Types in Genesis – Types
in Testing and Separation
Abraham – Lesson 2 of 4
I. Valuable lessons - Many valuable
lessons can be learned by studying the life of Abraham. The Apostle Paul
admonishes us to take as examples Abraham's descendants as they had been
delivered from
In I Corinthians we read:
I Corinthians 10:6 Now these
things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things,
as they also lusted. The Apostle does not stop there, but he continues in just
a few verses after:
I Corinthians
I Corinthians10:12 Wherefore let
him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Note that in both verses, the word translated "examples" and "ensamples" is our Greek word TUPOS .
I. The Testing - The new believer is soon tested, especially after times of communion with God. This even happened to Christ, when He was baptized in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, we read in the book of Luke:
Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of
the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness,
Luke 4:2 Being forty days
tempted of the devil.....
We will be able to see this great principal in action in the life of Abram.
A. The Special Circumstances -
Famine in the land
Genesis12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down
into
This was a real test for
Abram, especially after the recent revelation:
Genesis12:7 And the LORD
appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there
builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
1. There was famine in the land
of promise! - Undoubtedly, Abram thought at this point of the fertile
2. Abram's faithfulness was soon
put to the test -
a. We are sometimes apt to identify the peace and calm of outward circumstances with the peace arising from a consciousness of the presence of God.
b. Abraham was tested to make this clear, and it was all for all example, or TUPOS.
B. The Long Journey (Vs. 10)
- This is the first point of contact between
1. The famine was the only reason for Abram's journey.
2. The journey was the most obvious and natural thing for Abram to do.
3. Abram's position was not merely natural, and we will be able to see that
a. The right way is not always the easiest way
b. The easiest way is not always the right way.
c. Difficulties do not necessarily mean that we are in God's will.
C. The Proposal - (Vs. 11-13) - Abram suggested that Sarai should say that she was his sister instead of his wife.
1. This was a "half truth" (
2. This proposal was given out
of selfishness
a. There was no regard for Sarai, but only for Abram's safety.
b. Abram had traveled all the way from
c. How small great people can be - How weak strong people can be - How bad good people can be.
D. The Result - (Vs. 14-16) - What Abram had feared had come to pass, and Sarai is taken into the king's harem -
1. Abram's precaution led to
Pharaoh's action.
2. Abram's life was spared, and gifts were given to him - (probably because of the anticipated marriage to his sister)
3. What must have been in Abram's mind as he sat alone in his tent?
4. He had gained his goal, but at a great price to both himself and Sarai.
5. Abram fell at the point that was supposed to be his strong point - Faith.
6. This same thing happened to Moses. When Moses was supposed to speak to the rock as God had commanded him, we read in the book of Numbers:
Numbers 20:11 And Moses lifted
up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out
abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].
Numbers 20:12 And the LORD spake
unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of
the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the
land which I have given them.
E. Divine Displeasure - (Vs. 17) - Serious illness came upon Pharaoh and his family indicating that something was very wrong.
1.God could not let the promises to Abraham become frustrated, or His will to be unfulfilled.
2.It was therefore necessary to save Abram from himself, as well as to rescue Sarai.
F. The Rebuke - (Vs. 18-20) - Can you imagine Abram's surprise at Pharaoh's statements!
1. The Egyptians, with all of their sins, seem to have appreciated the truth afterall, and hated all forms of lying.
2. Pharaoh then ordered Abram to take her and leave, his servants
told to make sure of their safety out of
G. The Restoration - (Vs.
1-4) - You can imagine Abram's feelings as his caravan left
Genesis 13:3 And he went on his
journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been
at the beginning, between
Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of
the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the
name of the LORD.
1. Notice that at the
beginning we read of no such altar or prayer in
2. Abram seems to have been out of communion there.
3. Now he is open to
rebuke from the heathen.
4. But, he did the important thing:
a. He returned to the beginning - The place where he had true surrender
and worship earlier in
b. When we backslide, there is nothing else to do but to come back to the old gateway of genuine repentance and simple faith.
c. Remember Abraham is a type of the consecrated believer.
II. The Separation - God teaches His children new lessons at every step of life's pathway. Now we can gain a deeper insight into the reality of Abram's life, as well as a fuller revelation of God's will concerning him.
A. A Serious Problem - Abram
and
1. A careful study of Scripture seems to show that there is no sin in being wealthy, provided:
a. The riches have been honorably obtained
b. Are regarded as belonging to God
c. Are constantly used as in the sight of God.
2. Wealth very seriously increases the responsibility of the believer, and his riches will soon become a sin, if they are not used with a sense of stewardship, not ownership.
3. Definitely here is the danger of relatives quarreling over money graphically depicted.
B. A Terrible Strife - The argument originated with the servants, and was limited to only them.
1. Each probably looking for the best pasture.
2. The Canaanites probably heard the strife.
C. A Generous Proposal - Abram takes the initiative.
1. Begs there be no strife
2. Even though Abram is the
senior, he gives
3. Abram recovered beautifully from his fall in
II Timothy
D. A Selfish Choice -
(Vs. 10-13) -
1. Material gain was all that
2. The Consequence - He got
richer, but as he pitched toward Sodom, he suffered morally.
3. Some examples of the same thing today:
a. Christian people today often choose their home for monetary purposes, with no regard for ministry, Christian education, etc. - many times the kids suffer spiritually.
b. Children are often sent to school because of its prestige, reputation, sports capabilities, regardless of the spiritual atmosphere.
4.
Genesis 19:16 And while he
lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and
upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they
brought him forth, and set him without the city.
Genesis 19:17 And it came to
pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said,
Escape for thy life;......
E. A Divine Revelation - (Vs.
14-17) - "After that
1. Abram probably began to wonder if he had made the right decision, or
if his offer to
2. Often there is temptation like this after a great moral decision has been made
3. Just at the right time, God came to Abram with a fuller revelation of His divine purpose. It consisted of three aspects:
a. Command to Look -
b. Promise given - (Vs. 15-16) - This is the first time God gave the land to Abram - before it had only been promised to his seed.
This has many implications - It is already having its primary
fulfillment in the
Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore
that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:8 And the scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Galatians 3:9 So then they which
be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.....
Galatians
There will be a literal fulfillment in the future Millennium to the Jewish Nation. - (Abraham's Seed)
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel
shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer,
and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Romans
Romans
Romans
c. Possess the Promise - (Vs. 17) - Abram was to walk through the land - The Promises of God are to be taken by faith - This is the way a person realizes the purpose of God in his personal experience.
F. A Quick Response - (Vs. 18) - Immediately Abram responded to God.
1. Abram moved to Mamre which is in
2. Abram built there an altar - Abram's tent and altar indicate the pilgrim and devout life of the true child of God.
G. Differences in Believers -
Except for II Peter 2:7-8, we would hardly credit
|
|
Abram - Type of the Fully Consecrated Believer |
|
Endeavoring to
stand well with God, and at the same time pushing to the hilt his own earthly
interests - letting part of his life necessarily suffer |
Large heartiness of
spirit |
|
Although
'righteous' he is yet living by sight. - seeking his own advantage. |
Simple acceptance
of God's promises |
|
Worldliness is his
dominant characteristic - seeking pleasure |
Whole-hearted
obedience to God's will. |
|
No Testimony either
to his family, friends, or to others. |
Courageous
testimony in the altar of worship |
|
Results Each Obtained |
|
|
|
Abraham |
|
Obtained earthly
prosperity for a time, but it can be questioned whether he ever was happy for
making that choice. |
God became an
increasing reality to him. |
|
No Testimony, no
blessing on his house. |
A glory and power
in his life, and it is a known fact that he never regretted putting God first
- ever. |
|
In the end came
spiritual and social disaster |
Obtained God's
divine favor and blessing |
We must remember God's admonition in the book of I Corinthians:
I Corinthians