David Macdonald - September 15th 2024 - Studies in Genesis Part 11: The Call of Abram Genesis 12
Genesis 1 – 11 : Events – 2000+ years of History
Formation of Universe & Life (Ch. 1-2)
Formation of mankind – male & female (Ch. 1-2)
Fall of mankind into sin & first promise of Deliverer (Ch. 3)
First children & first murder (Ch.4)
Ferocious reign of Sin/death (“and he died” “every imagination of the heart of man only evil continually”) Ch. 5-6
Flood – judgment of sin –– first mention of grace (Ch. 7-8)
Fresh start – covenant with Noah (Ch. 9)
Further rebellion – tower of Babel (Ch. 11)
Formation of languages (Ch. 11)
Genesis 12 – 50 : People – 300 years of History
Formation of a nation
Begins with Abram (Abraham)
Name = אברם = exalted father
Father of those who believe
Revered by 3 major religions
He is held as example in NT of justification by faith (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11)
Called Friend of God (2 Chronicles 20, Isaiah 41, James 2)
Genesis 11: 26 to 12: 9
Abram’s Testimony
Descended from Shem (Noah’s son)
Father was Terah – lived in Ur in Mesopotamia
Idolators
Ur center of idolatry (moon god)
Terah may have been seller of idols
Brother dies in Ur – Abe becomes guardian of Lot
Joshua 24:1-3
Married Sarai (11:30)
Name means “princess”
Sarai is barren ~ 75yrs old
Began journey in partial obedience
Delayed
Took family with him (father, Lot)
(N)KJV – the Lord had said to Abram
Acts 7:2-4
God’s Promises -Genesis 12:1-3
Promised a land, a nation and a blessing
Had to leave his past behind
Had to go to where God was sending him
Israel is in the future
Had to leave his past behind
Had to go to where God was sending him
Israel has been greatly blessed
All promises pointing to the greatest blessing
The Messiah would come from this nation
All the families of the earth would be blessed
What do you do with the promises of God?
Abram’s Testing – and Failure -Genesis 12:10 - 20
Famine in the land that was to be his – a test!
Chose to go to Egypt instead
Not directed by God
Schemes with Sarai
Lies to Pharoah
Plagues upon others
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
What can we learn?
Meditate on the Word of God
Mortify Sin
Move in Step with God
Serve Him and Him only
