From Terror to Trust: Abram's Journey of Faith

Bible Passage: Genesis 18:1–22:24

Summary: This passage records the transformative moments in Abram's life where he experienced divine encounters that shifted him from fear and uncertainty to faith and obedience, particularly focusing on the promise of a son and the testing of that promise with Isaac's near sacrifice.

Teaching: This sermon teaches about the nature of faith and the importance of trusting God even when faced with fear and adversity. It emphasizes how God’s presence and promises can provide assurance and direction in times of uncertainty.

Big Idea: Even in the moments of our lives where terror strikes, God calls us to a deeper trust based on His unchanging promises and faithfulness, exemplified by Abram’s journey.

1. Divine Promise Declared

Genesis 18:1-15

2. Daring Intercession Illustrated

Genesis 18:16-33

3. Destructive Terror Encountered

Genesis 19

4. Deceptive Fear Exposed

Genesis 20

5. Doubtful Fulfillment Experienced

Genesis 21:1-21

6. Diplomatic Peace Achieved

Genesis 21:22-34

7. Decisive Trust Demonstrated

Genesis 22:1-24

The scene opens with a miraculous visitation of what is identified as two angels and a third man, one who accepts worship and identifies himself as the one who chose Abram. This messenger is clearly different from the other two, and Abram bargains with him for the lives of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Oddly, this section refers to supernatural beings as men and even presents the God whom Abram worships as a man. This is truly a wonder in the Bible, and while I have my theories, they are solely my opinion. I would like to suggest that perhaps Abram’s religion had some caveats we don’t fully understand today.

In the end, neither town is saved, and only Lot and his two daughters are spared from the fire that comes from heaven and devours all the people in the valley. Even Lot’s wife does not escape. Following this, another tragedy unfolds. Despite having seen the town of Zoar, Lot and his daughters flee to the mountains and take refuge in a cave. Somehow, the daughters believe that another world-ending disaster is imminent and, being without other men, decide that their father must carry on the family line. The girls do what they should not. Moab and Ammon are born on that day.

The terror Abram witnessed when Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed presumably caused him to flee from his location near the valley to the Negev and Gerar, further west and slightly south. He was afraid and, once again, told another ruler that his wife was his sister. Abimelech took her into his harem, and soon after, God made it known that Sarai was not to be touched, for she was the wife of a prophet. Sarai then became Sarah. Abraham was to become a father, and Isaac—whose name means “laughter,” because they laughed at the God who walked among them as a man—was conceived in Sarah’s old body!

However, this was bad news for Hagar, the immigrant. She and Ishmael were to be expelled and would have died had the God of Abraham not saved them. Ishmael and Hagar were on the brink of death, but a well was nearby, and a covenant was made. Ishmael would become the father of a great nation. He lived in the wilderness and married an Egyptian woman, like his mother. Abimelech later made a covenant with Abraham and returned Abraham’s well to him. At Beersheba, Abimelech, his commander, and Abraham made an agreement to treat each other well. This is where we first encounter the Philistines.

Finally, after many trials and losses, and having witnessed God’s retribution for sin in real time, Isaac was born, and Abraham had the family God had promised. However, the “Akedah” stood before him. The final test of Abraham’s faith was to be played out. Ishmael would not be the son of the covenant with Abraham’s God. It would be Isaac, but Abraham was also to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on the mountain. At the moment of no return, when the knife was about to be plunged into Isaac’s neck, the command was called off from the heavens. The promise and seal were made. Abraham would have the seed, the overcomer, the conqueror, from his lineage. As Abraham did not withhold his only son, neither would the Lord our God!

This story closes, setting up the next scene: the wife of Isaac, who is being prepared in Nahor’s home, Abraham’s brother.