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Sunday, April 27 2025
Contributor: Wilson Imade INTRODUCTION Why Did God Call Abram? Lesson: From the first line in verse 1, you hear the statement: “Now the LORD had said unto Abram.” In other words God was saying to Abram your season, and time to fulfil my purpose is now. First and foremost, we must understand that from the creation of the world, that God has always shown Himself as a God of purpose. Like in Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Lesson: Every one of God's plan towards mankind has its season and timing with God in His book of records. The record book of Abram is seen revealed in Genesis 17:1-5 where we are told: “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 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.” This reveals to us that when God was saying “now” to Abram, it was actually announcing to Abram that his season and timing to fulfil a divine purpose was now. From the old Testament to the New Testament, the scripture has revealed different examples of God's way of communicating His divine purpose to man. Lesson: From God’s instructions to Abram, there are the three core principles that God put in place that will qualify Abram. These three principles speak of salvation. The country speaks of the world, the kindred speak of the nativity of Abram’s family custom or idolatry, and his father's house speak of coming out from his father’s custom or idolatry. As architects have laws and principles to achieve a solid and successful outstanding building, the same way God has placed salvation to achieve His plan and purpose towards everyone. In Titus 2:11-13 the Bible says: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” Lesson: We see verse 11 speaks of salvation, verse 12 speaks of the principles, and verse 13 speaks of the purpose and the glorious end. Genesis 12 : 2 – 3 Lesson: If you take a look at the nation of Israel today, you will see that they are a great nation that stands out, they are blessed with technology and are at the forefront. The advanced technology industry in Isreal is the most important economic sector in the country among others. The divine blessing backing Isreal till today makes them outstanding from all neighbouring countries. Abraham’s Journey of Faith Lesson: Abram departed with his household from Haran, and from his native land. Abram believed and moved out even though he hadn’t seen the land. Hebrews 11:8-10 says: “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. 9 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: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Genesis 12:7- 9 “The LORD appeared unto Abram and said, unto the seed will I give this land,” And the Bible says “Abram “builded an altar unto the LORD who appeared unto him.” Verse 8 The Bible says “Abram removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east, and there he builded an altar unto the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. Verse 9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.” Lesson:We see when Abram departed in obedience to God, that God then appeared to him in verse 7, promising his seed the land, that Abram in response built an altar and started to called upon the name of the LORD, thereby initiating a relationship with Him. From this lesson we see that when God calls anyone to fulfil a divine purpose, He calls them to relationships first. Abram knew that the only way he can achieve the plan of God for his life was to build intimacy. Genesis 12 : 9 - 13 The Bible says in verse 9, “and Abram journeyed going on still toward the south.” In verse 10 we are told that “there was a famine in the land and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was grievous in the land.” Lesson: In the journey of faith there are going to be trials that will challenge our belief. This is why as Christians we must consciously and constantly build a strong intimacy with God. We must strive to know God, because in the journey of faith there are going to be many things that will challenge our faith. And because of our strong intimacy will God, He will always make a way of escape for us. Philippians 3:10 says: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” And although Abram lied saying that Sarai his wife was his sister when they went down to Egypt, because he was afraid that they may kill him because of her. But he did he, did this so that his life will be preserved to fulfil the promise. See verses 14 - 16 “And it came to pass, that when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair, 15 And the princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh, and the women was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake, and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. Lesson: The bible say and Abram went down to Egypt because that the famine was grievous. The challenges circumstances compel Abram to move down to Egypt, and there he loose his wife to Pharaoh.” Genesis 12 : 17 - 20 “And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. [18] And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. [20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.” Lesson: The Bible says God plagued Pharaoh and his house. Not only that the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house, but Abram also received divine intervention without prayer in Egypt. All because Abram has built a healthy relationship with God. In verse 7 & 8 we see where Abram built two altars unto the LORD, and there he prayed. Abram prayed before the trials came, and Abram prayed before he went down to Egypt. No soldiers prepared in front or in the midst of war will likely survive. When Pharaoh called Abram, he was under pressure to restore Sarai, and all that belonged to Abram. From verse 17 - 20 Abram didn't say any word, yet Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him, and they sent him away, his wife and all that he had. And Abram went up by divine intervention. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 the Bible says: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.“ CONCLUSION |
