Family of Faith: Abraham

WHERE ARE WE IN THE NARRATIVE?

Creation & Fall Genesis 1-11

Humans are made to live in the presence of God and in relationship with one another and with all of creation.

The Family of Faith Genesis 12-50

Abram & Sarai —> Abraham & Sarah (12-25)

Hagar & Ishmael (16-)

Isaac (21-35)

Isaac & Rebekah

Jacob & Esau (25-36)

Jacob & Leah, Rachel, Bilhah & Zilpah

Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar & Zebulun

Rachel: Joseph & Benjamin

Rachel’s servant Bilhah: Dan & Naphtali

Leah’s servant Zilpah: Gad & Asher

Joseph (37-50)

The Family of Faith - focus in on Abraham

And specifically on Genesis chapter 15

What happened in Gen 12… initial call & promise

But as we pick up in Gen 15, Abram is distraught.

God called. Abram & Sarai packed up and left, bringing their nephew along. And there have been some bumps along the road so far.

And now, A is wondering whether God’s promise can possibly be fulfilled. A great nation, really?

I just updated my will, and the only person inheriting any of this is a servant?

Genesis 15:1–3 NIV

1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Genesis 15:4–6 NIV

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

The Family of Faith

What do we notice God doing?

vs 1 revelation

this is who I am and what I am like

Reminder: I am your shield and very great reward.

vs 5 God takes Abram outside

vs 5b Look up - look at the stars

A visual aid that A will see again and again

vs 6 credits A’s trust as righteousness (GENEROUS)

And so for us…

God has promised to make all things new.

What else has God promised?

Does it look like those promises are being fulfilled?

(sometimes?)

What can we do?

Get outside. Look up.

Trust.

Trust who? The God who is our shield and our very great reward. The God who has shown us Himself in Jesus.