Step 2: The Hebrew Fathers

The Hebrew Fathers - Genesis 12-50; Job (2165 - 1804 BC)

Key Characters:

Abraham - The Father of a Great Nation

Genesis 12- 25:11

Key Word: Faith

2226We believe that men are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith which is alone. They are saved by faith without works, but not by a faith which is without works.—21.25, 26

Charles Spurgeon

The Abrahamic Covenant:

Genesis 12:1–3 “1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

While Nimrod sought to make a name for himself, Abraham in faith obeyed God and God made him a great nation.

Proverbs 10:7 “7 The memory of the just is blessed: But the name of the wicked shall rot.”

Abraham is revered by Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

Blessed of God

Those who bless thee are blessed. - America

Those who curse are cursed. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Germany, Russia, Britian.

All families blessed in thee. A promise of Christ coming through Abraham’s family.

NATURE: The Abrahamic Covenant is eternal, unconditional, non-transferrable, literal, and foundational to understanding theology and prophecy. (John Yates)

Eternal: doesn’t ever expire as your salvation will never expire.

Unconditional: is not based upon actions of Israel, but God’s unconditional promises. While initially Abraham had to go to Canaan the promise is and continues to be for the nation of Israel.

Literal: Israel can’t be changed to the church. The promises were made to Israel and his seed, namely Isaac.

Foundational: without a proper understanding of this covenant you will not understand your Bible and prophecy.

Palestinian Covenant (Genesis 12:4-9)

Genesis 12:7 “7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.”

Covenant confirmed and expanded (Genesis 13:14-18)

He is told to look as far as he can see, for that will be his seed’s land.

His seed will be as the dust of the earth.

Another Covenant affirmation: Genesis 15

Key Verse for justification by faith without works Genesis 15:6 “6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (See also Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23)

Praise Jesus Christ our salvation is not based on works, but faith in God’s Son.

Seven-fold prophecy given concerning his family’s future.

Isaac - The Chosen Seed

Genesis 25:12-28:9

Key Word: Submitted

Submit … to God calls us to subject our wills to his control. We can submit ourselves to the Lord only when we recognize that he is greater and worthy of more honor than we.

Thomas D. Lea

The promised Son in Abraham’s old age is born when Sarah is 90 and Abraham is 100 years old.

Compromise in Genesis 16 with Hagar, a bondmaid for Sarah’s sake. This was a culturally accepted custom, but not a God blessed custom.

Beware of doing what his culturally acceptable at the expense of pleasing God. i.e. complaining, lying, alcohol, smoking, drugs.

Hebrews 11:11–12 “11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.”

Are you willing to keep waiting on God when it seems like his promises are not coming to pass?

Hebrews 6:12 “12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

A willing offering to the Lord. Genesis 22 He pictures Christ being offered for our sins, but God provides himself a Lamb.

Willing to marry Rebekah under Father’s direction. In like manner Christ receives all that come unto Father by Him.

Covenant reiterated. (Genesis 26:3-5, 24-25)

Jacob - Father of 12 Tribes

Genesis 28:10-36:35

Key Word: Undeserving

Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.

A. W. Tozer

Jacob and Esau are born to Isaac and Rebekah.

He was a Momma’s boy. He was more domestic. But he was also deceitful and that weak point of his was encouraged by his mother when he stole Esau’s blessing. He had earlier manipulated his brother for the birth-rite when he was starving for a bowl of soup. (Genesis 25:29-34)

While Rebekah, his mother, knew that Jacob was to be the one through whom God would fulfill the covenant with Abraham and Isaac going about it unethically was not proper. Also it appears that Isaac was very carnal focused on what he wanted instead of actually what God wanted i.e. savory meat or to bless Jacob.

When he sends Jacob to Haran to get a wife, he then blesses Jacob with the promised covenant given to Abraham and himself.

Jacob lives in Haran 20 years where is deceitful ways come and bite him back.

7 years for Leah, whom he did not want.

7 years for Rachel, whom he loved.

6 years for the flocks God blessed him with of Laban.

Jacob returns and wrestles with God in Penuel.

His name is changed to Israel.

Joseph - The Favorite Son

Genesis 37:1-50:26

Key Word: Forgiving

Favored Son with a coat of many colors.

Tattled on brother’s bad behavior. (upright)

Told his dreams of their one day bowing to him. (pride)

Hated by his brothers and sold into slavery.

Slave of Potiphar

Imprisoned

2nd in Command

Gifted to see God’s plan and not take revenge.

Genesis 50:19–20 “19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

66  God is the consummate forgiver. And we depend every day on His ongoing forgiveness for our sins. The least we can do is emulate His forgiveness in our dealings with one another. John MacArthur The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness (1998)

John F. MacArthur

Job - The Suffering Saint

Job 1-42

Key Word: Suffering

It is when we view our suffering as meaningless—without purpose—that we are tempted to despair.

R. C. Sproul

Job lost his prosperity and wealth

Job lost his health

Job went through long false accusations by his three friends.

Why does God allow suffering (John Yates, FBI, Vol. 1, Job, 236)

silence Satan.

Job 1:9–11 “9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Job 2:4–5 “4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Job might see God.

Job 42:5 “5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: But now mine eye seeth thee.”

Job might see himself.

Job 40:4 “4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.”

Job 42:6 “6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent In dust and ashes.”

Job might learn to pray for rather than lash out against his critics.

Job 42:10 “10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

God’s plan for his own eventually have happy endings.

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Genesis 50:20 “20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Suffering is not always the result of personal sin.

God’s sovereignty over suffering

Provide an example for others.

Purify Job’s faith

James 1:2–4 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

1 Peter 1:7 “7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Applications:

Do you have faith to go out and obey when you do not know exactly where God is leading?

Are you submissive to the directives of authority God has placed over you?

Have you realized you are unworthy of God’s grace and praised him for his grace?

Have you been willing to forgive all who offend and look beyond the offense to see God’s plan.

Have you seen suffering as a means to help you become like Christ?