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The Lord's Promise to Abram

Wayne Galloway
11/26/23 - Sunday Evening Worship

The Lord’s Promise to Abram

Gen. 11:10-11, 26-32

 

Introduction:

 

1.  The text we have just read connects the lineage of Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Terah, and Abram, whom we come to know later as Abraham.

2.  Abraham becomes the father of the Jewish nation through Isaac and Jacob (aka, Israel).  Jacob has 12 sons through whom the 12 tribes are descended.

3.  The history represented in this genealogical record takes us through the book of Genesis.

4.  Gen. 12:1-2 provides critical insight into God’s plan to overcome the effect of sin on humanity.  Though damaged by sin, God will work to restore and rebuild humanity in a way that will reflect His original design and purpose.

5.  He will do it through Abram.  Gen. 12:1-3 gives us insight into how God will act.

 

Discussion:

 

I.  God promised Abram a land (Gen. 12:1).

 

    A.  Abram had left Ur of the Chaldeans when his father Terahmoved them to Haran on their

          way to the land of Canaan (11:31-32).

          1.  Joshua 24:2 describes Abram’s fathers as serving “other gods” in Ur.

          2.  I do not know exactly how to reconstruct these events.  Did God speak first to Terah, as 

               the patriarch of his family to leave Ur?  Did God speak first to Abram and then Terah

               follow through by moving the family to Haran on the way to Canaan?

    B.  It is clear that they are to separate themselves from the family in Ur.

    C.  It is clear that they are to enter the land of Canaan.

    D.  They settle in Haran temporarily.  Why?  The text does not say.  How long were they here?

          There are a variety of factors that may have determined this settling in Haran.  Economic 

          factors may have been an influence.  Health considerations?  Other considerations?  

          Governmental issues?  

     E.  What we do know is Terah died here at age 205.  Evidently, Abram is the patriarchal 

           leader from this point.

     F.  Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran and set out for Canaan.  This is where the 

          descendants of Noah’s son Ham (Gen. 9:22) Canaan lived.  He was to be a servant to 

          Shem (Gen. 9:26).  Abram, of course, is descended from Shem.

     G.  The Lord appeared to Abram at the oak of Moreh and said, “To your descendants I will

           give this land.”

          1.  Abram built an altar to the Lord there.  Is this an expression of thanksgiving for the 

               promise God has made?  Is this a recognition of sin and an appeal for forgiveness?

          2.  Near Bethel and Ai Abram built another altar, “and called on the name of the Lord.”  Cf. 

               Gen. 4:26.

          3.  As a result of a famine Abram went down to Egypt.  When he returned to Canaan, he 

               built another altar near the oaks of Mamre (13:18).

    H.  God reiterated the promise that Abram’s descendants would receive the land (15:12-16, 

          18-21).  There is only one problem.   Abram doesn’t have any descendants.  Sarai his wife 

          is barren.

    

II.  God promised Abram that he would become a great nation (Gen. 12:2).

 

     A.  Gen. 15 reiterates God’s promise to give Abram descendants from his own body (1-7).  

           God said, “Look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.  

           So shall your descendants be.”  “Abram believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as 

           righteousness.”

     B.  BUT it is not entirely clear on how this is going to happen.  In Gen. 16 Sarai and Abram 

          come up with a plan to make things happen.

          1.  Abram will go in to Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian maid, to produce a child.

          2.  A child was produced, but the situation was not healthy between Sarai, Hagar and 

               Abram.

          3.  Ishmael was born when Abram was 86 years old.

     C.  When Abram was 99 the Lord reiterated the promise (Gen. 17).  

           1.  God said, “You will be the father of a multitude of nations.”

           2.  God even changed Abram’s name to Abraham meaning “father of a multitude.”

           3.  Note 17:6-8.

           4.  God promised Abraham a son through Sarai, now renamed Sarah (princess).  See 

                 17:15-22.  She was 90 years old. 

     D.  The promise is reiterated again in Gen. 18:9-15.  If you did not get the weirdness of the 

           circumstances before . . . it is made even more explicit.  The Lord asked, “Is anything too

           difficult for the Lord?”

     E.  In Gen. 21 Isaac is born (1-8).  Laughter dominates the scene!!!!

     F.  Abraham died at the age of 175.  Isaac married Rebekah and had two sons, Jacob and 

          Esau.  Jacob had 12 sons.  Joseph went to Egypt and made provision for all his family by 

          means of the blessing that God provided for them.  But, confident in God’s promise, 

          Joseph made the Sons of Israel swear to take his bones back to Canaan (50:22-26).

 

III.  God promised Abram that all the families of the earth wouldbe blessed through him (Gen. 12:3).

 

      A.  More on this later . . . 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  The Lord fulfills His promises.

2.  Even though men become impatient.

3.  Even though there is great difficulty, opposition, imprisonment, jealousy, enmity, old age and death.  The Lord is still in control.

4.  It is through His power that creation occurred and it is through His plan that restoration will be performed.  

5.  The question is, “Will you believe it?”