This week's Torah portion comes from Genesis 25:19-28:9.
Genesis 26:2-5 (KJV)
2
And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
4
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
God appeared to Isaac and told him to live in Canaan and not to go down into Egypt. God would be with him and bless him. God affirmed that the promises made to his father Abraham would be carried out also to Isaac and to his descendants. This was great news not only for Isaac and the Jewish people, but for all the nations of the earth as well, because through Isaac's seed (Messiah Yeshua) the whole world would be able to partake in the relationship between God and His people.
Verse 5 gives the reason for why Isaac would be so blessed. Abraham obeyed God's voice, kept His charge, His commandments, His statutes, and His laws!
But what charge, what commandments, what statutes, and what laws did Abraham obey? Traditional Christianity has long claimed that the Torah was only given to Moses and was somehow fulfilled (meaning set aside) by Yeshua's death and resurrection. However, if Christianity has been wrong about when the Torah was given, couldn't it be wrong about believers being able to set aside the "Mosaic Law?"
The Hebrew words used in verse 5 are: mishmeroti meaning "my charge or safeguards," mitzvotai meaning "my commandments," chukotai meaning "my inscribed statutes," and torotai, meaning "my instructions." This last word translated into English often becomes Law or Torah. Abraham obeyed the Torah! Although it is true that the Torah in its full sense was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, God's people were aware of many of God's desires prior to Moses. The seventh day Sabbath was revealed in Genesis 2. The rules of clean and unclean food were known by Genesis 8. And circumcision began in Genesis 21. So whatever parts of the Torah that Abraham knew about, he obeyed. And God was pleased by his obedience. If God was please by a Saturday Sabbath, the eating of clean foods, and circumcision, why would that change? How could Yeshua's death and resurrection change God's laws, especially those of a God that never changes?
Malachi 3:6a (KJV)
6
For I am the LORD, I change not;
May God one day see our obedience in the same way that He saw Abraham's!
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
A Glimpse of Messiah
This week's Torah portion comes from Genesis 18:1-22:24.
As I was reading about Abraham's command to sacrifice his son Isaac, I reflected on how the Bible truly is all about Messiah. Two thousand years before Yeshua even came to the earth, God was preparing his people to understand what Messiah was all about. Abraham's sacrifice shows us a vivid picture of the sacrifice God would make in order to save His people from their sins.
Genesis 22:2 (KJV)
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Isaac was Abraham's son of promise, born late in his parents' life, and loved deeply by his mother and father. Yet, he was to be sacrificed as an elevation offering upon one of the mountains in the land of Moriah. Can you imagine the heartache this command of God must have caused Abraham? He had waited so long to have this son, how could he carry out this command?
Yet, Abraham prepared to do so.
Genesis 22:9, 10 (KJV)
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
At this point the angel of the Lord stepped in and stopped Abraham from carrying out the command.
Genesis 22:12 (KJV)
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Although this was a test about Abraham's faith and obedience to God, we see little hints about its further meaning. Look at the following similarities between Isaac's ordeal and Yeshua's.
Isaac was Abraham's son; Yeshua was God's Son. Isaac was taken to Mount Moriah to be killed as a sacrifice; Yeshua was killed on Mount Moriah.
Next, notice the interesting statement made by Abraham:
Genesis 22:5 (KJV)
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
The comment Abraham made to his young men about his and Isaac's returning to the men was either a lie, or Abraham truly believed that Isaac would be coming back with him to the men. The only way that this could have been a true statement was if Abraham believed that Isaac would be raised from the dead. This would also seem to indicate that Abraham had such faith in the promises that God had given him about having descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky that he was willing to do whatever God commanded him even if the command seemed counterintuitive.
The similarity here between Isaac and Yeshua is unmistakable. Although Isaac was actually never killed, Abraham thought that Isaac would be dead. Hence it was as if Isaac had been raised from the dead. Yeshua, of course, was raised.
Notice this as well:
Genesis 22:8 (KJV)
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Abraham indicated to Isaac that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice. This must have been a painful statement for Abraham to make knowing that Isaac would be the "lamb." In the same way, God provided Yeshua as the lamb of sacrifice for mankind's sins. This must have been difficult for Him, as well.
The one noticeable difference between the accounts is that Abraham was finally commanded not to kill Isaac.
Genesis 22:13 (KJV)
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
For Yeshua, there was no possible substitute. He was the only one qualified to die in the place of sinful mankind. He was the only one who fully and perfectly satisfied the righteous Law of God.
Lastly, we read in Hebrews that Isaac was to be viewed as a "type" of Messiah, a precursor to help God's people understand what was to come.
Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
As I was reading about Abraham's command to sacrifice his son Isaac, I reflected on how the Bible truly is all about Messiah. Two thousand years before Yeshua even came to the earth, God was preparing his people to understand what Messiah was all about. Abraham's sacrifice shows us a vivid picture of the sacrifice God would make in order to save His people from their sins.
Genesis 22:2 (KJV)
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Isaac was Abraham's son of promise, born late in his parents' life, and loved deeply by his mother and father. Yet, he was to be sacrificed as an elevation offering upon one of the mountains in the land of Moriah. Can you imagine the heartache this command of God must have caused Abraham? He had waited so long to have this son, how could he carry out this command?
Yet, Abraham prepared to do so.
Genesis 22:9, 10 (KJV)
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
At this point the angel of the Lord stepped in and stopped Abraham from carrying out the command.
Genesis 22:12 (KJV)
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Although this was a test about Abraham's faith and obedience to God, we see little hints about its further meaning. Look at the following similarities between Isaac's ordeal and Yeshua's.
Isaac was Abraham's son; Yeshua was God's Son. Isaac was taken to Mount Moriah to be killed as a sacrifice; Yeshua was killed on Mount Moriah.
Next, notice the interesting statement made by Abraham:
Genesis 22:5 (KJV)
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
The comment Abraham made to his young men about his and Isaac's returning to the men was either a lie, or Abraham truly believed that Isaac would be coming back with him to the men. The only way that this could have been a true statement was if Abraham believed that Isaac would be raised from the dead. This would also seem to indicate that Abraham had such faith in the promises that God had given him about having descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky that he was willing to do whatever God commanded him even if the command seemed counterintuitive.
The similarity here between Isaac and Yeshua is unmistakable. Although Isaac was actually never killed, Abraham thought that Isaac would be dead. Hence it was as if Isaac had been raised from the dead. Yeshua, of course, was raised.
Notice this as well:
Genesis 22:8 (KJV)
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Abraham indicated to Isaac that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice. This must have been a painful statement for Abraham to make knowing that Isaac would be the "lamb." In the same way, God provided Yeshua as the lamb of sacrifice for mankind's sins. This must have been difficult for Him, as well.
The one noticeable difference between the accounts is that Abraham was finally commanded not to kill Isaac.
Genesis 22:13 (KJV)
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
For Yeshua, there was no possible substitute. He was the only one qualified to die in the place of sinful mankind. He was the only one who fully and perfectly satisfied the righteous Law of God.
Lastly, we read in Hebrews that Isaac was to be viewed as a "type" of Messiah, a precursor to help God's people understand what was to come.
Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Despite what it must have cost God emotionally, He actually gave up His Son so that His people could be saved. For those of us who are saved, this gift is beyond comprehension. Our only response can be deep gratitude!
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Living on the Edge of Sodom
In our Torah portion for this week (Genesis 12:1-17:27) we are introduced to Lot, Abraham's nephew, who travels with Abraham and Sarah to Canaan. He is called "righteous" Lot in Second Peter.
2 Peter 2:7 (NIV)
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
Yet, as we come to our next Torah portion we will find Lot LIVING in Sodom! How did this righteous man, distressed by the filthy lives of those in Sodom, come to dwell among such lawless men?
In chapter 13 of Genesis, we find that Abraham and Lot had prospered greatly to the point that the two could not live closely together any more because of their large flocks, herds, and tents (13:6). Abraham graciously offered Lot the first choice of land.
Genesis 13:9 (KJV)
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Lot looked around him and saw that the plain of Jordan was well watered, similar to the garden of Eden and the land of Egypt (13:10). Lot chose to go east and to "pitch his tent toward Sodom" (13:12).
From what Lot could see, he chose what he thought would be a good land for his flocks, herds, and family. However, verse 13 confirms that the reputation of Sodom was already known to be wicked. Even so, Lot pitched his tent facing Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 (KJV)
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
The goodness of the land tempted Lot into ignoring the wickedness that encroached. This was a serious mistake on Lot's part. Next we read that Lot and many others in and near Sodom get kidnapped by kings from lands beyond Sodom. Abraham and the trained men of his household track them down and rescue the kidnapped people. Perhaps a sensible person, at this point, would have steered clear of Sodom, but not Lot. In chapter 19 God begins his destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 19:1,2 (KJV)
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Not only is Lot not in his tent facing Sodom, but he is sitting in the very gate of that city and lives in Sodom, too!
Eventually, God rescues Lot and his family out of the city before it is destroyed, but at what cost?
James 1:15 (KJV)
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The account of Lot demonstrates the insidiousness of sin. We think we can flirt with sin and still stay out of trouble. But this is not what happens! Flirting with sin will only lead into more sin. It is inevitable! And once we take that first step, backing out is very difficult. We must recognize sin immediately and stay as far away as possible. No matter what sin entices us, we must learn to flee!
However, we are not alone in our struggle. The Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, can help us to be alert to sin and to its power. He can strengthen us and help us in our battle against sin. He can help us stay away from living on the edge of Sodom and more!
2 Peter 2:7 (NIV)
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
Yet, as we come to our next Torah portion we will find Lot LIVING in Sodom! How did this righteous man, distressed by the filthy lives of those in Sodom, come to dwell among such lawless men?
In chapter 13 of Genesis, we find that Abraham and Lot had prospered greatly to the point that the two could not live closely together any more because of their large flocks, herds, and tents (13:6). Abraham graciously offered Lot the first choice of land.
Genesis 13:9 (KJV)
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Lot looked around him and saw that the plain of Jordan was well watered, similar to the garden of Eden and the land of Egypt (13:10). Lot chose to go east and to "pitch his tent toward Sodom" (13:12).
From what Lot could see, he chose what he thought would be a good land for his flocks, herds, and family. However, verse 13 confirms that the reputation of Sodom was already known to be wicked. Even so, Lot pitched his tent facing Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 (KJV)
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
The goodness of the land tempted Lot into ignoring the wickedness that encroached. This was a serious mistake on Lot's part. Next we read that Lot and many others in and near Sodom get kidnapped by kings from lands beyond Sodom. Abraham and the trained men of his household track them down and rescue the kidnapped people. Perhaps a sensible person, at this point, would have steered clear of Sodom, but not Lot. In chapter 19 God begins his destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 19:1,2 (KJV)
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Not only is Lot not in his tent facing Sodom, but he is sitting in the very gate of that city and lives in Sodom, too!
Eventually, God rescues Lot and his family out of the city before it is destroyed, but at what cost?
James 1:15 (KJV)
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The account of Lot demonstrates the insidiousness of sin. We think we can flirt with sin and still stay out of trouble. But this is not what happens! Flirting with sin will only lead into more sin. It is inevitable! And once we take that first step, backing out is very difficult. We must recognize sin immediately and stay as far away as possible. No matter what sin entices us, we must learn to flee!
However, we are not alone in our struggle. The Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, can help us to be alert to sin and to its power. He can strengthen us and help us in our battle against sin. He can help us stay away from living on the edge of Sodom and more!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Romans 9:6-14 - Israel Identified
Previous:
Chapter 9 of Romans began with Paul revealing his heaviness of heart and sorrow due to so many of his fellow Jews rejecting their Messiah. Had God failed?
Romans 9:6-14 (KJV)
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Immediately in verse 6 Paul concluded that God's Word had not failed. He then made a shocking statement. Not all those who claimed to be Israel were Israel! This would have cut the Jews to their hearts. They counted on their physical ethnicity as the key to God's kingdom, and yet, here was Paul denouncing the very foundation on which they stood.
Paul explained beginning in verse 7. Abraham, the man whom the Jews called their father, had several children. Yet, it was only through Isaac's seed that the Jews descended. The other children, even though they could claim descent from Abraham, were not part of God's people.
In verse 8 Paul made a further distinction. The other descendants of Abraham, not from Isaac's line, were children of the flesh and were not children of God. Only the children of the promise were counted as God's children. In verse 9 Paul reminded his readers that God had promised Abraham a son, but Sarah and Abraham had tried to fulfill God's promise by their own devises (by fleshly means). Although Ishmael was born a descendant of Abraham, he was not the son promised to Abraham. That distinction fell to Isaac who was born by miraculous means through God's Word of promise.
When Rebecca was pregnant with twins by Isaac (verse 10), God had already made a determination of which twin would be called by God (verse 11). Paul made this point to demonstrate that God's process of election had not resulted from any works that an individual had done, but that it was solely through the sovereignty of God.
Verse 12 relates what God had said to Rebecca concerning her sons. The elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).
Genesis 25:23 (KJV)
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Paul then quoted Malachi 1:2-3 (verse 13).
Malachi 1:2-3 (KJV)
2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
The use of the words "hate" and "love" are not due to strong positive or negative emotion for or against Esau and Jacob, but rather a comparative term relating to preference. God decided that it was to Jacob that the blessings of promise would flow.
Was God unrighteous in His decisions (verse 14)? Paul answered strongly, "God forbid!"
Stay tuned for part 2!
Next:
Chapter 9 of Romans began with Paul revealing his heaviness of heart and sorrow due to so many of his fellow Jews rejecting their Messiah. Had God failed?
Romans 9:6-14 (KJV)
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Immediately in verse 6 Paul concluded that God's Word had not failed. He then made a shocking statement. Not all those who claimed to be Israel were Israel! This would have cut the Jews to their hearts. They counted on their physical ethnicity as the key to God's kingdom, and yet, here was Paul denouncing the very foundation on which they stood.
Paul explained beginning in verse 7. Abraham, the man whom the Jews called their father, had several children. Yet, it was only through Isaac's seed that the Jews descended. The other children, even though they could claim descent from Abraham, were not part of God's people.
In verse 8 Paul made a further distinction. The other descendants of Abraham, not from Isaac's line, were children of the flesh and were not children of God. Only the children of the promise were counted as God's children. In verse 9 Paul reminded his readers that God had promised Abraham a son, but Sarah and Abraham had tried to fulfill God's promise by their own devises (by fleshly means). Although Ishmael was born a descendant of Abraham, he was not the son promised to Abraham. That distinction fell to Isaac who was born by miraculous means through God's Word of promise.
When Rebecca was pregnant with twins by Isaac (verse 10), God had already made a determination of which twin would be called by God (verse 11). Paul made this point to demonstrate that God's process of election had not resulted from any works that an individual had done, but that it was solely through the sovereignty of God.
Verse 12 relates what God had said to Rebecca concerning her sons. The elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).
Genesis 25:23 (KJV)
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Paul then quoted Malachi 1:2-3 (verse 13).
Malachi 1:2-3 (KJV)
2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
The use of the words "hate" and "love" are not due to strong positive or negative emotion for or against Esau and Jacob, but rather a comparative term relating to preference. God decided that it was to Jacob that the blessings of promise would flow.
Was God unrighteous in His decisions (verse 14)? Paul answered strongly, "God forbid!"
Stay tuned for part 2!
Next:
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Romans 4:4-11 - Abraham's Righteousness Part 2
Previous:
Last time Paul was discussing the righteousness that Abraham received by faith. He continued.
Romans 4:4-11 (KJV)
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
In verse 4 Paul declared that the giving of eternal life to a person who earned his or her salvation by doing righteous deeds would be like repaying a debt. It had nothing to do with grace. However, for the person who had not worked for his salvation, but rather believed in the One who gave righteousness to the ungodly, his faith was counted as righteousness and eternal life became a gift of grace (verse 5). It should be stressed that Paul was not saying that anyone could earn salvation. He had already pointed out that "All have sinned." Nor was he saying that righteous deeds played no part in salvation. Righteous deeds are the evidence of salvation.
Next, Paul gave an example in verses 6 through 8 where David had described the blessedness of the man to whom God had imputed righteousness by faith and not works. He quoted Psalm 32:1.
Psalm 32:1 (KJV)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
The reverse was also true, that the man to whom God did not impute sin, was blessed!
Paul then asked a leading question. Was this blessedness available only to the Jews or to the Gentiles also (verse 9)? Paul's readers were of the opinion that these blessings were reserved for the Jews, so he asked another question. When did Abraham receive God's righteousness? Did he receive it after he was circumcised or before (verse 10)? The fact is that Abraham received God's righteousness before he was circumcised. His circumcision was the sign or seal of God's righteousness that he had already received through faith (verse 11). By this, Abraham became the father of all of them that believe whether circumcised or not. God's righteousness could be imputed to both Jews and Gentiles.
Although circumcision was an advantage that the Jews had over the Gentiles, it was the sign that the Jews were in covenant with God. It was not a barrier to the Gentiles participating in the covenant. Abraham's receiving God's righteousness by faith before circumcision was the proof that both Jews and Gentiles could participate.
Paul's argument will continue next time!
Next:
Last time Paul was discussing the righteousness that Abraham received by faith. He continued.
Romans 4:4-11 (KJV)
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
In verse 4 Paul declared that the giving of eternal life to a person who earned his or her salvation by doing righteous deeds would be like repaying a debt. It had nothing to do with grace. However, for the person who had not worked for his salvation, but rather believed in the One who gave righteousness to the ungodly, his faith was counted as righteousness and eternal life became a gift of grace (verse 5). It should be stressed that Paul was not saying that anyone could earn salvation. He had already pointed out that "All have sinned." Nor was he saying that righteous deeds played no part in salvation. Righteous deeds are the evidence of salvation.
Next, Paul gave an example in verses 6 through 8 where David had described the blessedness of the man to whom God had imputed righteousness by faith and not works. He quoted Psalm 32:1.
Psalm 32:1 (KJV)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
The reverse was also true, that the man to whom God did not impute sin, was blessed!
Paul then asked a leading question. Was this blessedness available only to the Jews or to the Gentiles also (verse 9)? Paul's readers were of the opinion that these blessings were reserved for the Jews, so he asked another question. When did Abraham receive God's righteousness? Did he receive it after he was circumcised or before (verse 10)? The fact is that Abraham received God's righteousness before he was circumcised. His circumcision was the sign or seal of God's righteousness that he had already received through faith (verse 11). By this, Abraham became the father of all of them that believe whether circumcised or not. God's righteousness could be imputed to both Jews and Gentiles.
Although circumcision was an advantage that the Jews had over the Gentiles, it was the sign that the Jews were in covenant with God. It was not a barrier to the Gentiles participating in the covenant. Abraham's receiving God's righteousness by faith before circumcision was the proof that both Jews and Gentiles could participate.
Paul's argument will continue next time!
Next:
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Romans 4:1-3 Abraham's Righteousness
Previous:
After Paul's conclusion that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith, the Jewish readers were undoubtedly disturbed. Although Scripture is really very clear that deeds of the Torah don't mean anything without faith in God, many of the Jews of the first century had lost sight of this truth as evidenced by the following:
John 8:33 (KJV)
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Practically, the Jews had come to believe that the righteousness of Abraham could be credited to his descendants and result in their justification. So, as we come to chapter 4 of Romans we see that Paul had anticipated how his readers would question him.
Romans 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul's question in essence was, "What did Abraham find in his works that were done in his own efforts (verse 1)?" Paul's answer was that if Abraham had been justified by his works he could have boasted (verse 2). In many ways Abraham was an example of someone who obeyed God and did righteous deeds. Just think of Abraham's obedience in offering Isaac on Mount Moriah. Yet, Abraham knew that he had not followed God completely and could not boast before God. He would not have been saved by his works. However, what does the Scripture say (verse 3)? Paul quoted Genesis 15:6.
Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Abraham believed God and that was what granted him justification. His faith counted for righteousness in the eyes of God, not his works.
The theme of Abraham and faith will continue next time!
Next:
After Paul's conclusion that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith, the Jewish readers were undoubtedly disturbed. Although Scripture is really very clear that deeds of the Torah don't mean anything without faith in God, many of the Jews of the first century had lost sight of this truth as evidenced by the following:
John 8:33 (KJV)
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Practically, the Jews had come to believe that the righteousness of Abraham could be credited to his descendants and result in their justification. So, as we come to chapter 4 of Romans we see that Paul had anticipated how his readers would question him.
Romans 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul's question in essence was, "What did Abraham find in his works that were done in his own efforts (verse 1)?" Paul's answer was that if Abraham had been justified by his works he could have boasted (verse 2). In many ways Abraham was an example of someone who obeyed God and did righteous deeds. Just think of Abraham's obedience in offering Isaac on Mount Moriah. Yet, Abraham knew that he had not followed God completely and could not boast before God. He would not have been saved by his works. However, what does the Scripture say (verse 3)? Paul quoted Genesis 15:6.
Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Abraham believed God and that was what granted him justification. His faith counted for righteousness in the eyes of God, not his works.
The theme of Abraham and faith will continue next time!
Next:
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Abraham, Terah, and the Moon God
Previous:
Abraham (Abram) is our father in faith. His example is a testimony to what God can do in the life of an ordinary human being. But what kind of father did he have? We would expect to find similar characteristics that Abraham had. We would expect that he, too, would have been a great man of faith. But, oddly, this is not what the Bible records.
Genesis 11:24 (KJV)
24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
Genesis 11:26-28 (KJV)
26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Genesis 11:31-32 (KJV)
31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
From Genesis 11 we find that Nahor was 29 years old when he became the father of Terah. Then when Terah was 70 years old he became a father. He had sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran died in Ur of the Chaldees, but it doesn't mentioned when. Then it says that Terah took Abram, Lot (Haran's son), and Sarai (Abram's wife) towards the land of Canaan and stopped in Haran. It was in Haran that Terah died at 250 years of age. Genesis 11 gives the impression that it was Terah who was responsible for part of the family moving to Haran, but the next passage says that it was Abram.
Acts 7:2-4 (KJV)
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
We don't really know why there seems to be a discrepancy between these two passages. Perhaps, Abram received the call, but didn't act on it until Terah got an urge to move. In any case, God's call was on Abram to leave Haran, once his father had died, and to go on to a land that God would show him. That land was Canaan.
The only other significant mention of Terah comes from Joshua.
Joshua 24:2 (KJV)
2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
In this verse Joshua told the people that their fathers, after the time of the flood, worshiped and served other gods. This even included Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor. This is really very shocking and revealing. How could this happen?
When Noah left the ark after the flood with his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives, there were no others left of the human race. After observing God's provision for them, the family had to have had a strong faith in God. Yet, within a relatively short amount of time and not many generations, the family no longer followed the One True God.
It is known through archaeology that the city of Haran was a center of moon worship (See: http://www.jesuswalk.com/abraham/0_intro.htm). Even the names Terah, Laban, Sarah, and Milchah apparently show influence of this moon god worship. We also know from Genesis that worship of other gods continued after Abraham.
Genesis 31:19 (KJV)
19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
These were the household gods that belonged to Laban. The word used in the Hebrew is "teraphim". Notice how similar this term is to Terah's name. Obviously, the family that remained in the Haran area continued to worship false gods.
So, how did Abram become a believer? Is is possible that there were other true believers out there?
Genesis 14:18 (KJV)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
After a battle Abraham gave a tithe to this Melchizedek, the king of Jerusalem. He does seem to be a believer of God separate from Abraham's family line. So he could have received some information from outside of his family. It is also possible that Noah and his son Shem might still have been alive when Abram was born.
Genesis 9:28 (KJV)
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
Genesis 11:10-11 (KJV)
10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
According to these verses Noah lived 350 years after the flood. Shem lived 400 years after he fathered Arphaxad, two years after the flood. For those who believe that the Genesis genealogies should be taken literally, there are 292 years between the flood and the birth of Terah's oldest son. Easily Abram could have had some influence from his Godly ancestors, assuming that Noah and Shem were still believers.
But, if Abram had not come to faith because of the influence of his family, nor through the influence of someone else like Melchizedek, he had to have come to faith in another way. Some how God either spoke to him directly, or He spoke to Abram indirectly, that He was God, the only God.
Genesis 18:1 (KJV)
1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Much later in Abraham's life, God actually appeared to him. It is also possible that God had appeared to Abram earlier before he left Ur or Haran. We don't really know, of course.
But, this should be an encouragement for us. We often worry about our unsaved family and friends. Yet, from Abraham's story we see that God will accomplish His will. He is capable of bringing His people to faith, even under impossible situations. He will always be found by those who would have a heart for Him. Yet, our responsibility remains. We just might be the instrument God has chosen to bring faith to someone else. We must raise our children to love and honor God, and we must share the Gospel whenever we can, knowing that God can and will complete the work of faith in another's life.
Although Terah was not much of a man for us to emulate, his son became a shining example of a man who, although not perfect, had faith in God. He is worthy of our emulation.
Abraham (Abram) is our father in faith. His example is a testimony to what God can do in the life of an ordinary human being. But what kind of father did he have? We would expect to find similar characteristics that Abraham had. We would expect that he, too, would have been a great man of faith. But, oddly, this is not what the Bible records.
Genesis 11:24 (KJV)
24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
Genesis 11:26-28 (KJV)
26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Genesis 11:31-32 (KJV)
31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
From Genesis 11 we find that Nahor was 29 years old when he became the father of Terah. Then when Terah was 70 years old he became a father. He had sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran died in Ur of the Chaldees, but it doesn't mentioned when. Then it says that Terah took Abram, Lot (Haran's son), and Sarai (Abram's wife) towards the land of Canaan and stopped in Haran. It was in Haran that Terah died at 250 years of age. Genesis 11 gives the impression that it was Terah who was responsible for part of the family moving to Haran, but the next passage says that it was Abram.
Acts 7:2-4 (KJV)
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
We don't really know why there seems to be a discrepancy between these two passages. Perhaps, Abram received the call, but didn't act on it until Terah got an urge to move. In any case, God's call was on Abram to leave Haran, once his father had died, and to go on to a land that God would show him. That land was Canaan.
The only other significant mention of Terah comes from Joshua.
Joshua 24:2 (KJV)
2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
In this verse Joshua told the people that their fathers, after the time of the flood, worshiped and served other gods. This even included Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor. This is really very shocking and revealing. How could this happen?
When Noah left the ark after the flood with his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives, there were no others left of the human race. After observing God's provision for them, the family had to have had a strong faith in God. Yet, within a relatively short amount of time and not many generations, the family no longer followed the One True God.
It is known through archaeology that the city of Haran was a center of moon worship (See: http://www.jesuswalk.com/abraham/0_intro.htm). Even the names Terah, Laban, Sarah, and Milchah apparently show influence of this moon god worship. We also know from Genesis that worship of other gods continued after Abraham.
Genesis 31:19 (KJV)
19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
These were the household gods that belonged to Laban. The word used in the Hebrew is "teraphim". Notice how similar this term is to Terah's name. Obviously, the family that remained in the Haran area continued to worship false gods.
So, how did Abram become a believer? Is is possible that there were other true believers out there?
Genesis 14:18 (KJV)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
After a battle Abraham gave a tithe to this Melchizedek, the king of Jerusalem. He does seem to be a believer of God separate from Abraham's family line. So he could have received some information from outside of his family. It is also possible that Noah and his son Shem might still have been alive when Abram was born.
Genesis 9:28 (KJV)
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
Genesis 11:10-11 (KJV)
10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
According to these verses Noah lived 350 years after the flood. Shem lived 400 years after he fathered Arphaxad, two years after the flood. For those who believe that the Genesis genealogies should be taken literally, there are 292 years between the flood and the birth of Terah's oldest son. Easily Abram could have had some influence from his Godly ancestors, assuming that Noah and Shem were still believers.
But, if Abram had not come to faith because of the influence of his family, nor through the influence of someone else like Melchizedek, he had to have come to faith in another way. Some how God either spoke to him directly, or He spoke to Abram indirectly, that He was God, the only God.
Genesis 18:1 (KJV)
1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Much later in Abraham's life, God actually appeared to him. It is also possible that God had appeared to Abram earlier before he left Ur or Haran. We don't really know, of course.
But, this should be an encouragement for us. We often worry about our unsaved family and friends. Yet, from Abraham's story we see that God will accomplish His will. He is capable of bringing His people to faith, even under impossible situations. He will always be found by those who would have a heart for Him. Yet, our responsibility remains. We just might be the instrument God has chosen to bring faith to someone else. We must raise our children to love and honor God, and we must share the Gospel whenever we can, knowing that God can and will complete the work of faith in another's life.
Although Terah was not much of a man for us to emulate, his son became a shining example of a man who, although not perfect, had faith in God. He is worthy of our emulation.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Ur of the Chaldees
This morning I was thinking about our Father Abraham and his faith. As I studied I came upon a couple of quirky facts that I found interesting, but really have no earth shattering relevance to our faith at all. I just wanted to share this with anyone who might also find them interesting. I will deal with one today.
The first mention of Abraham, or Abram, as he was first called, is found in Genesis 11:26.
Genesis 11:26-32 (KJV)
26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Terah was Abram's father. He had three sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran had already died by the time of this narrative. He died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees. He left a son by the name of Lot and daughters by the name of Milchah and Iscah. Nahor married Milcah. Abram married Sarai (later to be called Sarah) who was unable to bear children. (Some have believed that Iscah and Sarai might have been the same woman. Who knows?) Then in verse 31 we see that Terah took Abram, Lot, and Sarai away from Ur, traveled toward Canaan, and stopped in the city of Haran (spelled differently than Haran, Terah's son). Terah died there.
Genesis 12:1-5 (KJV)
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
The narrative continues into chapter 12. In the first verse the Lord called Abram and told him to leave: his country, his family, his father's house, and to go to the land that God would show him (Canaan). In return God would make of Abram a great nation, would bless him, would make his name great, would make him a blessing to those who blessed him, and make him a curse to those who cursed him. Finally, through Abram, God would bless all the families of the earth. So Abram left with Sarai and Lot and they went into the land of Canaan.
In the Book of Acts before Stephen is martyred, he gave an account of the Jew's history. He related some further details about the time spoken of in Genesis.
Acts 7:2-4 (KJV)
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Acts confirms that Abram lived in Mesopotamia before living in Charran (Haran). Then verse 3 gives the impression that God called Abram before he dwelt in Haran and that it was the leading of God on Abram, not Terah, that led to Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Lot to leave Ur. Then after Terah died, Abram, Sarai, and Lot left Haran for Canaan.
The first interesting item that we find in Abram's life is that he came from Ur of the Chaldees. Where is Ur? Most scholars have believed that Abram's Ur is the great city of Ur of the Sumerians. This is indicated in the map below.
However, this location proves to be difficult. In the first place, if Abram lived in the famous Ur and wanted to travel to Canaan, he would not have gone by Haran. Secondly, the Chaldeans were not in southern Mesopotamia at the time of Abram (See: http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books/genesis/ur.htm). Thirdly, when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, he sent the servant to his homeland which is different from the southern Ur.
Genesis 24:4 (KJV)
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
The servant traveled to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. This was in northern Mesopotamia, close to Haran. Gen. 25:20 refers to the area as Padan-aram, where Jacob (Isaac's son) lived for a time with his uncle Laban. Rebekah, Jacob's mother and sister to Laban, was Bethuel's daughter. Bethuel was the son of Milchah and Nahor (Gen. 24:24). Yet, according to Gen. 11:31 above, Terah had not taken his son Nahor with him to Haran. This necessitates that Nahor would have had to have followed Terah later, or Abram's Ur was not in southern Mesopotamia. Fourthly, there were other towns or areas in the region that seem to be taken from Abram's family line, like Peleg, Serug, Terah, and Aram (See: http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/nation03.htm).
On this map you can see Haran, Serug, and the possible site of Ur up in the yellow portion of the map.
While no one can, as of yet, prove where the location of Ur was, I believe that the evidence of Ur being north of Haran makes a lot of sense. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned for next time when we deal with another interesting quirky fact.
Next:
The first mention of Abraham, or Abram, as he was first called, is found in Genesis 11:26.
Genesis 11:26-32 (KJV)
26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Terah was Abram's father. He had three sons, Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran had already died by the time of this narrative. He died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees. He left a son by the name of Lot and daughters by the name of Milchah and Iscah. Nahor married Milcah. Abram married Sarai (later to be called Sarah) who was unable to bear children. (Some have believed that Iscah and Sarai might have been the same woman. Who knows?) Then in verse 31 we see that Terah took Abram, Lot, and Sarai away from Ur, traveled toward Canaan, and stopped in the city of Haran (spelled differently than Haran, Terah's son). Terah died there.
Genesis 12:1-5 (KJV)
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
The narrative continues into chapter 12. In the first verse the Lord called Abram and told him to leave: his country, his family, his father's house, and to go to the land that God would show him (Canaan). In return God would make of Abram a great nation, would bless him, would make his name great, would make him a blessing to those who blessed him, and make him a curse to those who cursed him. Finally, through Abram, God would bless all the families of the earth. So Abram left with Sarai and Lot and they went into the land of Canaan.
In the Book of Acts before Stephen is martyred, he gave an account of the Jew's history. He related some further details about the time spoken of in Genesis.
Acts 7:2-4 (KJV)
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Acts confirms that Abram lived in Mesopotamia before living in Charran (Haran). Then verse 3 gives the impression that God called Abram before he dwelt in Haran and that it was the leading of God on Abram, not Terah, that led to Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Lot to leave Ur. Then after Terah died, Abram, Sarai, and Lot left Haran for Canaan.
The first interesting item that we find in Abram's life is that he came from Ur of the Chaldees. Where is Ur? Most scholars have believed that Abram's Ur is the great city of Ur of the Sumerians. This is indicated in the map below.
However, this location proves to be difficult. In the first place, if Abram lived in the famous Ur and wanted to travel to Canaan, he would not have gone by Haran. Secondly, the Chaldeans were not in southern Mesopotamia at the time of Abram (See: http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books/genesis/ur.htm). Thirdly, when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, he sent the servant to his homeland which is different from the southern Ur.
Genesis 24:4 (KJV)
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
The servant traveled to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. This was in northern Mesopotamia, close to Haran. Gen. 25:20 refers to the area as Padan-aram, where Jacob (Isaac's son) lived for a time with his uncle Laban. Rebekah, Jacob's mother and sister to Laban, was Bethuel's daughter. Bethuel was the son of Milchah and Nahor (Gen. 24:24). Yet, according to Gen. 11:31 above, Terah had not taken his son Nahor with him to Haran. This necessitates that Nahor would have had to have followed Terah later, or Abram's Ur was not in southern Mesopotamia. Fourthly, there were other towns or areas in the region that seem to be taken from Abram's family line, like Peleg, Serug, Terah, and Aram (See: http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/nation03.htm).
On this map you can see Haran, Serug, and the possible site of Ur up in the yellow portion of the map.
While no one can, as of yet, prove where the location of Ur was, I believe that the evidence of Ur being north of Haran makes a lot of sense. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned for next time when we deal with another interesting quirky fact.
Next:
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