Lesson 17
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THE GENERATIONS OF TERAH
ABRAM lived about two thousand years before Christ. The student should notice the location of Ur and Haran. Also let him commit to memory Genesis 12:1-3 in the King James Version. In studying the blessing of Abraham he should read Acts 7:2-7 and Hebrews 11:8-10. There are three elements in the blessing:
a. The promise of a numerous seed. Genesis 12:2; 13:15; 15:5; 17:2, 4, 16; 18:18; 22:17; 26:4; 28:4; 32:12.
b. The promise of the land. Genesis 12:7; 13:15, 17; 15:7, 18; 17:8; 24:7; 28:4, 14.
c. The element of universalism. Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18.
All of this Abram was to accept in faith. That he did accept all by faith is shown to us by the New Testament, "Abraham believed the Lord, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." But the faith of Abram was tested in many ways.
a. Abram's faith in the promise of a numerous seed was tested. Genesis 11:30; 15:2-3; 16:1; 17:17. Note how his faith was tested in regard to his son. Genesis 22:12. Cf. also Gen. 22:1, 2, 16.
b. Abram's faith in the promise of the land was tested.
- He was a sojourner in the land. Genesis 12:10; 17:8; 20:1; 21:23-24; 23:4.
- The land was occupied by others. Genesis 12:6; 13:7; 15:18-21.
- He was twice driven out by famine. Genesis 12:10 ff.; Genesis 20:1 ff.
- His descendants were to be sojourners in a foreign land. Genesis 15:13.
- The land was invaded by distant rulers. Genesis 14:1ff.
- He even had to buy the cave of Machpelah for a burying place. Genesis 23:17.
c. Abram's faith in the promise of universalism is tested.
- Twice he has to leave the land, and both times he becomes a source of trouble. Gen. 12; 20.
- Abram and Lot have to separate. Genesis 13:5 ff.
- Foreign kings injure him. Chapter 14 [Gen. 14],
- He has to protest to Abimelech, because the wells have been taken from him. Genesis 21:22 ff. (Note, however, that Phicol recognizes that God is with Abram.)
EXERCISES
- Write from memory Genesis 12:1-3.
- What three elements were there in the blessing of Abram ?
- How many times is the promise of a numerous seed repeated?
- How many times is the promise of the land repeated?
- How many times is the element of universalism repeated?
- How was Abram's faith in the promise of a numerous seed tested?
- How was his faith in the promise of the land tested?
- How was his faith in the element of universalism tested?
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 418: "From Heaven Above To Earth I Come."
No. 238: "My Faith Looks Up To Thee."
1 By the word "universalism" we mean that the promise bud reierence to the whole world.