Abrahamic Covenant
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION
A chosen relationship in which two parties make binding promises
REVISED DEFINITION
God’s partnership with mankind to bring about his redemptive purpose
Promises and Commitments
REVIEW
CREATION
God’s Power, People, Place
COVENANT WITH NOAH
Evil reigned in the days of Noah. Gen. 6:11-12
English Standard Version Chapter 6
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
The flood exposed the true nature of human being and underscored the judgement deserved for forsaking our Creator.
One-Way
God made a covenant with Noah - Genesis 8:21 “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Man is still wicked so God’s covenant was one-way, meaning God would be faithful to his promises irregardless of mankind’s faithfulness.
TOWER OF BABEL
Genesis 10 The generations of Noah, demonstrating the really of mankind’s innate evil that culminates in Genesis 11 with the Tower of babel.
Judgement - peoples are divided and scattered
This leads us to Genesis 12 and the Call of Abraham.
THE MAN
THE MAN
God justifies the Ungodly
THE UNCONDITIONAL CALL
NOT RIGHTEOUS
Joshua 24:2-3
English Standard Version Chapter 24
Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan
Nehemiah 9:7
English Standard Version Chapter 9
You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham
BY FAITH, NOT WORKS
Romans 4:5
English Standard Version Chapter 4
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Galatians 3:6
English Standard Version Chapter 3
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”
ABRAHAM
An Idolator like the rest of his family
God chose Abraham - not because of anything Abraham had done
Abraham believed God (with a broken, imperfect faith)
THE PROMISES
THE PROMISES
THREE PROMISES
KINGDOM LAND
“To a land that I will show you...”
KINGDOM PEOPLE
“I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.: (Gen 12:2)
KINGDOM POWER
Universal - "and in you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3)
God promises to Abraham were not just for Abraham and his descendants but is to be applied to all peoples, from all nations
THE PAIN OF DOUBT / CRISIS OF BELIEF
Drought & Land (Place) - Sojourn to Egypt (Gen. 12:10)
Abraham lies about Sarah being his wife. Pharoah takes her as his wife and God punishes Abraham.
Childlessness & Children (People) - (Genesis 15:2)
How will I have descendants without children. What of the promises of God.
Promises Restated
Heifer, Goat, Ram, Turtledove, and Pigeon.
Cut them in half, except for the birds
Abraham
Deep Sleep
Dreadful Darkness - “an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety with the absence of light or illumination...”
God’s Promise
God alone passes through the dead animals.
Saying, “If I break my promise, may be happened to these animals happen to me.”
ABRAHAM’S DOUBT
Continued Childlessness
Hagar - the Egyptian Servant
Abraham listened to the voice of Sarai rather than the promise of God.
Ishmael - not the child of promise (Arab nation today)
THE COVENANT PARTNERSHIP
THE COVENANT PARTNERSHIP
NEW NAME (Genesis 17)
Abram means ‘exulted father.’
Abraham means ‘father of a multitude’
Sarai means ‘
Sarah means ‘princess’
CIRCUMCISION - SIGN OF THE COVENANT
COMMAND & CONDITIONS
For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
Keep the way of the Lord
Do righteousness and justice
RECONCILING CONDITIONS & PROMISES
The conditional nature of the covenant is evident here, for the Lord tells Abraham that if his children fail to keep the Lord’s way, they won’t experience the blessings pledged.
There is significant evidence that the covenant with Abraham is ultimately unconditional, in the sense that ultimately and finally the promises of the covenant will be fulfilled.
At the same time, only those who believe and obey will experience the blessings of the covenant. Therefore, no one can presume on the blessings of the covenant, including Abraham’s physical children, for they must believe and obey to receive those blessings.
John to the Baptist in Matthew 3:9-10, “ And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Paul emphasizes that the true children of Abraham are those who put their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (Romans 4:1-26; Galatians 3:6-9). Those who are the children of Abraham, those who enjoy the blessings of Abraham, don’t rely on their works but put their faith in Jesus Christ.
COVENANT CONDITIONS FULFILLED IN JESUS
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
“Ultimately, the only true child of Abraham is Jesus Christ, for he is the only one who was completely obedient to God. Only Jesus Christ always and gladly did the will of God. Since Jesus is the true son of Abraham, the children of Abraham are those who belong to Jesus Christ. The covenant with Abraham is unconditional, for it is guaranteed by Jesus Christ, the obedient one.”