Things to understand about Abraham:
1. The focal point of Genesis (not even the creation) but the call of Abraham – everything before builds to Abraham and everything after builds on Abraham
2. He is the most respected man on the earth (even more than Jesus) not from importance but sheer numbers of people (Jew, Christian, Muslim)
3. He is the prototype of all faithful people
Verse 1 – 3
This happened in 2,000BC. Moses was 1,500BC, David 1,000BC, Jesus 4AD
Haran is 700 miles north of Ur, southern corner of Turkey, border with Syria – fertile crescent.
This contained a command and a promise – leave all and follow Me and I’ll give you a new land.
Notice it was God who called Abram – God reached out to him, as He reaches out to us.
It’s the same today – Jesus said: Matthew 16:14 “If anyone would come after Me he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”
Verse 4
Abraham 75, Sara 65
Verse 7
Who was it who appeared to Abram? Many, myself included, believe it was the “Angel of the Lord” spoken about in several places in the OT. The Angel of the Lord I believe was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
In John 8:56 Jesus said: “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day, and he saw it.”
Verse 8
Ai (see picture) – became famous as the city 2nd city the Israelites tried to conquer when they invaded the land under Joshua in Joshua 7. That was after the victory at Jericho – then Achan took from the spoil after the Lord told them not to. It wasn’t until after the sin was dealt with that Israel could capture Ai.
The three cities mentioned were also on Jacob’s route when he returned to Haran later in Genesis to find a wife.
Verse 9
Abram would camp for a while then continue on until God told him to stop.
Verse 10 - 13
Notice God didn’t tell Abram to go to Egypt – but he does protect him there, sort of. This is the second attack on the promise.
Famines occur – and you can be right in the center of God’s will and still experience hardship. (went to Egypt because they relied on flood irrigation, not rain). Egypt used flood irrigation, and wasn’t as reliant on seasonal rains.
God will go with us, even if we don’t follow His will – Jesus said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” But we will suffer the consequences of our actions.
It was a common thing to do, leave the place because of famine. The Bedouins in the region still do it to this day. And this is the first attack on the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. But God is faithful. It also prefigures Israel’s journey to Egypt later on.
This lying by Abraham was apparently genetic – because Isaac does the same thing later on (Genesis 26) with Rebekah when they were in Philistia. It was a half-truth as Sarai was his half sister – but again, God did not tell him to do this.
It’s nice to know that even when we lack faith, God still comes through when we rely on Him ultimately.
Verses 14 – 16
Sarai was 65 years old – but so beautiful that the king wanted her. Abram couldn’t refuse the gifts – even though it perpetuated the lie.
Verses 17 – 20
Even though Abram goofed – God was ultimately protecting them both – and judged Pharaoh.
God did it not only to protect Sarai but to protect the Messianic line – she was to be mother of who was to eventually give birth to Jesus. Perhaps God kept the relationship from being consummated.
The Word doesn’t tell us what those diseases were. Pharaoh didn’t “kick” Abram out – the Hebrew suggests he granted him safe escort – and Abram accepts. Isn’t it awful when the world has higher standards than the church? Abram leaves with his tail tucked between his legs.
God doesn’t rebuke Abram. Maybe it wasn’t a sin – God didn’t forbid him. It was perhaps a mistake but not a sin. It is possible to make mistakes while walking in faith? Yes. Abram didn’t ask God and it was an absence of faith.
In a way it was him saying “I can’t trust Yahweh in this particular area.” If you have to do something God wouldn’t approve of in order to get what God wants you to have – something’s wrong with that picture.
Chapter 13
Verses 1 – 9
God returned to where he had begun. If Abram had done to the place of the altar before he went to Egypt he would have been better off.
This is the third attack on the promise of God. Abram is about to give away the Promised Land to Lot. He gives Lot the choice of where to go.
God is calling another separation – first it was from Abram’s land, now it is from the rest of Abram’s family. Lot would later father the Ammonites and the Moabites – who bitterly fought against Israel to keep them from inheriting the land.
Abram is unconcerned. Perhaps he learned something of God’s faithfulness while in Egypt. God’s promises cannot be undone by man’s choices.
Verses 10 – 13
Lot was looking for the best deal he could grab, Abram trusted God to deliver on His promise. The appearance of something doesn’t mean it is going to be good for you. Eve saw how wonderful the fruit in the garden of Eden was – but she didn’t take into account the consequences.
We don’t know where Sodom and Gomorrah were located – but there are some suggestions that they were across what became the Dead Sea – and to the south of where Abram had pitched his tent near Ai. Paleobotany in the area indicate that a number of crops were grown there including barley, wheat, grapes, figs, lintels, flax, chickpeas, peas, broad beans, dates, and olives. (See images of general area and of Canaan)
Abram was more interested in keeping relationships whole than in getting the best deal.
Abram offered – Lot didn’t demand. Abram said “even if it costs me I will suffer in order for our relationship to remain good.” Mark of spiritual maturity.
Lot saw that the valley was great to look at and probably thought he would become more wealthy than Abram – but Sodom and Gomorrah lurked there, ready to make Lot’s life a living hell and totally ruin his life so that all the wealth he thought he was going to have would literally go up in smoke.
Lot looked up, but not high enough. There are far more riches available in heaven than on earth- but we use our physical eyes instead of the eyes of faith to trust God to accomplish the promises.
It says the men of Sodom had committed sin against Yahweh. All sin is against God, even if you don’t know his name. Romans tells us that man’s conscience will testify against him even if he has never heard of Jesus.
Verses 14 – 18
Now God tells Abram to lift up his eyes – telling Abram that He was giving him all the land (even what Lot chose). Just because it looks like the worldly are getting everything doesn’t mean it will always be so.
Psalms 73:12 This is what the wicked are like — always carefree, they increase in wealth. 13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;… 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Abram didn’t choose the best of Israel – but he had God – and that was all that mattered.
Conclusions
1. Abraham had never been to the place God called him.
He said “leave your county and your family” – are we willing to leave our comfort zone when God calls us to faith?
2. There can be famines even in the Promised Land
Experiencing difficulties does not mean you are out of God’s will.
3. There is our way, and then the God’s way
If Abram had asked God before going to Egypt, perhaps things would have been different. He just figured he had this one wired – but it backfired on him. We should take the time to ask God even in situations where we think we know what we’re doing.
4. Where are you looking for your reward?
Abram trusted that God would give him whatever God wanted – and that was enough for him. Is it enough for you? Even if you don’t get the well watered valley like your neighbor? Are you willing to let God determine your salary and your possessions?
For more Bible studies and an audio copy of this message, please visit:
www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org.
