Series 4 - Chapter Summary Genesis 12
SERIES #4
ABRAHAM – FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH
God makes Abram unconditional promises telling him what “I will” do (12:1-3). These promises, soon confirmed by a legal covenant (Gen. 15), define the unique relationship with God to be enjoyed by Abram and his offspring. In a first great act of faith, Abram leaves his homeland to travel to an unknown land (12:4-9). Though a man of faith, Abram is far from perfect. He moves to Egypt without divine direction, and there fear leads him to lie about his relationship with his half sister/wife Sarai (vv. 10-16). Yet God protects Abram, and he and his own are sent from Egypt back to Canaan (12:17-20).
KEY VERSES 12:2-3:
God’s “I will” commitment to Abram.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Consider how to imitate Abram’s faith in God, and avoid his lapses.
TRACING THE PROMISES.
Each of the “I will” promises of God has been or is being fulfilled. “I will make you into a great nation.” Jewish and Arab peoples are descended from Abraham. You can see this in Gen. 21:18; 25:13-18. Despite the later Babylonian Captivity, recent studies estimate as many as 1 in 10 persons in the first-century Roman Empire were Jews! “I will bless you.” Abraham lived a long life (25:7), and was blessed with great wealth (13:2). Best of all, God forgave and protected him (12:17; 20), and Abraham was granted an intimate personal relationship with the Lord (15:6; 18:17-19). “I will make your name great.” Supporters of three world religions honor Abraham. “And you will be a blessing.” God’s revelation to man came through Abraham’s descendants. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God has judged nations hostile to the Jewish people. You can see this in Isa. 10:9-19; Jer. 50; Obad.; Nahum; as well in more modern times. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Jesus, God’s Son, who offers salvation to all who believe, was Abraham’s Descendant. His work of redemption is the blessing God showers on all peoples everywhere. You can see this in Matt. 1; Gal. 3:15-18. “To your offspring I will give this land” (12:7). Despite centuries of exile, prophets predict the ultimate possession of Palestine by the Jewish people. You can see this in Deut. 30:1-5; Jer. 31:23-28; Zech. 8:7-8; 10:6-10. Many see the young Jewish state of Israel (founded 1948) as preparation for fulfillment of the ancient promises.
ABRAM’S TRAVELS.
It was 500 miles on foot from Ur to Canaan. Because of research and study, we know the road; rainfall patterns of the era show only one route could have been followed. In Canaan Abram still lived as a nomad, in tents.
CANAAN.
Canaan was the ancient name of Palestine, meaning the land of purple.
CANAANITES.
The Canaanites were a variety of ethnic groups that established small city-states in Canaan at the end of the third millennium B.C. We will see this in Gen. 15.
SOME WONDER, DID PHARAOH HAVE SEX WITH SARAI?
No. A period of purification that might last for months was typical when a bride entered a ruler’s harem (You can learn about this in Esther. 2:12 for the practice in the later Persian era). God protected Sarai from Abram’s lack of faith.
God makes Abram unconditional promises telling him what “I will” do (12:1-3). These promises, soon confirmed by a legal covenant (Gen. 15), define the unique relationship with God to be enjoyed by Abram and his offspring. In a first great act of faith, Abram leaves his homeland to travel to an unknown land (12:4-9). Though a man of faith, Abram is far from perfect. He moves to Egypt without divine direction, and there fear leads him to lie about his relationship with his half sister/wife Sarai (vv. 10-16). Yet God protects Abram, and he and his own are sent from Egypt back to Canaan (12:17-20).
KEY VERSES 12:2-3:
God’s “I will” commitment to Abram.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Consider how to imitate Abram’s faith in God, and avoid his lapses.
TRACING THE PROMISES.
Each of the “I will” promises of God has been or is being fulfilled. “I will make you into a great nation.” Jewish and Arab peoples are descended from Abraham. You can see this in Gen. 21:18; 25:13-18. Despite the later Babylonian Captivity, recent studies estimate as many as 1 in 10 persons in the first-century Roman Empire were Jews! “I will bless you.” Abraham lived a long life (25:7), and was blessed with great wealth (13:2). Best of all, God forgave and protected him (12:17; 20), and Abraham was granted an intimate personal relationship with the Lord (15:6; 18:17-19). “I will make your name great.” Supporters of three world religions honor Abraham. “And you will be a blessing.” God’s revelation to man came through Abraham’s descendants. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God has judged nations hostile to the Jewish people. You can see this in Isa. 10:9-19; Jer. 50; Obad.; Nahum; as well in more modern times. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Jesus, God’s Son, who offers salvation to all who believe, was Abraham’s Descendant. His work of redemption is the blessing God showers on all peoples everywhere. You can see this in Matt. 1; Gal. 3:15-18. “To your offspring I will give this land” (12:7). Despite centuries of exile, prophets predict the ultimate possession of Palestine by the Jewish people. You can see this in Deut. 30:1-5; Jer. 31:23-28; Zech. 8:7-8; 10:6-10. Many see the young Jewish state of Israel (founded 1948) as preparation for fulfillment of the ancient promises.
ABRAM’S TRAVELS.
It was 500 miles on foot from Ur to Canaan. Because of research and study, we know the road; rainfall patterns of the era show only one route could have been followed. In Canaan Abram still lived as a nomad, in tents.
CANAAN.
Canaan was the ancient name of Palestine, meaning the land of purple.
CANAANITES.
The Canaanites were a variety of ethnic groups that established small city-states in Canaan at the end of the third millennium B.C. We will see this in Gen. 15.
SOME WONDER, DID PHARAOH HAVE SEX WITH SARAI?
No. A period of purification that might last for months was typical when a bride entered a ruler’s harem (You can learn about this in Esther. 2:12 for the practice in the later Persian era). God protected Sarai from Abram’s lack of faith.