The Life of Abraham

James B. Jordan

1987

Class Overview

Tape One: Background and Introduction

Tape Two: Chapters 11-12: Exodus and Arrival, Part One

Tape Three: Chapters 12-13: Exodus and Arrival, Part Two

Tape Four: Chapter 14: Conquest

Tape Five: Chapter 15: Promise and Patience

Tape Six: Chapters 16-17: Cutting off the Flesh

Tape Seven: Chapter 18: Birth of Seed = Destruction of Evil

Tape Eight: Chapter 19: Bad Decisions: Bones Litter the Wilderness

Tape Nine: Chapter 20: Salvation of the Gentiles

Tape Ten: Chapter 21: The Seed and the Counterfeit

Tape Eleven: Chapter 22-23: Resurrection Faith

Tape Twelve: Chapter 24-25: The Seed and the Bride

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Tape One – Introduction and Background

I. Themes in the Story of Abraham.

A. Land.

In the Bible, land is a place to (sanctuary), a

place to _______________ (home), and a place to expand into

and have (world).

Man's original home was , and his original sanctuary

was the .

In Genesis 3, we see the loss of .

In Genesis 4, the loss of .

In Genesis 6-8, the loss of the .

In Genesis 10, we have the re-creation of .

In Genesis 12 - Joshua 24, the re-creation of .

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B. Priest.

The priest is the of the , and

ultimately of the .

.

.

.

We can see Abraham as a priest in these ways, among others:

.

.

.

.

C. Bride.

The Bride is in the , so she must be guarded by

the .

.

.

.

D. Seed.

The Seed is the , the hope of the world.

. . .

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E. Preview of History: the narrative of prophecy.

What happens to will happen later to

.

.

.

.

II. Immediate Background to Abraham.

A. The Sin of Ham and the Curse of Canaan (Gen. 9:20-27)

The essence of Ham's sin was an .

In the curse, the true sons of Ham would become .

.

.

.

B. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9).

The city and tower were counterfeit and and

.

Making a "name" for themselves meant they were making

themselves .

The judgment on them was that they were .

.

4

.

.

C. The Genealogy of Shem (Genesis 11:10-26).

In context, what stands out in this section?

.

.

.

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Tape Two – Exodus and Arrival, Part One

The Passage: Genesis 11:27-12:5

Overview:

A. Death in Babylon (11:27-30) B. Exodus (11:31-12:5)

A. Death in Babylon (Chaldea = Babylon)

v. 27: Sons v. 28: Death

v. 29: Wives v. 30: Barrenness

If you have sons in Babylon, they ; if you have wives, they will be .

.

.

.

B. Exodus.

A. Exodus from Ur (11:31)B. The age of Terah and his death (11:32)

C. The Promise of God (12:1-3) B’. The age of Abraham and his deliverance (12:4)

A’. Exodus from Haran (12:5)

.

.

.

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1. God's Promise: Trust Me and obey Me, and I will bless you, and through you bless others.

Contents of the Promise:

(a) . .

(b) . .

(c) . .

(d) . .

(e) . .

(f) . .

2. Spoils of the Exodus:

a. . .

b. . .

c. . .

d. . .

C. Conclusion: Themes to Note.

1. Replacement of the Firstborn

. . .

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2. Barrenness of the Bride

. . .

3. The Exodus Theme . . .

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The Exodus Pattern In Scripture

I. Basic occurrences:

A. Abram from Babylon (Mesopotamia; Padan-Aram) B. Abram from Egypt C. Abraham from Philistia D. Isaac from Philistia E. Jacob from Mesopotamia F. Joseph-Moses from Egypt G. The Ark from Philistia H. Israel from Mesopotamia (after the Exile) I. Fulfillment in Christ

II. Basic elements:

A. Threat, aspect of the curse on sin, drives people from an Eden.- Palestine under Roman rule; Jesus leaves Heaven, and crucified

outside the holy city. B. Attack on Eve by the Serpent, who wishes to use her for his own seed.

- Attack on God's people by demonic possession, illness, Pharisees, and Rome.

C. Use of deception to trick the Serpent and guard the Bride. - Jesus drew Satan's fire to Himself, tricking him.

D. Blessing to the redeemed; curse upon the wicked. - Jesus' work redeemed the world, ensured our blessing, destroyed the

wicked. E. Miraculous intervention for deliverance.

- The incarnation. F. Humiliation of false gods.

- Satan exposed to ridicule. G. Departure with spoils.

- Between AD 30 and 70, the Church spoiled Old Covenant Israel; now she spoils the world.

H. Installment in the Holy Land. - Jesus enthroned in Heaven; all have access there in prayer and

worship.

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III. Other elements:

A. Enslavement (Jacob, Moses, Exile) - Christ dragged before Pilate, cast into prison.

B. Plagues (Abram and Moses in Egypt; Ark in Philistia) - Outbreak of demonism during Christ's 3-year ministry.

C. Visions to the pagan lord (Abraham and Isaac in Philistia; Nebuchadnezzar in the Exile) - Pilate's wife's dream.

D. Serpent tries to shift the blame to the righteous (incidents B-F above). - Herod shifts to Pilate; Pilate washes hands, puts sign on cross blaming

God and Jews.

IV. Abram's removal from Ur has the Exodus Pattern outline:

A. The threat to the Seed comes from living in the Tower of Babel culture (Genesis 10).

B. The Bride is barren, Seedless, in Babylon. C. Miraculous intervention: God's glory appears to Abram. D. Humiliation of false gods: Abram converts to the Lord. E. Departure with spoils: goods and converts (Gen. 12:5). F. Installment in the land of Canaan.

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Tape Three – Exodus and Arrival, Part Two

Outline of Genesis 12:6 -13:18

A. Shechem, oaks, and Canaanites (12:6) B. Promise of Seed and Land (12:7)

C. Bethel and Ai, altar and worship (12:8) D. The Negev (12:9)

E. Descent into Egypt (12:10) F. The Bride attacked ( 12: 11-15)

G. Passover (12:16-17) F'. The Bride delivered (12:18-19)

E’. Ascent from Egypt (12:20) D’. The Negev (13:1-2)

C'. Bethel and Ai, altar and worship (13:3-4) -The separation of Lot (13:5-13)

B'. Promise of Seed and Land (13:14-17) A'. Hebron, oaks, and Canaanites (13:18)

I. Abram's ministry in Canaan (12:6-9).

A. Places. . . . .

B. Trees . . . .

C. Altars. . . . .

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v. 6 - "Oak of Moreh" means "Oak of .”

v. 8 - "Beth-El" means . . . . . .

II. Abram in Egypt (12:10-20).

Who drove Abram to Egypt? . How do we know? .

Why did Pharaoh want Sarai? . .

How did Abram protect Sarai? . .

"The woman defeats the serpent/tyrant by deceiving him." This is a Biblical theme. What is the moral and legal foundation for it, in terms of 1 Timothy 2:14?

. . . . .

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III. The Departure of Lot (13:1-18).

Why does God need to separate Lot from Abraham?

. .

What does God do to bring this about?

. .

What problem do we see with Lot? . .

Was it wrong for Lot to pick good land?

. .

Four Notes on Lot:

(1) . .

(2) . .

(3) . .

(4) . .

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God renews the promise:

descendents like the dust

. .

14

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Tape Four – Conquest

Chapter 14 Outline:

A. The Canaanite Rebellion (vv. 1-12) B. Refuge in Abram (vv. 13-16) C. True Dominion (vv. 17-24)

Purposes of the Passage:

(1) . .

(2) . .

A. The Canaanite Rebellion:

Personnel:

Chedorlaomer: . . .

Tidal: . . .

Amraphel & Arioch: . . .

The Five Kings: . . .

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The Situation: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Battles:

1. Giants (v. 5): . . .

2. Horites (v. 6): . . .

3. Amalekites (v. 7): . . .

4. Amorites (v. 7): . . .

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5. Canaanites (w. 8-11): . . .

B. Refuge in Abram:

Abram the Hebrew:

Things to Note:

1. . .

2. . .

C. True Dominion:

v. 17- the "smiting of Chedorlaomer": Chedorlaomer was powerful enough to dominate the whole land, and defeat all these people who would scare Israel later on, yet in the midst of all this, Abram the Hebrew, with 318 men, was even more powerful than Chedorlaomer! . .

v. 18 - Celebration after Victory.

. .

v. 19 - Possessor of Heaven and Earth.

. .

v. 20 - Eucharist ("Thanksgiving")

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. .

vv. 21-24. Points to note:

1. . .

2. . .

3. . .

4. . .

Conclusions: Keys to True Dominion

1. Worship set up first, then cultural domination follows. . .

2. Limited Goals. . .

3. Patience. . .

4. Thanksgiving to God for whatever He gives us. . .

5. Tithing. . .

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Tape Five – Promise and Patience

Chapter 15 Outline:

A. God's Word of Promise (vv. 1-7) B. God's Seal of His Oath (vv. 8-21)

Purpose of the Passage: To show that God would re-create the world, andgive it to the Seed of Abram.

Context of passage: . . .

Purpose of Visions: . . .

A. God's Promise:

1. Narrowing the focus of the Seed. . .

2. The Seed and the Stars:

a. The "vast multitude" interpretation: . .

b. The “twelve constellations" interpretation: . .

c. The "earthly host" interpretation: . .

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3. Abram's Amen: God rewards righteousness, and counts trust as righteousness.

B. God's Oath:

1. The Council member's privilege (v. 8): . . .

2. The sacrifices (v. 9):

heifer - a cow that has not calved female goat ram - male sheep turtledove young pigeon

Observations:

a. Five sacrifices . . .

b. Three years old . . .

c. The heifer . . .

3. The curse of the covenant (v. 10-11): . .

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. . . .

4. The world rolled back to the beginning (v. 12):

a. Sunset - beginning of a new day. . .

b. Night - Passover, a new creation. . .

c. Fear - judgment must come before the new creation can be born. . .

d. Deep sleep - a technical term for a state near death. People who go into "deep sleep" either die, or else God appears to them and gives them new life, as it were from the dead.

. .

Psalm 76:6 Judges 4:21 Proverbs 10:5; 19:15 Jonah 1:5-6 Daniel 8:18; 10:9 1Samue1 26:12 Job 4:13; 33:15 Genesis 2:21 . .

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5. The prophecy: The Seed will go into "deep sleep," but will be raised (vv 13-16): . . . .

The chronology problem:

The 430 years of Exodus 12:40 begin when Abram enters Canaan from Haran. Canaan was under Egyptian domination in the South, and Chedorlaomer's dominion in the North. Abram and his people were oppressed, to a greater or lesser degree, for 430 years.

The 400 years of Genesis 15:13 begin when Ishmael starts to persecute Isaac. This is an intensification of the oppression.

The "four generations" come to about 215 years, and begin when Jacob joins Joseph in Egypt. Exodus 6 makes it explicit that Moses was the fourth generation, fulfilling Genesis 15:16.

6. The seal (v. 17): God swears by Himself. The "self-maledictory oath."

VERY dark compare Genesis 1:2. Spirit hovering = hovering fire. . . .

7. A new creation (vv. 18-21). . . .

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Tape Six – Cutting of the Flesh

Overview:

Story of Abram seems to come in two-chapter units.

12-13: Dominion, Descent, Exodus, Dominion 14-15: Attack on Land, Dominion over Land, Promise of Land16-17: Circumcision: Cutting off the Flesh

A. The Egyptian seeks to keep the (supposed) seed for herself, instead of reckoning Ishmael as Sarai's child (16:1-6).

B. God promises covenant blessings to the Egyptian's child, if they ally themselves with Sarai (16:7-16).

C. Cutting off the flesh, and resurrection (ch. 17). Everything is made new.

Outline:

A. The Birth of Ishmael and its consequences (16:1-6).

The basic problem: . .

Marrying Hagar is equivalent to: . . .

In verses 4-6 "sight" has to do with: . . . . . .

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B. An Exodus for Ishmael (16:7-16).

In Galatians 4:21ff, Paul says that Ishmael is like . .

Springs of water indicate . .

An ambiguous prophecy:

"His hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him." . . .

"He will dwell before the face of all his brothers." . . .

Was Ishmael saved by God? . . .

C. Cutting off the flesh (chapter 17).

1. Promise (17:1-8).

What was on Abram's mind in v. 1? . .

Abram means .

Abraham means . . .

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2. Seal (17:9-14).

Chiasm: A. Keeping (guarding) the covenant. (v. 10)

B. The flesh of the foreskin. (v. 11) C. Throughout all generations. (v. 12a)

D. Servants: adopted and purchased. (v. 12b) D' Servants: adopted and purchased. (v. 13a)

C' Everlasting. (v. 13b) B' The flesh of the foreskin. (v. 14a)

A' Breaking the covenant (v. 14b)

Observations:

1. The eighth day. . . .

2. Propagation: relation to the Seed. . . .

3. Servants included. . . .

3. Resurrection and New Creation (17:15-26)

Sarai means . .

Sarah means . .

Isaac means . .

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What does Ishmael get? . .

What is indicated by Ishmael's being 13 years old? . .

What is indicated by Abraham's being 99 years old? . .

What is the resurrection idea in v. 17? . .

What extra does Isaac get? . .

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Tape Seven – The Birth of the Seed & the Destruction of Evil

Overview:

ch. 12-13: Dominion, Descent, Exodus, Dominion ch. 14-15: Attack on Land, Dominion over Land, Promise of Land ch. 16-17: Circumcision, Cutting off and Restoring the Fleshly Line ch. 18-19: Birth of Seed involves Destruction of the Wicked

Chapter 18:

A. Communion with God (vv. 1-8) B. Promise of Laughter (vv. 9-15) C. Evaluation of the Wicked (vv. 16-33)

A. Communion with God.

Setting:

Oaks: . .

Day: . .

Door: . .

Additional Notes:

. . . . . .

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B. Promise of Laughter.

The phrase "when the time revives" (w. 10,14) refers to . .

In Genesis 17 we have circumcision, which points to God's judgment on the righteous, cutting away the old flesh, but leaving the righteous alive and able to bear seed. It points to the crucifixion of our Lord.

In Genesis 18-19 we have God's laughter, which points to resurrection, new life for the righteous now that the old flesh has been cut away through judgment. It also points to the destruction of the wicked.

Analogically, then, the circumcision of chapter 17 points to . .

The new birth of chapter 18 points to : . .

The destruction of Sodom in chapter 19 points to : . .

Examples of how salvation and judgment come together: . . . . .

C. The Evaluation of the Wicked.

1. The Friend of God. . . . . .

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2. Contrast Abraham and Lot (v. 19). . .

3. Why did God say "I will go down," when it was actually the angels who went?

1. .

2. .

4. Does God ever destroy the righteous with the wicked?

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Tape Eight – Flood, Exodus, & Sodom

Overview:

Themes to note:

1. Parallels to the visit of God and the angels to Abraham in chapter 18. 2. Parallels to the Exodus from Egypt later on: a version of the Exodus

pattern. 3. Parallels to Noah's Flood.

Genesis 19:

A. Arrival (1-11) B. Gospel (12-22) C. Judgment (23-29) D. A New World? (30-38)

Outline:

A. Arrival.

Points to note:

1. Similarity to the visit with Abraham in chapter 18. . . .

2. Contrasts:

a. The angels did not initially accept Lot's offer. . . .

b. Unleavened bread. . .

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.

c. Doorway theme. . . .

d. Sight and judgment theme. . . .

B. Gospel.

Points to note:

1. Intermarriage. Compare Genesis 6:2. . . .

2. Sovereign grace from the hands of the angels. . . .

3. The offer of the Mountain. . . .

C. Judgment.

Points to note:

1. The Day of the Lord. . . .

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2. A Memorial Pillar. . . .

3. A Whole Burnt Sacrifice. . . .

D. A New World?

Points to note:

1. The cave.

2. Was incest a sin at this time?

3. Whose was the primary sin?

4. Parallels to the sin of Ham:

a. Drunkenness.

1) Noah drank enough to get sleepy, but he did know what his sons did - he was not totally out of it (Genesis 9:24). Noah's drinking is (probably) to be associated with relaxation, the wine of communion, not the wine of irresponsibility.

2) Lot drank so much that he did not know what happened to him. Lot's drunkenness was a retreat from the world into irresponsibility.

b. Uncovering nakedness: 1) Noah had a right to, in the privacy of his tent. Then, Ham

sought to seize the robe in order to leave Noah uncovered. Uncovering nakedness means, "to expose shame" (Genesis 2:24).

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2) Lot's daughters "uncover his nakedness" in the sense of Leviticus 18:71 exposing him to shame, seizing for themselves what should have been his decision (to find them husbands).

c. Canaanites: 1) Noah said that Canaan would be cursed because he would

carry forth Ham's rebellious attitude. 2) Lot's daughters act like Ham and Canaan, and carry forth the

Canaanite mentality. Thus, Moab and Ammon are seen as Canaanite cultures, like Sodom (Zephaniah 2:9).

. . .

5. The wrong mountain. . . .

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Tape Nine – The Salvation of the Gentiles

Overview:

12-13: Dominion, Descent, Exodus, Dominion14-15: Attack on Land, Dominion over Land, Promise of Land 16-17: Circumcision, Cutting off and Restoring the Fleshly Line18-19: Birth of Seed involves Destruction of the Wicked20-21: The True Seed and the Gospel to the Gentiles

Outline of Chapters 20-21:

20:1-18 -Attack on the Seed, conversion of Abimelech 21:1-7 -Birth of the Seed 21:8-21 -Separation of True and Counterfeit Seeds21:22-34 -Gospel to the Gentiles

Outline:

I. The Setting.

A. According to Genesis 10:13-14, the Philistines were .

B. What prophecy is fulfilled by Abraham's move to Gerar? . . .

C. What circumstances forced the move? . . .

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II. Exodus Pattern in Genesis 20:

Exodus Pattern

Threat drives the righteous from Eden Abraham driven away from his home by destruction of Sodom

Attack on Eve by Serpent Abimelech seizes SarahUse of deception to trick Serpent Abraham and Sarah seek to mislead

AbimelechMiraculous intervention God speaks to Abimelech

Plagues Wombs closedVisions to the pagan lord God appears to Abimelech

Passover Transition happens during the nightSerpent tries to blame the righteous Abimelech tries to blame Abraham

Humiliation of false gods Abimelech converts to the True GodSpoils given to the priestly people Abimelech gives gifts to Abraham

III. Notes on the passage:

(Review:) Why did Abraham say Sarah was his sister? . . .

What was Abimelech's sin, and what was the threatened punishment? . . .

Was Abraham right, that there was no fear of God in this place? Why is attention called to this? . . .

What is meant in verse 16 by the phrase "for you a covering of the eyes"? . . .

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IV. The Theology of Genesis 20:

A. Why was the timing important to Satan? . . .

B. What is the difference between Satan's attack in chapter 12 and here? . . .

C. What are God's two methods of defeating Satan's attacks? . . .

D. Satan and the Seed:

1. Is Lot the Seed? .

2. Is Ishmael the Seed? .

3. Will the Seed come from Sarah? .

4. Is Isaac the Seed? .

E. Three evidences of the conversion of Abimelech in Genesis 20:

1. .

2. .

3. .

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Tape Ten – The Seed and the Counterfeit

Genesis 21

Overview and Outline (see notes for tape nine)

I. The Birth of the Seed (21:1-7)

Three fulfilled prophecies:

1. .

2. .

3. .

He who laughs last, laughs best:

Laughter for Abraham: . . .

Laughter for Sarah: . . .

II. The Separation of the Counterfeit (21:8-21).

Why did this incident take place at Isaac's weaning? . . .

What does it mean when it says that Ishmael was mocking? . . .

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What did Abraham pray for? . . .

Where do we see a transition from wrath to grace in this passage? . . .

Why does the Angel of God say that God has heard Ishmael's prayer from "where he is"? . . .

What are some of the arguments that Ishmael was converted at this time?

1. . .

2. . .

3. . .

4. . .

5. . .

6. . .

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III. In You All the Families of the Earth Will be Blessed (21:22-34).

Why do these Egyptians want to make covenant with Abraham? . . .

What is the symbol of Abraham's ministry to these gentiles? . . .

What light does Romans 4:9-12 shed on this passage? . . .

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Tape Eleven – Resurrection Faith

Genesis 22-23

For the sake of the lectures, I have grouped Genesis 22 and 23 together under the heading "Resurrection Faith." In terms of the literary structure of the History of Abraham, however, Genesis 22:1-19 is a unit, and Genesis 22:20 - 25:18 is a second unit.

Outline:

Resurrection Faith: The Seed (Genesis 22:1-19)

A. The Faith of Abraham (22:1-8) B. The Provision of God (22:9-14) C. The Promise of God (22:15-19)

A. The Faith of Abraham (22:1-8)

What was the purpose of "testing" Abraham? . . .

In what sense is the Bible in favor of human sacrifice? . . .

Where was Mount Moriah? . . .

Why did Abraham "take along" the fire? . . .

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The passage emphasizes the wood for the sacrifice. What is the possible reason for this? . . .

Why does it emphasize that they went along together? . . .

B. The Provision of God (22:9-14).

It is the "angel of the LORD" who speaks to Abraham. What are we to think of when we read this? . . .

The ram was caught in a thicket. What is a possible reason for this? . . .

The place where God "provides" is literally the place where He "sees." What does this connect with? . . .

C. The promise of God (22:15-19).

Why did God speak the second time? . . .

What is the relationship between faith and works? How do the stories of Lot and Abraham fit in? .

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. .

Why is it important to see that Abraham returns to the land of Philistia? . . .

Resurrection Faith: The Bride and the Land(Genesis 22:20- 25:18)

A. The Twelve Sons of Nahor (22:20-24) - multiplication B. The Death and Burial of Sarah, the Bride (ch. 23) - insertion into the Land

C. A Bride for the Seed (ch. 24) -perpetuating the Seed line C'. Separation from the Seed (25:1-6) - protecting the integrity of the Seed line.

B'. The Death and Burial of Abraham (25:7-11) - insertion into the Land A'. The Twelve Sons of Ishmael (26:12-18) - multiplication

A. The Twelve Sons of Nahor (22:20-24)

This passage performs at least four functions in context:

1. . . 2. . . 3. . . 4. . .

B. The Burial of Sarah (chapter 23)

What is the temptation set before Abraham in this passage? . . . . .

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What do verses 2, 4, 7, 12, & 19 stress? . . .

Where are the three temptations?

1. . . 2. . . 3. . .

What is the importance of Abraham's having this land? . . . .

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Tape Twelve – The Seed and the Bride

Genesis 22:20- 25:18

A. The Twelve Sons of Nahor (22:20-24) - multiplication B. The Death and Burial of Sarah, the Bride (ch. 23) - insertion into the Land

C. A Bride for the Seed (ch. 24) - perpetuating the Seed line C'. Separation from the Seed (25:1-6) - protecting the integrity of the Seed line.

B'. The Death and Burial of Abraham (25:7-11) - insertion into the Land A'. The Twelve Sons of Ishmael (26:12-18) - multiplication

C. A Bride for the Seed (chapter 24).

1. A well of water. . . . . .

2. A virgin. . . . . .

3. A mother. . . . . .

4. A sister. . . . .

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.

D. Separation from the Seed (Genesis 25:1-6).

1. Keturah. . . .

2. Circumcision. . . . . . . .

3. The East. . . . . . . .

E. The Death and Burial of Abraham (25:7-11). . . . . . . .

F. The Twelve Sons of Ishmael (25:12-18). . .

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. . . . .

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