genesis ãabraham: man of faith. abraham: man of faith gen. 12:1 then the lord told abram, “leave...

GenesisGenesisAbraham: Abraham: Man of Faith Man of Faith

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithGen. 12:1 Then the Lord told Gen. 12:1 Then the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I house, and go to the land that I will show you.” will show you.” Who is this man?Who is this man?Compare Abe to the great ones Compare Abe to the great ones

of his age…of his age…Why was this man so great? Why was this man so great?

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithThe Abrahamic Covenant: The Abrahamic Covenant: Gen 12&15 Gen 12&15

Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and I will into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”will be blessed through you.”


Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into into a great nationa great nation and I will and I will bless you; I will make your name bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”will be blessed through you.”

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Abe and Sarah’s Abe and Sarah’s “condition”“condition”


Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and into a great nation and I will I will bless youbless you; I will make your name ; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”will be blessed through you.”

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Chesed (hesedChesed (hesed): ): loyal loveloyal love


Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and I will into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name bless you; I will make your name great, and great, and you will be a blessingyou will be a blessing. . I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will curse; and curse; and all peoples on earth all peoples on earth will be blessed through youwill be blessed through you.”.”

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Call to be a part of Call to be a part of God’s significant planGod’s significant plan


Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and I will into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will cursecurse; and all peoples on earth ; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”will be blessed through you.”

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God will be on theirGod will be on theirsideside

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithThe ratification of the covenant The ratification of the covenant

ch. 15:9-18ch. 15:9-1815:5 Then the Lord brought Abram 15:5 Then the Lord brought Abram

outside beneath the night sky and outside beneath the night sky and told him, “Look up into the heavens told him, “Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that—too descendants will be like that—too many to count!” many to count!”


ch. 15:9-18ch. 15:9-1815:6 And Abram 15:6 And Abram believed the Lordbelieved the Lord, ,

and the Lord and the Lord declared him declared him righteous because of his faithrighteous because of his faith. .

15:7 Then the Lord told him, “I am 15:7 Then the Lord told him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this of the Chaldeans to give you this land.” land.”


ch. 15:9-18ch. 15:9-1815:8 But Abram replied, “O 15:8 But Abram replied, “O

Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?” that you will give it to me?”

15:9 Then the Lord told him, “Bring 15:9 Then the Lord told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” pigeon.”


ch. 15:9-18ch. 15:9-1815:10 Abram took all these and killed 15:10 Abram took all these and killed

them. He cut each one down the them. He cut each one down the middle and laid the halves side by middle and laid the halves side by side. He did not, however, divide the side. He did not, however, divide the birds in half. birds in half.

15:11 Some vultures came down to 15:11 Some vultures came down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away. them away.

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of Faith15:12 As the sun was setting, Abram 15:12 As the sun was setting, Abram

fell into a deep sleep, and a thick fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over and dreadful darkness came over him.him.

15:13 Then the Lord told Abram, 15:13 Then the Lord told Abram, “You can be sure that your “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. hundred years.

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of Faith15:14 But I will punish the nation 15:14 But I will punish the nation

that enslaves them, and in the end that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great they will come away with great wealth. wealth.

15:15 (But you will die in peace, at a 15:15 (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.) ripe old age.)

15:16 After four generations your 15:16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this descendants will return here to this land, when the sin of the Amorites land, when the sin of the Amorites has run its course.” has run its course.”

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of Faith15:17 As the sun went down and it 15:17 As the sun went down and it

became dark, Abram saw a smoking became dark, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. between the halves of the carcasses.

15:18 So the Lord made a covenant 15:18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River…Euphrates River…


became dark, Abram saw a became dark, Abram saw a smoking smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcassesbetween the halves of the carcasses. .


This is referring to the This is referring to the ancient Near-eastern ancient Near-eastern practice of solemnizing practice of solemnizing contracts. contracts. cf. Jeremiah 34:18cf. Jeremiah 34:18




This is referring to the This is referring to the ancient Near-eastern ancient Near-eastern practice of solemnizing practice of solemnizing contracts. contracts. cf. Jeremiah 34:18cf. Jeremiah 34:18

34:18 Because you have 34:18 Because you have refused the terms of our refused the terms of our covenant, I will cut you apart covenant, I will cut you apart just as you just as you cut apart the calf cut apart the calf when you walked between its when you walked between its halveshalves to solemnize your vows. to solemnize your vows.




Normally Normally bothboth parties pass between parties pass between the divided the divided carcasses…carcasses…




But here, only God But here, only God passes between while passes between while Abraham watchesAbraham watches




Therefore, it is an Therefore, it is an unconditionalunconditional covenant covenant

See also Gen. 17:7See also Gen. 17:7





See also Gen. 17:7See also Gen. 17:7

Ge 17:7 “I will continue this Ge 17:7 “I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will generation after generation. It will continue between me and your continue between me and your offspring offspring foreverforever. And I will always be . And I will always be your God and the God of your your God and the God of your descendants after you.”descendants after you.”





See also Isaiah 54:9,10See also Isaiah 54:9,10

Is. 54:9 “Just as I swore in the time of Is. 54:9 “Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth and destroy its flood cover the earth and destroy its life, so now I swear that I will never life, so now I swear that I will never again pour out my anger on you. again pour out my anger on you. 10 For the mountains may depart and 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but even then I the hills disappear, but even then I will remain loyal to you. My covenant will remain loyal to you. My covenant of blessing of blessing will never be brokenwill never be broken,” says ,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.the Lord, who has mercy on you.





See also Rom. 11:28-29See also Rom. 11:28-29

Rom. 11:28 …from the Rom. 11:28 …from the standpoint of God’s choice standpoint of God’s choice they [the Jews] are beloved they [the Jews] are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the sake of the fathers; 11:29 for the gifts and the 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are calling of God are irrevocableirrevocable..





Contrast with MosaicContrast with Mosaiccovenant Deut. 27ffcovenant Deut. 27ff


Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will and whoever curses you I will cursecurse; and all peoples on earth ; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”will be blessed through you.”

Still in effect!Still in effect!

The fulfillment of the first part of The fulfillment of the first part of the covenant: Abraham’s offspringthe covenant: Abraham’s offspring10 years had passed since Abe & 10 years had passed since Abe &

Sarah had entered the promised land Sarah had entered the promised land (16:16)(16:16)Still no sign that God would actStill no sign that God would actSarah and Abe now in their mid 80’sSarah and Abe now in their mid 80’sFinally they decide to take matters Finally they decide to take matters

into their own hands. . .into their own hands. . .

Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of Faith

Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Abraham, but God insisted the Abraham, but God insisted the covenant was with a different son covenant was with a different son 17:18,1917:18,19


17:18 And Abraham said to God, “Yes, 17:18 And Abraham said to God, “Yes, may Ishmael enjoy your special may Ishmael enjoy your special blessing!” But God replied, “Sarah, your blessing!” But God replied, “Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him … As for everlasting covenant with him … As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked…”have asked…”

Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Abraham, but God insisted the Abraham, but God insisted the covenant was with a different son covenant was with a different son 17:18,1917:18,19Fourteen more years go by…Fourteen more years go by…


Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Abraham, but God insisted the Abraham, but God insisted the covenant was with a different son covenant was with a different son 17:18,1917:18,19Fourteen years later Sarah bore a Fourteen years later Sarah bore a

son, Isaacson, IsaacIsaac and Ishmael become symbols Isaac and Ishmael become symbols

of how we do God’s will:of how we do God’s will:


Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Hagar bore Ishmael, a son of Abraham, but God insisted the Abraham, but God insisted the covenant was with a different son covenant was with a different son 17:18,1917:18,19Fifteen years later Sarah bore a Fifteen years later Sarah bore a



Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithGal.4:22,23Gal.4:22,23““Abraham had two sons, one by the Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born bondwoman was born according to according to the fleshthe flesh, and the son by the free , and the son by the free woman woman through the promisethrough the promise.” .”




Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithGal.4:22,23Gal.4:22,23““Abraham had two sons, one by the Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born bondwoman was born according to according to the fleshthe flesh, and the son by the free , and the son by the free woman woman through the promisethrough the promise.” .”

““And you brethren, And you brethren, like Isaac, are children like Isaac, are children of promise.” Gal. 4:28of promise.” Gal. 4:28




Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithIt’s not enough that we want It’s not enough that we want to do God’s will. We also to do God’s will. We also need to do it in dependence on need to do it in dependence on his power.his power.God changes lives, but this is God changes lives, but this is not a humanistic act of self not a humanistic act of self disciplinedisciplineIt is the result of dependent It is the result of dependent faith in himfaith in him





Rom. 4:19 And Abraham’s Rom. 4:19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have never been able to have children. children. 20 Abraham never wavered 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. brought glory to God. 21 He was absolutely 21 He was absolutely convinced that God was convinced that God was able to do anything he able to do anything he promised. promised.





““Faith” = trust that God Faith” = trust that God will do what he says… will do what he says… … … to the extent that we to the extent that we are willing to act in are willing to act in cooperation with himcooperation with him




Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithFaith in God begins Faith in God begins where dependence on where dependence on self endsself ends




Abraham: Man of FaithAbraham: Man of FaithFaith in God begins Faith in God begins where dependence on where dependence on self endsself endsGod has no better way God has no better way to smoke out self-to smoke out self-reliance than to subject reliance than to subject us to some us to some waitingwaiting!!

Comparing the SonsComparing the SonsIshmaelIshmael IsaacIsaac•Human effortHuman effort •Divine powerDivine power

Comparing the SonsComparing the SonsIshmaelIshmael IsaacIsaac•Human effortHuman effort •Divine powerDivine power•HumanHuman Speculation Speculation

•God’s God’s RevelationRevelation

Comparing the SonsComparing the SonsIshmaelIshmael IsaacIsaac•Human effortHuman effort •Divine powerDivine power•HumanHuman Speculation Speculation

•God’s God’s RevelationRevelation

•Quick Fix Quick Fix Solution Solution

•Waiting on the Waiting on the Lord Lord

ApplicationApplicationWe, like Abraham, have the We, like Abraham, have the

opportunity to follow God by faithopportunity to follow God by faithWe have to answer his call to us, We have to answer his call to us,

just as Abraham answered his calljust as Abraham answered his call



just as Abraham answered his calljust as Abraham answered his call““If anyone opens the door, I will If anyone opens the door, I will

come in. . .” Rev. 3:20come in. . .” Rev. 3:20



just as Abraham answered his calljust as Abraham answered his call““If anyone opens the door, I will If anyone opens the door, I will

come in. . .” Rev. 3:20come in. . .” Rev. 3:20Once we answer that call, God will Once we answer that call, God will

continue to school us on the continue to school us on the meaning of true faithmeaning of true faith

Abraham: Man of Abraham: Man of FaithFaith

Comments?Comments?Questions?Questions?Experiences?Experiences?

genesis ãabraham: man of faith. abraham: man of faith gen. 12:1 then the lord told abram, “leave...

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