What’s a Patriarch Old Testament Lesson 8

“This term refers to the individuals who stand at the fountainhead of our faith: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob… The patriarchs are the ancestors of our faith. ”

Background The last verses of Genesis chapter 11, starting at verse 27, begin a new literary unit about the family of Terah. (another genealogy list)

Abram’s story is the story of God’s plan to redeem us back after Adam’s fall. The events of the story fit well into the Middle Bronze Age. ( B.C.)

This account is different from other literature of the same age in that it narrows to a story about one family and their journey of faith.

Terah had three sons, Abram Nahor, and Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. Terah out - lived his son Haran.

Terah took Lot, Abram, and Saria and set out for Canaan. They got as far as Haran and settled down Terah died in Haran at 205 years of age.

After Terah’s death God spoke to Abram and told him to, “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you.” Gen 12:1

Up until this time God had dealt with the sin problem on a universal scale. Seth’s line was faithful, but the rest of the population didn’t follow God. Even through a universal flood and dispersion of languages mankind still turned from God.

Now, “the faithful obedience of a single individual has universal significance.”

Just a thought, but could God be calling you to an action that would effect the world? Will you say yes to what seems insignificant?

Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.