Advent Day 3: God's Agreement with Abraham

Scriptures

• Genesis 12:1-7-- The command and the promise
• Hebrews 11:8-12 -- Faith and 1 man

1. Genesis 12:1-7 -

• The Command: Leave the country you are in and go to a new place that I'll give you. Abraham had to leave his family and home and follow God. For most people family is a hard thing to let go of. It wasn't for me. I can't say I wanted to leave because I thought God was calling me away, I just couldn't wait to get away from my family and be out there on my own! It was scary, but it was also exciting and fun at the same time. Like a Carnival ride! But there are some who get tripped up by their family. (Please remember we are talking about extended family, not immediate). They stay in one place ignoring God's call for their lives because they simply can't let go of their family. This was not Abraham. God called, and Abe obeyed. 

• The Promise: This is the first mention of the promise God made to Abraham. It included 3 things: 

1. Decedents- verse 2 (usually called Seed): God promised Abraham that from his children and grandchildren would come a great nation and many decedents. In Genesis 15:5 God tells Abraham his dependents will number as many as the stars! Other scriptures where this is promised: Genesis 13:16, 15:5, 17:5-6, 18:18, 22:17. 
2. Land-verse 1 and 7: God directed Abe to the land of the Canaanites, and promised that his decedents would possess that land. This is what would come to be the lower part of the nation of Israel. Other Scriptures where this is promised to Abe: Genesis 13:15, 17:8, 
3. Blessing- verse 2-3: This is the one that give me goosebumps. God tells Abe that through his family all the people of the earth will be blessed. This is, of course, talking about the coming of a Savior for the sins of all mankind. The coming of Jesus to die. Other Scriptures where this is mentioned: Genesis 18:18, Genesis 22:17-18, Acts 3:25-26, Romans 4:11, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Galatians 3:8,  

2. Hebrews 11:8-12: Abraham's faith

• What is Faith: Faith is not jumping blindly into the dark and hoping you land on your feet. Faith is having someone standing in the dark and promising to catch you....and you trust that they will do it! That is what the first few verses of this chapter are saying. That is what James means when he says, "Abraham BELIEVED God and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Abe trusted God to accomplish what He promised. One man's faith spawned a nation that would produce a Savior for the sinful nature of every person in the world. 
• Vs 12: All the men in this chapter believed God's promise of deliverance. They did not receive the savior in their time, but they died trusting that God would one day bring it about. And that was their salvation!