this achievement of security in the
0:19:27 --> 0:19:31
<v Speaker 1>land of the Philistines. The tree was not only a
0:19:31 --> 0:19:35
<v Speaker 1>final celebratory part of sealing the covenant he had made
0:19:35 --> 0:19:38
<v Speaker 1>with a beamelech, but he also felt that it served
0:19:38 --> 0:19:41
<v Speaker 1>as a part of sealing the covenant his God had
0:19:41 --> 0:19:45
<v Speaker 1>made with him all those years ago. His son from
0:19:45 --> 0:19:49
<v Speaker 1>his beloved wife Sarah had been born, and there they
0:19:49 --> 0:19:53
<v Speaker 1>were prospering in the land his God had promised to
0:19:53 --> 0:19:56
<v Speaker 1>give him, And so the tree would serve as a reminder,
0:19:57 --> 0:20:00
<v Speaker 1>as had the new name he had been given and
0:20:00 --> 0:20:04
<v Speaker 1>the mark of the covenant on his body. To ensure
0:20:04 --> 0:20:06
<v Speaker 1>the survival of the tree, he would have to return
0:20:06 --> 0:20:11
<v Speaker 1>to this spot often. Every time he did, he would
0:20:11 --> 0:20:14
<v Speaker 1>call on the name of his almighty.
0:20:13 --> 0:20:27
<v Speaker 6>God, Abraham and abimele an oath a covenant over a well.
0:20:27 --> 0:20:33
<v Speaker 6>Two leaders navigating the intricacies of ancient politics. Could there
0:20:33 --> 0:20:37
<v Speaker 6>be a more fitting story for today? Two men from
0:20:37 --> 0:20:42
<v Speaker 6>different worlds come together to make peace. They recognize the
0:20:42 --> 0:20:46
<v Speaker 6>need for trust, honesty, and way to coexist in a
0:20:46 --> 0:20:51
<v Speaker 6>world full of conflict and scarcity. Doesn't that sound like
0:20:51 --> 0:20:56
<v Speaker 6>our modern world and what it needs today? The Bible
0:20:56 --> 0:20:59
<v Speaker 6>and all its ancient, dusty glory.
0:20:59 --> 0:21:01
<v Speaker 5>Speaks right into.
0:21:01 --> 0:21:05
<v Speaker 6>Our modern mess. It's about people trying to live together
0:21:06 --> 0:21:09
<v Speaker 6>and to live well. It's about making agreements and sticking
0:21:09 --> 0:21:13
<v Speaker 6>to them. It's about finding the humanity in one another.
0:21:14 --> 0:21:18
<v Speaker 6>This story makes me reflect on my own life. Where
0:21:18 --> 0:21:20
<v Speaker 6>am I being called to make peace?
0:21:21 --> 0:21:23
<v Speaker 5>Who am I being.
0:21:22 --> 0:21:26
<v Speaker 6>Called to trust? And then there's the name of the
0:21:26 --> 0:21:33
<v Speaker 6>story setting, bear Sheba. Bearsheba is a city in Israel,
0:21:33 --> 0:21:38
<v Speaker 6>both ancient and modern, and it literally translates into the
0:21:38 --> 0:21:43
<v Speaker 6>well of the Oath. That's what bear Sheeba means. It
0:21:43 --> 0:21:48
<v Speaker 6>means literally the well of the oath. Because you see,
0:21:48 --> 0:21:51
<v Speaker 6>names matter in the Bible. We've talked about this in
0:21:51 --> 0:21:54
<v Speaker 6>previous episodes and we will surely talk about it again.
0:21:55 --> 0:22:01
<v Speaker 6>In the Bible, names carry weight and meaning. In this
0:22:01 --> 0:22:05
<v Speaker 6>moment is a testament to the power of promises and
0:22:05 --> 0:22:10
<v Speaker 6>the trustworthiness of our world, in a world where promises
0:22:10 --> 0:22:15
<v Speaker 6>are often broken and where words can be cheap, and
0:22:15 --> 0:22:20
<v Speaker 6>reminded of the importance of integrity. That's what it means
0:22:20 --> 0:22:24
<v Speaker 6>to live by the words of the Bible, to live
0:22:24 --> 0:22:29
<v Speaker 6>a life of integrity. Genesis twenty one, Chapter twenty two
0:22:29 --> 0:22:34
<v Speaker 6>to thirty four is a challenge, a challenge to live differently,
0:22:35 --> 0:22:40
<v Speaker 6>to seek peace, to build trust, and to be people
0:22:40 --> 0:22:44
<v Speaker 6>of our word. This story holds the themes of peace
0:22:44 --> 0:22:50
<v Speaker 6>and cooperation. Abraham's faithfulness to God's covenant includes being a peacemaker.
0:22:50 --> 0:22:53
<v Speaker 6>He's living out the promise in real time, not just
0:22:53 --> 0:22:58
<v Speaker 6>through ritual or worship, but in the messy, complicated world
0:22:58 --> 0:23:01
<v Speaker 6>of human relationships. And that is where our faith is
0:23:01 --> 0:23:05
<v Speaker 6>put into action, isn't it? Even today, the people of
0:23:05 --> 0:23:09
<v Speaker 6>Israel long for peace, peace in the land that God
0:23:10 --> 0:23:14
<v Speaker 6>promised us, our ancient biblical homeland that we have finally
0:23:15 --> 0:23:19
<v Speaker 6>returned to after thousands of years of exile because it
0:23:19 --> 0:23:25
<v Speaker 6>was God's will. But still within this miraculous return, we
0:23:26 --> 0:23:30
<v Speaker 6>are fighting evil. We are surrounded on all sides by
0:23:30 --> 0:23:33
<v Speaker 6>enemies who wish to do us harm, who wish to
0:23:33 --> 0:23:39
<v Speaker 6>destroy us. We yearn and seek peace while defending ourselves,
0:23:40 --> 0:23:43
<v Speaker 6>and that brings me to the most important point. Being
0:23:43 --> 0:23:49
<v Speaker 6>a peacemaker is difficult, but this story and God's word
0:23:49 --> 0:23:54
<v Speaker 6>are clear. As His chosen people, we are to be peacemakers.
0:23:54 --> 0:23:59
<v Speaker 6>Despite old arguments or ongoing disagreements, despite the past marred
0:23:59 --> 0:24:02
<v Speaker 6>by t trouble, in a future that sometimes feels hopeless,
0:24:03 --> 0:24:08
<v Speaker 6>we are to be peacemakers. The message here is clear.
0:24:08 --> 0:24:15
<v Speaker 6>Faithfulness to God's covenant means being peacemakers. We are all
0:24:15 --> 0:24:18
<v Speaker 6>as Jews and Christians, as people of faith, as the
0:24:18 --> 0:24:21
<v Speaker 6>chosen people called to reflect God.
0:24:21 --> 0:24:22
<v Speaker 9>In all we do.
0:24:23 --> 0:24:26
<v Speaker 6>And what I find interesting is that the very person Abimelech,
0:24:27 --> 0:24:30
<v Speaker 6>with whom Abraham made the covenant, has something to say
0:24:30 --> 0:24:34
<v Speaker 6>about this. I think it's very interesting. The Bible tells
0:24:34 --> 0:24:39
<v Speaker 6>us exactly why Abimelech wanted to make the covenant. Verse
0:24:39 --> 0:24:44
<v Speaker 6>twenty two tells us Abimelech approached Abraham and said, God
0:24:44 --> 0:24:48
<v Speaker 6>is with you in everything you do. The Jewish sages
0:24:48 --> 0:24:51
<v Speaker 6>point out that Abimelech didn't want to make this agreement
0:24:51 --> 0:24:55
<v Speaker 6>because Abraham was powerful. He didn't want to agree to
0:24:55 --> 0:24:58
<v Speaker 6>this treaty because Abraham was wealthy, even though both of
0:24:58 --> 0:25:02
<v Speaker 6>these things were true. But he wanted this agreement because
0:25:02 --> 0:25:07
<v Speaker 6>God was with Abraham. Isn't that a great lesson for
0:25:07 --> 0:25:08
<v Speaker 6>us even today?
0:25:09 --> 0:25:10
<v Speaker 5>Yes, it would be nice to have.
0:25:10 --> 0:25:13
<v Speaker 6>More authority or more material wealth, but neither of those
0:25:13 --> 0:25:16
<v Speaker 6>things matter as much as having God with us. If
0:25:16 --> 0:25:20
<v Speaker 6>we spend time studying God's word like we're doing right now,
0:25:21 --> 0:25:24
<v Speaker 6>if we know what God wants of us, and if
0:25:24 --> 0:25:27
<v Speaker 6>we act in godly ways in His image, if we
0:25:27 --> 0:25:31
<v Speaker 6>can be like Abraham, then people will see God is
0:25:31 --> 0:25:36
<v Speaker 6>with us in everything we do, and those who want
0:25:36 --> 0:25:41
<v Speaker 6>to stand with God will partner with us. We saw
0:25:41 --> 0:25:45
<v Speaker 6>it with the Abraham accord with the Arab countries who
0:25:45 --> 0:25:50
<v Speaker 6>wanted to make peace with Israel. And so we see
0:25:50 --> 0:25:53
<v Speaker 6>there are so many ways to live this out in
0:25:53 --> 0:25:57
<v Speaker 6>our day to day lives, both as a country and
0:25:57 --> 0:26:01
<v Speaker 6>as individuals. First, let's be pro active and seeking peace
0:26:01 --> 0:26:05
<v Speaker 6>and building bridges and our relationships just like Abraham did.
0:26:06 --> 0:26:12
<v Speaker 6>Being a peacemaker isn't passive. It requires willingness and effort
0:26:12 --> 0:26:17
<v Speaker 6>and courage. Being a peacemaker is a reflection of God's character.
0:26:18 --> 0:26:21
<v Speaker 6>When we make peace, we're showing the world who God
0:26:21 --> 0:26:25
<v Speaker 6>is and that He is with us. And we can
0:26:25 --> 0:26:28
<v Speaker 6>show that He is with us by honoring our commitments,
0:26:29 --> 0:26:34
<v Speaker 6>by seeking reconciliation in our relationships, by building bridges in
0:26:34 --> 0:26:40
<v Speaker 6>our communities, whether it's in our families, our workplaces, our neighborhoods,
0:26:40 --> 0:26:41
<v Speaker 6>or churches.
0:26:42 --> 0:26:43
<v Speaker 5>Or in our everyday lives.
0:26:44 --> 0:26:49
<v Speaker 6>We have opportunities every single day to make peace, to
0:26:49 --> 0:26:53
<v Speaker 6>show the world that God is within us. And how
0:26:53 --> 0:26:58
<v Speaker 6>do we do that by blessing others? And so with that,
0:26:58 --> 0:27:01
<v Speaker 6>I want to leave you with one final Hebrew blessing
0:27:02 --> 0:27:11
<v Speaker 6>for you Iva Hashem vischmerecher Yeah, Heir hashempanave eleven ye
0:27:11 --> 0:27:16
<v Speaker 6>sa hashempanave lera Shellon. May the Lord bless you and
0:27:16 --> 0:27:20
<v Speaker 6>keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you.
0:27:20 --> 0:27:23
<v Speaker 6>May he be gracious to you, Made the Lord turn
0:27:23 --> 0:27:25
<v Speaker 6>his face towards you and give you peace.
0:27:26 --> 0:27:30
<v Speaker 1>Amen. You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle
0:27:30 --> 0:27:34
<v Speaker 1>Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey
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<v Speaker 1>dot Com app today. This Prey dot Com production is
0:27:38 --> 0:27:42
<v Speaker 1>only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents.
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<v Speaker 1>Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga and Ben Gammon are
0:27:46 --> 0:27:50
<v Speaker 1>the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yaiel Eckstein,
0:27:50 --> 0:27:55
<v Speaker 1>edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are
0:27:55 --> 0:28:00
<v Speaker 1>voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
0:28:00 --> 0:28:04
<v Speaker 1>Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced
0:28:04 --> 0:28:08
<v Speaker 1>by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by
0:28:08 --> 0:28:13
<v Speaker 1>Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier,
0:28:13 --> 0:28:17
<v Speaker 1>Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team
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<v Speaker 1>at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear
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<v Speaker 1>rate and leave a review.
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