Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

I am very excited about that portion of the Word that will be our focus of study for the majority of the time this year. The longer I teach the Patriarchs, the more intimate I become with them and their stories. I find these chapters in Genesis to be among some of my favorites within the Bible. And I hope that through this study you will be enabled to say that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph have become among your best friends.

We will begin with the story of Abraham. You probably grew up singing that old song, "Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham; I am one of them, and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord...right arm, left arm, etc." It was a silly song that as kids we enjoyed because of all the motions that were put into it. And it is still popular for those very same reasons. But, just who is this Abraham? And why should the Bible tell us so much about his life? And why does he become the personal hero of the Apostle Paul, being mentioned by Paul in nearly every epistle he wrote?

The story of Abraham is a really a journey in faith. You have probably said, as I have said, "If only I had the faith of Abraham!" Certainly that is a lofty goal to which to aspire. But, God has shown me that Abraham's faith story did not begin at Mount Moriah, that great scene that we characterize as being the faith statement of Abraham. In fact, that story did not occur until nearly 40 years had elapsed since we were first introduced to Abraham in chapter 12 of Genesis. God can do a lot of development of our faith, if we allow Him, in 40 years. So, our focus for these first several weeks will be to try to follow this faith-story of Abraham.

So glad you are along for this study. (By the way, if you would like to read an excellent study on the life of Abraham, I would highly recommend Chuck Swindoll's book on Abraham, part of his series on Great Characters from the Bible.)

Genesis 12

Key Words: "I will" (spoken by God - these words are very important)

Key Verse: Verses 2 and 3 declare God's promises to Abram, promises that have an eternal bent to them. These promises are made not only to Abram, but to his seed as well.

Purpose Statement: This chapter documents the call of Abram, his obedience by faith and his disobedience in going to Egypt.

Outline: The Call of Abram

I. A covenant with Abram (vs. 1-3)
II. Abram journeys to Canaan (vs. 4-9)
III. the journey to Egypt and the great lie there (vs. 10-20)

Questions to Probe: Why did Abram bother to take Lot along with him? God had specifically told him to separate from his family. Lot was really never to be an asset to Abram.

Thoughts to Ponder: The burden of responsibility for the fulfillment of the promises made to Abram rested upon God. Seven times God makes the statement, "I will..." We live in a world of broken promises such that we almost come to expect them and consider them as being part of life, but now so with God. He always keeps His promises. Not one has ever been broken. Now the fulfillment may be delayed, as in the case of Abram; but, in His time, each will come to pass. What a great God to put our trust in!

Verse 10 states that Abram went down to Egypt. Not only was this a going down geographically, but also spiritually. God had not told him to go to Egypt, only to enter into the Promised Land. Yes, a famine did greet him when he arrived, but as he left Haran by faith, really not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8), so he should have remained by faith in the land depending upon God to supply his needs. Egypt is always the place of spiritual destitution. It is much better to trust God in the midst of a famine than to trust Egypt with its plenty.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: What I can do, plus what God can do, equals enough.

Return to Table of Contents Genesis 13