Battle For The Truth (Part 56)

Genesis 13:14-18, “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: (15) For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (16) And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. (17) Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (18) Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”

Introduction

I cannot stress enough how critical Abraham is to the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. The narrative is about to get a bit tight, but it is still right. This is why we began this series emphasizing the absolute necessity of grasping and settling Genesis 1:1 in your spirit as the Truth. Because if you don’t, you will struggle with everything going forward, and we have come a long way. I hope you are still with me and strapped-in because God is taking us somewhere. Amen somebody.

Vv. 14-16, “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: (15) For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. (16) And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”

This marks the third time that “the Lord” speaks to Abram, demonstrating the depth of familiarity God had with Abram. First, God commanded Abram to leave his homeland, kindred, and whatever inheritance he had is his father Terah, to a land that He would show him. God also promised Abram that He would make of him a great nation and make his name great. God promised blessing upon those who blessed Abram and cursing upon those who cursed of dishonored Abram. Finally, God promised that through Abram, all families of the earth would be blessed. Thus, Abram departed for the land of Canaan.

Side Note: One might ask, why did Abram go into the land of Canaan? Why not Egypt or east towards India or China? Well, although the text does not explicitly tell us, we know that Canaan was Terah’s destination upon the death of his son, Haran in Ur of the Chaldees. However, for reasons unknown, Terah decided to settle in Haran where he died. Apparently, God did not want idol worshipping Terah to enter the Land of Promise. Once Terah was out of the picture, God spoke to Abram. We will see a familiar pattern once Lot separates from Abram. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders He performs. He plants His foot out on the waters and rides on every storm. Amen somebody.

Upon arriving in Canaan at Shechem, God appeared to Abram and confirmed that Canaan was the land that He would give to his offspring. So, Abram built an altar unto the Lord and worshipped Him there. This shows us that Abram was a true worshipper of God.

Now after Lot has separated from Abram, God speaks to Abram this third time. God instructs Abram, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.” Notice that God said, “all the land that you see,” which by default does not include what you cannot see. What could Abram see? What was visible to him? At this point in the narrative, we cannot be sure, but we will find out in Chapter 15. Finally, God promises that He will give unto Abram innumerable descendants.

Side Note: I find it remarkable that God reaffirms and refines His promise to Abram. This tells me that God knows something about Abram that is not in the text. I submit that Abram needed this confirmation. After all, He has already been through a lot—nearly losing everything is Egypt, were it not for God’s merciful intervention. After such an experience, I believe Abram was not going to budge an inch unless God instructed him to. I can imagine him thinking, “Lot, you and yours can have whatever you see and go wherever you choose to go, but as for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord right here.”

However, what is more important to understand is who is making the promise. This is the same God of Genesis 1:1, whom the Scriptures declared created the heavens and the earth. The same God who spoke and said, “Let there be light and there was light.” The same God who created the land and the seas, and all living creatures—including man. He is the same God who spoke to Noah and instructed him to build an ark because He was going to destroy all flesh in the world except for Noah, his wife, three sons, and their wives. Did God do what He said? Oh, yes, He did. Now the same God has made a promise to Abram of the Land of Canaan and innumerable offspring.

This is important because you cannot give something that you do not possess. For example, I could promise to give you China or even the moon. But the promise would be of none effect because I do not own China or the moon. Therefore, a promise is only as good as the integrity of the promisor and their ability to fulfill the promise. Amen somebody. Thus, God could give Abram the Land of Canaan because He owns it; and therefore, can give it to whomever He desires. In fact, according to Psalm 24:1-2, “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” Amen somebody.

That said, we are witnesses that God confirmed His promise to Abram that the Land of Canaan will be his and his descendants forever! For how long? “Forever.” Now this is either true or false. Herein lies the “Battle For The Truth!” This means that even today, over 3,000-years later, the Land of Canaan (Israel) still belongs to Abram’s descendants. Therefore, Israel is not an illegal occupying force as most people ignorantly view it. If anyone is illegally occupying the land of Israel, it is the Palestinians. For this reason, we must strive to understand our world from a biblical perspective. Otherwise, we will find ourselves fighting against God. And I can tell you right now, anyone who fights against God will lose. Amen somebody.

V.17 – “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”

Now, God instructs Abram to get up and move out. Abram’s responsibility was to believe and obey.

V.18 – “Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”

Genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience and worship. Thus, Abram got up, moved out, and came into “the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”

Conclusion

Saints, God is so faithful and His promises sure. God is going to use Abram as an example for all believers. He dealt with Abram as a friend. The Apostle James writes in James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” I heard Jesus say, in John 15:13-15, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Jesus told His disciples that “The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” This news troubled their hearts. But Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (5) Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Well, Saints, Jesus died out on Calvary’s cross for my sins and yours. But I am so glad that He did not stay dead. Because early Sunday morning, while the dew was still on the rose, He rose from the dead with all power in heaven and earth in His hands. He could look at death and ask, “Where is you sting?” And He could look at the grave and ask, “Where is your victory?” “For the stings of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

I heard the song writer say:

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.

So, until next time, may the Lord Bless and keep you is my earnest prayer. AMEN.