WINNERS AND LOSERS (The Book of Genesis)

By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras

LESSON 19 Part 3

INTRODUCTION

We continue our study of God’s dealings with individuals and nations—winners and losers—during Old Testament days as we learn by examples (I Corinthians 10:6,11) how we should live today. We are in the Book of Genesis.

GENERAL TRUTHS FROM GENESIS

5:21-24            One man noted for walking with God (God removed him early from an evil earth)

(See Hebrews 11:5, Jude 14,15)

6:3,6                God’s regret and grief in making man

6:5                   Planet in rebellion

6:8,9,22           Second man noted for walking with God—by actively keeping His commandments

7:1                   Noah’s “righteousness” included obedience/surrender to God (vv5,7)

8:1                   God “remembered” the obedient Noah.

8:21,22            God was pleased with his obedient servant

9:1-3               God blessed the obedient Noah

9:6, 9-17         Two “firsts” established—1) death penalty for murder v6; Noahic covenant vv 9-17

9:25                 Canaan, Ham’s son, cursed (Ham had other sons), 10:6—Canaan’s offspring wiped out (see vv 15-20)

This destroys the racist lie that Ham was cursed, that he represents the black race and that blacks

were doomed to slavery

A WORLD WITH JEWS

Now begins the revealing of God’s Laboratory For Life through the following:

1.     Law (Torah/Word of God)—the Schoolmaster.

2.     Land of Israel—the Classroom.

3.     Children of Israel—the Students.

THE EXAMPLES BEGIN

12:1-3             Example—God chooses a man to further His process of redeeming the world

                        (Note God’s 7-fold promise to Abraham)

12:1,4              Example—True belief equals “obedience.” Belief (15:6) equals active response to God’s offer of love,

forgiveness, acceptance and partnership

13:8-7             Example of choices—Abraham versus Lot. Abraham rejected material selfishness and left the choice to God

14:14-16         Example—Abraham loved and rescued one who used him

THE REWARD THAT COUNTS

14:21-23         Example—Abraham sought reward from God, not men

15:1                 Example—“After these things…”—God rewarded Abraham for obedience: 1) Put God first (12:1-4). 2)

Unselfish (13:8,9). 3) Loved and rescued a man of opposite character (14:14-16). 4)

Refused personal reward and glory (14:21-23)

15:6                 Example—Abraham’s “belief” in God did not equal mere mental assent to a supposed

fact—but a total response of love and obedience prompted and inspired by God’s

offer of love, forgiveness, acceptance and partnership to Abraham

USA BEWARE!

15:16               Amorites an example of God’s patience with nations’ sins—before He destroys them (warning for USA)

16:1-5             An example of how one on intimate terms with God can grow careless in not seeking the Lord’s voice in

EVERY decision

16:9-13           Example—God’s offer to Hagar the Egyptian required the obedience of submitting to human authority

ABRAHAM’S OBEDIENCE

17:1                 Example—God’s requirement for blessing is obedience (vv 2-4 blessing to follow obedience)

17:15-22         Example of a patient God—a man given unshakable promises must learn to overcome his own shaky faith.

(Sarah also laughed at God’s promise—18:12-15.)

18:3-5             Example—Abraham’s obedience in hospitality (note that hospitality was accepted by those with no need of

earth’s “food” v 5) and Abraham’s obedience in maintaining a committed house (v 19)

19:4,5              Example—Evil knows no age limit