Genesis
Lesson 17Genesis 11:27-12:20
In this lesson, we begin our examination of the life of Abraham, and all that God did through him. Highly revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, Abraham stands as a vivid example of what it means to live a life of faith. Initially, we will look at his life from birth up to the point at which he and Lot separate. Abraham and Sarah will become the beginning of the chosen people of God, and will continue the line of redemption begun first with Adam and Eve, then Seth, then Noah, and then his son Shem. We discussed Shem’s descendants in our last lesson where they were identified as the lineage through which Abram was born in Ur, a mountainous area in modern-day Iraq.
Read Genesis 11:27-12:20, and consider the following questions:
- Abram’s father was Terah. How many sons did Terah have (or, to put it another way, how many brothers did Abram have), and what were their names? (see Genesis 11:26)
- Which of Terah’s sons died while Terah was still alive? What children did that son leave behind at his death? (see Genesis 11:27-32)
- Abram and Nahor both had wives. What were their names? In particular, what was noted in the text about the wife of Abram? (see Genesis 11:29-30)
- One hundred and forty years after Abram’s birth, he (as Abraham) will seek a wife for his son Isaac; so he sends his servant to his brother Nahor. By this time, how many sons did Nahor and Milcah have, compared to Sarah who died after having only given birth to Isaac? (see Genesis 22:20-24 and Genesis 24:24)
- So, Abraham’s son and one of Nahor’s granddaughters (Isaac and Rebecca) begin the lineage of the Jews. In contrast, what two lines does Lot, son of Haran, eventually father? (see Genesis 19:36-38)
- What Moabite woman would become the grandmother of David? (see Ruth 1:4 and 4:16-17)
- In Genesis 12:1-3, Abram receives the call from God. God commands him to do four things. What are they?
- Of the four things that God commanded Abram to do, which one did he do immediately? (see Genesis 12:4-9)
- In Genesis 12:8-9, Abraham pitches his tent between Bethel and Ai. Bethel means the "house of God", and Ai would be ultimately be called the "house of destruction". Why would Ai be called that? (see Joshua 7:3-5)
- Abram and Sarai continue to travel toward the Negev, but a famine in the land forces them to continue on into Egypt. When they enter Egypt, Abram lies. What is the lie, and why did he do it?
- Did Abram, once God renamed him Abraham, ever use this lie again? Furthermore, was Sarai in fact his sister, i.e., had Abram actually married his sister? (see Genesis 20:1-2 and Genesis 20:12)
Until the next lesson, continue to reflect on the beginning of Abraham’s life, his walk of faith, and the family roots that we know will be so prominent in the years ahead. In the next lesson, we will examine both his separation from Lot, as well as the covenant that God will make with Abraham.
Thanks for being faithful in studying with us.
In Christ,
Wes
[2010]