The Story of God # 4 Abraham

God is telling His story along two tracks Genesis 3.14-19 Adam’s sin has brought God’s curse through judgment Adam’s seed will bring God’s blessing—also through judgment

And that story has progressed through Genesis Adam experienced judgment and grace Noah experienced judgment and grace Then there is the judgment at Babel Followed by grace to Abraham

God makes a covenant with Abraham Genesis 12. 1-3 Genesis 13 God makes a covenant with Abraham Genesis 12.1-3 Genesis 13.14-18 Genesis 15.1-6 Genesis 17.1-8

It is a promise of land This land is almost a new Eden (Genesis 2.8-10/Nu 24.6) God will walk in this land, just as He did in Eden Lev 26:11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. Lev 26:12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. Ex. 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

It is a promise of greatness The promise of the triumph of the seed of the woman over the seed of Satan And the promise of a kingdom: Gen 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. Adam was to fill the earth; Abram will fill the earth Adam was a king, Abram will be a king

It is a promise of blessing God will bless Abraham And so, Abraham will be (this is an imperative) a blessing. The blessing will come through the seed of the woman Zec 8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. The blessing is global-- “all nations”

But there is still conflict Abram’s faith is tested, as he lives his life in the presence of the seed of Satan. Genesis 14 And the covenant is reaffirmed. Genesis 15 Abram’s faith is tested, as his own sinfulness questions the promise. Genesis 16 Sarah’s barrenness is the “problem” Sarah’s handmaiden is the “solution” God’s grace reaffirms the covenant. Genesis 17 Circumcision is added, Abram’s name is changed Conflict is the PROMISE Genesis 3.15

The covenant being again confirmed; Genesis 18.1-15 There is the account of Sodom—the destruction of the seed of the serpent, and the salvation of the seed of the woman. Genesis 18-19 Followed by another threat to the promise—Abraham’s lie about Sarah. Genesis 20 And the birth of the promised son—and the clear distinction of there being only one promised son. Genesis 21/Romans 9.6-9

God directly tests Abraham Genesis 22 By demanding that Abraham offer the promised son up in sacrifice The test was whether Abraham believed in the power of the resurrection. Genesis 22.8; 22.14 Hebrews 11.17-19