Genesis Of The Jewish Nation ()

The Patriarchs (12:1-50:26)

The Life Of Abraham (11:27-25:18)

DECISIONS: AVOIDING BAD ONES

Genesis 12:10-13:4

Reading: Pro 3:5-7

Songs:

Lesson Aim: to learn to respect God’s word rather than that of men, to work out our problems rather than running from them

INTRODUCTION

B. However, with all God had promised Abram and with Abram’s display of obedience, indicating trust in God, Abram had a crisis of faith.

Discussion

I. DON’T CONSTRUCT HASTY DECISIONS (12:1-10).

God's Command To Abram And Promise Of Blessings

A. ... Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house , unto a land that I will shew thee ... (12:1-5).

1 ¶ Now the LORD <03068> had said <0559> (8799) unto Abram <087>, Get thee out <03212> (8798) of thy country <0776>, and from thy kindred <04138>, and from thy father’s <01> house <01004>, unto a land <0776> that I will shew <07200> (8686) thee:

2 And I will make of thee <06213> (8799) a great <01419> nation <01471>, and I will bless <01288> (8762) thee, and make <01431> <00> thy name <08034> great <01431> (8762); and thou shalt be a blessing <01293>:

3 And I will bless <01288> (8762) them that bless <01288> (8764) thee, and curse <0779> (8799) him that curseth <07043> (8764) thee: and in thee shall all families <04940> of the earth <0127> be blessed <01288> (8738).

4 ¶ So Abram <087> departed <03212> (8799), as the LORD <03068> had spoken <01696> (8765) unto him; and Lot <03876> went <03212> (8799) with him: and Abram <087> was seventy <07657> <08141> and five <02568> years <08141> old <01121> when he departed <03318> (8800) out of Haran <02771>.

5 And Abram <087> took <03947> (8799) Sarai <08297> his wife <0802>, and Lot <03876> his brother’s <0251> son <01121>, and all their substance <07399> that they had gathered <07408> (8804), and the souls <05315> that they had gotten <06213> (8804) in Haran <02771>; and they went forth <03318> (8799) to go <03212> (8800) into the land <0776> of Canaan <03667>; and into the land <0776> of Canaan <03667> they came <0935> (8799).

1. Abram received a command from the Lord (vs 1-3).

a. Though the text mentions that Abram was called while he was in Haran or as it is in the Book Of Acts - Charran (Gen 11:31) the command came to him initially while he was back in Ur of the Chaldeans (Act 7:2-4).

b. Abram was commanded to:

(1) “Get thee out of thy country”

(2) “Get thee ... from thy kindred"

(3) “Get thee ... from thy father’s house”

(4) Get thee ... unto a land that I will shew thee”

c. With obedience was to come promises:

(1) “unto a land that I will shew thee” (v 1; Exo 12:25; Deu 19:8-10; Jos 23:5; Act 7:4-5; Gal 4:22-31; Heb 11:9-12, 17-19).

(a) This was a reference to a land promise (cf. vs 7; 1 Ki 4:21).

(b)

(2) “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great” (v 2; Ex. 19:).

(a) More than one nation descended from Abraham.

(b) However, "a great" nation was specific to Israel.

i) the father of a multitude (17:5)

ii) man in God’s confidence (18:17-19)

iii) a prophet (20:7)

iv) a prince of God (23:6)

v) the servant of God (Psa 105:6)

vi) the friend of God (Jam 2:23)

(3) “thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed “ (vs 2-3; Gal 3:16; cp. Pro 17:13; 1Co 4:12; 1Pe 3:9).

(a) This was a reference to Christ a promise initially made to Adam and Eve (Gen 3).

(b) No greater blessing has ever been given a person.

2. By faith Abram obeyed the God’s command to leave, and in trust, “departed, as the LORD had spoken” (vs 4-5).

a. The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see (Heb 11:1, 6).

b. However, even with the faith and trust Abram had, his trust in God still had need to grow spiritually.

c. This understanding is reflected in the fact that even the start it would seem Abram made hasty decisions, that is decisions in which he did not consult God’s word; what he had spoken.

d. Abram did leave the land of his birth as he went into Canaan and “passed through the land” (cp. v 7).

e. However, Abram was also told to “Get thee ... from thy kindred. “

(1) The text informs us, that with Abram went his nephew Lot.

(2) It would seem Abram was at this point, only half following God’s word.

(a) Half following God’s word is not the same as faithfulness to his word.

(b) As King Saul learned (), we must realize that only following God’s commands in part, is not the same as faithfulness to God’s word.

(3) Later, as God blessed Abram and Lot, strive developed between them. They they separate, as God had originally commanded Abram.

3. God appeared to Abram while Abram was on his journey.

God’s Appearance To Abram

B. And Abram passed through the land ... And the LORD appeared unto Abram ... (12:6-9).

KJV

6 ¶ And Abram <087> passed through <05674> (8799) the land <0776> unto the place <04725> of Sichem <07927>, unto the plain <0436> of Moreh <04176>. And the Canaanite <03669> was then <0227> in the land <0776>. {plain: Heb. plains}

7 And the LORD <03068> appeared <07200> (8735) unto Abram <087>, and said <0559> (8799), Unto thy seed <02233> will I give <05414> (8799) this <02063> land <0776>: and there builded <01129> (8799) he an altar <04196> unto the LORD <03068>, who appeared <07200> (8737) unto him.

8 And he removed <06275> (8686) from thence unto a mountain <02022> on the east <06924> of Bethel <01008>, and pitched <05186> (8799) his tent <0168>, having Bethel <01008> on the west <03220>, and Hai <05857> on the east <06924>: and there he builded <01129> (8799) an altar <04196> unto the LORD <03068>, and called <07121> (8799) upon the name <08034> of the LORD <03068>.

9 And Abram <087> journeyed <05265> (8799), going on <01980> (8800) still <05265> (8800) toward the south <05045>. {going…: Heb. in going and journeying}

1. Abram passed through the land and came to Sichem (v 6).

2. There, in part, God reiterated his promises to Abram and Abram built an altar to God (vs 7; cf. 12:2, 3; 13:14-17; 15; 17; 18; 21:12-13; 22:9-18).

3. Abram went to Bethel where he built another atar to God, then continued further southward (vs 8-9).

C. ... And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt (12:10).

10 ¶ And there was a famine <07458> in the land <0776>: and Abram <087> went down <03381> (8799) into Egypt <04714> to sojourn <01481> (8800) there; for the famine <07458> was grievous <03515> in the land <0776>.

1. As Abram moved in obedience to God’s command to go, Abram was confronted with famine in the land (v 10).

a. In Abram we receive a picture of the journey of faithfulness or complete trust in God.

b. Let’s consider some of the road blocks we might face in developing faithfulness to God by examining some of Abram’s journey to faithfulness, to where he was able to offer up Isaac, his only son, a son of promise, knowing if needful, God would raise Isaac from the dead.

c. There was a famine in the land and Abram was faced the difficulty of providing for himself and his dependents without a physical means to do it.

d. Facing greater difficulties as a result of, Abram made a decision to move his family to the fertile land of Egypt.

e. Going to Egypt, Abram had made a decision to take a step away from God’s promises, at least the land promise.

f. Making decision that will take you away from God’s promise may be a familiar experience for you.

g. One of the first things we need to learn about making decisions is to keep God’s promises always in mind (Rom 8:18).

2. As we consider the crisis of faith that Abraham faced let’s conside what we can learn that will help us to avoid making bad decisions.

a. Perhaps some time in your experience, you were without work, without an adequate income, without good health and consequently, you were unable to properly provide for yourself and your family.

(1) If something such as this has not occurred in your life, you may encounter some time in your future.

(a) It will be a challenge to your faith.

(b) What will you do?

(2) Will you run? Many do!

(3) Something else we need to learn in making a decision, is not to necessarily consider not how you might get out of a difficult problem but what you can get out of it, what you can learn from it.

b. The grass may often appear greener on the other side of the fence but it is not always the best place to take ourselves spiritually.

(1) Running from the problems that we face in our daily lives as or out fear of a possible outcome is not the answer.

(2) Leaving problems unresolved in one place, will probably only allow for them to resurface in another place.

(3) When they do, we may be worse than we were originally.

(4) Abram didn’t intend to stay in Egypt but never-the-less he was operating not out faith but our of fear.

(5) A third thing we need to learn in making decisions is not to make them out of fear, based on emotion but out faith, out of trust in God (Isa 28:16).

(6) There is an old cliche, “Haste makes waste.”

c. The journey to faithfulness is not a journey of ease but there will be challenges.

(1) Those challenges to our faith may even bring us to the point of exhaustion.

(2) That is one reason for working diligently to develop in ourselves a strong faith (2Pe 1:5-11).

(3) The decisions that we make in our lives will either make things better for us or worse.

(4) They will also reveal whether or not we fully trust God.

Transition: Abraham perhaps thought that he could escape the pressures of the famine by fleeing to Egypt rather than remain in Canaan trusting in God, but once in Egypt Abram still faced problems as a direct consequence of his original decision to go to Egypt. In the early part of his journey, Abram had not yet reached the full potential of his faith. This was demonstrated further by other decisions he made which involved his trust in God.

II. CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF HASTY DECISIONS (12:11-13)

A. ... when he was come near to enter into Egypt ... he said ... (12:11-12).

11 And it came to pass, when <0834> he was come near <07126> (8689) to enter <0935> (8800) into Egypt <04714>, that he said <0559> (8799) unto Sarai <08297> his wife <0802>, Behold <02009> now <04994>, I know <03045> (8804) that thou art a fair <03303> woman <0802> to look upon <04758>:

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians <04713> shall see <07200> (8799) thee, that they shall say <0559> (8804), This is his wife <0802>: and they will kill <02026> (8804) me, but they will save thee alive <02421> (8762).

1. Clearly, the problem Abram left in Canaan, the famine, had led to further more difficult problems for him (vs 11-12).

a. He had made a hasty decision without having considered its impact on other people (cp. Psa 40:4).

(1) Those that believe that their decisions don’t have an impact on others only need only to consider the people that have been killed or crippled because of those that decided to drink alcohol and drive.

(2) Those that believe that their decisions don’t’ have an impact on others only need only to consider the crying spouses whose life has changed due to the break up of the marriage because something the other spouse has done.

(3) Those that believe that their decisions don’t’ have an impact on others need only to consider those devastated by their misplaced trust with their retirement money.

b. Instead of turning to God for guidance Abram turned from trust in God to scheming, or trust in himself.

(1) In whom or what does your life reveal you trust?

(2) God had made it clear he would protect Abram, but Abram chose to make is early decisions based on his own strength and his own reasoning.

(3) Abram said that it was “for thy [Sarai’s] sake” but in reality it was for Abram’s sake.

(4) Certainly by what he allowed to later happen to Sarai because of the decision, clearly explains that Abram’s greatest concern was for himself.

(5) A fourth thing we learn about making decisions is not to make them selfishly. Keep those affected by the decision in mind before making it.

(6) Abram seemed to have forgotten that God had said, “ I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (Gen 12:3).

c. Abram had gone from fearing or respecting God, to having more fear of men than fear of God (Pro 29:25; Isa 12:2-3; Mat 10:28).

d. The concept of two wrongs make a right or doing evil that good may result, are false and inevitably the real result is tragedy (cp. Rom 6:1-2).

B. ... Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister ... (12:13).

13 Say <0559> (8798), I pray thee <04994>, thou art my sister <0269>: that <04616> it may be well <03190> (8799) with me for thy sake; and my soul <05315> shall live <02421> (8804) because of thee <01558>

1. Again, without consideration of God word, Abram told what was a half lie or a half truth. It was the truth encompassed in a lie (v 13).

a. Abram and Sarai had the same father but not the same mother, making them half-sibblings.

b. In attempting to deceive others we are ourselves deceived because the devil has tempted us into believing that by deceiving others that we can deliver ourselves from our problems (Pro 3:5-7;1Co 3:18-20).

c. While Abram’s scheme may have saved him from death it only created more problems as does lying.

Transition: Abram’s selfishness in decision making became further obvious.

III. CURSE OF HASTY DECISIONS (12:14-20).

Abram In Egypt

A. ... The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh ... (12:14-17).

14 ¶ And it came to pass, that, when Abram <087> was come <0935> (8800) into Egypt <04714>, the Egyptians <04713> beheld <07200> (8799) the woman <0802> that she was very <03966> fair <03303>.

15 The princes <08269> also of Pharaoh <06547> saw <07200> (8799) her, and commended <01984> (8762) her before <0413> Pharaoh <06547>: and the woman <0802> was taken <03947> (8714) into Pharaoh’s <06547> house <01004>.

16 And he entreated <03190> <00> Abram <087> well <03190> (8689) for her sake: and he had sheep <06629>, and oxen <01241>, and he asses <02543>, and menservants <05650>, and maidservants <08198>, and she asses <0860>, and camels <01581>.

17 And the LORD <03068> plagued <05060> (8762) Pharaoh <06547> and his house <01004> with great <01419> plagues <05061> because of <01697> Sarai <08297> Abram’s <087> wife <0802>.

1. As Abram had said, so the Egyptians noticed Sarai’s beauty (vs 14-16).

2. Abram not only endangered the well fare of his wife with his hasty decision made without consideration of God, but Abram also endangered his example of godliness before those to whom he should have display it (v 17).

a. Fortunately for those involved, God intervened before the sin had gone to fruition.

b. We can’t always hope for the same with out hasty decisions.

B. And Pharaoh called Abram, and said ... (12:18-20).

18 And Pharaoh <06547> called <07121> (8799) Abram <087>, and said <0559> (8799), What is this that thou hast done <06213> (8804) unto me? why didst thou not tell <05046> (8689) me that she was thy wife <0802>?

19 Why saidst thou <0559> (8804), She is my sister <0269>? so I might have taken <03947> (8799) her to me to wife <0802>: now therefore behold thy wife <0802>, take <03947> (8798) her, and go thy way <03212> (8798).

20 And Pharaoh <06547> commanded <06680> (8762) his men <0582> concerning him: and they sent him away <07971> (8762), and his wife <0802>, and all that he had.

1. Pharoah made clear his displeasure and understanding of what could have happened.

2. We have no idea where Lot’s decisions would have made in the land of his birth, but we certainly know the results of Abram’s contribution to Lot’s decision by taking Lot rather than having completely separated from all kindred.