Genesis Week 12 - Commitment

Things are about to get really messy, but God is not surprised and Abram cannot thwart or prevent God’s redemption plan as it has never been dependent on Abram – it has always been dependent on God alone. Still, sin always hurts people and Abram and Sarai’s actions, while culturally normal, are sinful. It is good to heed that warning while also maintaining the wonder of how Great and Profound God’s mercy is. This first recorded appearance of the Angel of the Lord is to a single mother-to-be slave girl from Egypt with a pride problem! Additionally, this is the first time we read of God giving a name before birth, showing He has a plan for her child. While the promised Messiah and covenant will be with Abram and Sarai’s son Isaac and the Hebrew people, we must not assume this means that God is not also personally involved in other nations of the world, including the Arab people (Ishmael’s descendants.) As the psalmist says; the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1) As you read this chapter, pay special attention to how God is relating to each individual according to His character revealed thus far in scripture. (from weeks 9-14; He calls, reassures, shields, and sees)

Prepare for this week's teaching by reading Genesis 16-17