The Bible was a little over 1500 years in the making. From the time the first words were written until the last words in Revelation – 1500 B.C.–100 A.D. - 1600 years.
The first words written are not “in the beginning.” They were “I am the Lord your God …” Exodus 20: 2” - The Ten Commandments.
The materials the Bible was written on – stone, clay, animal hide (leather) and papyrus – at first scrolls and later (N.T. era) bound volumes.
Originally the Bible was not divided into chapters and verses. The Bible was first divided into chapters in the 1100’s. The chapters were divided into verses in the 1500’s. The first printing of a Bible with chapters and verses was published in 1551. The original purpose for verses was not for the reader’s benefit but for the printer’s benefit. It helped the printer know where a page began and ended so that there would be no duplication on the next page. Thus the verses sometimes break off in the middle of a thought, sentence, or paragraph. What is the positive to the Bible being divided into chapter and verses? Help us memorize Scripture. What is the negative to the Bible being divided into chapter and verses? They can interfere with the understanding of what a verse is saying by taking it out of context. Ex. Romans chapters 6-8.
The official canon (authoritative writings) of the Bible was established during the Protestant Reformation (1500’s A.D.) – Catholic canon was established at the Council of Trent (1546); Protestant canon was established by Martin Luther (1534), King James Version (1611), and by Separatists groups (Puritans, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc.) within the Church of England.
How the Bible came together is act of God. The official canon was completed after centuries of deliberation, discussion, and debates. Multiple councils and meetings were held and numerous treatises and letters were written to decide on what books should or should not be in the Bible. There were those (Jewish and Christian) who believed certain books should be excluded (most notably Esther) or included (the Apocrypha). A number of benchmarks had to be met before a book was considered canonical. Old Testament - Historical authenticity – events and author, fulfilled prophecy, God played a major role in the book; commonality among O.T. books – Books of O.T. fit together like pieces in a large jigsaw puzzle. Other books that scholars and churches claim should be canon (ex. Apocrypha books) are jigsaw pieces that do not fit in the authorized O.T. jigsaw puzzle. New Testament – Historical authenticity – eyewitness of Jesus, lived during the birth of Christianity, and/or church was known to have existed (ex. Revelation) and consistency in doctrine with other accepted NT books. Over the course of time (centuries), this discussion and debate produced the Bible we have today.
382-410 A.D. – Jerome was commissioned by the pope who was the leader of the Church to translate the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament into Latin, the predominant language in the world at that time. The Latin Vulgate was THE official Bible of the Church and would be for the next thousand years. It is still the Bible used by the Catholic Church today and would be the template for future bible translations. The New Testament in the Vulgate Bible included the 27 books regarded at the time to be the New Testament adding greater authority to the 27.
Late 1400’s-early 1500’s A.D. – The Protestant Reformation era. The Church divides between Catholic led by Pope in Rome and Protestant led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others. Protestant leaders reexamine/call into question decisions/church rules made by the papal led Church during the past one thousand years including the books that made up the Old and New Testament.
One should not forget the role played by God in the creation of the Bible. For example, Martin Luther openly stated that the Books of Esther, Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation should be excluded from the biblical canon. Esther – because it does not mention God’s name. Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation – they did not support Luther’s doctrine of justification. However, Luther included all these books in what became the Luther Bible. Why? It’s my opinion that the Holy Spirit convinced Luther to leave these books in his Bible. The Luther Bible had a huge impact on the development and direction of Christianity.
Bible divided into two parts – Old Testament and New Testament. They were not referred to as Old and New Testament until after 100 A.D. Prior to then, the Old Testament was referred to as the Law and the Prophets or sometimes the Law, the Psalms/Writings, and the Prophets. Testament is Latin for Covenant. Old Covenant and New Covenant. Covenant defined – a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. God and man. Old/New Covenant – God agrees to redeem man in return man agrees to submit to God’s authority.
Old Testament – An overview
Consists of 39 books that covers a period from the beginning of time (Genesis) until 400 B.C. (Malachi)
Written mostly in Hebrew. Some Aramaic. Authors - Shepherds, farmers, kings, priests, and government officials.
Origins of the Old Testament:
I. The Tanakh – is an acronym that identifies the Hebrew Bible. The acronym is based on the initial Hebrew letters of each of the text's three parts:
1. Torah תורה meaning "Instruction." It is also called the Chumash חומש, meaning "the five" or "the five books of Moses." In Greek, it is called the Pentateuch. The Torah is often referred to as the law of the Jewish people.
2. Nevi'im נביאים, meaning "Prophets." This term is associated with anything to do with the prophets.
3. Ketuvim כתובים, meaning "Writings" or "Hagiographa."
The Tanakh contains 24 books. Christians count the books found in the OT as thirty-nine, not twenty-four. This is because Jews often count as a single book what Christians count as several. Examples – Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Minor Prophets are grouped together as one book called the Twelve.
Evidence suggests that the process of canonization of the Tanakh occurred between 200BC and 200 AD. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus in the 70’s AD wrote that the Tanakh contained the books "all Jews immediately - and from their very birth! - esteem to contain Divine doctrines, and persist [in performing these doctrines] in them, and, if occasion be, willingly die for them". Josephus also wrote “Many ages have passed, no one has been so bold as to either add anything to them or take anything from them, or to make any changes to them. By 200 AD, after much deliberation, the Jews recognized the Tanakh as the authorized Hebrew Scripture.
Masoretes
The Masoretes were a special group of Jewish scribes entrusted with the task of making copies of the Tanakh by hand between 500 B.C.-90 AD. They developed a meticulous system of counting the number of words in each book of the Bible to make sure they copied it accurately. Any scroll found to have an error was buried according to Jewish law
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Story of the Bible - Introduction pt. 2
Read Exodus 20:3-17
5) a) List the Ten Commandments. b) Meditate/pray – let God’s Spirit inspire you – write down what God is saying to humanity in each of the ten commandments. The first four really stood out for me.
1st commandment – Relates to God’s authority over man - No one else is to have authority over me but God. No one is to control my life but God. Not money, not spouse, not children, not job
2nd commandment – Worship - I am not to worship anyone or anything but God.
3rd commandment – Vain – Hebrew – empty, worthless; I am to respect God. I am to have deep reverence for God. Evidence of this – How I use his name. I am not use it to express my feelings about something (surprise, anger). His name is not to be used as an adjective/adverb. Not to be used flippantly in conversation. See Yahweh article in last week’s handout on how the Jews respected God’s name.
4th commandment – Follow God’s example. “Holy” means to set apart/be different. One day of the seven day week is to be different than the others. Rest one day out of seven.
6) Do you notice a division within the Ten Commandments? The first four are concerned with relationship between humanity and God. The last six are concerned humanity’s relationship with one another. Focus on the first four commandments:
5) a) List the Ten Commandments. b) Meditate/pray – let God’s Spirit inspire you – write down what God is saying to humanity in each of the ten commandments. The first four really stood out for me.
1st commandment – Relates to God’s authority over man - No one else is to have authority over me but God. No one is to control my life but God. Not money, not spouse, not children, not job
2nd commandment – Worship - I am not to worship anyone or anything but God.
3rd commandment – Vain – Hebrew – empty, worthless; I am to respect God. I am to have deep reverence for God. Evidence of this – How I use his name. I am not use it to express my feelings about something (surprise, anger). His name is not to be used as an adjective/adverb. Not to be used flippantly in conversation. See Yahweh article in last week’s handout on how the Jews respected God’s name.
4th commandment – Follow God’s example. “Holy” means to set apart/be different. One day of the seven day week is to be different than the others. Rest one day out of seven.
6) Do you notice a division within the Ten Commandments? The first four are concerned with relationship between humanity and God. The last six are concerned humanity’s relationship with one another. Focus on the first four commandments:
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Story of the Bible pt. 1
Ta biblia ta hagia, "the holy books"), which derived from biblion ("paper" or "scroll,” the ordinary word for "book"), which was originally a diminutive of byblos ("Egyptian papyrus"), possibly so called from the name of the Phoenician port from which Egyptian papyrus was exported to Greece.
Biblical scholar Mark Hamilton states that the Greek phrase Ta biblia ("the books") was "an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe their sacred books several centuries before the time of Jesus," and would have referred to the Septuagint. The Online Etymology Dictionary states, "The Christian scripture was referred to in Greek as Ta Biblia as early as c.223."
1) What does the Bible have to say about itself?
Exodus 31:18 – When He (God) had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:15-16 - Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other. The tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets.
Deuteronomy 4:13 - So He (God) declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
Deuteronomy 9:10 - The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God is the author of the Bible.
2600 times in the Bible, you see this refrain – “The Lord says” or in the King’s English “Thus saith the Lord!”
Hebrews 1:1 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways …
Luke 1:70 – As He (God) spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old …
Numbers 12:6-8 – He (God) said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:1-4 – The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign …. Now the word of the LORD came to me saying …
Micah 1:1 – The word of the LORD which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God spoke His Word to men.
The men God spoke to – Shepherds (Amos), fishermen (Peter), kings (David, Solomon), priests (Ezekiel, Ezra), government officials (Daniel), and a doctor (Luke.)
Mark 12:36 – David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
II Peter 1:21 – for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God’s Holy Spirit inspired men to write down His Word.
Define inspire/inspiration – expire means to breathe out. Inspire means to breathe in
Literal translation in II Timothy – God breathed – God breathed His Word into man. What image does that produce? Mouth to mouth resuscitation. Gives life.
Hebrews 4:12a – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
If you were to summarize the above verse, what would you write?
God’s Word is full of life and energy
Active – literal translation energy
Review our summaries. Put them together to write an overall summary of what the Bible says about itself.
The Bible was authored by God and was spoken to men whom inspired by God’s Spirit wrote down His Word. God’s Word is not dead, but is full of life and energy.
Last sentence is very important. The words that God spoke to Moses, Jonah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Paul did not “die” when a book was completed. God’s was not just for the person/people/nations He was speaking to a thousand years ago. He is speaking to us as well in Jonah, Micah, Genesis, Nahum, Romans, Colossians, etc. To say otherwise, is to say God’s Word is dead. To believe otherwise, is to believe that God’s Word is dead. If that’s the case, might as well throw the Bible in a trash can.
2)Why did/does God speak to humanity through the Bible? What is He saying to humanity?
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You.
II Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4: 4 – But He (Jesus) answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
If you were to summarize the above verses, what would you say? Purpose of God’s Word – Draw humanity to obedience to Him so that they might find life and purpose.
Disobedience – death and uselessness
Biblical scholar Mark Hamilton states that the Greek phrase Ta biblia ("the books") was "an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe their sacred books several centuries before the time of Jesus," and would have referred to the Septuagint. The Online Etymology Dictionary states, "The Christian scripture was referred to in Greek as Ta Biblia as early as c.223."
1) What does the Bible have to say about itself?
Exodus 31:18 – When He (God) had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:15-16 - Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other. The tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets.
Deuteronomy 4:13 - So He (God) declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
Deuteronomy 9:10 - The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God is the author of the Bible.
2600 times in the Bible, you see this refrain – “The Lord says” or in the King’s English “Thus saith the Lord!”
Hebrews 1:1 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways …
Luke 1:70 – As He (God) spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old …
Numbers 12:6-8 – He (God) said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:1-4 – The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign …. Now the word of the LORD came to me saying …
Micah 1:1 – The word of the LORD which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God spoke His Word to men.
The men God spoke to – Shepherds (Amos), fishermen (Peter), kings (David, Solomon), priests (Ezekiel, Ezra), government officials (Daniel), and a doctor (Luke.)
Mark 12:36 – David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."
2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
II Peter 1:21 – for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
If you were to give a title summarizing the above verses, what would it be? God’s Holy Spirit inspired men to write down His Word.
Define inspire/inspiration – expire means to breathe out. Inspire means to breathe in
Literal translation in II Timothy – God breathed – God breathed His Word into man. What image does that produce? Mouth to mouth resuscitation. Gives life.
Hebrews 4:12a – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.
If you were to summarize the above verse, what would you write?
God’s Word is full of life and energy
Active – literal translation energy
Review our summaries. Put them together to write an overall summary of what the Bible says about itself.
The Bible was authored by God and was spoken to men whom inspired by God’s Spirit wrote down His Word. God’s Word is not dead, but is full of life and energy.
Last sentence is very important. The words that God spoke to Moses, Jonah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Paul did not “die” when a book was completed. God’s was not just for the person/people/nations He was speaking to a thousand years ago. He is speaking to us as well in Jonah, Micah, Genesis, Nahum, Romans, Colossians, etc. To say otherwise, is to say God’s Word is dead. To believe otherwise, is to believe that God’s Word is dead. If that’s the case, might as well throw the Bible in a trash can.
2)Why did/does God speak to humanity through the Bible? What is He saying to humanity?
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You.
II Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4: 4 – But He (Jesus) answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
If you were to summarize the above verses, what would you say? Purpose of God’s Word – Draw humanity to obedience to Him so that they might find life and purpose.
Disobedience – death and uselessness
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Walking with Abraham pt. 7 - Covenant Tested
When Abraham and Isaac reached their destination, Abraham proceeded to build the altar, arranged the wood on the altar, bound Isaac, and placed him on the altar. No evidence that Isaac put up a struggle. He took out his knife, raised it, and was about to bring it down to slay his son when he heard a voice from heaven cry out his name. Abraham stopped immediately and said “Here I am.” Throughout his test, Abraham was always listening. No matter the level of stress/anxiety Abraham was experiencing his ears were open to hearing from God. Lesson there for us.
8. What reason did God give to Abraham as to why He wanted Abraham to go through this experience? What was the purpose of God’s test? Repeat definition of test with emphasis on what is in bold - the method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. In this test, God is using the sacrifice of Isaac to test the presence, quality, or genuineness of something in Abraham. It was a trial whose purpose was to find the quality of something in Abraham. What was that something? That Abraham feared God; therefore, he would obey and trust God no matter what if even it meant the life of his only son Isaac. Fear of God defined – healthy recognition of the sovereignty/supreme authority of God. As Job put it – God gives and God takes away. Abraham learned that God gives, God takes away, and God gives back (See question 10) God tested Abraham to determine the presence, quality, and genuineness of Abraham’s faith/obedience to Him and Abraham passed the test successfully. Method of testing – Abraham was to sacrifice his one and only son whom he loved dearly – Isaac. Abraham had failed this test in the past. He did not always have faith that God would protect him or his family (see Genesis chapter 12.)
9. Why did God choose this method (sacrificing Isaac) to test Abraham? Another purpose for a test is to teach. What God was teaching to Abraham was the Gospel – the good news of salvation. Read Galatians 3:7-9. God was showing Abraham how He would bring about salvation to humanity. The near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows a similar event that would take place thousands of years later. A Father would one day lead His Son … His one and only Son whom He loved … to be sacrificed. The event would occur in the same vicinity that Abraham offered Isaac. The Father would lead His Son, not for three days, but for three years, on His journey to the mountain. Just as Abraham’s son carried wood that lead to his death, God’s Son carried wood that would lead to his death. When the journey ended, there would be no angel crying “Stop!” There would be no substitute found to sacrifice in the Son’s place. This Son died. Consequently, the plan of salvation that was put into motion through Abraham’s obedience to God’s call came to a successful conclusion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants would now be passed down to us. That blessing is salvation through Jesus Christ.
10. Why was Abraham willing to go through with the sacrifice of his son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the death despite the fact that up to this point no one had ever been raised from the dead. Other examples of Abraham passing the test. Genesis 22: 5, 8. How was Abraham able to have such faith? His faith was steeped in God’s promise that through Isaac His covenant with Abraham would be carried out.
11. Verse 13-14 - What did Abraham do? Worshipped God. Even after the difficult emotional/spiritual test God had put he and Isaac through. Would you have responded to God in the same way?
Read verses 15-19
12. What did the angel say to Abraham? Repeated the covenant. Why God will keep His covenant with Abraham? Abraham obeyed.
And God did keep His covenant with Abraham.
Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Twelve sons
Descendants become the Twelve Tribes
Nation of Israel
Death of Sarah at age 125. Abraham remarries has more children. Before he dies gives children by second marriage their inheritance and they move east. Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac is 75. Abraham lived long enough to see his grandchildren – Esau and Jacob.
APPLICATION
Read the following verses to determine a common reason why God tests His people.
Exodus 16: 4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people , "Do not be afraid ; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.
Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
VII. Conclusion
Why did God choose Abraham? Why did God choose an old man who was a nobody from a nobody people to make His covenant with … to initiate His plan of salvation? Remember 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 Abraham that would have God choose Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat. Number one has to be Abraham’s faith. Followed by obedience. Heart of worship (built many altars). Wisdom and integrity (battle with kings). Love (Lot, Ishmael). Justice (Sodom). There were negative characteristics that God saw in Abraham’s heart. Some major flaws – Passing Sarah off as his sister, the Hagar incident (listened to Sarah rather than God, lack of compassion for Hagar and Ishmael). God saw the good and the bad in Abraham’s heart and yet He still chose to make His covenant with Abraham. God looked beyond Abraham’s shortcomings/flaws and saw what was good and right and said “I choose Abram!” Common theme in Scripture. When God looks at your heart, what does He see?
8. What reason did God give to Abraham as to why He wanted Abraham to go through this experience? What was the purpose of God’s test? Repeat definition of test with emphasis on what is in bold - the method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. In this test, God is using the sacrifice of Isaac to test the presence, quality, or genuineness of something in Abraham. It was a trial whose purpose was to find the quality of something in Abraham. What was that something? That Abraham feared God; therefore, he would obey and trust God no matter what if even it meant the life of his only son Isaac. Fear of God defined – healthy recognition of the sovereignty/supreme authority of God. As Job put it – God gives and God takes away. Abraham learned that God gives, God takes away, and God gives back (See question 10) God tested Abraham to determine the presence, quality, and genuineness of Abraham’s faith/obedience to Him and Abraham passed the test successfully. Method of testing – Abraham was to sacrifice his one and only son whom he loved dearly – Isaac. Abraham had failed this test in the past. He did not always have faith that God would protect him or his family (see Genesis chapter 12.)
9. Why did God choose this method (sacrificing Isaac) to test Abraham? Another purpose for a test is to teach. What God was teaching to Abraham was the Gospel – the good news of salvation. Read Galatians 3:7-9. God was showing Abraham how He would bring about salvation to humanity. The near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows a similar event that would take place thousands of years later. A Father would one day lead His Son … His one and only Son whom He loved … to be sacrificed. The event would occur in the same vicinity that Abraham offered Isaac. The Father would lead His Son, not for three days, but for three years, on His journey to the mountain. Just as Abraham’s son carried wood that lead to his death, God’s Son carried wood that would lead to his death. When the journey ended, there would be no angel crying “Stop!” There would be no substitute found to sacrifice in the Son’s place. This Son died. Consequently, the plan of salvation that was put into motion through Abraham’s obedience to God’s call came to a successful conclusion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants would now be passed down to us. That blessing is salvation through Jesus Christ.
10. Why was Abraham willing to go through with the sacrifice of his son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the death despite the fact that up to this point no one had ever been raised from the dead. Other examples of Abraham passing the test. Genesis 22: 5, 8. How was Abraham able to have such faith? His faith was steeped in God’s promise that through Isaac His covenant with Abraham would be carried out.
11. Verse 13-14 - What did Abraham do? Worshipped God. Even after the difficult emotional/spiritual test God had put he and Isaac through. Would you have responded to God in the same way?
Read verses 15-19
12. What did the angel say to Abraham? Repeated the covenant. Why God will keep His covenant with Abraham? Abraham obeyed.
And God did keep His covenant with Abraham.
Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Twelve sons
Descendants become the Twelve Tribes
Nation of Israel
Death of Sarah at age 125. Abraham remarries has more children. Before he dies gives children by second marriage their inheritance and they move east. Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac is 75. Abraham lived long enough to see his grandchildren – Esau and Jacob.
APPLICATION
Read the following verses to determine a common reason why God tests His people.
Exodus 16: 4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people , "Do not be afraid ; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.
Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
VII. Conclusion
Why did God choose Abraham? Why did God choose an old man who was a nobody from a nobody people to make His covenant with … to initiate His plan of salvation? Remember 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 Abraham that would have God choose Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat. Number one has to be Abraham’s faith. Followed by obedience. Heart of worship (built many altars). Wisdom and integrity (battle with kings). Love (Lot, Ishmael). Justice (Sodom). There were negative characteristics that God saw in Abraham’s heart. Some major flaws – Passing Sarah off as his sister, the Hagar incident (listened to Sarah rather than God, lack of compassion for Hagar and Ishmael). God saw the good and the bad in Abraham’s heart and yet He still chose to make His covenant with Abraham. God looked beyond Abraham’s shortcomings/flaws and saw what was good and right and said “I choose Abram!” Common theme in Scripture. When God looks at your heart, what does He see?
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