THE BEGINNINGS OF FAITH

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GENESIS 11:10-32

Lesson #23

THE BEGINNINGS OF FAITH

• Memory verse: Galatians 3:6
• Time line – Creation to Abraham
  • From creation to the flood = 1656 years.
    • Creation = 4004 BC
    • The flood = 2348 BC
  • From the flood to the covenant with Abraham = 427 years.
    • The tower of Babel occurs during the 239 years of the lifetime of Peleg = 2247 bc to 2006 BC (Gen 10:25 Isa 47:12-13)
    • Abraham born = 1997 BC
    • Covenant with Abraham = 1921 BC (Abraham was 75 years old).
• The Genealogy of the Godly Line — 10 names in the blood line of Christ (Gen 10 – 11 Luk 3:23-38
  • For some reason the name of Cainan (Luk 3:36) does not appear in Gen 10-11.
  • The godly blood line to Christ = Shem – Arphaxad – (Cainan) – Shelah – Eber – Peleg – Reu – Serug –Nahor – Terah – Abraham.
• Perspective:
  • 11 chapters of Genesis cover approximately 2,000 years of early history — Adam to Abraham
  • 38 chapters of Genesis cover approximately 286 years of history — Abraham to Joseph
• Read Gen 11:27-32
  • Historical setting:
  • Middle Bronze Age Period (c. 2100-1550 BC)
    • A period of high cultural achievement in many areas of the world.
    • Mesopotamia
      • We know a lot about this area and time period through archaeology.
      • Ur of the Chaldees
        • Ur was located 22 miles south of Baghdad and is now a dusty village.
        • In early history Ur was a city-state.
        • It was a city of great wealth at the height of its prosperity. It was a cultured, sophisticated city with a well-developed commerce. The city and culture were destroyed by the Elamites some time after Abraham left.
        • Ur was the center of moon god worship.
        • The Chaldeans were people famous for astrology developed from the tower of Babel.
    • Egypt
      • It was the center of sun god worship.
      • The Middle Kingdom Era (dynasty XII 1991-1786 BC)
      • A golden age of history. It was the height of art, literature, commerce, politics, and architecture (pyramids).
    • Hittite kingdom
      • These people come from the sons of Heth (Gen 10:15).
      • It was the third greatest empire in the Middle East at that time in Asia Minor (Turkey). (1800-1200 BC)
      • They had a monopoly on iron smelting and the importation of horses. They were great warriors.
  • Abraham’s family background:
    • Abraham was probably born and grew up in Ur.
    • Abraham was probably an Amorite.
    • His family was into idolatry. (Jos 24:2-3)
    • Abraham’s family was probably engaged in the business of running donkey caravans for traders throughout the area. (much like the trucking business today). Their headquarters was at Ur.
• God’s call on Abraham’s life — the development of faith
  • Read Acts 7:2-8 Heb 11:8-10
  • God first called Abraham when he was in Ur. (Act 7:2-3)
    • The “God of glory” appeared to Abraham in Ur. (Act 7:2)
      • Remember that through the Old Testament, God reveals himself to mankind by prefigures, by covenants, and by his name.
      • According to Acts 7:2 a different name is used for God.
      • God miraculously appeared to Abraham in Ur and reveals to him a new name, and God places a call on Abraham’s life.
      • The name “god of glory” appears only in one other book of the Bible.
        • Read Psalm 29 and Psalm 24
        • Psa 29 contains the reference and Psa 24 identifies it with Christ.
        • Notice Psa 29:2-3 and Psa 24:10.
        • Both of these Psalms are millennial Psalms that refer to the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.
    • Evidently what God showed Abraham was the city of Jerusalem in the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. (Heb 11:10)
    • The three aspects of God’s call (Act 7:3)
      • He must leave his family.
      • He must leave his country.
      • He must come into a new land.
  • Abraham’s failures: Gen 11:31-32
    • Abraham did not leave his family.
      • He brought his father and his nephew, Lot, with him.
      • His father’s name, Terah, means = “delay”. It was actually a derivative of the name of the moon god. (Isa 51:2)
      • We will see later the problems Lot presented.
    • Abraham obeyed in leaving his country.
    • Abraham did not go into the Promised Land, but stopped and settled in Haran for 5 years.
      • Haran means = “parched”. Haran was a caravan stop off (like a truck stop) before caravans crossed the desert.
      • Haran was also a city steeped in idolatry worshipping the moon god.
    • Abraham’s response to God’s call was partial and slow. However, when we get to the New Testament, this failure is not mentioned.
      • Read Heb 11:8-10
      • The New Testament commends Abraham for his faith and calls him the father of faith.
        • We see that the starting point of faith is not always perfect and complete, but God is faithful and patient with us.
        • Studying Abraham in Genesis is a marvelous study of the meaning and development of faith of which we will learn much that applies to us today.
  • Why did God call Abraham? What was so special about him that God took notice?
    • Nothing. God’s election is by grace. However, God’s choosing is never arbitrary. (Rom 11:5)
    • Abraham’s name and Sarah’s name:
      • His name was Abram but God changed it to Abraham in Gen 17:5
        • Abram means = “high father”.
        • Abraham means = “father of many nations”.
      • His wife’s name was Sarai but God changed it to Sarah in Gen 17:15.
        • Sarai means “one who dominates” and is another derivation of the name of the moon god.
        • Sarah means “princess”.
      • Why the name change?
        • The change occurs when God gives them another covenant to indicate his promises to them.
        • The nature of the change:
        • The name of God as a Covenant maker in Hebrew is “YHWH” (Jehovah).
        • God made the covenant very personal to them by putting one “h” from God’s name into Abram and one “h” from God’s name into Sarai.

Homework

Genesis 12

• Application of Gen 11:10-32
  • Consider the fact that God has chosen you just as he chose Abraham.
    • Evaluate your response to his call.
      • Have you been slow to respond to him?
      • Has your response to God been partial like Abraham’s first response?
      • What can you do in your life to better respond to what God wants to do in your life?
• Preparation of Gen 12
  • Read Gen 12:1-9 Another covenant
    • This is a new dispensation, one of grace, called the Age of Promise. There is another covenant that God gives to Abraham. However, the covenant is revealed to him little by little, so the scriptures are scattered.
      • Read the following scriptures and chart God’s promises and man’s responsibilities
        • Gen 12:2-3, 7 Gen 13:15-17 Gen 15:1, 5-6
        • Gen 17:1-11 Gen 22:17-18

God’s Promises:	Man’s Responsibilities

Read Gen 12:10-20

• • • • • Evaluate Abraham’s faith
• Memory verse: Galatians 3:9