Walking With Abraham pt. 1

I. The Call – Genesis 11:27 – 12:9

Ur – Cultural/historical background. Metropolitan city. Wealthy. Had a tall ziggurat (shrine) built to the moon god Nanna. Abram raised in a pagan culture.

Summarize Genesis ch. 11 verses. Abram’s family. Marriage to Sarai – Half-sister. Journey to Haran. Death of Terah, his father. Abram made Haran his home. The city of Haran is a wealthy city. Important city along the Middle Eastern trade routes. Not a bad place to settle down.

After hundreds of years, God speaks. God reaches out to man. Specifically to one man, a fella named Abram. Why did God choose Abram? An old man (75yrs old) who was a nobody from a nobody people. I Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." What did God see in the heart of Abram that would have God choose Abram to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat.

Read Genesis 12:1-8

1) Genesis 12:1 – What did God say to Abram? Leave. Go to a land I will lead you to. Did God tell Abram where to go? Abram has never seen this land.

2) Genesis 12:2-3 – What did God say he will do for Abram and through Abram? Make a great nation; bless Abram; make Abram’s name great. For what purpose? To establish an empire? To acquire great wealth? Purpose: to be a blessing. Define blessing - to consecrate or sanctify; make or pronounce holy; bestow divine favor on (material, spiritual, emotional). God will make Abram a blessing. Set Abram and his descendants apart for a divine purpose. Who will be blessed through Abram? Just Abram and Sarai and nephew Lot? All peoples. Who are all peoples? What did God mean when He said that all peoples on earth will be blessed through Abram? Through Abram all of humanity will know God’s favor/make them holy. All humanity – all races. Not just Jews/Hebrews. Gentiles (non-Jews also.) Problem – Abram has no children.

In Genesis 12, God takes the next step in His plan to redeem humanity that will culminate in one individual - Jesus Christ. The plan starts with one individual: Abram - an elderly man (age 75) of no significance/no claim to fame/not the smartest man/not the wealthiest man and who is a member of a people of no significance. Moreover, Abram has no children. The name Abram means “exalted father” yet Abram has no children. Let that sink in for a moment. Every time you hear your name, it reminds you of your greatest failure. Knowing that makes it a little easier for us to relate to Abram. Brings him down to our level. Just like God to take an insignificant nobody from a nobody people group and make him significant … the foundation for His plan of redemption. Why? Read I Corinthians 1:25-29. God carries out His plans in ways that to us seem foolish/don’t make sense … in ways we wouldn’t do it. EXACTLY! Otherwise we would not give credit/glory to God. Abram has no right to boast to the fact that he is one of the most famous individuals in world history who is revered by three religions that trace their origins to him. Why? Without God, Abram would to this day still be a nobody. Abraham Lincoln might have been named Melchizedeck Lincoln. God chose Abram. Abram did not choose God.

Clarify blessing – Misconception that purpose of God’s blessing directed at me for me. “God blessed me with a nice home, great job, wonderful family, good health, etc., for my benefit.” God’s blessings are directed to you but they are NOT JUST FOR YOU. God did make Abram a great nation (Jews, Arabs, Christians – spiritual nation); God did bless Abram with material wealth; God did make Abram’s name great. Thousands of years later, Abraham is still revered throughout the world. But these blessings were not meant for Abram alone nor for just his family/his race, they were for the benefit of others – humanity. The ultimate blessing being salvation through the descendant of Abram – Jesus Christ. (Draw on board Abram – Children of Abram (Israelites/Hebrew/Jews – Jesus) The blessings that God has given you (wealth, health, wisdom, talent, spiritual gifts, etc.) are to be used for the benefit of others so that they can receive God’s blessings.

Application: Are you a blessing? Have you been set apart/pronounced holy by God? Has God bestowed divine favor upon you? More importantly, have you taken what God has blessed you with to be a blessing to others? Write down how God has blessed you then think of ways you can use those blessings for the benefit of others.

3) Genesis 12:4-9 - What was Abram’s response to God’s call? Obedience. One of faith. Read Hebrews 11:1 for definition of faith. Leaves the comfort of Haran for a place he has never seen. What about Sarai? She had to have faith as well. Haran was the “known.” Canaan was the “unknown.” God takes Abram on a tour of the land He was going to give to Abram and his descendants. Show map. What do you think Abram saw? Positive - Rich, fertile land – land of milk and honey. Canaan part of the Fertile Crescent. Negative - The cities and lands of other peoples – Canaanites, Jebusites, Perizzites, and seven other –ites people groups. All worshipped other gods, primarily Baal. Moreover – they all hate each other. Constantly fighting one another. You’re Abram. Seeing these people groups, what’s going through your head? These peoples are not going to give up there cities and land without a fight. Twice what did Abram build? An altar. Abram does this several more times. What is the purpose of an altar? Worship (acknowledge God – who He is and our need for Him); thanksgiving (expression of gratitude); petition – request God’s aid; memorial (place of remembrance of God’s appearance/blessings/favor. When Abram returned, he would see the altar – remind him of God’s blessings – and he would worship.) Do you have an altar?