Genesis Part 4 Dispersion and Abraham

Dispersion

Brief Summary: The Book of Genesis can be divided into two sections: Primitive History and Patriarchal History. Primitive history records (1) Creation (Genesis chapters 1-2); (2) the Fall of man (Genesis chapters 3-5); (3) the Flood (Genesis chapters 6-9); and (4) the dispersion (Genesis chapters 10-11). Patriarchal history records the lives of four great men: (1) Abraham (Genesis 12-25:8); (2) Isaac (Genesis 21:1-35-29); (3) Jacob (Genesis 25:21-50:14); and (4) Joseph (Genesis 30:22-50:26).

God has destroyed with the flood and is starting over with Noah and his family. God saves them from His judgment using an Ark. God will use His Son in the future to be the Ark for whosoever will enter into the door (Jesus).

Note: Genesis 10:25 - In the days of Peleg, the earth was divided. Is this the continents dividing or the people being scattered?

Chapter 11 - The whole earth had one language and one speech, until man wanted to rebel against God and make a name for themselves. God comes down and various languages are born. God created man to be one and have a common language. Man’s selfish ambitions and rebellion against God causes problems with God an one another. Does this still happen today?

It is only from the Scriptures we learn the true origin of the different nations and languages of the world. By one miracle of tongues men were dispersed and gradually fell from true religion. By another, national barriers were broken down—that all men might be brought back to the family of God.

*Nimrod = Rebellion. He is the founder/creator of Babel (or Babylon) Babylon is to always symbolize rebellion against God in the Bible.

Pentecost is a reversal of Babel, when the Spirit of God is poured out and all languages are united to glorify God through Christ’s Spirit.

Abraham: The Beginning of the Hebrew Nation

(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible)

God made choice of Abram, and singled him out from among his fellow-idolaters, that he might reserve a people for himself, among whom his true worship might be maintained till the coming of Christ. From henceforward Abram and his seed are almost the only subject of the history in the Bible. Abram was tried whether he loved God better than all, and whether he could willingly leave all to go with God. His kindred and his father’s house were a constant temptation to him, he could not continue among them without danger of being infected by them. Those who leave their sins, and turn to God, will be unspeakable gainers by the change

(Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Chapters 9–11))

Hebrews 11:8–19 is a summary of the faith of Abraham. Someone has said that Abraham believed God when he did not know where (Heb. 11:8), when he did not know how (11:11), and when he did not know why (11:17–19).

We must emphasize again that God did not call Abraham because of his own merits. He had none. He was a citizen of an idolatrous city, Ur of the Chaldees. Had not God revealed Himself to him, he would have died an unbeliever. From a human point of view, God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah—who had no children—was a foolish one. But ultimately it brought great glory to God and great blessing to the world.

How? Genesis 12:1-3 - I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. I will bless those who bless you and curse him who curses you. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. God will do it if Abraham will believe it.

Through them… we have a Bible, a Savior, and the Gospel. The Christian Church is grafted in as spiritual Israel, and all in Christ are children of Abraham.

Key passages: Genesis 15:6 - God accounted Abraham’s faith to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:17-18 - God makes a promise and enters into covenant Himself by passing through through the sacrifices alone. God bound Himself to the covenant to fulfill it. God is also going to do this 2000 years later when the Son of God passes between us and the Father, making an everlasting covenant with those who walk by faith in Christ alone.

Another Key Figure: Melchizedek - The king of righteousness, the king of Salem (Jerusalem and Peace). He is a type of Christ, a unique figure who was is both king and priest, like Christ. Jesus is a priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5-7). Christ is not our high priest through Levi. Levi and all other descendents bowed through Abraham, to another, and gave tithes to him. Tithes are given to superiors, to gods, or divine representatives in old times. His priesthood was not hereditary, it was from God alone. The Hebrew nation has a High Priest outside of themselves, Who is superior over all, God the Son.

Hebrews 11:8–19 is a summary of the faith of Abraham. Someone has said that Abraham believed God when he did not know where (Heb. 11:8), when he did not know how (11:11), and when he did not know why (11:17–19).

We must emphasize again that God did not call Abraham because of his own merits. He had none. He was a citizen of an idolatrous city, Ur of the Chaldees. Had not God revealed Himself to him, he would have died an unbeliever. From a human point of view, God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah—who had no children—was a foolish one. But ultimately it brought great glory to God and great blessing to the world.

Was Abraham a sinner? Was Abraham saved by faith or by works?

Key Picture: God tells Abraham to kill his only son. Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham obeys, God stops him, provides a substitute, and 2000 years later provides His Only Begotten Son to be our substitute, raising Him to life on the third Day.

Lessons: Nimrod, Babylon, wants to make a name for themselves… and God will put an end to them. But Abraham trusted in God and God exalted Abraham and made his name great. Obedience leads to blessing. God keeps His promises. Christ is seen in Genesis.

More Lessons: ______________________________________________________________

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