Genesis 16:3 - 16
Vs 3: An interesting insight is how many similarities or parallels to the Garden of Eden scene in Genesis 3 ate present in this passage. According Gordon Wenham , “Abram obeyed (listened to) his wife.” The fact that the phrase 'obey' lit. 'listen to the voice' occurs only here and in Gen. 3:17.”[1] In both accounts the woman takes something and gives it to her husband and her husband takes that which is forbidden (fruit/Hagar) and the outcome is not good. Vs 4: Hagar becomes pregnant. The outcome was not what Sarai, Abram and Hagar had thought it would be. It was Sarai’s thought that the child would be hers and he would thus become the heir to God’s promises. But again, this was not God’s plan it was Sarai’s plan. We read that Hagar looks down on her mistress; pride is involved here. Hagar was with child and socially this would make her more significant than Sarai. You can imagine what the talk of the camp would be like. So, naturally jealousy, resentment and bitterness arise on both sides. We are given a clear indication that what is happening is not something God necessarily ordained. This whole account is simply humans trying to remedy something they think God has done wrong. Vs 5: Amazingly Sarai blames Abram for this predicament. It was Sarai’s idea and when everything went according to her plan she blames Abram for the outcome. Once again we see the blame game happening that occurred in Genesis 3. The words Sarai speaks are in fact a curse to husband Abram “May the Lord judge between you and me.” Vs 6: Abram tries to appease his wife by telling her to do as she wishes with Hagar, because she does in fact belong to her. Is this just a husband trying to appease his wife because he is in the doghouse? Is Abram in fact doing the honorable thing or is this the response of an apathetic husband? It is apparent that Sarai does not treat Hagar well. His suggestion is not really fair to Hagar since she is now his wife and he is called to protect her but instead he throws her under the bus. Sarai dealt harshly with her which means she oppressed her or afflicted her. The oppression was so bad that Hagar fled for her life. She would rather be homeless, husbandless and without a mistress than to go through what she was facing with Sarai. Vs 7: On her journey back to Egypt Hagar meets with an angel of the Lord. Four times it is mentioned that Hagar is meeting with an Angel of the Lord. Often in Genesis when someone meets and Angel of the Lord it is usually an encounter with God himself in human form. This is called a theophany or Christophany… Many suggest that these are Jesus making appearances in the OT. I personally believe this is an encounter with Jesus. Whenever the Angel of the Lord appears it is often to bring good news of salvation. The angel usually appears to someone who is in a critical or devastating situation. It is also common that when an individual encounters and Angel of the Lord that they don’t initially know who they are speaking with. Eventually God reveals himself to the individual. Vs 8: “Hagar… where have you come from?” The stranger calls her by name… How could a stranger know her name? Again we can see the parallel of the garden account… After the sin is committed God appears and then asks a “where” question. To Adam God asks where he was, to Hagar he asks where did she come from. She responds honestly and tells him that she is fleeing from Sarai. Vs 9: The Angel of the Lord commands her to go back and submit to her mistress. This not only involves submitting by obedience but also suggests that she should endure whatever harsh treatment Sarai will dish out to her. God calls for Hagar to humble herself to her mistress. Vs 10: He promises a blessing to her similar to Abram as she too will be the mother of a multitude of people that cannot be numbered. Vs 11 – 12: A prophecy spoken. She will have a son and he will be named Ishamael. The name means “God hears”. He will be a wild donkey… According to the NET Bible, “The prophecy is not an insult. The wild donkey lived a solitary existence in the desert away from society. Ishmael would be free-roaming, strong, and like a Bedouin (Arabic Nomad tribe); he would enjoy the freedom his mother sought.”[2] Ishmael - The sons of Ishmael peopled the north and west of the Arabian peninsula, and eventually formed the chief element of the Arab nation, the wandering Bedouin tribes. They are now mostly Mohammedans, who look to him as their spiritual father, as the Jews look to Abraham. Their language, which is generally acknowledged to have been the Arabic commonly so called, has been adopted with insignificant exceptions throughout Arabia. [3 Vs 16: Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. He still had to wait 13 more years until he has the promised son with Sarai. This of course will be another sermon topic altogether but I love to see how God makes possible that which seems impossible to humans. Application As we will eventually see this human interference becomes a problem and eventually takes an ever more extreme turn for the worse. In this passage I think the application is quite obvious. When we take matters into our own hands instead of trusting God things don’t usually end up well. I can’t recall how many times I have felt the need to “help God along” in my walk as a pastor, Christian, husband and dad instead of just walking and trusting God. Sometimes when I think things aren’t going well or not going the way I expect I feel the need to “do something” to help God along. I fail to realize that God does not need my help. However He does invite and use me to be part of his plan and purpose. I firmly believe God uses humanity to accomplish his plan here on earth. God doesn't use humanity because He can’t do it without us but because he delights in working in and through us. He does not ask for our advice or help in accomplishing what he wants to accomplish. The challenge, ask God what He is up to and how can you be part of HIS plan. It is not your job to tell God what to do. Your job is to seek Him and go with him. [1] Wenham, G. J. (1994). Vol. 2: Genesis 16–50. Word Biblical Commentary (7). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. [2] Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press. [3] Smith, W. (1986). Smith's Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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Genesis 16:1 - 2
“God is a promise maker and a promise keeper.” This truth is confirmed all over the Bible. Since we first met Abram in Genesis 12 we have seen God bless Abram time and time again. One would think since God has repeatedly confirmed his promise and affirmed his promise one would not have issues with unbelief; unfortunately this in not the case with Abram and his wife Sarai. We can certainly stand on the outside looking in and be critical of God’s chosen couple because of their lack of faith at times but unfortunately many of us are not unlike Abram and Sarai. The problem often arises when we act in our own power in our unbelief. In today’s passage we will see what lack of faith or unbelief can lead to. God is always faithful to finish what He has started. He has never left his children to fend for themselves. He is sovereign and He can and will accomplish what He promises regardless of the surrounding circumstances. However sometimes in our unbelief we think God needs a helping hand to accomplish what He has set out to do. We intervene and try to fix what we thing God has broken or even forgot about. Certainly Abram and Sarai felt the need to assist God in his promise and as we will see; when we meddle with God’s plans things can go awry and become a big mess very quickly. Vs 1: Sarai was barren. In the ancient east childlessness was a tragedy and childless women were looked down upon. We are told on a couple of occasions about Sarai’s inability to conceive children. This is noted to set the scene that is to follow. Sarai is barren, she has an Egyptian maiden who was not barren and her name was Hagar. I have found it interesting to note that throughout the Bible at least five other occasions besides this one we are told about women who cannot have children. However in all of these occasions God intervenes and blesses the women with a child who makes a difference in the world and is used for God’s purposes. These women include Rebekah (Isaac’s Wife, mother of Jacob), Rachel (Jacob’s wife, mother of Joseph), Samson’s mother (unnamed), Hannah (Samuel’s mother) and Elizabeth (John the Baptists mother). Hagar – It was not uncommon for rich wives to own servants or companions or maidens. She was not only subject to her mistress but she belonged to her. Sarai owned Hagar. It is possible she was acquired in Egypt when Abram and Sarai lived there (Gen. 12). Vs 2: The words Sarai spoke concerning her infertility sounds like she is blaming God. She was well aware of God’s promise to Abram of blessing with children and there is no indication here that Abram doubts God but we can’t say for certain. It does suggest that Sarai had some concerns about God pulling this one off (and we will see this is true in the next chapter). Sarai decides to take matters in her own hands. This is where the story gets interesting… Sarai suggests Abram take Hagar to be his wife so he may get her pregnant. This was not an uncommon course of action in this society. Since childlessness was looked down on many women would have their husbands have children with secondary wives. Now we may think that the Bible promotes polygamy but nowhere does it suggest God ever telling a person to have multiple wives. This action is always human inspired. In fact this whole scenario implies that this whole debacle is a big mistake. We can be reminded of the fiasco Abram got himself into in chapter 12 when he tries to take matters into his own hands instead of trusting God. Genesis 15:8 - 18
Verse 8: Abram asks God for a sign to show that He will keep his promise. Sometimes this can be read that Abram lacked faith but nowhere does it suggest that he did, in fact this was a fairly common response and Scripture doesn’t seem to condemn individuals for wanting to be reassured by God. Gideon asked for a fleece, Moses asked for a sign and Thomas demanded to see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and feet. Verse 9 - 11: God commands Abram to bring a three year old heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtle dove and a pigeon. These were all acceptable offerings to God. Abram cuts the heifer, goat and ram in half but does not cut the birds. He separated the halves and set them opposite each other. Verse 12 – 16: “A deep sleep fell on Abram” and the NET Bible states, “A great terror overwhelmed him.” He was in the presence of God Almighty and this was an awe inspiring and frightening thing. The Lord now speaks a prophecy of Abram’s ancestor’s exile to Egypt. They will be there (although God doesn’t mention Egypt as being the place) for 400 years and they will be slaves and sojourners. God will continue to protect them during this time and he will also judge the nation of Egypt. His ancestors will leave the country with many possessions. As for Abraham he will have passed from life to death when this happens. It will be a future event but for now Abram will live a good long life. Verse 17 - 18: In the evening the Lord makes a covenant with Abram. “A smoking fire pot and flame torch” signifies the presence of the Lord passing through the halves of the animals. It is interesting to note that this was a one sided covenant. It was typical for both people involved in a covenant to pass between the offerings signifying they will keep their end of the deal. Gordon Wenham writes, “This act is then interpreted as an enacted curse. 'May God make me like this animal, if I do not fulfill the demands of the covenant.' In Genesis, of course, it is God himself who walks between the pieces, and it is suggested that here God is invoking the curse on himself, if he fails to fulfill the promise.”[1] The cutting into pieces of the animals could symbolize the nation of Israel and God passing through them could show that He would be with their people. The covenant is a promise made by God alone. It is one sided which means He will do what He has promised. He tells Abram that his offspring will possess the land the from the river of Egypt (many believe this to be the eastern branch of the Nile) to the river Euphrates. Application God has made another covenant with his people through Jesus Christ. When Jesus took the last supper with his disciples he proclaimed that a new covenant has been established by his blood i.e. Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25. We are told in Hebrews 8 that if the first covenant was perfect or faultless then there would have been no need for a second one. Jesus Christ came to establish a new covenant thus making the old obsolete. This is a promise you and I can firmly hold on to. Through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary the work of God is now finished. Jesus has become the perfect sacrifice thus becoming our righteousness. We are not declared righteous by any act we perform but we are declared righteous based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. [1] Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis 1–15. Word Biblical Commentary (332). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Genesis 15;1 - 6
Our God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. We are told time and again that God is trustworthy. This should be comforting and assuring to all of us since the Bible is also filled with many promises by God to His people. Among all the promises of the God our hope in salvation is based on promises made by Him. The prophet Joel writes in regards to the last days that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus tells us in John, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We know these promises are true because God is faithful to keep them and we are also told in Numbers “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” I take great comfort in these particular verses. Today we will look at the promise of God or the Abrahamic Covenant. We will look at the first part of this promise that God makes with Abram (it is in fact a reiterating of the promise made in chapter 12) but is covenanted by God to Abram to show that it will come to pass. God’s Covenant with Abram Verse 1: “After these things…” Some time after Abram defeats the eastern Kings he has a vision from God. He tells Abram “fear not” which is a common phrase used by God when He visits his people. He says He is going to be Abram’s shield. Abram had just come back from a successful battle with the eastern kings, rescued his nephew and was just blessed by the priest Melchizedek. It is at this point possible that he is having a valley experience which is also not uncommon after a having an amazing encounter with God. He may have been a little concerned that his enemies may attack again and he wouldn’t be as successful but God assures him that he is Abram’s protection. The shield is a metaphor indicating that God’s protection of Abram and his people. He also assures Abram that he will greatly reward him… Again God is doing this not because of anything Abram has done but because of God’s plan and purposes. He has obviously chosen Abram and as he now repeats that He is going to bless him and his descendants. Verses 2 - 3: You can almost hear Abram’s seemingly ridiculous frustration in his complaint to God… but not without first acknowledging God’s sovereignty. The ESV says, “O Lord God…” A more accurate translation of Abram’s response is “O sovereign Lord…” In this he acknowledges and declares God to be sovereign and he has made promise to Abram, yet he still has no children and he has no land to speak of. He was essentially a childless wanderer. It should be noted that in the ancient world childlessness was an absolute tragedy because there was no heir to the family, there was no one to look after the parents in old age and no way to preserve and continue the lineage of the name. It almost seems as though Abram is ungrateful for all God has done for him because God has given him victories, possessions and the promise of blessing and still complains to God because he doesn’t have any children. In his complaint Abram basically says as things stand currently the only one who can rightfully claim his inheritance is one named Eliezer of Damascus. It is believed Eliezer was a servant from Damascus. What Abram is essentially saying is that if he has no children then he would eventually have to adopt Eliezer as his son so he may be the rightful heir. Verse 4 - 6: God tells Abram that Eliezer is not the intended heir and that Abram will indeed father a son from his own loins, he will be a son that is his own flesh and blood. God restates the promise he made to Abram (later to be known as Abraham); this promise was God giving Abraham a son through his wife Sara (naturally) and one day he (Abraham) would be known by all as the Father of a great nation (Israel). God proclaims that his ancestors would be as many as the stars in the sky. Abraham had no idea how God was going to accomplish his promise because at the time He made the promise Abraham was in his mid eighties and he had no natural son with his wife Sara. He then tells Abram to go outside and shows him his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This is a symbolic way of saying that his descendants will be many and countless. Abram response was belief. God made a promise and Abram trusted that God was going to make it come to pass. His response and attitude was a model for the future generations of Israel and for us today. When God promises… Rest assured it will come to pass. Abraham believed and God counted it to him as righteousness. According to Gordon Wenham, “righteousness might well be paraphrased as God-like, or at least God-pleasing, action.”[1] The righteous were not condemned but acquitted (this thankfully applies to us today… However Jesus is our righteousness). Abram’s faith saved him. He believed God was trustworthy and his faith was a God pleasing action. [1] Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis 1–15. Word Biblical Commentary (330). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Genesis 14
The key characters in the last part of this passage are Abram, the King of Sodom and Melchizedek the king of Salem. After the victory of Abram and the Allies the King of Sodom and the priest king Melchizedek come to visit with Abram in the Valley of the Kings. We learn a lot about the characteristics of these individuals in this encounter. There are key differences between Melchizedek and the King of Sodom and they are as follows...
Abram had every right to keep the spoils of war (both people and possessions) but he gives a tenth to Melchizedek (who we assume did not fight in the battle) and then gives the rest to the King of Sodom. This is a generous offer to the King of Sodom because he didn’t deserve anything. In return we see Melchizedek’s generosity as he blesses Abram. The King of Sodom is selfish and rude. Abram makes a vow to the God of Melchizedek to not take anything for himself from the King of Sodom. However he does not make this claim for his allies. Abram knew his allies were the rightful recipients of the plunder. He only vows to take nothing for himself. His reason for doing this is so the King of Sodom cannot take credit for Abram’s riches and success. They can only be attributed to God. Who is Melchizedek?
Some have suggested he is a type or a picture of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Some believe him to be an Angel. Some believe he is a Christophany which is a physical (mostly) appearance of Christ in the OT. Melchizedek is equated or typified by Jesus since His origins are uncertain; he appears out of nowhere and leaves no trace. Hebrews tells us He has no beginnings or end of life (Jesus is eternal without beginning or end). He has no predecessor or successors (There is none like Jesus; there is no one before him or after him). No Levitical genealogy. He was a chosen by God to be his priest. Jesus is not from a Levitical lineage. He is from the line of Judah. His kingship is not based on inheritance it is based on his appointment by God. Melchizedek’s name means King of Righteousness. No human priest could make a person righteous but Jesus the eternal priest is not only righteous but he makes us righteous. The title King of Salem means King of Peace. Jesus is the Prince of peace. Jesus is our righteousness. He is our source of peace. Jesus came to bring peace… Peace to humanity and peace with God. Melchizedek brought bread and wine to eat a royal or kingly meal. In the same manner Jesus broke bread and poured the wine with is disciples as a symbol of the act of his perfect sacrifice for all humanity. Thus becoming the true Lord of lords, King of kings and Prince of peace. Gospel Glimpse in Genesis 14 While Melchizedek may be a glimpse of the coming Messiah we can see that the only true savior is in Jesus Christ. In Jesus we know we have an eternal priest who was the perfect sacrifice for all humanity. In Christ there is no need to offer the blood of bulls, goats or animals because he offered himself as the one true perfect sacrifice. In his sacrifice we see the generosity of Jesus. He did not take from humanity, instead he gave to humanity. He wasn’t sentenced to death by humans but he willingly laid down his life for humanity so that anyone who by grace through faith believes in Jesus will have eternal and abundant life. Jesus is our salvation and our perfect priest. Our God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. We are told time and again that God is trustworthy. This should be comforting and assuring to all of us since the Bible is also filled with many promises by God to His people. Among all the promises of the God our hope in salvation is based on promises made by Him. The prophet Joel writes in regards to the last days that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus tells us in John, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We know these promises are true because God is faithful to keep them and we are also told in Numbers “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” I take great comfort in these particular verses. Today we will look at the promise of God or the Abrahamic Covenant. We will look at the first part of this promise that God makes with Abram (it is in fact a reiterating of the promise made in chapter 12) but is covenanted by God to Abram to show that it will come to pass.
God’s Covenant with Abram Verse 1: “After these things…” Some time after Abram defeats the eastern Kings he has a vision from God. He tells Abram “fear not” which is a common phrase used by God when He visits his people. He says He is going to be Abram’s shield. Abram had just come back from a successful battle with the eastern kings, rescued his nephew and was just blessed by the priest Melchizedek. It is at this point possible that he is having a valley experience which is also not uncommon after a having an amazing encounter with God. He may have been a little concerned that his enemies may attack again and he wouldn’t be as successful but God assures him that he is Abram’s protection. The shield is a metaphor indicating that God’s protection of Abram and his people. He also assures Abram that he will greatly reward him… Again God is doing this not because of anything Abram has done but because of God’s plan and purposes. He has obviously chosen Abram and as he now repeats that He is going to bless him and his descendants. Verses 2 - 3: You can almost hear Abram’s seemingly ridiculous frustration in his complaint to God… but not without first acknowledging God’s sovereignty. The ESV says, “O Lord God…” A more accurate translation of Abram’s response is “O sovereign Lord…” In this he acknowledges and declares God to be sovereign and he has made promise to Abram, yet he still has no children and he has no land to speak of. He was essentially a childless wanderer. It should be noted that in the ancient world childlessness was an absolute tragedy because there was no heir to the family, there was no one to look after the parents in old age and no way to preserve and continue the lineage of the name. It almost seems as though Abram is ungrateful for all God has done for him because God has given him victories, possessions and the promise of blessing and still complains to God because he doesn’t have any children. In his complaint Abram basically says as things stand currently the only one who can rightfully claim his inheritance is one named Eliezer of Damascus. It is believed Eliezer was a servant from Damascus. What Abram is essentially saying is that if he has no children then he would eventually have to adopt Eliezer as his son so he may be the rightful heir. Verse 4 - 6: God tells Abram that Eliezer is not the intended heir and that Abram will indeed father a son from his own loins, he will be a son that is his own flesh and blood. God restates the promise he made to Abram (later to be known as Abraham); this promise was God giving Abraham a son through his wife Sara (naturally) and one day he (Abraham) would be known by all as the Father of a great nation (Israel). God proclaims that his ancestors would be as many as the stars in the sky. Abraham had no idea how God was going to accomplish his promise because at the time He made the promise Abraham was in his mid eighties and he had no natural son with his wife Sara. He then tells Abram to go outside and shows him his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This is a symbolic way of saying that his descendants will be many and countless. Abram response was belief. God made a promise and Abram trusted that God was going to make it come to pass. His response and attitude was a model for the future generations of Israel and for us today. When God promises… Rest assured it will come to pass. Abraham believed and God counted it to him as righteousness. According to Gordon Wenham, “righteousness might well be paraphrased as God-like, or at least God-pleasing, action.”[1] The righteous were not condemned but acquitted (this thankfully applies to us today… However Jesus is our righteousness). Abram’s faith saved him. He believed God was trustworthy and his faith was a God pleasing action. [1] Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis 1–15. Word Biblical Commentary (330). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. Genesis 13: 9 -13
Vs 9 – 13 – Abram gives Lot the first choice of land. Lot picks the land to the east. This not only tell us the direction he chooses to go but if we continue with the logic of heading east being synonymous to going further from the presence of God then his choice may tell us a lot about Lot’s Spiritual state. Did he choose to go further away from God’s chosen land because he was trying be further from God? Did the city of Sodom and Gomorrah looked enticing and appealing to him? More so did Lot ch0ose the ways of the world over the ways of God? We will certainly see in the coming chapters the adverse effect of Lot’s choice of land. Lot set his tent toward the city of Sodom and Gomorrah which the author tells us was a wicked and evil city. It was wicked and evil because godless people dwelt there. Lot may have thought he was going to a city of opportunity; possibly even making a career advancement but in fact he was heading to a city that was imminently set to be destroyed. Abram on the other hand continues to the land of Canaan; the land God had promised to give to him. He chooses to remain in the presence and in the promise of God. The city of Sodom and Gomorrah may have seemed to have a lot to offer from a human standpoint but Abram wanted to stay with God and occupy the land God had promised him. Conflict Conflict is always a slippery slope. I think it is safe to say that most people do not enjoy conflict at all. Sure there are some who thrive on it but I wonder if they are right in the head. Generally speaking I would venture to say many people tend to avoid conflict at all costs. The reason for avoidance is usually because we don’t want to offend, it can get tense and divisive or we just do not want to come across as judgmental. James 4:1 – 6 says, “Where do quarrels and fights among you come from?” The answer, “It comes from selfish desires that are at war in us.” When we look at any unhealthy disunity or conflict in our lives it is almost always a guarantee that the root of the problem is selfish desire. This seemed to be the case with Abram and Lot’s tribes. We see this is the case in the modern church as well. There are conflicts or fights over the style of music that is played for the time of worship, over communion, method of baptism, views of theology, placement of furniture in the building, our core purpose, jealousy, bitterness, anger and they are all rooted in selfish desire. Douglas Moo writes, “The seventeenth century Jewish philosopher Spinoza observed: ‘I have often wondered that persons make boast of professing the Christian religion – namely love, joy, peace, temperance, and charity to all men – should quarrel with such rancorous animosity and display daily towards one another such bitter hatred, that this, rather than the virtues which they profess, is the readiest criteria of their faith.’ Some battles to be sure, need to be fought. But even they must be fought without sacrificing Christian principles and virtues.”[1] However even though conflict may result from selfish desires the result of conflict can have both pro’s and con’s. The Con’s (Unhealthy Conflict) 1) Unhealthy conflict can and usually does deeply wound a person or organization. 2) Unhealthy conflict can lead to physical harm (wars and abuse). 3) Unhealthy conflict can and does sever and destroy relationships. The Pro’s (Healthy Conflict) 1) Healthy conflict can challenge the status quo (It can lead to the questions, “Why are we doing what we are doing?” “What can we do better?”) 2) Healthy conflict can lead to repentance 3) Healthy conflict can cause two parties to go their separate ways avoiding a grand scale divergence. Conflict Resolution Whether conflict is used for good or bad there must always be some sort of a resolution. Why?
[1] Moo, p. 181 |
Jeff has been in full-time ministry for thirty years. He currently serves as Executive Director at Anchor House Ministry at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, FL and he is a part-time Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Southside in Bradenton, Florida.
Jeff Has authored A Lent Devotional (A Spiritual Journey to Lent) an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). All three are available on Amazon. He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea. Preview or purchase Jeff's Books
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