1 after this, the word of the lord came to abram in a vision: 1 after this, the word of the lord...

11After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:in a vision:

““Do not be afraid, Abram. Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,I am your shield, your very great reward.”your very great reward.”

(Don’t feel left out on the vision thing. Abram (Don’t feel left out on the vision thing. Abram didn’t didn’t receive any that we know of until he was 75. receive any that we know of until he was 75. Even at Even at that , he received a total of 8 (that we know of) that , he received a total of 8 (that we know of) over over the next 100 years.) the next 100 years.)


““Do not be afraid, Abram. Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,I am your shield, your very great reward.”your very great reward.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~““After this” ~ the rescue of Lot After this” ~ the rescue of Lot

his rejection of all of the wealth of S & Ghis rejection of all of the wealth of S & G his tithe to Melchizedek. his tithe to Melchizedek.

What did he fear?What did he fear?

Military security is no the issue. He had just Military security is no the issue. He had just beaten all of the bad guys. (Contractual, beaten all of the bad guys. (Contractual, guaranteed protection)guaranteed protection)

Financial stability was not an issue. He was quite Financial stability was not an issue. He was quite well off.well off.

The idea is total “I’ve got your back”ing in all The idea is total “I’ve got your back”ing in all areas of his life.areas of his life.

But he was afraid nonetheless.But he was afraid nonetheless.


““Do not be afraid, Abram. Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,I am your shield, your very great reward.” your very great reward.”

22But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 33And Abram said, “You have given me And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” heir.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Note Abram’s view of God: Adonai YahwehNote Abram’s view of God: Adonai Yahweh lord lord self- self- master existentmaster existent owner owner eternal eternal

He recognizes God as the one who holds his He recognizes God as the one who holds his destiny. destiny.

Whatever meaning may be found in his life is in Whatever meaning may be found in his life is in God’s hands.God’s hands.

Apart from this, life, by nature is meaningless and Apart from this, life, by nature is meaningless and purposeless. purposeless.



22But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 33And Abram said, “You have given me And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” heir.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maybe this is the root question: Maybe this is the root question:

Is my life to be a waste?Is my life to be a waste?What’s the point?What’s the point?



22But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 33And Abram said, “You have given me no children; And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

No son = no legacy personally. God’s promises No son = no legacy personally. God’s promises are currently are currently

moot. Are God’s promises sure?moot. Are God’s promises sure?

Perhaps 10 to 12 years have transpired since Perhaps 10 to 12 years have transpired since Chapter 12.Chapter 12.

Eliezer would have been adopted as a son who Eliezer would have been adopted as a son who would care for Abram in his old age. Eliezer would care for Abram in his old age. Eliezer would inherit Abram, Inc.would inherit Abram, Inc.

Something about carrying on of the family name. Something about carrying on of the family name.



22But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 33And Abram said, “You have given me And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” heir.” 44Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.”your own body will be your heir.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still in force.in force.2 Peter 3:8-9: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With

the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.




Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still in force.in force.Many “guarantees” in life are delayed.

PaychecksPaychecksEngagementsEngagementsRetirementRetirementBabies!Babies!




Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still in force.in force. Romans 8:19-21

19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.




Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still Delay does not mean denial. The promise is still in force.in force.

Very few folks like to wait. Understand the Big picture. (You are a part, not the whole)Make the waiting profitable (bring a book)



22But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 33And Abram said, “You have given me no children; And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 44Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” your own body will be your heir.” 55He took him He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the starscount the stars —if indeed you can count them.” —if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

It will be better than you imagined!It will be better than you imagined!

There is an indefinable element. There is an indefinable element.

Ephesians 3Ephesians 3 For this reason I kneel before the Father, For this reason I kneel before the Father, 1515from whom his whole family in heaven and on from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. earth derives its name. 1616I pray that out of his I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, power through his Spirit in your inner being, 1717so that Christ may dwell in your hearts so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, and established in love, 1818may have power, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Christ, 1919and to know this love that surpasses and to know this love that surpasses knowledgeknowledge —that you may be filled to the —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.measure of all the fullness of God. 2020Now to him who is able to do immeasurably Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, his power that is at work within us, 2121to him be to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.Amen.




It will be better than you can imagine!It will be better than you can imagine!




66Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.him as righteousness.


Romans 4Romans 4

What then shall we say that Abraham, our What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather,forefather, discovered in this matter? discovered in this matter? 22If, in fact, If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.something to boast about—but not before God. 33What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 44Now when a man works, his wages are not Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 55However, to the man who does not work but However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. credited as righteousness.

1313It was not through law that Abraham and his It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. that comes by faith.


Romans 4Romans 4

1616Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.Abraham. He is the father of us all. 1717As it is As it is written: “I have made you a father of many written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they dead and calls things that are not as though they were. were.


Romans 4Romans 4

1818Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” be.” 1919Without weakening in his faith, he faced Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as deadthe fact that his body was as good as dead — —since he was about a hundred years oldsince he was about a hundred years old —and —and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

Before this, we have to pass through Hagar. Before this, we have to pass through Hagar. He did waver before this. He did waver before this.


Romans 4Romans 4

1818Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” be.” 1919Without weakening in his faith, he faced Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as deadthe fact that his body was as good as dead — —since he was about a hundred years oldsince he was about a hundred years old —and —and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 2020Yet he did not Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthenedGod, but was strengthened in his faith and gave in his faith and gave glory to God, glory to God, 2121being fully persuaded that God being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.had power to do what he had promised. 2222This is This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 2323The words “it was credited to him” were written The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, not for him alone, 2424but also for us, to whom God but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 2525He He was delivered over to death for our sins and was was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.raised to life for our justification.


Perhaps the issue is who we are becoming Perhaps the issue is who we are becoming more than what we are doing. more than what we are doing.

Faith precedes and results in doing. It alone is Faith precedes and results in doing. It alone is

redemptive.redemptive.

Doing validates faith, but in itself is not Doing validates faith, but in itself is not

redemptive.redemptive.

Doing leaps from faith and can result in greater Doing leaps from faith and can result in greater

faith.faith.

Progressive SanctificationProgressive Sanctification

. .

77He also said to him, “I am the LORD, who He also said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.”this land to take possession of it.” 88But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”know that I will gain possession of it?”

Does faith ever doubt?Does faith ever doubt?

Does faith ever stumble?Does faith ever stumble?

77He also said to him, “I am the LORD, who He also said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.”this land to take possession of it.” 88But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”know that I will gain possession of it?” 99So the LORD said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a So the LORD said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” dove and a young pigeon.” 1010Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. birds, however, he did not cut in half. 1111Then birds Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. drove them away.

Old school covenant form. Old school covenant form. Vary serious covenant.Vary serious covenant.

1212As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. him. 1313Then the LORD said to him, “Know for Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. and mistreated four hundred years.

The number 400 does not have to be exact, The number 400 does not have to be exact, although is could be. (318 is definitely although is could be. (318 is definitely exact)exact)

1212As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. him. 1313Then the LORD said to him, “Know for Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. and mistreated four hundred years. 1414But I will But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great afterward they will come out with great possessions.possessions.

1212As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. him. 1313Then the LORD said to him, “Know for Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. and mistreated four hundred years. 1414But I will But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great afterward they will come out with great possessions.possessions. 1515You, however, will go to your fathersYou, however, will go to your fathers

in peace and be buried at a good old age. in peace and be buried at a good old age.


in peace and be buried at a good old age. in peace and be buried at a good old age. 1616In the In the fourth generation your descendants will come back fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” its full measure.”

The redactors missed another one!!The redactors missed another one!!

Fourth generation probably means a long time, Fourth generation probably means a long time, or perhaps, or perhaps, the generation was measured in hundreds, like the generation was measured in hundreds, like Abram’s.Abram’s.


in peace and be buried at a good old age. in peace and be buried at a good old age. 1616In the In the fourth generation your descendants will come back fourth generation your descendants will come back here, here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” its full measure.”

It is not that God is slow in keeping his promise. It is not that God is slow in keeping his promise.

Timing is critical. Timing is critical.

Israel’s conquest is partially in judgment of evil Israel’s conquest is partially in judgment of evil people and societies. God give them time to get people and societies. God give them time to get really “ripe”.really “ripe”.

The Rahab optionThe Rahab option

1717When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.passed between the pieces.

The vast majority of commentaries hold that only The vast majority of commentaries hold that only God is represented by the fire pot (small furnace) God is represented by the fire pot (small furnace) and the torch. and the torch. Not that is really matters, but Hugonian thinking Not that is really matters, but Hugonian thinking wonders if Abram is the fire-pot and God is torch, wonders if Abram is the fire-pot and God is torch, which ignites the fire-pot. This way God and which ignites the fire-pot. This way God and Abram symbolically enter into this covenant Abram symbolically enter into this covenant together. together.

1717When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. passed between the pieces. 1818On that day the LORD On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abrammade a covenant with Abram and said, “To your and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates — to the great river, the Euphrates — 1919the land of the the land of the Kenites,Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 2020Hittites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 2121Amorites, Canaanites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”Girgashites and Jebusites.”

The emphasis here is that God enters into a The emphasis here is that God enters into a covenant covenant with Abram that is one-sided. God requires with Abram that is one-sided. God requires nothing of Abram and his descendants here nothing of Abram and his descendants here other than the implication to possess that land other than the implication to possess that land that they would be given, which would require that they would be given, which would require faith/obedience. faith/obedience.

Every promise is certain.We need to be patient. (The big picture / not about you.)It will turn out different and better that you think.

I Corinthians 2:9

However, as it is written:“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”

Every promise is certain.

Faith, not works is redemptive: Being verses doing.

The basis of God’s covenant is himself.

He provided all that is needed. We must accept it.

This applies to all of life in Christ, not just salvation.

Do we always want what he provides?

He is Adonai Yaweh

Every promise is certain.

Faith, not works is redemptive: Being verses doing.

The basis of God’s covenant is himself.

Apart from God, life, by nature, is meaningless.

Focus on the fullness, not the empty.

He is Adonai Yaweh . . .

1 after this, the word of the lord came to abram in a vision: 1 after this, the word of the lord...

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