There and Back Again | Part 12

The Call of Abram

Curse Of Sin

  • Genesis 11:27 begins the sixth section, or "toledot," of our first book of the Bible.
  • Terah is the 10th generation from Noah, just as Noah was the 10th generation from Adam (10 is symbolic of completion).
  • We find once again that the chosen line of Seth can be corrupted even after the flood. Terah is identified with the Chaldeans.
  • This people group becomes rulers over Babylon and their name synonymous with magicians and sorcerers (Ezekiel 12:13; Daniel 2:2; 10). However, God's plan will not be thwarted and God calls Abram, the son of Terah, away from his fathers idolatry. This is another new beginning we find in the book of Genesis!

Curse Turn To Blessings

  • We have seen a "curse" proclaimed five times in Genesis.
  • These curses fell on the serpent for his deception (3:14-15), the ground to make work hard (3:17), Cain because he murdered his brother (4:11), Earth for the wickedness of society (8:21), and Canaan for the disrespect he showed his father (9:25). This pattern is reversed in God's five-fold "I will" blessing of Abram.

Five-fold "I Will" Blessings of Abram — Genesis 12:1-3

  • I WILL show you.
  • I WILL make you a great nation.
  • I WILL make your name great.
  • I WILL bless those that bless you.
  • I WILL curse those who dishonor you.

Abram's Faith — Hebrews 11:1-10

Abram stopped and built altars in three strategic places in Canaan (Shechem, Bethel/Ai, and Negeb).
These altars mark key points in Abram's journey as a physical and symbolic act of worship, claiming the land for God, and declaring his faith in this new land.
These sites will also be visited by his grandson, Jacob.
They are also instrumental in the conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

Gospel Reflection

  1. Describe something that struck you during today's sermon.
  2. How can this apply to your life THIS week?
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