Isreal and other stuff

[a.baker]

When and where in the bible did Israel come into play in scripture? How and why did God chose a land rather than people in general. Why does He talk so much about a land instead of saying the people from here or the people from there? I don't know I am confused on this whole thing. Goes all the way to Revelations well kinda sorta.

Also I was reading some where about Abraham and his wife Sarah. Three men approached Abraham and it was the Lord, you know telling Abraham that same time the following year Sarah would bore a son. Why was there 3 men? How could Abraham stand in the presence of the Lord? And later when his son was born and they traveled for the sacrifice of Abraham's son for a test. What was his son thinking and saying to his dad Abraham as he was tying him up to be the sacrifice? Why would God tell him to do this and than send an angel to make him stop. Why wouldn't God Himself make him stop?

Also why did people bow down to angels and then told to stand? Wouldn't they know the difference between an angel and the presence of God?

[Jessie]

would'nt the 3 be the father, son , and HS?

maybe since they took on human form thats why abraham could be ok to see them.

I think abraham was being tested to see if his child had now become more important to him than God, and God did make sure it stopped, and that he did'nt hurt him.

the bible does'nt say what issac was thinking or saying but I'd bet it was'nt a pleasent thing either for him as he was'nt a child either. (not saying it would be pleasant as a kid either)

I think with angels showing up, many fell down as dead. what a startle!
like daniel it has to be quiet the experience.

but I really dont know the answers to the questions.
and I should go back and read that again.

I dont remember a angel showing up and stopping abraham.

[a.baker]

An angel told him to stop. I don't think he could see the angle. But if God told him to do it why wouldn't God be the one to tell him to stop. I also don't understand because it says that Abraham knew the 3 men were the Lord. I think Abraham's son was around 15 years of age but I may be wrong. If God had said before that the world was His and if He was hungry He could get something to eat (in different scripture) why would he have Abraham and his wife go through the trouble to prepare such a meal, in those days would take all day, just to tell him Sarah was going to bore a son the following year? I don't understand the significance of the meal. Abraham had Sarah make bread which was a very long process and he grabbed a fine calf and had it slaughtered clean and cooked and something else for the meal too.

I also, comes to mind another question, why would God ever have a need for offerings like animals if he said himself he doesn't need them because they are alreday his?

Thanks Jessie :)

[a.baker]

And why in OT did God speak directly to others and give them dreams or visions? I am sure that has something to do with now we don't need because we have been baptized with the HS. Is that the difference? So now the communication is in scripture and conscience? What does it mean exactly with detail, God speaks through others? In the NT some said "this is not I speaking but the HS speaking through me".

Can this mean "ironic coincidences" too for outwardly God speaking to us? I find both of these often. How do I know for sure its not me but God.

I am trying to distinguish His communication to me and the words that come from my heart. God also said that the HS will work within us to make our hearts filled with groans to know what to pray for. I find this too but is it my fleshy heart or God working through my heart. Trying to separate my feelings from His voice too. Because things happen without question and I wonder is this because I have confidence and faith in God or is God giving me courage to stand?.... I hope I make sense.

Also we don't want to be foolish you know and we need to do for ourselves, but what exactly does a leap of faith mean and God will provide? How do we separate the courage to have faith to do and to know its what God wants us to do and the other of being blind and not looking before we leap? Is it a gamble? How do we know? We can't test God either.

Thanks for any response. I feel this relates to the Abraham and Sarah story.

Also about Israel?..... when and where was the start and beginning of the land and why have a section of land mean so much to God? God knew we would be scattered so why doesn't He just say people?