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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday September 23, 2018

THE LORD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM

Genesis 15

   In Genesis chapter 15, verses 1-6, we see one of the most defining passages on faith that can be found anywhere else in all of scripture. This passage underscores the argument by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 4, where he debates that “Justification” and “Salvation” are imputed to us by GOD, because of our faith in HIM, and, that those gifts from GOD have never been given as a result of our so-called “good works”.

    In the biblical Greek, the word “logizomai” (log-i-zom-ahee) is used to describe what takes place when GOD accredits us with righteousness that we could not otherwise earn on our own, just as HE did with Abram in this passage. Logizomai is an accounting term that means “to reckon”, or, “to make an entry in the account book”. The doctrine of “imputation” is taught throughout the Old and New Testaments. To “impute” means “to accredit someone other than the one who is responsible”.

    Scripture teaches us that, when we believe GOD, HE, WHO keeps all record books, looks into our accounts and clearly sees that we are not righteous. HE then, through HIS grace and mercy, chooses to accept our faith in HIM, in place of that lack of righteousness. In other words, for those who have faith in HIM (CHRIST JESUS), GOD will stamp the word “RIGHTEOUS” over their accounts, and announce that their debt is covered, or, is paid in full, through the blood of CHRIST JESUS.

    Here we see Abram (Abraham), on faith, accepting GOD’s divine promise of a son to be born of his own flesh, even though it seemed physically impossible for he and Sarai (Sarah) in their old age, which was, at that time, 100 years old, and 90 years old, respectively. Also in this passage, one should note that, at that time, Abram had not yet been circumcised as a sign of his covenant with GOD, and, that the Law (The Ten Commandments), which was delivered by Moses was still some 400 years away. Therefore, neither circumcision, nor, Abram’s strict obedience to the Law factored in GOD’s decision to declare him “righteous” (Gen. 15:6). It was only through Abram’s “saving faith” in GOD that GOD afforded him the distinction of being “righteous”, and, in addition, granted him the gift of eternal life (salvation).

    In verses 7-8 of this chapter of Genesis, we find that, after Abram believed in GOD to deliver the seemingly impossible feat of presenting he and his wife Sarai with the birth of a child of their own flesh in their old age, he now, strangely wavers when GOD added the promise that he would also give the entire land of Canaan to his offspring. And actually, that’s not so surprising when we consider the fact that we too, after we’ve exercised great faith in GOD on one occasion, have on a later occasion, failed to show the same measure of faith.

    Many of us struggle with maintaining a high level of faith, over a long period of time, and that of course, is something that is synonymous with the “Christian Walk”. However, hopefully, through a closer, more personal, experiential relationship with GOD, we can overcome our pattern of inconsistency in trusting in the LORD for all things, just as Abram managed to do later on in his life.

    In verses 9-10 GOD instructs Abram in a sacrificial ritual that was known as a “Covenant of Blood”. Abram is obedient to GOD’s instructions, as he gathers up, and cuts into halves, three animal sacrifices; a three-year old heifer, a three-year old female goat, and a three-year old ram. He also brought the LORD two bird sacrifices, a turtledove and a young pigeon, the two of which, he did not sever in halves. This “Covenant of Blood” was considered to be the most binding of all covenants in Old Testament times, and it was always formalized by GOD’s “passing through” the divided halves of the sacrificial animals, an act which HE apparently used to consummate the agreement (v. 17).

    In verse 11 we see vultures (birds of prey), which, in this passage represent a “bad omen” for Israel’s near future, and would later turn out to be their enslavement in Egypt. Abram was eventually able to “shoo” these birds away, who were trying to devour GOD’s covenant sacrifices which he had prepared. Satan will always oppose, and try to destroy any of man’s dealings with GOD, however, in the ensuing verses, 12-16, GOD shows Abram in a dream, how Israel would be preyed upon and oppressed by Egypt, but would eventually be rescued, as GOD would “shoo” Egypt away in the end, and they would ultimately come away from Egypt with great wealth (Vs. 13-14).

    In the Hebrew, the word used for “believed”, in verse 6 is “aman” (aw-mawn), and it simply means “to be certain”. It is a word that sets our mind on the same absolute trust that Abram had in GOD. Abram’s story is perhaps, scripture’s greatest example of a man who possessed a “saving faith” that GOD would always deliver on HIS promises, no matter how impossible it may seem to the human thought process.

    Abraham’s righteousness was won by strong faith in GOD, and he was fully persuaded, that GOD would do just what HE said HE would do. He came to know, just as we must all come to know, that GOD’s power is not bound by our understanding, and neither is it bound by our lack of understanding.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday September 16, 2018

ABRAM RESCUES LOT

Genesis 14

   Shortly after Abram and Lot separated, war broke out in the region where Lot had chosen to live. The chronicles of this “international war” between nine kingdoms is now seen as an outworking of GOD’s promise to Abram that HE would make him great and famous, and, that HE would “bless those who blessed him”, and “curse those who cursed him”.

    Here in the opening lines of this chapter we see four powerful kings (Amraphel of Babylonia, Arioch of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim) uniting to put down a rebellion in the Siddim Valley near the Dead Sea (Sea of Salt). There they defeated five Jordanian kings (Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (Zoar), who had all formed an alliance and mobilized their troops. These five kings had all been subjects to King Kedorlaomer for twelve years, and now in the thirteenth years they had decided that enough was enough.

    King Kedorloamer and his allies had already conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth-Karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites in the plain of Kiriathaim, and the Horites at Mount Seir, and, in addition, they also had destroyed the Amalekites at Kadesh, and the Amorites at Hazazon-tamar. Now they set their aims on the final leg of their magnificent conquest in the Jordan Valley where Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela where located. It is there that they took Lot captive, along with all of his family and all of his possessions.

    According to the writings of Josephus, Sodom was a small but fully populated country that was rich and flourishing, and was controlled by five kings. The people, although they were idolaters, had an opportunity through Lot to learn about the real GOD, but they refused to heed his preaching (see 2 Peter 2:6-8). Their wickedness and sexual sin became so prevalent that GOD finally decided to destroy them completely (Genesis 19:12-13).

    Lot was a righteous man who lived in an “unrighteous atmosphere” that had become an “unrighteous stronghold” of ungodly behavior. As a result of staying in this environment too long, Lot’s thinking and judgment had been gravely affected. However, GOD always rescues HIS people from bad decisions and mistakes, and, from the oppression of ungodly people and situations.

    After Lot’s capture, one of the men who escaped the battle, and, who obviously knew that Abram, a Hebrew like Lot, had been camped at the oak grove belonging to Mamre, the Amorite for quite some time now, ran and found Abram, and informed him of the fate of his nephew.

    Abram had apparently signed a covenant agreement with Mamre and his relatives Eschol and Aner, that allowed him to dwell among them in peace in Canaan, and in fact they had become his allies. They even went with Abram on his rescue mission to free Lot, and were later rewarded with some of the spoils from their victory over Kedorlaomer’s unified army (v.24b).

    After receiving the news of Lot’s capture, Abram called together all the men of his household, 318 in all, and they, along with Mambre and his relatives, set out to extricate Lot and his family from their predicament in Sodom. Scripture says Abram and his band of men chased after Kedorlaomer’s army, and caught up to them at Dan.

    It was there at Dan, that Abram staged a night attack, dividing up his men, and then attacking Kedorlaomer from several different directions, giving the appearance that there were many more of them than it actually was. Kedorlaomer’s army, afraid they were under siege from a vast army of troops, fled leaving behind all that they had taken in Sodom, including Lot and his family, and all of their possessions (Vs.14-16).

MELCHIZEDEK BLESSES ABRAM

Genesis 14:17-24

   The writer of the book of Hebrews stated that “GOD declared CHRIST to be a Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”. We also know that scripture says that earthly Priests had to come from the “Levite line of Aaron”, in order to serve in the priesthood here on earth. However, before Levi existed, there was an obscure figure in Scriptures, who existed as a priest of GOD, and who was uniquely, both a king, and a Priest, just like JESUS would be. He ruled in the tiny kingdom of Salem (which is now Jerusalem), during the time of Abram.

    As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of wicked Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shevah (called “the King’s Valley), probably to thank him for collaterally freeing him from his captivity by their common enemy.  Seemingly out of nowhere, at the same time, scripture introduces us to one of the most powerful and obscure figures in all the annals of the Old, and New Testament. Scriptural accounts don’t even make mention of his father or his mother, and he seems to be without genealogy as far as where his life begins, or ends. There is one thing that is certain about this man, however, and that is that, GOD knew him, and he knew GOD, and Abram knew them both.

    This biblical account, here in Genesis 14, tells us that this man was qualified to both, bless Abram as a Priest, and, to receive a tithe from Abram as a king. And since the word “bless” (“barak” in the Hebrew), in its biblical application, implies “something that someone does, who has spiritual superiority”, evidently, this man ranked higher spiritually than did Abram, and, in fact, scripture says that “he remains a priest forever” (Hebrews 7:1-3). His name is Melchizedek.

    In the Old Testament, in Psalms 110, which is a “messianic psalm” by David, Melchizedek is seen as a type of Christ. This theme, of course, is repeated in the book of Hebrews, where both CHRIST and Melchizedek are considered as “kings of righteousness and peace”. Some scholars even believe that, here in the book of Genesis, Melchizedek is actually a “Theophany” (“manifestation”) of JESUS HIMSELF.

    In the New Testament, also citing Melchizedek’s unique priesthood as “a prototype for CHRIST”, the writer of Hebrews attempted to show that CHRIST’s priesthood is superior to the old Levitical order of Aaron. And so, we see, according to the writer of Hebrews, that, in JESUS, a different kind of Priest has come, ONE who became a Priest, not by meeting the old requirements of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but rather, by the power of a life that cannot, and will not be destroyed, “a Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”.

    Here in Genesis 14, verses 18-20, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and, a priest of GOD, brought Abram bread and wine to eat, and then, “blessed him” with a solemn, authoritative prayer. Abram then gave Melchizedek a tenth (tithe) of the goods that he had recovered from King Kedorlaomer’s army at Dan. Here we see that Melchizedek is the only person, that scripture tells us, Abram recognized as his spiritual superior under GOD. The act of “blessing” someone, at its root meaning, implies that the “blesser” has spiritual superiority over the “blessee”.  A humble Abram accepted Melchizedek’s blessing, and then paid him a tithe of all that he had.

    In the final segment of this chapter, we see a grateful King Bela of Sodom attempt to strike up a deal with Abram to retrieve some of his lost possessions that had been recovered by Abram. However, Abram, not wanting to become beholding to a person of wickedness, such as King Bela, clearly lets the king know that he wanted no part of his cursed belongings. Here he tells Bela that, “I have solemnly promised the LORD GOD Most High, CREATOR of Heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you, otherwise you might say, “I am the one who made Abram rich!”.

    Abram did, however, accept as payment, the food that his men had already eaten, and also a share of the spoils for his Canaanite allies Mamre, Aner, Eschol, and their families who had helped him defeat their common enemies, Kedorlaomer and his allies. That way Abram was keeping himself free of any obligations to the evil king of Sodom, and showing loyalty to those who showed loyalty to him when he needed them.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday September 2, 2018

ABRAM AND LOT SEPARATE

Genesis 13

   The passages comprised in the book of Genesis, chapters 11:27-25:11 are known collectively by modern-day biblical scholars as “The Patriarchal Narratives”. This is simply because it is that section of Scriptures that covers the life of the great Jewish patriarch, Abraham. Abraham is the towering figure to whom the Jews trace their origin and unique position of being “GOD’s chosen people”.

    Their history actually began in earnest, with the succession from Terah, the father of Abram, whose name was later changed, by GOD, to “Abraham”. Terah was also the father of Nahor, and Haran. Haran, who died at an early age, was the father of Lot, who was raised by Terah, and who later would travel with Abram to the land of Canaan.

    In Genesis 13, Moses, the GOD-chosen author of the book of Genesis, writes of Abram’s journey out of Egypt after being ejected from there by the Pharaoh, who was angry with Abram after he deceived him regarding his relationship to Sarai, his wife, telling him that she was his sister, which was a lie. The Pharaoh, as a result of that lie, had sought to marry Sarai, and had given Abram many gifts for that privilege.

    When Abram and his family were forced to leave Egypt, they traveled north into the 4500 square-mile desert region known as “The Negev”. They continued traveling in stages toward Bethel to the place where Abram had previously built an altar to the LORD (between Bethel and Ai). There they set up camp and worshiped the LORD for a time.

    Abram was already 75 years old when they first left Haran, and before that, they had traveled over 700 miles total in their journey beginning from Ur (southern Iraq), which was their birthplace. Now, after leaving Egypt, and coming to where they now camped, having many more possessions, there became a need for Abram and Lot to split up. There was a lack of pastureland to accommodate both of their flocks and herds, and besides that, arguments and fights had began to break out between their herdsmen. In fact, it had gotten so bad that Abram was compelled to talk it over with Lot and suggest that the two families move in separate directions in order to find adequate space for them to exist in comfort and peace. 

    Even though Abram was the oldest, he decided to allow Lot to have first choice, as to which direction they would choose to travel in. Lot took a long look around and then chose the area in the direction of the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley toward Zoar. This was also the area where Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim were located, before GOD destroyed them, because of their wickedness. Today this area is located beneath the Dead Sea, only a few miles offshore, according to archeologists. Abram, on the other hand, stayed put in the land where he was.

    Little did Lot know at the time that he was actually being “tempted by the devil with the beauty of the world”, as he has done many a people. Despite this area’s attractiveness, it was also, perhaps, the most evil area to be found anywhere at that time. There were also ten kings jockeying for position and rulership of this vast, rich and fertile plain. Scripture in fact tells us that the people of that area were “unusually wicked” and sinned greatly against the LORD.

    After Lot left, GOD disclosed to Abram that the land that he chose (GOD had already chosen for him), and was now standing on, would be his land, in every direction, as far as he could see. GOD also promised Abram that HE was going to give him more descendants than could possibly be counted, and that this land would be the permanent possession of his ancestors.

    GOD shows HIS appreciation for the faithfulness of HIS people, and then, HE blesses us accordingly. Whenever we trust GOD, and also deal with each other fairly to resolve our problems and conflicts with each other in a GODly manner, we are doing what GOD expects of us. If we mishandle blessing and prosperity, they can become curses instead. It was because of the many blessings bestowed upon Abram and Lot by GOD, that, they found themselves in this conflict in the first place. However, instead of continuing in their ungodly fighting, they chose to use GODly wisdom to solve their issues with each other and move on.

    And as for Lot, his decision was made based solely on what he saw (which was actually sight unseen) and his desire to obtain it, because of its beauty. He never consulted with and asked GOD which direction he should go. He just took a long look around, chose the beauty, and neglected to investigate the evil spiritual details that were hidden within that beauty.

    Whenever we become prosperous and successful by abiding in GOD, and following HIS rules, GOD often tests us to see how we handle life’s little difficulties. The chronicles of the life of Job is perhaps the ultimate example of that truth. The question then becomes, “Will we remain faithful to GOD when conflicts and troubles emerge in our lives, or will we forget about GOD and try and handle things our way?” Abraham remembered GOD, while Lot chose to go his own way.

    The permissive will of GOD allows for man to do many things, and ultimately, through JESUS’ death, we also, in addition, receive GOD’s wonderful and abounding grace. However, GOD, through HIS wisdom, will never allow “grace” to trump “truth”. For instance, grace does not excuse sin and disobedience without consequences. That’s why, in life, there can never be a “right time” to do the “wrong thing”, and we must continue to abide in, and trust in GOD, in all circumstances.

    Abram gave Lot first choice because he knew that GOD would do what he said he would do regarding all of their lives and this faith came even before they ever left Haran. He knew that despite the chances and changes in life, ultimately GOD would see them through their human issues and conflicts. And GOD accounted Abram righteous because of his faith. And it is still true today that GOD will keep in perfect peace, the mind that stays on HIM, because we trust HIM. For GOD, never changes HIS ways.

    There’s another lesson to be learned here in this passage of Scripture, that will serve us well along the pathways of life, and that is, when we separate ourselves from people, places, and things, make sure that we are not also separating ourselves from the Will of GOD. GOD only wants us to separate ourselves from the people, places, and things that defile us, and not, from the people, places, and things that are GODly, and can keep us spiritually safe.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

      

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Legendary Locals of Grand Prairie - Google Books Result

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com