The content below was developed by Doug Reynolds who has requested that it be placed here for others to use in teaching the word of God.
Genesis the Book of Beginnings
Part XXI – Chapter 12
God Calls Abram
Beginning today, our study shifts dramatically. Through chapter 11, God dealt with humanity as a whole. We saw Creation, The Fall, The Flood, and The Tower of Babel. In each of the four great events, God’s word deals with the entire race of man. Beginning today, we will see God’s word begin to deal in the lives of individuals. In the remainder of Genesis, we will study four main lives,
Abram (Abraham), Isaac, Jacob, and lastly Joseph.
God’s word is very fair in its representation of its characters. There is no doubt that Abram is a great man of faith, because scripture tells us so. However, Abram is not perfect, and the Bible also shows us that. It is a wonderful blessing to see God love and not give up on Abram even when he disobeyed. This same gracious God deals with all of us in the same way.
Verses 1-3:
In these verses God gives Abram really three great promises. Can you name them?
God promises to give Abram a land (Which land?).
God promises to make of Abram a great nation. (Which nation?)
God promises to bless all people through Abram (how?)
Verses 4-9:
In these verses, according to many biblical scholars, we see the first shortcoming of Abram. To see it fully, we must revisit the end of chapter 11. At the end of chapter 11, we see the movement of Terah, Abram’s father, and
his family from Ur to Haran. We also are told that Terah dies in Haran. Re-read these verses and chapter 12, verses 4 – 9 and see if you can describe Abram’s
shortcoming.
What is the evidence of this shortcoming?
God only tells Abram to move. What does Abram do?
God speaks next to Abram where? In Haran?
Verses 10-20:
In these verses we see another example of Abram’s disobedience. Read verses 10 – 20 and describe the plot.
Is there any evidence of God’s direction to go to Egypt?
Abram’s sin here is common to us all. Abram takes matters into his own hands. Rather than wait to be strengthened by God’s provision in Canaan, Abram
moves his family to Egypt to escape the famine.
Notice again that God does not appear to Abram during his sojourn to and in Egypt.
Many say Abram’s lie about Sarai is only half a lie, that she actually was his half-sister. I can’t find where this is verified in scripture, but it is likely she was related to Abram in some way. Many marriages of that time and culture were within households or families. Abram also was correct in how the Egyptians would react. But, Abram continued with the ruse while in Egypt because he
was gaining from it. His wealth greatly increased in Egypt because Pharaoh treated him well, being the brother of one of his future wives.
In the Dead Sea scrolls found in 1947, there is an interpretation of Genesis 12 – 15 that comments on and describes in greater detail the beauty of Sarai.
How does God deal with the situation?
A note about Abram’s faith is appropriate here. We have discussed two of his shortcomings, but remember Abram’s reaction to God’s direction. The state of men at the time of Abram’s call was again dire. God could have easily have been justified in wiping us all out and starting over. Instead, He chose to work through one that was faithful. Abram hardly seemed the right candidate though. Abram came from a family of idol worshippers and was seventy-five years old when called. His wife was unable to bear children. It would seem that God’s new beginning was off to a rough start except for one very important factor: Abram’s faithfulness.
Abram left what was likely a very comfortable existence in Ur. According to 20th Century archaeological discoveries, Ur was an advanced city. There is evidence that the houses built there had two stories and were engineered to stay as cool as possible during the hot days. There is also evidence to suggest that Abram and Sarai likely even had a bathtub in their house.
Canaan, on the other hand, was a heathen, undeveloped land. Remember, the sons of Ham and Canaan settled this land. Abram left a somewhat “cushy” lifestyle (for the time) and was moving to a land where life would be tough, and where enemies would abound. Nonetheless, Abram obeyed. Abram continued to obey God, despite falling occasionally, and became one of the greatest heroes of faith we have. In Abram, the three great world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, find their beginning.
Part XXII – Chapter 13 & 14: Abram and Lot, The Rescue of Lot, and Melchizedek
We will look at these chapters today as a whole, instead of verse by verse. Let’s first read together Chapter 13, and we will discuss the plot. Next we’ll read Chapter 14, and we will discuss its plot.
Chapter 13:
Abram and his family (including Lot) return from Egypt very wealthy and very large in number. They were so large, in fact, that they could not share the same land. There was fighting between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. This caused strife between Abram and Lot.
Abram took the initiative to resolve the conflict. He approached Lot with a very generous offer. Abram offered Lot the first pick of any of the land he desired.
This is important because Abram, being the oldest, had the right to claim the first of any property. He forfeited that right to make Lot happy and to keep peace in the family.
Lot chose the plain of Jordan because of its lushness. Perhaps also because Lot liked the city of Sodom, he pitched his tent “toward” that city.
As we all know, that proved to be a costly mistake for Lot. Given this example of Lot, let’s discuss the transition from being in God’s will to sin and its punishment.
After Abram and Lot divided the land, God speaks to Abram again explaining that, although he just gave the land to Lot, Abram and his descendants would inhabit the land.
In reality, Abram came back to Canaan from Egypt with two problems. The first was the wealth he had amassed in Egypt. This wealth immediately caused strife within his family. The second was a maiden from Egypt named Hagar. We will study Abram, Sarai, and Hagar more later.
Chapter 14:
Chapter 14 seems out of context. We can continue the story of Abram without its inclusion. So, why did God choose to include it?
Chapter 14 reinforces secular history in giving some details about this rebellion and war. Though this is certainly not the first war in history, it is the first recorded in scripture. I am also certain that God chose to include it because it directly affected Lot, and because of Lot’s involvement, Abram intervened.
Let’s recap the action described. First we learn that the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Bela are subject to the rule of four kings from the east. These four kings are:
Amraphel, King of Shinar (Babylon)
Arioch, King of Ellasar
Kedorlaomer, King of Elam
Tidal, King of Goiim
At some time in the past, the forces of these kings captured the western cities. We pick the story up with the western cities rebelling against the eastern rule. The eastern kings then crush the rebellion and capture the inhabitant of the cities. Lot and his family are among those taken away captive.
One man escapes and tells Abram what happened. Abram then gathers a force of 318 men from his own household and pursues the invading eastern forces north to Dan and then to Hobah, 240 miles north. God gives Abram’s force this resounding victory. Abram liberates Lot and his family and brings them back home.
Upon Abram’s return he is met by two kings: the King of Sodom, and the King of Salem (later Jerusalem). The King of Sodom, sensing his vulnerability to Abram, offers Abram a deal. If Abram would return the people, Abram could keep the possessions captured. Abram turns down this offer saying he would not accept anything but the food his forces had eaten.
It is in this chapter we meet Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a rarity in scripture. He is both King and High Priest for the city of Salem. He also worshipped the One Living God, just as Abram did. Melchizedek brought to Abram bread and wine and a blessing to God for the victory of Abram. In turn, Abram gave to Melchizedek a tithe of one tenth of all the goods he recovered.
Melchizedek’s name means “king of righteousness.” Since Melchizedek is both King and high Priest, many students of scripture regard him as a theophany. A
theophany is an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. In fact, Christ is referred to in the New Testament as a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6-10).
Part XXIII – Chapter 15: God’s Covenant
We will look today at the further development of God’s covenant with Abraham. If not studied carefully, Chapter 15 is likely to be misunderstood or over looked. Chapter 15 is a very important chapter for two points: The nature
of God’s covenant (how it is made), and righteousness (verse 6).
Verse 1:
God speaks to Abram in a vision to comfort him. Why do you think Abram needs comforting? Remember what has just happened in Abram’s life, and look at what God says to him.
Verses 2 – 5:
Read and describe the dialogue between God and Abram. It’s amazing how frankly Abram questions God. What can you see from this conversation that could help us in our prayer life?
Verse 6:
At first glance, verse 6 is easy to read across and possibly overlook. That is a great mistake because verse 6 is arguably one of the greatest verses in the Bible. What makes it so profound? In just two short phrases we are
told how sinful man can be reconciled to God.
The first part of the verse is Abram’s. Abram believes in the Lord. The second part is God’s. God counts the belief of Abram as righteousness.
Can you define/describe righteousness?
One of the best descriptions I have heard is that righteousness is not sinlessness. Righteousness is being counted as sinless in God’s eyes. How do we achieve that? We achieve righteousness through belief in God (Old Testament), and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ (New Testament).
The impact of verse 6 is further explained in Romans 4:20 – 24; and in Galatians 3:6 – 9. In both these passages, the writer explains that the guarantee of righteousness through faith was not meant just for Abram, but it was meant for all nations through God’s promise to Abram that through Abram all nations would be blessed. We receive that blessing through belief in Jesus Christ, God’s son, and our Lord and Savior.
Verses 7 – 21:
In these verses, God confirms His covenant with Abram. The practice of establishing a contract through sacrifice we see here was common. Jeremiah 34:18 also makes mention of this practice. In short, the sacrificial animals were slain. After they were slain, they were halved and separated. The two parties making the contract then would walk between, or pass through, the sacrifice and speak their contract, sealing the covenant.
What is significant about the covenant confirmation we see in Genesis 15 is that God alone confirms the covenant. Abram is essentially paralyzed in a deep sleep while he witnesses God taking the actions to seal the covenant. Why is this so important?
What do these verses say about our ability to promise God
anything?
Do these verses establish a works-based righteousness, or do they establish a grace-based righteousness?
(Remember how we defined righteousness.)
Through the symbolism of God’s covenant confirmation, what future sacrifice can be seen?
Part XXIV – Chapter 16 – Abram, Sarai and Hagar
Abram and Sarai take matters into their own hands.
Verses 1-3: Abram takes Hagar as his wife at the urging of Sarai. As a result of this union, Hagar conceives a child. Although the taking of more than one wife was not uncommon in Abram’s day, it is not God’s intended method of procreation. There are many examples of polygamy in the Bible. God allowed these arrangements through His permissive will. However, there are no examples of polygamous marriages in the Bible that worked out well. Usually there was some sort of strife or jealousy because of the taking of more than one wife.
Verses 4-6: Sarai is despised by Hagar. Sarai deals harshly with Hagar, and Hagar flees from Sarai. Hagar was Sarai’s slave. By giving Hagar to Abram to take as his wife, Sarai was actually making Hagar a sexual slave to her and to Abram.
Verses 7-11: The angel deals with Hagar. The angel names the child Ishmael (meaning God hears).
Verses 12-16: A description of Ishmael – A wild man…His hand will be against every man and every man’s hand against him. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael
when Abram was eighty-six years old.
By taking matters into their own hands, Abram and Sarai changed forever what we know today as the relationship between Jews and Arabs. What follows is a brief discussion of the perspective that should be applied to that relationship and conflict.
Ishmael is the ancestor of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. As we know today, Islam is spread not like the gospel is spread. Islam was, and is, spread by violent takeover of countries and peoples. It is very true what Genesis chapter 16, verse 12, says about Ishmael and his descendants. His hand is against every man, and every man’s hand is against him.
When Did it Happen?? A Timeline of Israel and Arabia
Abraham & Sarah; Isaac and Ishmael 1850 – 1700 BC
Moses 1300 – 1200 BC
David 1010 – 970 BC
Temple destroyed – Babylonian exile 587 – 586 BC
Birth and life of Christ 0 – 33 AD
Christianity – Predominant religion of Roman Empire 380 – 391 AD
Muhammad (birth of Islam) 570 – 632 AD
Mass migration of European Jews 1881 AD
British occupy Egypt 1882 AD
Arab revolt against Turkish rule 1916 AD
Iraq and Jordan established 1921 AD
Saudi Arabia established 1932 AD
World War II 1939 – 1945 AD
Israeli Declaration of Independence 1948 AD
Six Days War – Reunites Jerusalem under Israeli Control 1967 AD
Palestine is Not a Nation
The name “Palestine” was given to the land of the Jews by the Romans as an insult to the Jews. To punish the Jews for rebellion, the Romans decided to rename their homeland after the Jews historical worst enemy, the Philistines. Originally called “Philistia”, the name became known as Palestina.
Thus, what we now call Palestine was/is the Jewish homeland established by God (and named by Rome).
Therefore, there is no Arab-Palestinian homeland in Israel or Jerusalem.
Fighting between Arabs and Jews has caused the areas of Palestine controlled by each to shrink or grow, depending on the outcome of the fighting or diplomatic efforts. The number of Arab countries in the region outnumbers Israel nearly 24 to 1. The land mass controlled by Arabs and the population of the region outnumber Israel by a much greater proportion.
A united Arab-Palestinian front/cause was not established until after Arab nations lost the Six Days War in 1967. After Israel re-established the borders of its homeland, the Arabs began in earnest the political establishment of an
Arab-Palestinian nation – As of yet unsuccessfully.
Why Jerusalem and Israel??
Why does the Arab world desire Israel and Jerusalem so badly when they already control the vast majority of the land and its oil riches?
Some say because of the religious significance of Jerusalem. However the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock are just two of hundreds of thousands of Muslim mosques built around the world.
Islam holds Jerusalem as holy ground. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Muhammad ever visited Jerusalem. Tradition holds that he visited Jerusalem in a dream.
The most likely reasons are not as noble…Simply put, Greed, Pride, and Hatred drive the conflict.
ONLY Israel has a historic claim on the city of Jerusalem and what has come to be known as “Palestine” or what is really the homeland of Israel given to the Jewish people through their covenant relationship with God.
Part XXV – Chapter 17
God appears to Abram again confirming His covenant with him. God renames both Abram and Sarai. God institutes the act of circumcision as a sign of His chosen people. God blesses Ishmael.
Verses 1-9: In these verses, God appears to Abram once again reconfirming his covenant with him. It’s important to note that God commands Abram to keep His commandments before He speaks those promises anew. Remember what God promises Abram:
God will multiply Abram exceedingly
God will make Abram the father of many nations
God will make Abram exceedingly fruitful
God will make nations of Abram, and kings will come from him
God will establish His covenant as an everlasting covenant; with Abram
and his descendants
God will give unto Abram and his descendants the land of Canaan
In these verses also God renames Abram to Abraham. Abram means “exalted father,” while Abraham means “the father of multitudes” (or many nations).
Verses 10-14: In these verses, God commands that Abraham and the male members of his household be circumcised. Notice this included not just Abraham’s descendants, but also any that is bought with money of any stranger, not of Abraham’s seed.
Clearly this token of God’s covenant with Abraham was to include any born into, or bought by, Abraham’s family. How significant can this verse be (verse 12)?
What do you think this verse can tell us today?
Verses 15-19: God now deals with Sarai. God renames Sarai, Sarah. Since both names interpreted mean “princess,” what do you think is significant about God’s renaming Sarai to Sarah?
God pronounces his blessing on Sarah, stating that she will be the mother of nations. In verse 17, Abraham laughs at this proclamation. Judging by the fact that God does not indicate that Abraham’s laugh was disrespectful, Abraham’s attitude must have been very different that that of Sarah in Chapter 18, verse 12.
God is specific in his promise to Sarah. He names the son she is to deliver Isaac, meaning “laughter or joy.”
Verses 20-22: God hears Abraham’s heart concerning Ishmael. God promised to bless Ishmael and make him a great nation. Ishmael is promised twelve sons. God’s covenant, however, is extended through Isaac, not through Isaac and Ishmael. God also promises that Sarah will bear Isaac “next year.” This is the first time that God gives Abraham any idea of the time of the birth of his promised son.
Verses 23-27: Abraham immediately acts on God’s command that he, and all the males of his household, be circumcised. After this initial circumcision of the males, each newborn is to be circumcised on the eighth day.
Do we observe any physical tokens or rituals, such as circumcision, today that are commanded by God?