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Lech Lecha

Genesis 12:1-17:27

Isaiah 40:27-41:16

Romans 4:1-25

Abraham, the Spiritual Pilgrim

The story of the life of Abraham is important because he was chosen of G-d to become the father of a new spiritual people.  Seeds were planted in his heart from which were to spring wonderful results for all future believers.

He was a great spiritual leader.

While living with his father in Haran, he received a message from the Lord calling on him to separate himself from his old associations and go to a new country.  He was promised divine favor, great posterity, and that he would become a blessing to all the families of the earth.

He obeyed the call and thereby became leader of that innumerable company of believers who have sought a city whose architect and builder is G-d (Gen 12:1-4; Heb 11:8-10)

Most of the important events in his career are connected with his journeys.

I. Ur to Haran (Gen 11:31), Death of Abraham’s father (Gen 11:32)

II. Haran to Shechem (12:1-6), Divine appearance, altar built (12:7)

III. Shechem to Bethel (12:8), Altar built, prayer offered

IV. Bethel to Egypt (12:9-11), Denies that Sarah is his wife (12:11-13)

V. Return to Bethel, offers prayer (13:1-4)

VI. Bethel to Hebron, altar built (13:18)

VII. Hebron to Damascus, pursues robbers, rescues Lot and recovers goods (14:1-16)

VIII. Return to Hebron, gives tithes to Melchizedek (14:16-20), Promise of a son renewed (15:3-5), Ishmael born (16:15), covenant renewed, (17:1-8), Name changed (17:5), Intercession for Sodom (18:23-32)

IX. Hebron to Gerar (20:1), covenant fulfilled, Isaac born (21:1-3)

X. Gerar to Beersheba, covenant with Abimelech (21:27-34)

XI. Beersheba to Mt Moriah, altar built, Isaac prepared to be offered as a sacrifice, (22:1-14)

XII. Return to Beersheba (22:19)

XIII. Beersheba to Hebron, Abraham’s death and burial (25:8-10)

Outstanding Events and Experiences of Abraham’s Life:

The Divine Call (21:1)

The Divine Covenant (12:2-3; 17:1-6)

The Divine Delay, in the fulfillment of the promise of a son.  Compare Gen 15:4 with 21:1-6.  Over twenty years passed before Isaac was born.

His great mistake, (16:3) Sarah’s plan to aid the Almighty

His great intercession for the cities of the plain (18:23-32)

The fulfillment of his hopes in the birth of Isaac (21:5)

His severe test (22:1-2)

His remarkable faith and obedience (22:3-10)

His greatest need supplied (22:11-13)

As Abraham obeyed his call we too need to live by faith, make decisions based on the word of G-d Romans 4:19-20, and give G-d the glory.  So let us run the race before us, despite circumstances, seeing the promises set before us ( Hebrews 12:1).

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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