Confused but Chosen: Embracing God's Purpose in the Unknown

Bible Passage: Genesis 12–17:27

Summary: In Genesis 12–17:27, we witness God's covenant with Abraham amidst uncertainty, showcasing themes of faith, promise, and the testing of divine purpose in human lives.

Application: This passage encourages the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith even when faced with confusion and uncertainty. It reminds believers that being chosen by God does not exempt them from struggles, or uncertainty, and that our decisions have repercussions, but it does diminish their worth and purpose in His grand plan.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God’s call often leads through challenging and bewildering paths, yet His faithfulness assures us that He honors His promises, guiding our journey toward fulfilling His purpose.

Big Idea: Despite confusion and adversity, believers can trust in God's choosing and purpose for their lives, as exemplified through the life and faith of Abraham.

1. Called from Comfort

Genesis 12:1-5

2. Promises Amidst Perplexity

Genesis 15:1-6

3. Covenant of Confidence

Genesis 17:1-8

4. Surprising Scope of God's Plan

Genesis 17:15-27

Abram was called while in the southern tip of Mesopotamia or the “place between two rivers”. The city where he, his wife, father and his family, and his brother and his family resided was a city called Ur. This place is ancient! When I say ancient I mean, the first modern human settlements were founded here. Ur and Uruk were cities founded by Sumerians and this culture can boast! They are the originators of mathematics, angles, the wheel, animal husbandry, city building and political organization, irrigation, etc… they were truly the first modern people group. This more than likely was Abram’s lineage or perhaps he was one of the Semite tribes known as Akkadians that lived peacefully with the Sumerians.

One thing is for certain. Israel did not yet exist and Abram and his family would be from another way of life we have not yet fully identified. In this Law portion we find Abram, after his father had died, leaving Haran, a northern Mesopotamian city. Also, more than likely, like Ur at this time, a city ruled by Sumerians. However, the times were not good. Various tribes were making problems for the Sumerians/Akkadian rulers in the form of Aramite and Elamite raids. The land was also suffering due to millennia of water depositions various minerals into the ground that were causing crops to fail to produce as they once did. The ground no longer yielded its abundance and the enemies of the Sumerians were closing in. It was at this time that the “Most High” called to Abram, “go forth… To the land which I will show you”.

On his journey the Lord met him in the sacred trees, at the well, and then he settled on a mountain he and his family. Lot, due to Haran’s, Abram’s brother’s death had become a charge to Abram. They were together in a new land on the mountain close to water, trees, and the place where God showed Himself. However, the land here did not yield good supplies and so they went to another river area known as the “Negev”. Still so named in modern Israel. They however were unable to stay in Canaan due to a drought. They were to head, not to the rivers from which they came, but to the land of Egypt where the water of the Nile ensured there was plenty of food and resources.

Abram and Sarai had a problem though. Pharaoh apparently liked beautiful women and Abram was afraid he would be killed if he went after Sarai for being her husband. They instead created a story, which partially true; they told. This scheming caused Abram to become very rich. The Pharoah did bring Sarai into his palace but when he, by a dream, found out Abram and she were married he sent them away with gifts because God had warned him to honor Abram.

They returned to the Negev, then to the house of God, and to the well, and to the trees, and to the high place where they started their journey. There they stayed. There, they worshipped God.

However, Lot and Abram no longer were able to get along. Why? Their wealth was great and Lot and Abram’s men were bickering in the land. Abram went to the divine trees of Mamre in Hebron where he built an alter to God, where God showed His face. Lot went to the east into the lower valley where Sodom was. This would prove to be a bad decision as the norther five kings, most likely an alliance that eventually became the Philistines, came and took Lot and his family and all of his belongings by force. This however wouldn’t prove to be the end for Lot. Abram loved him and came to his rescue conquering the coalition of Kings and bringing all back to the valley.

On the way, Abram met a high priest of the “Most High”. A King/priest whose name was the “King of Righteousness”. Abram was blessed yet again and perhaps even make a priest and ruler in the order of Melchizedek christened a servant of the Most High God. Abram was promised a son of his own. Not Lot, not by the immigrant whom they oppressed, but a son of his own flesh from the womb of his wife Sarai. This was to be a miraculous intervention on behalf of the Most High’s purpose in the world through the flesh of Abram and Sarai. God would take what is not possible, make it possible, and then multiply it beyond measure. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran In Sumer!

Abram was not a perfect man. He and Sarai made a mistake with their Egyptian servant Hagar “the immigrant” when Abram “went into” her and she bore Ishmael to Abram and Sarai. Abram was then eighty-six Years old. They made the decision they felt best. This time however, the scheming did not bless Abram. Sarai was unfair to her when she because pregnant and only by the power of the Most High did Ismael and Hagar did not die. He brought them to a well and blessed Ishmael. This moment will come back to haunt the people who descend from Abraham.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old he was instructed by the Man God, to circumcise his household and to expect a child. All of the men in Abram’s household were circumcised and the obedience and ritual practices of Abram were seen by God and accepted as righteousness. The child of promise, flesh of Abram and Sarai, would come soon…