ORIGINS: The Book of Genesis

No. 29 | COVENANT—Abraham, pt. 1

By Danny Capon, September 10, 2023

The Beginning and Meaning of Everything that Matters

CREATION

Genesis 1:1-2:3 | The Seven Days of Creation

Genesis 2:4-25 | Man and Woman in the Garden

CORRUPTION

Genesis 3:1-24 | The Fall of Man

Genesis 4:1-5:32 | The Progress of Sin

Genesis 6:1-8:22 | The Judgment of God

Genesis 9:1-11:32 | The Necessity of Covenant

COVENANT

Genesis 12:1-25:11 | Abraham

  • Gen. 12:1-9 God Establishes a Relationship with Abraham

What did we see in Genesis 1-11? About 2,000 years, from Creation to Abraham:

  • The creation of all things by God, the uncreated One
  • The unique creation of humans, made alone in God’s image
  • The temptation, sin, and fall of humans, going beyond what Had said
  • The response of God to sin, including the promise of deliverance
  • The pervasiveness of sin among humans, inflicting even the first brothers
  • The faithfulness of God to His word, and through His word to humans
  • The worldwide judgment of God on sin, which is just and unstoppable
  • The trust of some humans in God, yet with noticeable imperfection
  • The inevitable sinfulness of humans, even after new beginnings
  • The grace of God toward humans, binding Himself graciously to them

God, Revelation, Creation, Existence, Design, Purpose, Meaning, Goodness, Humanity, Relationship, Marriage, Sin, Consequences, Deliverance, Violence, Judgment, Righteousness, Promise, Greatness

What will we see in Genesis 12 and following? About 300 years, from Abraham to Joseph:

  • Abraham (Genesis 12:1-25:11)
  • Isaac (Genesis 25:12-35:29)
  • Jacob (Genesis 36:1-50:26)

Genesis 12:1-9

God establishes a relationship with Abram by His word, and Abram chooses to listen to God and follow Him.

  1. God establishes a relationship with Abram by His word (Gen. 12:1-3)

Genesis 11:31; Joshua 24:2-3; Acts 7:2-4

Observations about God with Abram

  • God initiates, not Abram
  • God establishes a relationship with Abram based upon Him and His word
  • God has the right to tell Abram what to do
  • God is in the right to say what He says to Abram
  1. Abram chooses to listen to God and follow Him (12:4-9)

Observations about Abram with God

  • Abram paid attention to God’s word
  • Abram prioritized God’s word
  • Abram obeyed God’s word
  • Abram continued to submit to the God who spoke to him