Page 24 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

Study Section 4: Pentateuch Part II:
Abraham: God’s Promise: Genesis 11:26-25:11

4.1 Connect

The book of Genesis changes direction with the life of Abraham. The previous eleven
chapters cover many generations. Now many chapters cover one generation. In the life of
Abraham two elements stand out: the promise of God and the gradual revelation of God’s
character to Abraham. The promise of God comes first with God’s gradual revelation of
Himself following in the events of Abraham’s life. Through succeeding incidents God
teaches Abraham not only about His character but also about His promise in an ever-deepening
understanding,

4.2 Objectives

1. You will trace the concept of a “seed,” first introduced to Adam and Eve, in God’s ongoing
revelations to Abraham.

2. You will walk with Abraham through the events of his life and note the many names for God
revealed to Abraham as he faces different challenges.

3. You will debate the content of Abraham’s faith. Did he believe specifically in a coming Messiah? Did
he believe more generally in God’s promises to him personally?

4.3 Abraham, God’s Promise

After a brief introduction placing Abraham in the line of descendants from Noah’s son Shem
(11:27-32), God speaks. “Go!” he commands Abraham. Before Abraham can respond, God
loads into the relationship a bunch of promises and one key promise. Five times in two
verses God says, “I will.” I will make, bless, make great, bless, and curse (12:2, 3). On their
own these would be remarkable promises. Then God says, “All peoples on earth will be
blessed through you” (12:3). Having one’s descendants become a great nation is one thing, but
somehow being a blessing to all peoples on earth is a promise of another magnitude entirely.

The promises are absolute, unconditional. They are given before Abraham responds. He does not earn
them by what he says or does. In fact, we are encouraged to understand Abraham’s response as
motivated by the unconditional nature of God’s promises. We might speculate on Abraham’s right to
refuse, but the option is not explored in Genesis. Abraham responds to God because of the greatness of
the promises.

As the record of Abraham’s life continues, the promise of God is repeated. “I will make your offspring
like the dust of the earth” (13:16). “Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count
them…, so shall your offspring be (15:5).” “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed
(18:18; 22:18; 26:4).” The promise is repeated later to Isaac (Gen. 26:3-4) and Jacob (Gen. 28:14).

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