68293892 patriarch-bible-study-ge-13-15

Patriarchs Genesis 13-15

Open with prayer

What we are going to cover this evening

Day Three – Parting Company Choosing the world Leaving the Man of God Perils of staying close to sin

Day Four – Man of God Against Kings Abram the Hebrew Assurance of victory

Day Five – God Most High Priest of God – Melchizedek What God’s name says about God

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One of the significant changes in the emphasis that occurs at this point in Genesis is from cursing in the primeval record to blessing in the patriarchal narratives. By placing the call of Abram after the dispersion of the nations at Babel, we see Abram's call as God's gift of salvation in the midst of judgment. We see this theme throughout the entire scriptures.

What questions came up from Genesis chapter 12 or the first two days of the lessons that you would like to discuss?

What happened prior to this week’s lesson? Review last week – Genesis 12

Q - What was the call and promise of God? What three words would you use to describe the promise?

blessing, seed, land heir, heritage, an inheritance posterity, relationship with God, land descendants, land, and divine blessing personal, national, universal

God progressively revealed more information about each of these promises. He gave more information about the promises over time1.

Land promise - 13:15, 17; 15:7-8, 18; 17:8; 24:7; 26:3-4 (plural "lands"); 28:4, 13; 35:12; 48:4; and 50:24.

Seed promise - 13:15-16; 15:5; 17:2, 5-10, 13, 16, 19-20; 18:18; 21:12; 22:17-18; 26:3-4, 24; 28:13-14; 32:12; 35:11-12; 46:3; and 48:4 and 16.

Universal blessing - 18:18; 22:18 (to Abram); 26:4 (to Isaac); and 28:14 (to Jacob). God reiterated His purpose with additional detail to Abram in 13:14-17; 17:1-21; and 22:15-18; to Isaac in 26:3-5, 24; and to Jacob in 28:13-15; and 35:9-12 (cf. 46:1-4).

For a future discussion – why didn’t God reveal it all at once and why does He repeat it?

Q - According to Hebrews 11:8, where did Abram think he was going?

1 Notes on Genesis, 2010 Edition, Dr. Thomas L. Constable

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That Abram's family chose to accompany him does not imply an act of disobedience on Abram's part. God did not forbid others from accompanying Abram. The focus of the call was to uproot himself and follow Him.

Ask someone to read 1st & 2nd paragraph on top of page 15 in workbook.

Q – Why Abram?

God's call was pure grace; there is no evidence in the text that Godchose Abram because he merited favor. God was beginning to form a family trust and obedience.

Abram had nothing, or did nothing, that would stand boasting before God. He simply believed God, and through his faith in the truth, which God had spoken, God in grace freely justified him. It was Abram’s faith that was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

Abram believed God.

Romans 4:1-5 – Abram justified by faith. Justification? (Acts 13:38-39). Justification can be defined as that act

of God whereby He declares absolutely righteous those who accept Christ.

o Forgiveness and justification are made possible through Jesus Christ, but the two are not identical.

An example - a criminal is found guilty and convicted of crime, he may be forgiven by the offended party and even pardoned by the governor, but he remains guilty of his offense. He has been forgiven but not justified

o Justification is more than forgiveness. We can forgive another for his wrong, but never can we justify him. Forgiveness assumes guilt; therefore, the guilty one cannot be justified.

o All men are both guilty and condemned sinners before God, all need both forgiveness and justification before entering the Kingdom of God.

o Justification does not make the sinner righteous, but when God sees him “in Christ,” He declares that he is righteous, thereby pronouncing the verdict of “not guilty.”

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Righteousness - It is an attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified, and can have the connotation that the person has been "judged" or "reckoned" as leading a life that is pleasing to God. It is best understood as the product of upright, moral action in accordance with some form of divine plan.

From workbook pages 14 – “We’ll find that Abram was deeply flawed, just as we are, but we’ll also find that faith and obedience went a long way.”

Abram’s example of obedience is a model for all believers to forsake all else to obtain the promised blessings of God and to serve Him by becoming a blessing to others.

Q – Why should we be interested in God’s promises to Abram? (Galatians 3:6-9)

It was not until after the death of his father (Gen. 11:32) that Abram began to realize anything of the promise God had given to him, for only after his father's death did God take him into the land (12:4) and there reaffirm the original promise to him (12:7).

It is important, therefore, to observe the relationship of obedience to this covenant program. Whether or not God would institute a covenant program with Abram depended on Abram's act of obedience in leaving the land. Once this act was accomplished, however, and Abram did obey God, God instituted an irrevocable, unconditional program. (Ge. 15)

Is God faithful and powerful enough to provide what He promised? Consequently each episode in Abram's life teaches us something about God's power and faithfulness and should enable us to live by faith more consistently. In the end we can see that He is.

Q - Is it necessary that each person forsake all he has, that he might receive the blessing of God? (Matthew 16:24-26)

If I really, truly, absolutely believed what this passage says, what would I do?

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Following God means a true commitment to God, going against your nature, risking death and no turning back. It may not mean giving up everything you treasure in a natural world, it depends on what God has called you to do and where you are in your walk with Him. For example, God has not called everyone to live a life of poverty to follow Him at the moment of conversion. God does not require more of us than we could bear. However, we must be obedient to God – if the choice is between the world and God, we must turn toward God and abandon the world.

Q – Abram built alters. What was the symbolism of the alter? (Genesis 12:7)

At this time, many religions built altars, primarily for sacrifice. For God’s people, alters symbolized communion with God and commemorated notable encounters with Him. Abram regularly built altars to God for two reasons – (1) for prayer and worship and (2) as reminders of God’s promises to bless him. What are your altars? (relate children’s names)

Q – Why would there be famine in the land where God had just called Abram? Have you ever felt that you followed God in obedience to a promise only to find yourself in a desert soon after you got there? If so, explain? (Genesis 12:10)

This was a test of Abram’s faith. Did he pass or not?

Ask someone to read the paragraph right above this question in the workbook on page 16.

Regarding Abram’s lie to the Egyptians about Sarai…

Q – Have you discovered that decisions made in panic or self-protection can have undesirable consequences? If so, how?

We sometimes feel tempted to fear for our welfare, especially in a foreign environment. This fear sometimes leads us to seize the initiative and disobey God. We can count on God to fulfill His promises to us in spite of threatening circumstances. We should remain faithful and honest. In fact, our demonstrating this is powerful testimony.

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Q – What does this say about our faith?

Each problem Abram encountered is typical of problems that every believer has to deal with in seeking to live by faith. God will protect His plan even when His people complicate it with deception. Consequently believers should not try to deliver themselves from threatening situations by deceptive schemes but should continue to trust and obey God.

Abram was willing to believe the promise, but may not have always been willing to believe God.

One does not learn to live by faith all at once. It doesn’t come naturally. You must learn, and as you learn, you will make mistakes. Those mistakes need not cut you off from God.

Q - What does this say about God’s faithfulness to us?

As shown by 12:16, our disobedience and lack of faith does not cause God to “take back his promises.” In this case, even when Abram suffered a crisis of faith, God continued to bless him (through Sarai who was taken into Pharaoh’s house).

It is a function of God’s grace that He tends to respond to our failure and slowness on a level that brings us to a deeper faith.

Just as God revealed Himself to Abram, He reveals Himself to each one of us. He calls us to come follow Him and as Abram responded in faith, so too we are given the opportunity to leave our old life behind and find a new life in Christ. He gives us a promise of faithfulness if we believe in Him.

Parting Company

Key themes Choosing the world Leaving the Man of God Perils of staying close to sin

Q – What happened in chapter 13?

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When it became clear that there was not enough pasture to sustain all the flocks of both Abram and Lot, Abram suggested that Lot separate from him. He gave his nephew the choice of where he wanted to settle. If he was older than Lot, which seems probable, it shows even greater graciousness.

In offering Lot either the "left" or the "right" (v. 9) Abram suggesting that he and Lot partition the Promised Land; he would take one part and his nephew the other (cf. 22:3-10). Important to our appreciation of Abram's offer is knowledge of the fact that the Hebrews, as well as other ancient peoples, were eastern oriented (as contrasted with northern oriented, as we are). Abram and Lot were probably looking east when Abram made his suggestion (v. 9).

Picture? Facing East, what would be on the left or right...point out on map

Thus when Abram offered Lot what was on his left he was referring to northern Canaan, the area around Shechem (cf. 12:6; 33:18—34:31; 37:12-17) as far south as Bethel and Ai. The other choice was what was on their right: southern Canaan including Hebron and the Negev (cf. 13:6, 9; 13:1, 18; 20:1; et al.). Moses' description of the Jordan valley as being similar to Egypt (v. 10) should have warned the Israelite readers of Genesis against desiring to return to Egypt (cf. Exod. 16:3; Num. 11:5; 14:2-3).

Lot, however, chose neither of these options, north or south. Instead he decided to move east into the Jordan Valley (v. 11). Earlier we read thatAdam, Eve, and Cain traveled east after they sinned (3:24; 4:16) and thatthe people of Babel went east and rebelled against God (11:2). Thus Lot'smove east makes us a bit uneasy (cf. 12:3).

Q - What evidence is in the Biblical record that Lot believed in God? (Genesis 13:1-5; 19:14-22; II Peter 2:7-9)

Lot voluntarily chose to go with Abram, in all likelihood, he believed in the promises to Abram also.

Q - In what sense does "trust God" mean more than "to believe in the reality of God?" (Psalm 37:5-6; Hebrews 11:8-10)

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Q – How often do we distance ourselves from God on the basis of what looks good?

Q - How did Abram's dealing with Lot show his faith in God? (Genesis 13:8-9)

This was a magnanimous gesture on Abram's part. Furthermore it shows he had faith in God to honor his promise, otherwise, he would have restricted Lot’s choice of land.

Q – What godly virtue did Abram show in his treatment of Lot? (Genesis 14:13-16; 18:23-33; 19:29)

Q – Read 13:14-18. Why do you think God re-affirmed and provided more details of his promises to Abram at this point?

Maybe Abram was discouraged. His likely heir had left and Lot took the choicest land? Abram was now without an heir. However, Yahweh appeared to him at this crucial time and reconfirmed the promise of land that, He said, He would give to Abram's offspring.

Read paragraph on page 22 – second paragraph – “please…”

Q – What additional details of the promise did God provide (bottom of page 21) (Note – this is the 3rd revelation to Abram)

It contained three specifics.1. Abram's heir would be his own seed (offspring; vv. 15-16).2. God would give the land to Abram and his descendants forever (v.15).3. Abram's descendants would be innumerable (v. 16).

Q – Read Genesis 13:14. What happened to Lot after he parted from Abram?

He started to lose the benefit of the blessing of being with Abram.

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Man of God Against Kings Abram the Hebrew Assurance of victory


Abram could have lost his possessions and his life by getting involved in war with the Mesopotamian kings. He also set himself up as the target for retaliation. Almost everyone in the ancient Near East practiced retaliation, and it is still a major factor in the continuing political turmoil that characterizes the Middle East to this day. The "ancient Near East" is a term that applies to the whole eastern Mediterranean world in ancient times. The "Middle East" is a term that refers to the area roughly between Africa, Europe, and Asia in modern times. People did not forgive and forget; they harbored resentment for acts committed against their ancestors or themselves for generations and took revenge when they thought they could succeed.

Q – Lot had taken the choicest land. Why did Abram go after Lot?

Genesis 14:14. When you have heard that your relative has been taken captive, do you go after them? Who has your unsaved relatives captive today?

Lot would have been the most likely candidate for the role of Abram's heir since Sarai was barren. He was a part of Abram's household and a blood relative (nephew). Abram probably regarded Lot at this time as the heir through whom God would fulfill His promises.

Q – What is significant about being named “Hebrew” in 14:13

"Hebrew" is the anglicized form of the Hebrew word 'ibri, which comes from the root word ayin-bet-resh, "to cross or pass over." The word means something along the lines of "ones from the other side/beyond,"

The word 'Hebrew' -- 'Ivri' -- comes from the word 'Ever' meaning 'the other side.' The Torah first uses this term when referring to 'Abram the Ivri.'

Three reasons are given for this:

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Abram was a stranger 'from the other side.' Born east of Canaan in Ur Kasdim, Abram had come from the 'other side' of the Jordan River.

Abram stood 'on the other side' in opposition to the entire pagan world. His recognition of God, and his adamant refusal to comply with 'modern' ideology set him at odds with the rest of humanity.

Abram was a descendent of Ever/Eber. Eber was the great-grandson of Noah's son Shem. Hebrew sources say that when Noah divided up the world among his three sons, the land of Israel fell to the portion of Shem. Later the Canaanites conquered it - but originally it was inhabited by Shem's offspring. Hence the term 'Eretz Ha-Ivriim' -- 'the land of the Hebrews' -- named after Eber, Shem's most prominent offspring.

The term "Hebrew" is primarily an ethnic designation in the Old Testament.

Usually people other than Hebrews used it to describe this ethnic group. The term Hebrew and Jew are two different terms, which describes two different peoples. Definition of terms:

Jew: Descendants of Abram. Hebrew: Descendants of Eber.

Q – What do verses 14:14-16 say about Abram’s character?

1. He had courage that came from God. Facing powerful foes, he attacked. 2. He was prepared. Apparently he had taken the time to train his men for a

potential conflict. We never know when we will be called upon to complete difficult tasks.

Q – How is the Abram described in verse 14 different from the Abram we say in verse 12?

Q - Since Lot also believed in God, as believers, let’s contrast Abram with Lot

Feature Abram LotType of believer Spiritual CarnalCommitment? Completely trusts and

obeys God, with occasional Wants what God and the world can give

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failuresMaturity Grew over time Stalled after leaving with

AbramStrength Faithful Righteous (2 Peter 2:7-

8)Weakness Thought of himself first

Q – How do we know that God blessed this rescue?

Could get into a discussion on spiritual discernment. Ask class how they discern that an action they are taking is aligned with God’s will…

Genesis 12:2-3Genesis 14:22 – If we pray and the spirit and move forward, we can be sure that God is with usRomans 8:31

Q – Why didn’t Abram take any spoil from the battle?

He desired that God would receive all the glory.

Q – What did Lot do after being rescued?

He went back to Sodom!

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God Most High Priest of God – Melchizedek What God’s name says about God

Q – What is a priest?

A priest is a mediator who stands between God and man. He offers sacrifice to God on behalf of man and administers other worship obligations that people feel unworthy to offer personally. The nearest thing to a definition found in the Scriptures is probably Hebrews 5:1.

All Christians are priests, and, with spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1ff; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5), we offer up service to God through our High Priest, Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1; 4:14ff), who mediates on our behalf (Heb. 2:17ff; 1 Tim. 2:5).

Q – According to Genesis 14:17-24, who was Melchizedek? (book)

Ge. 14-21-24 – Abram identified El Elyon with Yahwey (v. 22)

Psalm 110:4 – He is said to have remained a priest forever.

Q – What is the relationship between Melchizedek and Christ?

Hebrews 6:19-7:17

7:2 - shows that the Jewish priesthood (made up of Levi’s descendents) was inferior to the Melchizedeck priesthood (a type of Christ’s priesthood).

As he was not Jewish, he was priest of Salem (Jersusalem) well before the nation of Israel and the Israeli priest this indicates that the requirement to be a follower of God is not ethic or genetic, but based on faithfully obeying God.

Melchizedek foreshadowed Christ in that he was both king and priest simultaneously, foreshadowed the fact that Jesus would serve as king and priest at the same time.

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Q – Share the names of God you listed on page 30 of the member book.

The name Jehovah does not occur a single time in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament! God’s name tells us something about God’s character.

Class chart?

Name Meaning Ref. What does is tell us about God?

Note

Elohim General word for God that might apply to any of the gods of the ancient Near East.

Ge. 1 God, Mighty Creator, the God of all gods

Adonai Sovereign LORD Ge. 15:2-3 Lord, Master, Owner. The exalted being of God, who alone is Lord of lords.

After the defeat of the kings. Only used in reference to the one true God, never to humans or other gods.

El Chief of many Gods. Often compounded to form personal or place names (e.g. Elijah – My God is Yahweh)

LORD God Ge. 2

YHWH(LORD) (GOD)

Proper name of the God of Israel, the full name identifies God sa the Living God.

Ex. 3 “I Am Who I Am” or “I Will Be Who I Will Be” or “I Cause to Be What Is.”

Name is the one the God of Israel uses to reveal himself to Moses at the burning bush. Shortened form occurs in phrases (e.g. Hallelujah – “praise Yahweh”)

El Elyon God Most High / Exaleted One

Ge. 14:18 Reveals the sovereign power of God.

As the priesthood of Melchizideck was being introduced.

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Name Meaning Ref. What does is tell us about God?

Note

El Roi God who sees Ge. 16:13

El Shaddai All Powerful God Ge. 17:12

El Olam The Eternal God Ge. 21:33

Yahweh-jireh

The Lord Will Provide

Ge. 22:14 Yahway Provides

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God’s Covenant


This chapter is significant because it demonstrates Abram’s trust in God to provide what He had promised. God rewarded Abram’s faithfulness in battle and how Abram interacted with Melchizidek by giving him another revelation and promise.

Q – Why would Abram be afraid (Ge. 15:1)?

Perhaps he feared revenge form the kinds he had defeated. God gave him two reasons for courage: (1) he promised to defend Abram and (2) He promised to be Abram’s exceedingly great reward.

Q – How did God address Abram in Ge. 15?

Only in 15:1 and 22:1 did God address Abram directly. In the Old Testament the three primary ways God spoke was direct communication (Num. 12:6-8), dreams and visions.

Q – What did Abram call God in this chapter?

Abram used a new title for God calling Him Master (Adonai) Yahweh(i.e., Sovereign LORD). Abram had willingly placed himself under thesovereign leadership of God.

Q – What additional revelation did the Lord reveal to Abram in verse 4?

Abram thought (15:4) that his heir would come through is chief servant, Eliezer. Abram wasn’t aware that God was going to bless him with an heir from his own body.

Q – What was Abram’s reaction? (v. 6)

Abram’s normal response to God’s words to him was to believe them.

Q – Why do you think Abram asked the Lord about when he would know?

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He was looking for confirmation and assurance that he was doing God’s will. In the Old Testament, signs were not so much to discover God’s will as to confirm it. How do we gain assurance about being in God’s will? Remember, Abram didn’t have a Bible!

Q – What is the significance of the ceremony in 15:9 and 15:17?

This rite (the sacrifice of animals) normally involved two parties dividing an animal into two equal parts, joining hands, and passing between the two parts (Jer. 34:18-19). In effect, the parties were pledging not to break the covenant, lest they become like the dead animal.

The smoking oven and flaming torch were one. This was symbolic of God in His holiness.

On this occasion, however, God alone passed between the parts indicating that Abram had no obligations to fulfill to receive the covenant promises (v. 17). Yahweh binds himself in promise to Abram in the passing through the animals in the act of covenant ratification.

Fulfilling the covenant rested entirely on God’s faithfulness!

Q – What prophecy is delivered to Abram in 15:12-14?

God's people can rely on His promises even if they have to experience suffering and death before they experience them.

This covenant has not yet been fulfilled as God promised it would be. Since God is faithful we believe He will fulfill these promises in the future. Consequently there must be a future for Israel as a nation (cf. Rom. 11).

Q – How has Abram’s life foreshadowed the history of Israel?

Famine drove him to settle in Egypt (12:10; cf. chs. 42—46). He escaped after God had plagued Pharaoh (12:17; cf. Exod. 7—12) He was enriched by his stay in Egypt (13:2; cf. Exod. 12:35-38) He journeyed by stages (13:3; cf. Exod. 17:1; etc.) back to Canaan. God appeared and reaffirmed his promises (Exod. 19—24).

Conclusion

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Brief introduction to next week’s lesson

Encourage you to work diligently on your home study!

Questions to consider

What must I do to make faith a workable part of my life now?What attitudes and actions must I change to allow faith to be effective in my life now?What must I repent of to make faith practical in my life now?What has God taught me about faith through this study?

Close with a prayer

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Handouts

Travels of Abram - Thompson Chain Reference Bible

Family of Abraham – Holy Bible Handbook

HaShem “The Name” A Study in the Old Testament Names of God, pages 9 & 10

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