Genesis - The Beginning

Lesson 6 - The Faith of our Father Abraham

Context:
When Moses led Israel (the Jewish people) out of slavery in Egypt, they were to proceed to the Promised Land. In that Land, they were to live as God’s people and fulfill what God desired. Part of this purpose was to provide a place where God would one day come to redeem and restore humanity to himself (through Jesus). Was this a new call, or had their ancestors been called to do this previously? We look at this question today by looking at Abraham.

We find in Genesis 12-25 the story of Abraham who is considered the father of both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) who would later believe in Jesus. Even though he and his wife did some unwise and foolish things that caused all sorts of problems, Abraham believed God and followed him when God spoke his promise to him. For this, he was commended by God.

Abraham serves as a model to us who believe. In this lesson, we will explore some of God’s interactions with Abraham and how God gave Abraham an heir when he was 99 years old!

Genesis 15:1-6, 17:1-8

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 17:1-8

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 

7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

For further discussion:

Hebrews 11:11-12

11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man (Abraham), and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.