God’s relationship with Abram grows Where is our hope? Relationship starts in the heart

God’s relationship with Abram grows Comparison of Abram & Lot: Relationship starts in the heart Where is our hope? Comparison of Abram & Lot: BE an Abram? -- fellowship -looking to God in worship --lifted up his eyes to behold what God promised BE a Lot? (Gen 13.10ff) --fellowship with devils (1 Cor 10.20) --lifted up his eyes to behold sin (Gen 13.10)

Lot Pitches Tent Toward Sodom Small steps lead to big problems Eyes - key to the heart Lot’s 7 steps (Gen 13,14,19) Beheld (lifted up his eyes) Chose Departed Dwelt in the plain Pitched toward Dwelt in Sodom city Seated in the gate (councilman) Family learns from Sodom Lot first sets his hope on a place (Sodom a city in the plain) for his future. Lot took a series of small downward steps that are instructive to us.

7 Steps to Sin James 1:14-15 Lifted up his eyes - Desires of the heart Sin does not happen in one step, it follows a progression: Temptation –initial step can come as thoughts, feelings, emotions, impressions, pictures, or desires. Drawn away –allowing temptation to hang around & entertain thoughts about it. Lust –temptation becomes a desire or longing & a desire to participate in the sin becomes strong. Enticed – become captivated by lust & its desire to satisfy it increases. Lust conceived –we agree with temptation & make plans/decide to fulfill it. Sin – actual performance of the sinful act. Death –consequence of agreeing with sin is separation from God, self, & others Adapted from Be In Health©

Genesis 15.1 God's Covenant with Abram Word of the LORD Special phrase indicating these words/visions are coming directly from the “mouth of God” 1After these things- the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,Abram: I [am] thy shield, [&] thy exceeding great reward. (Rom 4:1-12; Gal 3:1-9; Heb 11:8-19; James 2:14-26)

Genesis 15.1 God's Covenant with Abram FEAR NOT! – God’s 1st words to Abram ! RELATIONSHIP “Fear not” 1After these things-the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,Abram: I [am] thy shield, [&] thy exceeding great reward. (Rom 4:1-12; Gal 3:1-9; Heb 11:8-19; James 2:14-26)

Genesis 15.1 God's Covenant with Abram Abram is promised this “special relationship” RELATIONSHIP “Fear not” PROTECTION “Shield” PROVISION “Reward” 1After these things-the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,Abram: I [am] thy shield, [&] thy exceeding great reward. (Rom 4:1-12; Gal 3:1-9; Heb 11:8-19; James 2:14-26) God’s special relationship with Abram includes these special blessings of protection & provision for the future.

Genesis 15.2-3 God's Covenant with Abram FEAR NOT - God knows Abram has fear 2& Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, & the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 & Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: &, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. We all have a choice Faith OR Fear Eliezer- a near relative of Abraham residing at Damascus; & that "steward of my house“ & "born in my house"-literally “son of my house,” Gen 15:2,3-mean the same thing, the lawful family heir. Eliezer shows up again to assist Abraham

Genesis 15.2-3 God's Covenant with Abram Abram questions God Prove it ! 2& Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, & the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 & Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: &, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. what wilt thou give me? seeing I go childless! thou hast given no seed !

Abram’s questions & fears FEAR NOT- God knows Abram has fear Genesis 15.4 God's Covenant with Abram 4 & , behold, the Word of the LORD [came] unto him, saying, Abram’s questions & fears what wilt thou give me seeing I go childless thou hast given no seed: God is speaking directly & explicitly about His relationship & promises to Abram in answer to Abram’s questions, doubts & fears. God’s answer In the OT God speaks directly to the people He has appointed to carry out His plan on the earth

BEHOLD the Word of the LORD Genesis 15.4-5 God’s answer God's Covenant with Abram BEHOLD the Word of the LORD God’s answer 4 & BEHOLD,(God Proclaims) the word of the LORD [came] unto him (Abram), saying, This (Eliezer) shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels (loins) shall be thine heir.

Genesis 15.4-5 God’s answer Special heir Many heirs God's Covenant with Abram God’s answer 4 & , behold, the word of the LORD [came] unto him, saying, This (Eliezer) shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. Special heir Many heirs 5& He (God) brought him(Abram) forth abroad, & said, Look now toward heaven,& tell (count) the stars, if thou be able to number them: & He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. God brought Abram to a place where he could look toward heaven to count the stars then He speaks His promises

Abram receives “right standing” “righteousness” before God” Genesis 15.6-7 God's Covenant with Abram because he believed. Righteousness & Land Through FAITH 6 & he (Abram) believed in the LORD; & He (God) counted it to him for righteousness. 7 & He said unto him, I [am] the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. Abram receives “right standing” “righteousness” before God”

Abram asks, “how will I know I will inherit the promise? Prove it!! Genesis 15.8-11 God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise (Num 34:1-15; Rom 4:13-25) 8 & he(Abram) said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? Abram asks, “how will I know I will inherit the promise? Prove it!! Prophetic of Christ’s Sacrifice Worship Covenant Promise

God answers Abram’s question in a strange way! Genesis 15.8-11 God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise (Num 34:1-15; Rom 4:13-25) 8 & he(Abram) said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? God answers Abram’s question in a strange way! God gives- an instruction & a prophecy a covenant (promise)

God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise Genesis 15.8-11 God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise (Num 34:1-15; Rom 4:13-25) 8 & he(Abram) said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?... 10 & he took unto him all these, & divided them in the midst, & laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 & when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. OFFERING –Worship Gen.15.9 Take a 3 year old Heifer 3 year old she goat 3 year old ram Turtledove Young pigeon

God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise Genesis 15.8-11 God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise (Num 34:1-15; Rom 4:13-25) 8 & he(Abram) said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 10 & he took unto him all these, & divided them in the midst, & laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 & when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. OFFERING –Worship Gen.15.9 Take a 3 year old Heifer 3 year old she goat 3 year old ram Turtledove Young pigeon

God's Covenant with Abram Why does God put Abram into a deep sleep? Genesis 15.12 12 & when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; &, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

God's Covenant with Abram Prophecy of Abram’s seed & Egypt Genesis 15.13-14 13 & He (God) said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, & shall serve them; & they shall afflict them 400 years; 14 & also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: & afterward shall they come out with great substance. Prophecy Egypt 400 year bondage then… come out with great substance ?

God's Covenant with Abram Prophecy of Abram’s seed & Egypt Genesis 15.12-16 15:12-16 A deep sleep fell upon Abram; with this sleep a horror of great darkness fell upon him: 1. Future suffering of Abram's seed They shall be strangers in a strange land They shall be servants of strangers Egyptians serve under a curse Hebrews serve under a blessing & will be preserved for God’s purposes. 2. Judgment of the enemies of Abram's seed. Prophecy

God's Covenant with Abram his death & his generations Genesis 15.15-16 God's Covenant with Abram Abram’s seed & Egypt his death & his generations Prophecy 15 & thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16But in the 4th generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

OFFERING -Worship Genesis 15.8-11 God's Covenant with Abram God Confirms His Promise 3 year old Heifer 3 year old she goat 3 year old ram Turtledove Young pigeon OFFERING -Worship

Genesis 15.17 God's Covenant with Abram God walks through the sacrifice 17 & it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, & it was dark, The Blood Path forms a covenant “Cut a covenant, cut a deal”

Genesis 15.17 God's Covenant with Abram God walks through the sacrifice in the “Path of Blood” 1st 17 & it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, & it was dark, The Blood Path forms a covenant “Cut a covenant, cut a deal”

17 & it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, & it was dark, Genesis 15.17 God's Covenant with Abram -- God walks through the sacrifice 17 & it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, & it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, & a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

1st time as a smoking furnace, & 2nd time as a burning lamp Genesis 15.17 God's Covenant with Abram (Heb 9.22) God walks through the sacrifice 1st & then again ! The 2nd time ! 1st time as a smoking furnace, & 2nd time as a burning lamp 1st “walk on the blood path” was for “superior party” “to bind” them to the blood covenant 2nd “walk on the blood path” was for “inferior party” “to bind” them to the blood covenant. Either party that broke the covenant would end up like the sacrifice. What did God do?

Genesis 15.17 God sentences Himself to die in Abram’s place if Abram or his descendants sin &/or God breaks the covenant

God's Covenant with Abram Genesis 15.18-19 God's Covenant with Abram 18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19The Kenites, & the Kenizzites, & the Kadmonites, 20 & the Hittites, & the Perizzites, & the Rephaims, 21 & the Amorites, & the Canaanites, & the Girgashites, & the Jebusites. Inhabitants of the “land promised to Abram”

Genesis 16. 1 Sarah, Hagar & Ishmael 1Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: & she had an handsmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. Genesis 12.10 & there was a famine in the land: & Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there

Genesis 16. 1 2& Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Sarah, Hagar & Ishmael Why does God wait to give the son? 2& Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. & Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 16.3-4 Sarai, Hagar & Ishmael Why does God wait to give the son? 3& Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt 10 years in the land of Canaan, & gave her to her husband, Abram to be his wife. 4& he went in unto Hagar, & she conceived: & when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. “Sarai’s plan” doesn’t go as expected

Genesis 16.5-6 Sarai, Hagar & Ishmael My wrong [be] upon thee 5& Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong [be] upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; & when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me & thee. 6But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. & when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. “Sarai’s plan” doesn’t go as expected

Genesis 16.7-8 Angel of the LORD 7& the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8& he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? & whither wilt thou go? & she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. Hagar is called by her name & position

Genesis 16.9-10 Angel of the LORD “I will” is God speaking as “the Angel of the LORD” 9& the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, & submit thyself under her hands. 10& the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Genesis 16.11-12 Angel of the LORD Ismael’s future & character 11& the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou [art] with child, & shalt bear a son, & shalt call his name Ishmael (God EL hears); because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12& he will be a wild man (like a donkey**); his hand [will be] against every man, & every man's hand against him; & he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. Prophecy

Genesis 16.13-14 The GOD who Sees me 13& she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me (EL ROI) for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi (well of the living One that sees me) ; behold, [it is] between Kadesh & Bered.

Genesis 16.15-16 Son of the slave 15& Hagar bare Abram a son: & Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16& Abram [was] fourscore & six (86) years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Reflection! Prophecy Choose God’s ways over man’s Abram’s future -His descendants–the Nation Messiah’s coming to earth Melchisedec the blood pact/unilateral covenant

Lot Pitches Tent Toward Sodom Small steps lead to big problems Lot’s steps Beheld (lifted up his eyes) Chose Departed Dwelt in the plain Pitched toward Dwelt in Sodom city Seated in the gate (councilman) Family learns from Sodom Reminder !! Eyes - key to the heart

Genesis 16 Abram’s & Sarai’s sin Blaming GOD & her husband – decision without asking GOD “the LORD hath restrained me from bearing” Abram's wife took Hagar her maid & “gave” her to Abram “My wrong [be] upon thee” Abram Ignoring the covenant & promises - makes a fleshly choice “Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” he will be a wild man (son of the slave - man’s ways)

God’s covenant remains in force