Bible Stories for Adults

God Calls Abram

Genesis 12

Next Week - God Makes a Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 13-21)
Bible Words to Remember:
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7

God's Divine Intention for His creation was: = Perfect Harmony
This included Harmony with: = Self, God, Others and Nature
This Harmony was contingent upon: = Obedience

Man's Revolt of Sin introduced: = Disharmony
This included Disharmony with: = Self, God, Others and Nature

Chapters 3-11 of Genesis show the cycle of Sin, Judgment, Grace:



Chapter	Disharmony	Sin	Judgment	Grace
3	= Self	The Fall	Death	Promise of Messiah
4	= Others	Murder	Expulsion	Mark
6-9	= Nature	Wickedness	Flood	Noah
11	= God	Pride	Dispersed	Abraham

Genesis 1-11 - Condensed history of human race
Genesis 12-50 - One man and his family

Who were the members of Abram's family?
Genesis 11:27-30 = Complete Family Tree on board (except Sarai-Abram line)
How was Abram related to Sarai other than marriage?
Genesis 20:12 = His half-sister, Complete Tree

Genesis 11:31-32 = Terah, Abram, Lot & Sarai left Ur for Canaan & settled in Haran
Ur = Center of Sumer, 1st great civilization. Modern, wealthy, advanced city
Haran = 600 miles from Ur, Different Hebrew spelling than Abram's brother

What was God's command to Abram?
Genesis 12:1 = Leave everything you know & go where I lead you
How was Abram different than the people of Babel?
Genesis 11:4 = Build a tower to "make a name for ourselves"
Genesis 12:2 = God said, "I will make your name great."
Why did God ask Abram to go?
= His plan to establish a chosen people through whom to bring Christ
What else did God promise Abram?
Genesis 12:2-3 = I will bless you...so you will be a blessing...all the peoples of earth
How were all nations blessed through Abram?
Matthew 1:1, 17 = Jesus descended from David, who descended from Abraham
Galatians 3:6-9 = All who have faith are blessed along with Abraham
Galatians 3:14 = blessing given to Abraham comes to the Gentiles through Christ
Was Abram selected because he was righteous or devout?
Joshua 24:2 = No, his family worshipped idols

What was Abram's response to God's call?
Genesis 12:4 = Abram left, 75 yrs old
Hebrews 11:8-10 = By faith Abraham obeyed & went, though he didn't know where he was going
What questions, explanations and details did Abram ask of God?
Genesis 12:4 = None (Not Where, When, How or Why), He just obeyed

What new promise did God give after Abram obeyed His first command?
Genesis 12:7a = Promise of land of Canaan to Abram's offspring
Why was offspring a significant part of God's promise?
Genesis 11:30 = Sarai was barren (Genesis 12:4 - Abram was 75 yrs old)
Acts 7:5 = Abram had no land, God promised to descendants although Abram had no kids
Hebrews 11:11-12 = By faith Abraham became the father of multitudes
How did Abram show his faithfulness to God?
Genesis 12:7-8 = Built altars

Where did Abram go from Haran? = Show on map - Oak of Moreh (Canaan holy place)
Genesis 12:6 = Shechem (main Palestine NS/EW crossroads)
Where did Abram go from Shechem? = Show on map - Today Beitin
Genesis 12:8 = Bethel - Ancient name Luz, later became a well-known holy place
Where did Abram go from Bethel? = Show on map - Beersheba is in Negeb region
Genesis 12:9 = Negeb - Southern dry highland of Palestine
Where did Abram go next, and why? = Show on map
Genesis 12:10 = Egypt, because of a severe famine

Who else did God send to Egypt?
Acts 7:11-15 = Jacob & household moved to Egypt from Canaan due to famine
Matthew 2:13 = Joseph took Mary & Jesus to protect Jesus from Herod
Why did God send each of these chosen ones to Egypt?
Matthew 2:14-15 = Out of Egypt I called my son.

What character qualities did Abram display in Egypt?
Genesis 12:11-13 = Didn't trust God to protect him, Stretched the truth (Sarai was half-sister)
What was an important component of God's plan through Abram?
Genesis 17:19 = God's covenant will be through Sarah's son Isaac
How did Abram's lack of faith threaten God's plan?
Genesis 12:14-15 = Pharaoh took Sarah for his own
How did God take Abram's mistake and turn it for His good?
Genesis 12:16 = Pharaoh treated Abram well and gave sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, cattle
How did God handle this threat to His plan?
Genesis 12:17-20 = Sent plagues on Pharaoh, who returned Sarai & told Abram to leave
Could Abram's sins nullify God's promise? = No, it was unconditional
Why is this important? = Man is imperfect and will sin