Abram’s Call, Genesis 12:1-9

Posted on August 21, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3

I broke Genesis 12 into two posts since this was getting long. This first part tells of Abram’s journey to Shechem in Canaan. Next week’s post will be about Abram’s detour to Egypt due to famine in the land, Genesis 12:10-20.

You may read Genesis 12:1-9 here: Bible Gateway.

Genesis 12:1-3 unveils God’s covenant with Abram. God promises a great blessing to Abram. He would create a special nation through Abram’s offspring, but there is one condition: Abram would have to obey and leave the comfort and security of his home.

In Genesis 12:1 the word “had” suggests that God’s message to Abram happened in Ur, even though 11:31 ends with Abram in Haran. Abram respected his father’s leadership, but after Terah died Abram obeys and sets out for the land of Canaan. Lot probably also believed God’s promises since he voluntarily went with Abram.

The original Hebrew wording “you will be a blessing” in verse 2 means, “Be a blessing.” Not only would God bless Israel—the nation God would craft from Abram’s family—but they would also bless the other nations. Israel was to be set apart, follow God, and influence those around her.

Through Abram’s family tree, Jesus Christ was born to save all people. Jesus also made a personal relationship with God possible.

Abram Worships God

Altars not only memorialized significant encounters with God, but also reminded the people of His provision and protection.

Abram stops at Shechem (12:6-7), near the middle of Canaan (Joshua 20:7), where the LORD appears to him a second time. Again, God promises to give this land to Abram’s offspring. Abram responds with worship and builds an altar.

Layman’s Commentary Bible notes: “The word translated worship carries the idea of not only acknowledging, but also proclaiming the name of the Lord.”

Abram Camps Between Ai and Bethel

Abram heads out again. This time he and his group camp in the hills east of Bethel (12:8) as Abram continues worshiping God.

Biblos.com

So What?

Is God leading you to a place of greater service and usefulness to Him? Like Abram, don’t let your present comfort and security keep you from God’s plan.
Regular worship reminds us of what God desires and motivates us to obey.
Although geographically small, the land of Canaan was the main area for most of Israel’s history. Not only are Christianity’s roots from here, but Christianity has spread and positively impacted the world.
America has been richly blessed as our forefathers and people honored God and sought to live by His principles, including the support of Israel. But when we as a nation turn our backs on God and His teaching we are inviting His judgment.

Shem’s Descendants to Abram, Genesis 11:10-32

Posted on August 14, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

This section begins a new division in Genesis. Almost one-third of this book is spent on Abraham, the forefather of the Israelite nation (11:27-25:18), even though Genesis covers more than 20 generations and 2,000 years.

You may read Genesis 11:10-32 here: Bible Gateway.

Although humanity struck out three times—in Eden, the flood, then the Tower of Babel—God had a plan. Abram probably had no idea just how big God’s overarching plan was when He called Abram to leave his home and journey to Canaan. But Abram’s obedience would result in the development of the nation that God Himself would come down and visit through His sinless Son, Jesus. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus would make atonement for the worlds’ sins, for all who accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life through faith.

Shem’s genealogy is highlighted in verses 10-26. This section may seem dry and redundant (also listed in Gen. 10:22-31), but as we continue the Genesis saga we’re given a backstage pass to witness the setup for Noah’s blessing on Seth’s descendants. (Noah’s curse on Ham’s descendants is fulfilled when the Israelites conquer the land of Canaan in Joshua’s days.)

Terah: Abram’s Father (11:27-32)

Like Noah, Terah also had three sons, Abram being one of them. This account records Terah as the first to set out to Canaan with Abram and his family from Ur of the Chaldeans to settle in Canaan (vs. 31-32). But they end up in Haran instead. Scripture doesn’t say why. Perhaps he became sick. However, Joshua 24:2 and 24:14-15 identify Terah (and possibly his family) as worshippers of many gods. Ur and Haran were also significant places for the moon worship cult. Many of the names from Gen. 11:29 stem from this false religion as well.

Archaeologists have uncovered clues that indicate the ancient city of Ur in Abram’s day was a flourishing civilization. Not only did the city carry out a large trading system with their neighbors, they also boasted a huge library. Abram was most likely well educated from growing up in Ur.

Other Family Members

Lot, Terah’s Grandson and Abram’s nephew, is given a short introduction here. Lot, who becomes a main character in Gen. 13:1-14:24, is cast in contrast to Abram. Lot also traveled to Haran with Terah and Abram. His father, Haran, died in Ur.
Sarai, whose name is later changed to Sarah, married Abram (whose name is later changed to Abraham). She is also his half-sister (20:12), which was common and not in contradiction to God’s will at this time. Sarai’s childlessness in the ancient Near East brought social ridicule and shame. This also implied that the woman, or the couple, were disfavored toward the gods.

The Tower of Babel, Genesis 11:1-9

Posted on August 7, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” – Genesis 11:1-4

This incident happens before the worldwide scatter of nations described in Genesis 10. You may read Genesis 11:1-9 here: Gateway Bible.

Why Build a Tower?

The Building of the Tower of Babel, by Abel Grimmer (1570-1619)

The people in this story wanted to pay tribute to their own greatness. The NIV Life Application Study Bible notes: “The tower of Babel was most likely a ziggurat, a common structure in Babylonia at this time. Most often built as temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with steps or ramps leading up the sides. Ziggurats stood as high as 300 feet and were often just as wide; thus they were the focal point of the city.”

Although this tower was a success from man’s perspective—a wonder to the world—the act came from self-preservation and pride instead of paying tribute to God.

Why Scatter the people?

God judges the people for their rebellion: placing trust in their own efforts instead of His provision. The word Babel means “confusion” in Hebrew and “the gate of gods” in Babylonian. Instead of settling in one place, God scatters the people over the whole earth by confusing their language.

The language of verse 6 may sound like God is worried, however, He is not threatened by man’s words or actions. Instead, He acts to protect man from himself.

Other Interesting Facts

“But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower.” Verses 5-6 are described as anthropomorphic: a description of God’s response in human terms. God really doesn’t need to leave heaven to know what is happening on earth.
Verse 7, “let us”, refers to the Godhead (Trinity) by using the same plural form of God as in the creation account (Gen. 1:26).
The area later known as Babylon carries a reputation of evil and has a long history of being Israel’s enemy.
Josephus and Genesis Chapter 10 by Bodie Hodge gives an insightful summary and excerpt from the great historian, Josephus, in his work: Antiquity of the Jews. Josephus’ research provides evidence of biblical accuracy in the Bible’s table of nations. You may read this article here: Answers in Genesis.

So What?

Achievements in themselves may not be wrong, but when they take God’s place in our lives they become idols. God gives us freedom to develop in many areas, but we are never free to replace Him.

I have been guilty in the past of building my tower of self-worth and identity based on achievements and/or success. How about you? Are there any towers in your life that need to be torn down?

The Table of Nations, Genesis 10

Posted on July 31, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.” – Genesis 10:32

You may read Genesis 10 here: Gateway Bible

The title “table of nations” is given because it tracks the connected beginnings of several people groups, all descendants of Noah’s three sons.

Chapters 10 and 11 record the division of nations that develop into individual cultures. The Tower of Babel described in chapter 11 is first referenced in chapter 10 with Noah’s descendants separating into nations.

Noah’s Descendants

Japheth (10:1-5)

This is the shortest section and lists fourteen of Japheth’s descendants that split into two groups. The group that settled in Europe became the coastline people that the apostle Paul later shared the Gospel with. The other group landed in India (Asia Minor). Bible nations that formed from Japheth are the Greeks, Thracians, and Scythians.

Ham (10:6-20)

Ham’s descendants settled in Canaan, Egypt, and the rest of Africa. Other Bible nations carved from Ham include the Philistines, Hittites, and Amorites.

The Canaanites played a significant role in Israel’s future history. Because Ham’s descendants were still in conflict with the original readers of this letter, they (readers) found this history important.

Shem (10:21-32)

The Bible nations that emerged from Shem (Semites) are the Hebrews, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Persians, and Syrians. Although Shem was older, his offspring is mentioned last because his offspring dominates the remaining recorded history in Genesis.

Shem’s genealogy splits with Eber’s sons (10:25). The word Hebrew originates from Eber. The Hebrews are later called the Israelites (beginning with Abraham’s grandson, Jacob) and Jews (descendants of Jacob’s son, Judah). David and Jesus both descended from Shem.

Noah’s Sons, Genesis 9:18-28

Posted on July 24, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth, (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth. Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.” – Genesis 9:18-21

(You may read the entire section here: Gateway Bible.)

This section darkly contrasts to the previous section of God’s grace and colorful rainbow. It’s sad to find Noah—the great hero of faith—in this scenario. But perhaps this scene is included in Scripture as a reminder that even godly people can fall to sin and its disastrous consequences.

(Proverbs31ministries.com)

The word translated uncovered in this text means “to be disgracefully exposed.” Ham makes no attempt to preserve his Dad’s dignity when seeing him like this. In fact, some scholars say the verb used to describe Ham seeing Noah portrays a nasty punch: “He gazed with satisfaction”.

Unlike Ham’s bold delight in gloating over Noah’s shame, his brothers Shem and Japheth honor their Dad by walking in backwards and covering him. In doing so, they win Noah’s approval and God’s blessing (9:23). Japheth is blessed with an extended territory and a large number of descendants (9:26-27) for protecting Noah. Japheth would also find protection in Shem’s tents.

But not Ham.

When Noah learns of Ham’s actions, he curses Canaan (Ham’s son): “The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers” (vs. 25). The NIV Life Application Study Bible notes: “This verse has been wrongfully used to support racial prejudice and slavery. Noah’s curse, however, wasn’t directed toward any particular race, but rather at the Canaanite nation—a nation God knew would become wicked.”

Verse 18, which speaks of Ham as Canaan’s father, was especially relevant to Moses’ original audience regarding Ham’s descendants. For it set the stage for the Israelite story under Moses’ leadership. The book of Joshua shows the fulfillment of this curse when the Israelites finally enter the promised land and drive out the Canaanites.

The end of chapter 9 records Noah’s lifetime after the flood, 350 years, and his total lifetime: 950 years.