Abraham's Saga part 2

Genesis 13:1-18

We’re not told that the Lord God sent him to Egypt; only that he went there because of the famine, was thrown out, lock, stock and barrel, or in Abram’s case family, livestock, silver and gold; he was very rich, seemingly more so than most of us could ever realize.

First Altar

            Abram’s first altar was built as he passed through Sichem in the plain of Moreh after God had shown him his promised land for the first time. Gen.12:7

Second Altar

            Abram built this altar at Bethel after he left the plain of Moreh, before he went into Egypt because of the famine in the land.. Gen.12:8-10

Third Altar

Immediately after being literally run out of Egypt Abram went back to Bethel where he’d built the second altar. Sometimes we need to return to where we know, without a shadow of doubt that we heard from Him. It’s vital to know God’s leading to avoid avoidable calamity.

 Abram’s altars testify that he was a man of faith and worship; not just at the sacrifice of Isaac but his entire life was marked with worship and faith. Worship also includes seeking direction from the Lord, [Lord, what should I do? or When…? or. Where? How?]. Our spirit will give witness of the Spirit’s leading. But, sometimes we stumble along in our pride and arrogance all the while on the wrong track.

A critical decision

            Abram’s sustenance was beyond our comprehension and so it also appears his nephew, Lot, was very rich. So great was their substance that they couldn’t live together anymore. So great was their wealth the land could not support them both, plus their hired help were fighting. It’s not a pleasant thing to be fighting with your neighbors, especially when you’re related to them.

            So Abram, being the man of God, proposed a solution to Lot. He gave Lot first choice of the land. A true man of God must be able to make tough decisions regardless of the outcome and regardless of what his flesh is craving. Lot chose what appeared to be the choicest land and left Abram with “second best”. However, first appearances are not always what they appear to be, plus neither Abram nor Lot knew what the future held.

            The difference is that the land Lot chose, the plain of Jordan, was inhabited by some of the most wicked and vile people in the world, at the time. If you recall in ch.9 Canaan was cursed by Noah, the Canaanites were the descendents of Canaan, and Canaan had a despicable sin nature of the sexual variety. A curse for violation of a sexual nature is an abomination unto the Lord, and carries the baggage of disrespect; being cut off from society and many diseases are directly related to sexual improprieties. In 1Cor.5:1-5 Paul admonished the church at Corinth to excommunicate with the fellow known to be discovering his father’s nakedness.

Separation

            First Abram was called out from his homeland, Haran, now he has to separate from Lot, his kinfolk who went with him from Ur. If a man wants God’s promised blessings, God will cause a separation to lead you closer to your promise. Remember, the land could not sustain both families, not exactly rocket science to Abram and Lot. It was not only Abram and Lot, but the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also contending for survival.

            It wasn’t until Lot went his separate way that God spoke to Abram and showed him the land He had promised him. The promise was not for Lot, but for Abram only. Too many people want to lay claim to that which is only promised to His people! Even today, there are numerous people laying claim and fighting over that which was only promised to Abram.

The land and the seed

            After his adventure to Egypt and back, he has to take a walk—a long, long walk. He walked the length and breadth of God’s Promised Land. Are you willing to take a walk for God’s promise?

            Then God reveals how large a family (posterity) Abram will have—like the dust of the earth so no man can number them. That’s where you and I come in, as a part of Abram’s seed. It is estimated that the holocaust exterminated approximately 6 million Jews. And yet they were not annihilated.  It is my guess that there are more Jews living today, throughout the world, than at any other time in history, not including Christians.

            Whatever God has for you—it is only for you! Never give up until you’ve received your promise.

Fourth Altar

            In Hebron Abram built his fourth altar to worship to the Lord God after walking the length and breadth of the land. I think Abram was in awe at the size of God’s Promised Land which prompted the third altar. When we stop to think about it all of God’s provisions and promises are awesome to us!

            Here we see Abram’s faith in traversing the land on foot. There weren’t any motor vehicles in those days. Everything was by camel and foot.

            I wonder if you and I would be so awe struck as Abram if we had to drive the land in our luxury motor home.

Altar Significance

Abram’s altars were significant in several ways:

·         They were a place of worship

·         A place of praise

·         A place of seeking direction

·         A place of solitude, being alone with the Lord God. Nothing can replace being alone with Him. It is here that the worldly noises are silenced and His voice and leading becomes crystal clear.

·         A place of refreshment and renewal

·         They signify Abram as a man of worship and obedience. To what do your altars speak of?

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    What is the significance of the altars?

2.    Can you resonate with Abram’s altars?

3.    Is your life marked by worship?

4.    What can you do to change your worship patterns?

5.    Could not the Lord God provide for Abram and Lot despite the famine? Explain.

6.    Like Abram, have you ever encountered difficulty while obeying Him to the point that you were temporarily sidetracked? Explain.

7.    What did you do? Panic? Worship? Explain.

8.    Which of God’s persona can you see in this chapter? Explain.

9.    Do you worship the same God today as Abram? Explain.

10. What have you learned about God that you didn’t know before? Explain.

Knowing God

A brief [not complete, add to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:

·         Love

·         Gracious

·         Merciful

·         Righteous

·         Longsuffering

·         Gentle

·         Faithful

·         Compassionate

·         Forgiving

·         Friend

       The ultimate goal of Bible study is to know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.

Answer to: Why isn't forgiveness a pert of the fruit of the Spirit?

                                                        An online discussion group

Why isn’t Forgiveness a part of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22-23?

I guess I view the fruit of the Spirit differently. As evidenced by Jn.15:1-8 only the Spirit can produce fruit, I view it sort of like the man altered fruit trees way back when- the 5-in one trees, by grafting in branches of other varieties, but without the abiding fruit of the Spirit no fruit may be produced. I view forgiveness than a fruit as more of a mandate Mt.6:14-15; Mt.21-35. Even so I see your points are well taken, but I'm old school trying not to read more into the text than is there. We can surely get into trouble attempting to "add" another fruit. At any rate we all agree it is the work of the Spirit as our flesh is rebellious and defiant to forgive or produce any of the fruit of Gal.5 for that matter. My flesh most definitely rebels at the very thought of forgiving.

As for Dr. Jone's questions: 1. Yes! God gives all men ample opportunity to come to faith in Christ. 2. No! Heb.9:27 "After this the judgment".  However your 1st statement concerning "those who've died before hearing the gospel" I must confess I'm a tad confused. How did that enter the discussion and what does it have to do with the discussion?

Genesis 9 The Covenant and the Curse

Remembering that “Genesis” means book of beginnings:

·         The beginning of the earth, universe, mankind, sacrifices, worship, covenants, judgment, families, marriages, sin, curses and so on.

Genesis 9 is no exception; it begins with the inhabitants exiting the ark after the worldwide flood. Genesis 9 also marks the first of many covenants God made with man, after the flood. It also has a curse, though not the first, that being the curse upon Noah and his posterity if they disobeyed.

Recalling ch.8:20-21 Noah built an altar upon which he sacrificed a burnt offering unto the Lord God, who, upon smelling its sweet odor accepted it as a form of worship. Noah’s worship included praise and thanksgiving for God’s provision. Notice it was immediately following their exodus from the ark. A principle we ought to follow daily.

The Covenant/ Blessing

The covenant/blessing actually begins in 8:21- 9:17

·         I will no more curse the ground

·         I will not smite every living thing

·         Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will remain.

·         Family blessing: fear and terror of beasts concerning not only Noah and his family but all mankind. Now animals have need of being domesticated by man including the aquatic life.

·         Unrestricted diet of every beast and herb

·         Vs4. The blood of the beast must be drained and not drunken.

·         A personal accounting for shedding another man’s life shall be made to the Lord God.

·         Mankind will be fruitful and multiply on the earth.

·         Vs. 9:9-12 God reiterates His promise to Noah in greater detail.

·         Vs.4-6 Curse of capital punishment: But the flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of every man; [who spills another’s lifeblood, Amplified] at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.

In other words because the life of man is in the blood [blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the entire body] the blood is not to be drunken and if a man murders or otherwise takes the life of another, capital punishment, executed by man, is the curse or sentence. This is God’s given mandate and authority for the death penalty to be carried out to man by man.

·         The promise is sealed with a bow [rainbow] in the sky for a perpetual covenant to all generations. [meaning that God will never again destroy the earth and its human inhabitants as well as animal, by flood; vs. 14-17 establish His covenant/blessing]. We are still reminded of God’s covenant with Noah each time we see a rainbow after a rain. 2Peter 3:9-12 promises that God will destroy by means of a worldwide fire, burning up all the elements of life. However, once again He will preserve for Himself a remnant, as in Noah’s day.

The Curse of Canaan

9:19-25 records the sin of Ham, Noah’s youngest son, and subsequent curse upon Ham’s son Canaan. This is made evident by the statement in vs. 24 and knew what his younger son had done unto him. As a direct result of Ham’s behavior, Noah cursed Ham’s son Canaan, the grandson of Noah. It is possible that Noah saw the same sinful tendency in Canaan as he did in Ham. It is also possible, as at least implied, that Noah was aware of some sort of sexual connotation that happened in the tent.

The actual curse was that Canaan would be the servant of servants unto his brethren and the servant of Shem vs.25-27. The Canaanites have historically been arch enemies of Israel and some of the most wicked i.e. Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities from whence Lot and his family were delivered before their destruction. Sodom and Gomorrah were notorious for their sexual perverseness. That’s why Lot was confronted by the men of the city who desired the two men (angels) abiding with Lot, ch.19:1-8.

However, the text is not crystal clear and leaves several unanswered questions and several possible answers:

·         If Ham was the guilty party, why did Noah curse Canaan?

·         What is a curse?

·         Who was present in this scenario? Shem? Ham? Japheth? Noah? Noah’s wife? Canaan?

·         What were their roles in this scenario?

·         What exactly happened to cause Noah to react the way he did?

·         Exactly what does it mean to discover his father’s nakedness?

1.    Let me state that I don’t believe that Noah hated either Ham or Canaan. I believe he loved them both.

2.    This was not an act of anger against Ham and his son, Canaan.

3.    Was it Noah’s naked condition that prompted his curse upon Canaan.  Or was there more than the text reveals?

4.    As a testimony of God’s righteous, sinless persona, and a warning to future generations of God’s wrath against sin.

5.    A curse is an invocation of excommunication; or an expression of misfortune. It is not an unleashing of profanity. In many cases, a curse is a predetermined penalty for violating a rule, law or statute. Lev.18:6-30 and Dt. 27:15-26 lists the prohibitive behavior Israel to avoid. Lev. 18:6-20 specifically regarding incest.

6.    The Hebrew word for curse is: arar, awar. The primary root word is execrate, which means to utterly detest, abhor, abominate. It is a curse or imprecation. It is a very bitter pronouncement, which suggests something vile and contemptible.

7.    In the case of Adam and Eve the curse was predetermined, death.

8.    In 1Cor.5:1-6 Paul instructs the church at Corinth to sever fellowship with the believer known to be having his father’s wife, in direct violation of Lev.18:8.6-20; showing that though we are not under the law, yet we cannot violate it without serious repercussions.

Three perspectives:

1.    That Ham was guilty of same sex immorality (homosexuality) against his father Noah. Generally accepted because there is no mention of Noah’s wife in the picture. This account is primarily used as an argument against homosexuality. However, though homosexuality is prohibited and condemned in Scripture. See Lev.18:22; 1Cor.6:9-10.

Many believe that this story does not support an account of homosexual behavior.

2.    Scripture commonly speaks of a man’s nakedness as referring to sexual intercourse with a man’s wife. Leviticus 18:6-20, The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Canaan lived a cursed life because he was conceived by incest. So Noah cursed Canaan not out of spite but as understanding that Ham had violated his own nakedness by lying with his [Ham’s] own mother, thus reaping what is sown, Gal.6:7-8, and his tragic circumstance, serves as a warning to others against following in Ham’s wicked way. Any act of incest sets the child, of that act, up for failure. That is but a part of the curse.

3.    The third and final perspective is that the curse upon Canaan was the beginning of the black race; somehow proclaiming the black race as a lower class of people. Many trace it back through Ham and finally Cain. However, the text simply does NOT support this heresy. It was propagated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon Church. And was also used to justify slavery. There is no Scripture that teaches Canaan’s curse was the beginning of the black race.

Regardless of which perspective one may agree with; the ultimate lesson is that incest and perverse sexual behavior comes with a curse attached. Ever since the beginning of time man has endeavored to remove the curse upon him and yet continue living a lifestyle contrary to God’s moral standards. Adam and Eve attempted to cover their sin with inadequate fig leaves. Today, there are lawsuits filed against bakeries for their stand against devious lifestyles. Christians are being subjected to cruel persecutions for standing for their beliefs.

Shem and Japheth blessed

Vs.26 is God’s blessing upon Shem, the eldest son, and that Canaan would be his servant. When studying the definition of a curse it is easy to conclude that to be a servant of servants would be a very despicable assignment, to say the least.

            I firmly believe that today’s sexual movements are really designed to regain the dignity lost with Canaan and projected forward in an attempt to keep their own pernicious lifestyle. However, when one considers the curses listed in Deuteronomy 27:13-26 it is easy to see that there are a lot of scenarios in which many would fall prey to the curse.  In fact the very nature of sin carries with it the curse of death, the ultimate curse!

            In the New Testament Jesus removed the curse of sin (penalty of death) to all who would believe on Him as their Lord and Savior. Which behooves each of us as Christians, to love every sinner to life (not to be a partaker of their evil deeds) even as Christ loved us to life? He did not wait for us to clean ourselves up, but died while we were yet drowning in sin Rom. 5:8. The same is true of those on death row, yes they need to pay their debt to society, but we ought to love them to life—life as a Christian, though incarcerated. Remembering that often the only difference between them and ourselves is that they got caught by man, and we got caught by the Lord God unto salvation.

Vs.27 God promises to enlarge the tents of Japheth and Shem; reiterating in vs. 27 that Canaan would serve Shem. [To enlarge meant that God would cause Japheth to prosper. See Gen.39:2-4 the Lord was with Joseph and prospered him.]

Vs. 28-29 Noah lived 350 years after the flood and died at age 950 years of age.

            In those days it was not unusual to live 600 to 950 years or older; the original curse (predetermined penalty for sin) had not yet run its course to drastically reduce man and animal’s lifespan. Romans 8:19-23 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travileth in pain until now. And not only they, but ourselves, which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption.

This passage assures us that the creature is under the curse, dying with disease, just as we are, and that there is a future time when not only the children of God will be delivered, but also the creature. Bondage to death indicates we cannot escape [eternal] death without the hope in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Recall also that the creature was subject to the curse that man would not have an easy life, if perhaps the creature was not cursed.

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    What does Genesis mean?

2.    Why was Canaan cursed instead of his father Ham?

3.    What is a curse? Explain.

4.    How long did Noah live after the flood?

5.    At what age did Noah die?

6.    What does it mean to uncover thy father’s nakedness?

7.    Who was Canaan’s mother?

8.    Who was Canaan’s father?

9.    In what way is a child set up for failure?

10. Do you see God’s love manifested in this account?

11. Do you see His mercy?

12. Do you see His vengeance?

13. Do you see His provision [in salvation]?

14. Do you see His longsuffering?

15. Do you see His gentleness?

16. Some would say God is capricious and vindictive. Do you?

17. What was the significance of Noah’s altar in 8:20-21?

Knowing God

A brief [not complete; add to the list] synopsis of the persona of God. Circle each attribute of God as illustrated in this lesson. Explain and designate the verse or passage.

·         Love

·         Gracious

·         Merciful

·         Righteousness

·         Longsuffering

·         Gentleness

·         Faithfulness

·         Compassionate

·         Forgiving

·         Friend

·         Anger

·         Sovereignty

·         Provider

·         Redemptive

·         Remnant lover and provider

       The ultimate goal of Bible study is to know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.