Genesis 12-14 Abraham a Sketch of a Young Faith

Abraham: A Sketch of Young Faith : Genesis 12-14

Big Picture: Movement of the story:

1. God will call Abaham to leave Ur. Traveling with: Sari, Lot. (75)

2. At Oak of Moreh (Controlled Canaanites) God promises the land of Abraham.

3. Famine: Go to Egypt. Tells Sari to say she’s his sister.

4. Come back: Need for Abraham and Lot to separate.

5. Each place he goes: Builds an Altar.

6. Battle: Abraham’s Nephew lot is taken captive.

7. Abraham is met by the kings he delivered: King of Salem.

Abraham is an altar Builder. Means: Where he goes, he worships God.

12:8: Oak of Morah. In Shechem.

12:8: Near Bethel.

13:4: Return to the altar at Bethel.

13:8: Hebron.

• Everywhere he Goes: He worships the same God. People of that time: Try to figure out who the God of the land was: Worship it.
• Bethel: Notice the language employed: 13:4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.

I. God’s Calls Abraham out of Ur: (Genesis 12:1-9)

v.2-3: “Bless” 5x in 2 verses. (1.Bless you) (2. you be a blessing) (3. bless those) (4. bless you) (5. all families earth blessed)

5 I’Will’s:

1. I will show you.

2. I will make you a great nation. (goy , v. ‘am, People = Nation ruqires land)

3. Make your name great. (Babel, 11:1-9, Name)

4. I will bless those who bless you.

5. I will curse those dishonor your. (Same as serpent, 3:14 / Canaan, 9:25.)

How is Abraham a blessing to all nations?

1. He teaches us how to walk with God. Faith.

2. Through Abraham’s family will come the Torah.

3. From His line will come the Messiah.

II. Abraham Flees to Egypt. (Genesis 12:10-20)

3 Problem with the trip to Egypt: Fear and Trust. (Provision, Worship, Protection)

1. He did not trust God to provide.

2. He didn’t build an altar.

3. He did not trust God to protect him.

III. Abram and Lot separate. (Genesis 13:1-13)

IV. Promise of land. (Gen. 13:14-18)

V. Abraham Rescues Lot (Gen. 14:1-16)

• Called, “War of Nine Kings” “Slaughter of Chedorlaomer”
• Four foreign kings go to war against five local kings of Dead Sea rea.
• 14:13, Abraham is called, “The Hebrew.” First appearance of the term in the Bible.

VI. Abram Blessed by Melchizedek: (Gen. 14:17-20)

1. Priest of God most High: “El Elyon.” (Elohim)

Abraham is going to identify the God her serves as “Yahweh.”

“I raise my hand to Yahweh, El Elyon, Creator of heaven and earth…”

2. This happens in front of the other kings.

3. Mel. Is mysterious figure who appears. No prepatory comments made.

4. The name is old Canaanite name.

5. Salem is: Jerusalem. Psalm 76:2

A. Who is Melchizedek

1. Jewish teaching: Shem, son of Noah, still alive in Abram’s day.

2. Other Jews argued that he is an angel.

3. Pre-Incarnate Messiah (Jesus.)

4. He’s LIKE Jesus, but Not Jesus.

B. Melchizedek and Abraham: (Hebrews 7)

Hebrews 7:1 Recaps the story. Argument: He is Foreshadowing of Jesus:

1. His name: (Hebrews 7:2) “Melchizedek”: “King of righteousness.” (Jesus)

2. His Capitol: (Hebrews 7:2) King of “Salem.” Salem would later be Jerusalem.

3. His Cities name: (Hebrews 7:2) Salem is a form of “peace.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

4. His Nature. (Hebrews 7:3, Hebrews 7:23-25) He is without father or mother or genealogy.

5. His Stature. (Hebrews 7:4-8) Jesus is “Greater” than Mel.

6. His Perfection. (Hebrews 7:11-12)

7. His Kingship: (Hebrews 7:13-14

8. His Power: (Hebrews 7:15-17)

9. His Leadership. (Hebrews 7:18-19)

10. His Credentials: (Hebrews 7:20-21)

11. His Sacrifice: (Hebrews 7:26-27)

Author of Hebrews Summery: Hebrews 7:28

C. Conclusion to Abraham’s war: Genesis 14:21-24

14:22 “I have lifted my hand to YHWH, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,

• Yahweh, El Elyon
• Creator (possessor) of heaven and earth.
• He says: I am trusting God who owns all the earth to give me plunder. Not war. His faith has matured a little. Not running to Egypt. He’s running to God.