7. The account of Terah, 11:27-25:11
special emphases: covenant & circumcision, child & inheritance
All which has gone before confirms the necessity of the election of Abraham.
With my emphasis on genealogy and the promise of Genesis 3:15, I see 11:30 as crucial for our understanding of Genesis 12:1-3. 12-25 is the working out of this apparent contradiction: the land-owner without land, the father without children, the blesser without blessed.
Brief Outline of Genesis 12-25 in regard to chapter themes
11Abram and Sara are childless
12They arrive in the land of Canaan, but they do not take possession of it, nor do the have a son.
13Lot would have been the heir, but nothing is said of that, and Abram even presumes to give Lot the choice of the land.
14There is no reunion between Abram and Lot, and the Melchizedek blessing recalls 12:1-3.
15Abram asks about the heir (note how after this the narrative seems to proceed slowly.
16Abram and Sara attempt the traditional solution
17,18God says no, and then He asserts His promise once again.
19man gone astray, and foreshadowing of Canaanite end
20Prayer for Sodom, prayer for Gerar, prayer for Sarah?
21Is this the peak of the story?
22Or is this the peak of the story, for Isaac as heir is guaranteed
23First permanent real estate
24Marriage for descendants
25At this point there is a partial fulfillment of Genesis (3:15) 12:1-3: small plot of land and one child. The sidelines of Sodom and Lot create suspense in the story. The journey is not a leap of faith.
Notes for 11:27-12:9
12:1-3 Compare translations of 12:1-3
12:3There is a constant struggle between having progeny and having land and having good relationships with neighbors. He gives up family for no family; He gives up land for no land; He gives up blessings for a blessing for a God that he cannot see; He gives up covenant with old gods for covenant with this God; Go, so that I may . . .
12:6Moreh: diviner's oak, moreh from same root as Torah, instruct. Probably a place used by others.
12:7Up to this point only God has spoken so far.
12:10 Faith is tested.
Notes for Genesis 12:10-20
12:11-13Abram hoped to fend off suitors by promises of marriage without actually giving her away (see also 24:55; 34:13-17).
12:15 was taken: often indicates marriage but sometimes consummation of marriage.
12:19 Though his sin was worthy of capital punishment in the ancient world, Pharaoh recognizes God is protecting him and allows him to leave.
12:10-20Event presages Israels journey into Egypt: sparing woman, gold and jewelry leaving Egypt,
plague prompts release. Yet in Abrams weakness God shows patience. A warning to us as well.
Notes for Genesis 13:1-18
13:5-6 Conflict develops because of blessings, but how will the blessed solve the problem?
13:10 Things are not as good as they look.
13:11-12Compared with Numbers 34:2-12, Lot is certainly stepping toward the land of his
descendants and may be out of Canaan. Could the east echo what Adam and Eve, Cain did
(3:24; 4:16) and the people of Babel (11:2)?
13:16 Uncountability: 15:5; 16:10; 28:14; 32:12. See also Romans 4:16-18; Galatians 3:29; and
Notes for Genesis 14:1-24
14:1Connections between these men and their locations are difficult.
14:2Location of these cities is problematic. Independent city-states.
14:6Hurrians: may be Hurrians or could be just Horites (1) custom at Nuzu for those without
children to adopt a son; in turn he would be designated her. If however a son should be
born the adopted son must forfeit his rights to the real son. (2) if the wife was barren she
might provide a salve to bear children for her husband. (3) should the salve bear children the
legitimate wife was forbidden to send her away
14:13-16Though victorious in his previous two battles, Chedorlaomer and his allies are defeated by Abram.
14:13 Abram the Hebrew: used by non-Israelites of Israelites, more social categorization than
14:15 Does Abram drive the people out of Canaan?
14:18 Melchizedek: Psalm 110 associates the king in Zion with Melchizedek, and Psalm 76:3 puts
Zion and Salem in parallel. Offers Abram royal banquet. In Hebrews 5-7 the superiority of
the Lords priesthood to the Aaronic priesthood is argued on the basis of Abrahams giving of
tithes to Melchizedek. A non-Israelite who recognizes Gods handiwork in Abraham.
El-Elyon: one of titles given to YHWH in OT; others include El-Olam, El-Shaddai.
14:19 Blessed: used three times; brings 12:2-3 to mind.
14:20 Tithing: old and widespread practice; given both to sanctuaries and kings; probably in virtue
of priest that Abram gives him tithe Melchizedek blesses and Abram responds in
14:21 Contrast king of Sodom with Melchizedek
Questions for Chapters 12-14
1. How many promises are given in 12:2-3?
2. In 12:1-3 what concept is the key? What is the highest blessing in the Old Testament (Leviticus 26:11-12)? How do the blessings of 12:2-3 link us with Genesis 1-11 (1:28; 5:2; 9:1) Can you see the reach of the Apostles Creed?
3. How is great nation fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20)? See also Acts 3:25 and Galatians 3:8.
4. How is great name fulfilled in Jesus (Philippians 2:6-11; Acts 4:12; Matthew 28:18-20)?
5. How does Abram demonstrate that he believes YHWHs promise (12:10)? See also Hebrews 11:8-10.
6. Why is Genesis 12:6-9 and 13:14-17 important in the Middle Eastern discussion?
7. Read John 8:31-59. Why was their root in Abraham important to the Jews in Jesus' day?
8. What reasons might you provide for God choosing Canaan?
9. Read Galatians 3:16. Through whom does fulfill this promise? What marks this as a covenant?
10. How is the covenant with Abram similar to the covenant that God made with us through Jesus Christ?
11. In what sense would one call Abram a man of faith? If he lived today, would we consider him remarkable?
12. What might have compelled Abram to act the ways (move and pass Sarai off as sister) he did in 12:10-19? How do our chosenness and failure fit together?
13. Abram is required to act on faith. Read Hebrews 11:8-10 attributes Abram's ability to respond to his faith. Is there such a thing as a faith that does not act?
14. Describe Abrams personal circumstances in Genesis 13:1-7 and connect them with Genesis 12:2-3. Abram permitted Lot to choose the land for his family; how does this fit into the blessing of 12:2-3? Why would God mention the sinfulness of Sodom at this point? And after Lot had chosen the other land, what does the LORD reiterate to Abram? How is the blessing expanded? What is the contrast between the land that Lot chooses and the land that Abram is given?
15. What is the author of epistle to the Hebrews telling us about our relationship with God as he brings to bear Melchizedek? How does this highlight Genesis 12:2-3? Read Psalm 110 and Hebrews 5-7. And how does Abrams contact with the king of Sodom also recall Genesis 12:3?
16. How do the events of Genesis 13 advance the blessing of Genesis 12? The events of Genesis 14?
