1-NOAH TO ABRAHAM, ISHMAEL, AND ISAAC
2-ABRAHAM, ISHMAEL, AND ISAAC: HOW THEY RELATE TO TODAY;
HOW GOD SET THE STAGE FOR WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN; THE
UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM
3-ABRAM TOLD TO WALK THROUGH THE PROMISED LAND (ALSO FAITH)
4-A NOTE OF INTEREST: FAITH, OBEDIENCE, AND FAITHFULNESS; THE
FAITH OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB
5-GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED
Noah begat Shem; and Shem begat Arphaxad; and Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber; and Eber begat Peleg; and Peleg begat Reu; and Reu begat Serug; and Serug begat Nahor; and Nahor begat Terah; and Terah begat Abram; and Abram begat Ishmael by the bondwoman, called Hagar. Abram's name was changed by God to Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac by his wife, Sarah, the freewoman.
The unsolvable problem: this is what exists in the Middle East since Israel’s rebirth. You may wonder what is meant by this statement. It is referring to the intense hatred of the Arabs toward the Jews. The Arabs claim the land that Israel now occupies is theirs. They believe that God promised it to them through Abraham. The Jews also claim this land. They believe that God promised them the land they now have, plus more, through Abraham. As long as the Jews control this land, there will be wars and unrest until one side is destroyed. Let us look at God’s Word to see how this unsolvable problem came about.
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. AND THE DAYS OF TERAH WERE TWO HUNDRED AND FIVE YEARS: AND TERAH DIED IN HARAN–Gen 11:31,32.
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 SHOW THEE: 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: AND I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE, AND CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE: AND IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED–Gen 12:1–3. AND ABRAM PASSED THROUGH THE LAND…AND THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ABRAM, AND SAID, UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND–Gen 12:6,7. NOW SARAI ABRAM'S WIFE BARE HIM NO CHILDREN: AND SHE HAD AN HANDMAID, AN EGYPTIAN, WHOSE NAME WAS HAGAR. AND SARAI SAID UNTO ABRAM, BEHOLD NOW, THE LORD HATH RESTRAINED ME FROM BEARING: I PRAY THEE, GO IN UNTO MY MAID; IT MAY BE THAT I MAY OBTAIN CHILDREN BY HER–Gen 16:1,2. AND HE WENT IN UNTO HAGAR, AND SHE CONCEIVED: AND WHEN SHE SAW THAT SHE HAD CONCEIVED, HER MISTRESS (Sarai) WAS DESPISED IN HER (Hagar’s) EYES–Gen 16:4. But from that day, there was friction between the handmaid, Hagar, and Sarai, Abram’s wife. AND SARAI SAID UNTO ABRAM, MY WRONG BE UPON THEE: I HAVE GIVEN MY MAID INTO THY BOSOM; AND WHEN SHE SAW THAT SHE HAD CONCEIVED, I WAS DESPISED IN HER EYES–Gen 16:5. THEN SARAI MISTREATED HAGAR–Gen 16:6 NIV. AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SAID UNTO HER (Hagar), I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED EXCEEDINGLY…THOU ART WITH CHILD, AND SHALT BEAR A SON, AND SHALT CALL HIS NAME ISHMAEL…AND HE WILL BE A WILD MAN–Gen 16:10–12. HE WILL BE A WILD DONKEY OF A MAN; HIS HAND WILL BE AGAINST EVERYONE AND EVERYONE'S HAND AGAINST HIM, AND HE WILL LIVE IN HOSTILITY TOWARD ALL HIS BROTHERS–Gen 16:12 NIV.
AND HAGAR BARE ABRAM A SON: AND ABRAM CALLED HIS SON’S NAME, WHICH HAGAR BARE, ISHMAEL. AND ABRAM WAS FOURSCORE AND SIX YEARS OLD (86 years old), WHEN HAGAR BARE ISHMAEL TO ABRAM–Gen 16:15,16. Ishmael became the father of many of the Arabs. Because Ishmael was the firstborn of Abram, the Arabs claim that the land promised to Abraham (the land of Israel) belongs to them. Nothing can change this.
AND WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY YEARS OLD AND NINE (99), THE LORD APPEARED TO ABRAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD; WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE THOU PERFECT–Gen 17:1. NEITHER SHALL THY NAME ANY MORE BE CALLED ABRAM, BUT THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM; FOR A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE THEE–Gen 17:5. AS FOR SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE. AND I WILL BLESS HER, AND GIVE THEE A SON ALSO OF HER…AND SHE SHALL BE A MOTHER OF NATIONS; KINGS OF PEOPLE SHALL BE OF HER. THEN ABRAHAM FELL UPON HIS FACE, AND LAUGHED, AND SAID IN HIS HEART, SHALL A CHILD BE BORN UNTO HIM THAT IS AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD? AND SHALL SARAH, THAT IS NINETY YEARS OLD, BEAR? AND GOD SAID, SARAH THY WIFE SHALL BEAR THEE A SON INDEED; AND THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME ISAAC: AND I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM. AND AS FOR ISHMAEL, I HAVE HEARD THEE: BEHOLD, I HAVE BLESSED HIM, AND WILL MAKE HIM FRUITFUL, AND WILL MULTIPLY HIM EXCEEDINGLY; TWELVE PRINCES SHALL HE BEGAT, AND I WILL MAKE HIM A GREAT NATION. BUT MY COVENANT WILL I ESTABLISH WITH ISAAC–Gen 17:15–17,19–21.
FOR SARAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE…AND ABRAHAM CALLED THE NAME OF HIS SON THAT WAS BORN UNTO HIM, WHOM SARAH BARE TO HIM, ISAAC. AND SARAH SAW THE SON OF HAGAR THE EGYPTIAN, WHICH SHE HAD BORN UNTO ABRAHAM, MOCKING. WHEREFORE SHE (Sarah) SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, CAST OUT THIS BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: FOR THE SON OF THIS BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH MY SON, EVEN WITH ISAAC–Gen 21:2,3,9,10. AND GOD SAID UNTO ABRAHAM…HEARKEN UNTO HER VOICE (Sarah's); FOR IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED–Gen 21:12. ABRAHAM…SENT HER (Hagar) OFF WITH THE BOY–Gen 21:14 NIV. Abraham gave her some food and water. Thus, an unsolvable problem came into being. The Arabs claim, because Ishmael was the firstborn of Abram, the Promised Land is theirs. The Jews believe that the Promised Land is theirs, as God’s covenant was not with Ishmael but with Isaac.
NOW WE, BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE (but the Arabs believe they are the children of the promise). BUT AS THEN HE THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE FLESH PERSECUTED HIM THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, EVEN SO IT IS NOW. NEVERTHELESS WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREEWOMAN–Gal 4:28–30. Ishmael, born of the bondwoman, represents the Law. Isaac, born of the freewoman, represents grace. Law persecutes grace.
Note: Hagar, the bondwoman, bore a son by Abram named, Ishmael, who was expected to be the heir.
Hagar despised Sarai.
Sarai mistreated Hagar.
Sarah bore a son named Isaac, who became Abraham's heir.
Ishmael mocked.
Sarah wanted Hagar and Ishmael cast out.
Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away at God's direction.
Hagar received only food and water.
The stage was set nearly 4000 years ago by God. A war that will destroy one-fourth of the world's population is about to take place. This war is outlined in Ezekiel 38 and other parts of the Bible. Russia, along with other allies, including some of the Arab nations, will soon invade Israel. The stage for what will happen soon was set long ago with Ishmael and Isaac. The descendants of Abram and Ishmael (which include some of the Arabs) and the descendants of Abraham and Isaac (the Jews) will soon clash one last time. Bad feelings have always existed between the two, for nearly 4000 years. It may be said that this is the longest running feud in the history of the world. It appears that this seemingly everlasting struggle between the seed of Ishmael and the seed of Isaac cannot cease, until one or the other is destroyed. No amount of diplomacy can change the conflict that God has set up. This coming war will take place during the Tribulation.
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 SHOW THEE–Gen 12:1. Note the sacrifices God expected Abram to make.
l. Get thee out of thy country.
2. Get out from thy kindred.
3. Get out from thy father's house.
He had to go by faith, because he did not know where he was going, but only that he was going to a land, which the Lord had promised to show him. SO ABRAM DEPARTED, AS THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO HIM-Gen 12:4. Abraham obeyed. Here is another example of faith; as it is written, BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO GO OUT INTO A PLACE WHICH HE SHOULD AFTER RECEIVE FOR AN INHERITANCE, OBEYED; AND HE WENT OUT, NOT KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT–Heb 11:8. Part of the land that Abram was to walk through would later become the land of Israel. The entire land in which he walked, extending to the Euphrates River, will become Israel’s during the Millennium.
After Lot had separated from Abram, God said to Abram, LIFT UP NOW THINE EYES, AND LOOK FROM THE PLACE WHERE THOU ART NORTHWARD, AND SOUTHWARD, AND EASTWARD, AND WESTWARD: FOR ALL THE LAND WHICH THOU SEEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED FOR EVER–Gen 13:14,15.
ARISE, WALK THROUGH THE LAND IN THE LENGTH OF IT AND IN THE BREADTH OF IT-Gen 13:17.
KNOW YE THEREFORE THAT THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM–Gal 3:7. As children of faith in Jesus Christ, who are counted as the children of Abraham, we have need to further understand the faith of Abraham.
As we read, consider the words “faith, obedience, and faithfulness,” and may we each examine our own faith, obedience, and faithfulness by God’s Word.
BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM (God): FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM–Heb 11:6.
ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS–Ro 4:3. ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD–Gal 3:6. AND HE (Abram) BELIEVED IN THE LORD; AND HE COUNTED IT TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS–Gen 15:6.
FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS–Ro 4:9.
BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO GO OUT INTO A PLACE WHICH HE SHOULD AFTER RECEIVE FOR AN INHERITANCE, OBEYED; AND HE WENT OUT, NOT KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT.
BY FAITH HE SOJOURNED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE, AS IN A STRANGE COUNTRY, DWELLING IN TABERNACLES WITH ISAAC AND JACOB, THE HEIRS WITH HIM OF THE SAME PROMISE–Heb 11:8,9.
THROUGH FAITH ALSO SARAH HERSELF RECEIVED STRENGTH TO CONCEIVE SEED, AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD WHEN SHE WAS PAST AGE, BECAUSE SHE JUDGED HIM FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED–Heb 11:11.
AND (Abraham) BEING NOT WEAK IN FAITH, HE CONSIDERED NOT HIS OWN BODY NOW DEAD, WHEN HE WAS ABOUT AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD, NEITHER YET THE DEADNESS OF SARAH’S WOMB: HE STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF; BUT WAS STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD; AND BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT, WHAT HE (God) HAD PROMISED, HE WAS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM. AND THEREFORE IT WAS IMPUTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS–Ro 4:19–22.
THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, BUT HAVING SEEN THEM AFAR OFF, AND WERE PERSUADED OF THEM, AND EMBRACED THEM, AND CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. FOR THEY THAT SAY SUCH THINGS DECLARE PLAINLY THAT THEY SEEK A COUNTRY. AND TRULY, IF THEY HAD BEEN MINDFUL (or thinking) OF THAT COUNTRY FROM WHENCE THEY CAME OUT, THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE RETURNED. (In other words, don’t look back.) BUT NOW THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: WHEREFORE GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD: FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY–Heb 11:13-16.
BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS TRIED, OFFERED UP ISAAC: AND HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE PROMISES OFFERED UP HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OF WHOM IT WAS SAID, THAT IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED–Heb 11:17,18.
(By faith) Abraham accounted THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM (Isaac) UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD–ref Heb 11:19.
BUT WILT THOU KNOW, O VAIN MAN, THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD? WAS NOT ABRAHAM OUR FATHER JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, WHEN HE HAD OFFERED ISAAC HIS SON UPON THE ALTAR? SEEST THOU HOW FAITH WROUGHT WITH HIS WORKS (or faith and his actions were working together–NIV), AND BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT? AND THE SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED WHICH SAITH, ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS IMPUTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND HE WAS CALLED THE FRIEND OF GOD-Ja 2:20-23.
(By faith) Abraham bought THE FIELD OF EPHRON…AND THE CAVE…AND…BURIED SARAH HIS WIFE IN THE CAVE OF…MACHPELAH–ref Gen 23.
BY FAITH ISAAC BLESSED JACOB AND ESAU CONCERNING THINGS TO COME.
BY FAITH JACOB, WHEN HE WAS A DYING, BLESSED BOTH THE SONS OF JOSEPH; AND WORSHIPED, LEANING UPON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF.
BY FAITH JOSEPH, WHEN HE DIED, MADE MENTION OF THE DEPARTING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; AND GAVE COMMANDMENT CONCERNING HIS BONES–Heb 11:20–22. (OF WHOM [or of them] THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY:) THEY WANDERED IN DESERTS, AND IN MOUNTAINS, AND IN DENS AND CAVES OF THE EARTH. AND THESE ALL, HAVING OBTAINED A GOOD REPORT THROUGH FAITH, RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE–Heb 11:38,39.
We are to WALK IN THE STEPS OF THAT FAITH OF OUR FATHER ABRAHAM, WHICH HE HAD BEING YET UNCIRCUMCISED. FOR THE PROMISE, THAT HE SHOULD BE THE HEIR OF THE WORLD, WAS NOT TO ABRAHAM, OR TO HIS SEED, THROUGH THE LAW, BUT THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH–Ro 4:12,13.
God told Abram, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER’S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHOW THEE–Gen 12:1. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
AND THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ABRAM…THERE BUILDED HE AN ALTAR UNTO THE LORD–Gen 12:7. An example of faith.
Abram REMOVED…UNTO A MOUNTAIN…HE BUILDED AN ALTAR–Gen 12:8. An example of faith.
Abram returned TO BETHEL…HE…CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD–Gen 13:3,4. An example of faith.
God told Abram, WALK THROUGH THE LAND–Gen 13:17. Abram obeyed. An example of faith.
ABRAM REMOVED…AND DWELT IN THE PLAIN OF MAMRE…AND BUILT THERE AN ALTAR–Gen 13:18. An example of faith.
Abram GAVE HIM TITHES OF ALL–Gen 14:20. An example of faith and obedience.
God told Abram, THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM–Gen 17:5. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
God told Abraham, EVERY MAN CHILD AMONG YOU SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED-Gen 17:10. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
God told Abraham, SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE-Gen 17:15. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
ABRAHAM…IN BEERSHEBA…CALLED THERE ON THE…LORD–Gen 21:33. An example of faith.
God told Abraham, TAKE…ISAAC, WHOM THOU LOVEST, AND GET THEE INTO THE LAND OF MORIAH; AND OFFER HIM THERE FOR A BURNT OFFERING–Gen 22:2. Abraham obeyed. 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. AND ABRAHAM STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOOK THE KNIFE TO SLAY HIS SON. AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM OUT OF HEAVEN, AND SAID, ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM: AND HE SAID, HERE AM I. 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–Gen 22:9–12. Abraham obeyed God. An example of faith.
It is written, BECAUSE…ABRAHAM OBEYED MY VOICE–Gen 26:5.
KNOW YE THEREFORE THAT THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. SO THEN THEY WHICH BE OF FAITH ARE BLESSED WITH FAITHFUL ABRAHAM–Gal 3:7,9.
It is written, BECAUSE…ABRAHAM OBEYED MY VOICE–Gen 26:5.
It is further written, THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH–Ro 16:26.
And it is written, WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE…FOR OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH–Ro 1:5.
THEREFORE IT IS OF FAITH, THAT IT MIGHT BE BY GRACE–Ro 4:16.
Through faith, we are justified (salvation).
Works were the evidence of Abraham’s faith.
Do you truly believe all of God's Word (the Bible)? What is the evidence of your faith? Is it faithfulness and obedience?
God’s covenant with Abraham and his seed is the basis for many of the events that are happening in this generation, including the coming Tribulation, the Millennium, and much more. We need to study and understand this covenant in order to help us understand Bible prophecy.
(God said to Abraham) I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE AND THY SEED AFTER THEE IN THEIR GENERATIONS FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT–Gen 17:7. ISAAC…I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM…AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM–Gen 17:19. IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED–Gen 21:12.