"Beginning With
Moses and the Prophets"
Moses and the Prophets"
<Faith &
Righteousness>
Righteousness>
Genesis 15:-16
Oct. 6, 2019
Introduction
Here we are in the aftermath of defeating the kings of the east - his refusal of the goods
captured from the king of Sodom. He may have been despondent, fearful, &
tired. Today it’s called PTSD, Survivors Guilt, or fear of reprisals; Abram had
publicly humiliated him by overthrowing his vast army with but a handful of
men. Dictators do not take this kind of treatment lightly!
captured from the king of Sodom. He may have been despondent, fearful, &
tired. Today it’s called PTSD, Survivors Guilt, or fear of reprisals; Abram had
publicly humiliated him by overthrowing his vast army with but a handful of
men. Dictators do not take this kind of treatment lightly!
We can easily understand
the justified fear that Abram felt as he faced the possibility of
Chedorlaomer's return. No doubt he said to himself, "What have I gotten
myself into now? So fear filled his heart.
the justified fear that Abram felt as he faced the possibility of
Chedorlaomer's return. No doubt he said to himself, "What have I gotten
myself into now? So fear filled his heart.
He had turned down the
king of Sodom's offer of a fortune. He did it, of course, in the strength of
the fellowship he had enjoyed with Melchizedek. With his heart aflame with the
love and grace of God, Abram had said to this king, "I want nothing of all
that you have. I don't want you saying that you made Abram rich." So the
king went back to Sodom with all his riches and now Abram is back in his tent,
experiencing a very human reaction. After the wealth and luxury of Sodom that
tent must have looked awfully shabby. The wind was howling around it, and the
sand was sifting through its cracks. Doubt begins to rise in his heart as to
whether he did the right thing or not. And doubt is a form of fear!
king of Sodom's offer of a fortune. He did it, of course, in the strength of
the fellowship he had enjoyed with Melchizedek. With his heart aflame with the
love and grace of God, Abram had said to this king, "I want nothing of all
that you have. I don't want you saying that you made Abram rich." So the
king went back to Sodom with all his riches and now Abram is back in his tent,
experiencing a very human reaction. After the wealth and luxury of Sodom that
tent must have looked awfully shabby. The wind was howling around it, and the
sand was sifting through its cracks. Doubt begins to rise in his heart as to
whether he did the right thing or not. And doubt is a form of fear!
Deep down in his heart
was a lurking loneliness, a gnawing fear that he had somehow misunderstood the
promises of God. It had been ten years since God had said to him, "Abram,
I am going to give you a son. His descendants will be as numerous as the dust
of the earth, and you shall become the father of many nations." Ten years
of waiting had passed. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick,"
says the proverb (Proverbs 13:12). The sickness was beginning to creep into his
soul somewhat.
was a lurking loneliness, a gnawing fear that he had somehow misunderstood the
promises of God. It had been ten years since God had said to him, "Abram,
I am going to give you a son. His descendants will be as numerous as the dust
of the earth, and you shall become the father of many nations." Ten years
of waiting had passed. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick,"
says the proverb (Proverbs 13:12). The sickness was beginning to creep into his
soul somewhat.
God Speaks -- The text doesn’t say, but
Abram may have suffered doubts in silence and the close connection with the
preceding text suggests the immediacy of God’s response: After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram
in a vision; Visions in
contrast to dreams, in Scripture, are for the purpose of communicating the word
of God, so here God speaks -
Abram may have suffered doubts in silence and the close connection with the
preceding text suggests the immediacy of God’s response: After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram
in a vision; Visions in
contrast to dreams, in Scripture, are for the purpose of communicating the word
of God, so here God speaks -
The
Divine greeting, Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward
shall be very great. Listen to the first words of the Lord to Abram,
“Do not fear”; This right here reveals what all was going on in Abrams heart
and it must have shook Abram because it also revealed that God knew all.
Divine greeting, Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward
shall be very great. Listen to the first words of the Lord to Abram,
“Do not fear”; This right here reveals what all was going on in Abrams heart
and it must have shook Abram because it also revealed that God knew all.
Our
Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, knows all: when the disciples prayed to know
whom to select to replace Judas they prayed, "You, Lord, who knows
the hearts of all men, Acts 1:24.
Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, knows all: when the disciples prayed to know
whom to select to replace Judas they prayed, "You, Lord, who knows
the hearts of all men, Acts 1:24.
“I am a shield to you” the Lord says to him, that He is Abram’s shield against all
enemies -- Psalm 3:3, But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory,
and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
enemies -- Psalm 3:3, But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory,
and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
Your reward shall be very great, All that Abram got for his labors was God.
That’s all! God was teaching Abram to be satisfied with Him alone.
That’s all! God was teaching Abram to be satisfied with Him alone.
This
shows us what God desires to give us as we submit to the disciplines of a life
of faith. God teaches us to be satisfied with Him, that that’s enough - He is
our all in all.
shows us what God desires to give us as we submit to the disciplines of a life
of faith. God teaches us to be satisfied with Him, that that’s enough - He is
our all in all.
The
Psalmist says it beautifully in Psalm 16: 5-11, The LORD is the portion
of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me
in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the
LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have
set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not
be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also
will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You
allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of
life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are
pleasures forever.
Psalmist says it beautifully in Psalm 16: 5-11, The LORD is the portion
of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me
in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the
LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have
set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not
be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also
will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You
allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of
life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are
pleasures forever.
Many
reach that point in time where one looks back through the ages and think, if
only; while the ones that haven’t reached that point in time look forward and
say, if only.
reach that point in time where one looks back through the ages and think, if
only; while the ones that haven’t reached that point in time look forward and
say, if only.
But
both, if only they realized that there is someone greater than people or
possessions that can truly satisfy. God offers us himself in the person of
Christ. Jesus exceeds our expectations, provides for our needs, and fulfills
our desires. Christ alone can provide the satisfaction and joy we so
desperately seek.
both, if only they realized that there is someone greater than people or
possessions that can truly satisfy. God offers us himself in the person of
Christ. Jesus exceeds our expectations, provides for our needs, and fulfills
our desires. Christ alone can provide the satisfaction and joy we so
desperately seek.
- Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of
life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me
shall never thirst.” (John
6:35) - For he satisfies the longing soul, and
the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm
107:9) - The afflicted shall eat and be
satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live
forever! (Psalm
22:26) - In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right
hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm
16:11)
Herman Bavink once wrote, “God,
and God alone, is man’s highest good.” God is the source and sustainer of all
good. He and he alone, as Bavinck notes, is “the abundant fountain of all
goods.”
and God alone, is man’s highest good.” God is the source and sustainer of all
good. He and he alone, as Bavinck notes, is “the abundant fountain of all
goods.”
Abram’s Response
Abram
is exposed; he launches into a verbal lament. Do we ever do that? This is the
first time that, the first dialogue of Abram with God. He says to God: "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since
I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 . . .
"Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my
heir." (vv.
2,3)
is exposed; he launches into a verbal lament. Do we ever do that? This is the
first time that, the first dialogue of Abram with God. He says to God: "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since
I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 . . .
"Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my
heir." (vv.
2,3)
It
seems that Abram unhappy, pouty, but note that he was careful to address God as
Lord God, that emphasizes that God was Master & he was the
servant. Abram would not allow his distress to compromise his respect & reverence
for God. His skepticism in light of the Divine promise of “shield” & “great
reward” edged toward blasphemy. Apparently his conclusion was that God’s
promise had been of no effect.
seems that Abram unhappy, pouty, but note that he was careful to address God as
Lord God, that emphasizes that God was Master & he was the
servant. Abram would not allow his distress to compromise his respect & reverence
for God. His skepticism in light of the Divine promise of “shield” & “great
reward” edged toward blasphemy. Apparently his conclusion was that God’s
promise had been of no effect.
Don’t
people question God despite knowing His promises? Is it wrong, or okay for us
to do so? It depends on the motive. Why
are we questioning God? If we are trying to stall our obedience to the Lord,
then we had best quit; if it’s coming from a prideful heart that says, 'I know
better than God,' then we are wrong to question; if we question God's
authority, then that too is incorrect behavior on our part. But if we question
because we desperately want to know the answer, because we desperately want to
know who our Lord truly is, because we need to see the light in the midst of
our own confusion, then I believe it is appropriate.
people question God despite knowing His promises? Is it wrong, or okay for us
to do so? It depends on the motive. Why
are we questioning God? If we are trying to stall our obedience to the Lord,
then we had best quit; if it’s coming from a prideful heart that says, 'I know
better than God,' then we are wrong to question; if we question God's
authority, then that too is incorrect behavior on our part. But if we question
because we desperately want to know the answer, because we desperately want to
know who our Lord truly is, because we need to see the light in the midst of
our own confusion, then I believe it is appropriate.
There
is a difference between questioning that brings wisdom and a fuller
understanding of God and the kind of questioning that simply seeks to validate
man and man's ways. How do you question your boss, your superior? He an only
fire you from your work.
is a difference between questioning that brings wisdom and a fuller
understanding of God and the kind of questioning that simply seeks to validate
man and man's ways. How do you question your boss, your superior? He an only
fire you from your work.
God’s Assurance
Look
again at how wonderful our God is. With tenderness & love He deals with His
stumbling servant. There’s no, “weren’t you listening to me? No, How
many times do I have to repeat myself? I might as well talk to the wall!
(My mother’s favorite saying).
again at how wonderful our God is. With tenderness & love He deals with His
stumbling servant. There’s no, “weren’t you listening to me? No, How
many times do I have to repeat myself? I might as well talk to the wall!
(My mother’s favorite saying).
He
says This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your
heir (v4). Three times earlier God had promised Abram a multitude of
descendants, in the initial call in Ur (12:2), then in Canaan at Shechem where
he built an altar (12:7), and then last from the highest point in central
Palestine as he surveyed the promised land in every direction (13:14-16).
says This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your
heir (v4). Three times earlier God had promised Abram a multitude of
descendants, in the initial call in Ur (12:2), then in Canaan at Shechem where
he built an altar (12:7), and then last from the highest point in central
Palestine as he surveyed the promised land in every direction (13:14-16).
But
now there is a new revelation; His heir would be a son from his own body. Then
God took him outside & had him look at the night sky & said to him,
look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count
them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be.
now there is a new revelation; His heir would be a son from his own body. Then
God took him outside & had him look at the night sky & said to him,
look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count
them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be.
Have
any of you been somewhere where you can look up at the night sky with no other
lights around & see the countless stars in the sky?
any of you been somewhere where you can look up at the night sky with no other
lights around & see the countless stars in the sky?
Here
is Abram now, alone in silence, with God Almighty who spoke. Abram was quiet,
humbled, awed. He was speechless; Him, God, the stars & silence.
is Abram now, alone in silence, with God Almighty who spoke. Abram was quiet,
humbled, awed. He was speechless; Him, God, the stars & silence.
Abram’s Belief
Even
though nothing was said here by Aram, Scripture does speak; Then he
believed in the LORD. The sense from the word ‘believed’ in theHebrew
id that he continued believing the Lord. The root from which the Hebrew
“believed” is where we get our Amen meaning in Scripture It shall be so, or It
is so! Not May it be so. A strong assertion So Abram could have answered
like a good Baptist, “Amen Lord!”
though nothing was said here by Aram, Scripture does speak; Then he
believed in the LORD. The sense from the word ‘believed’ in theHebrew
id that he continued believing the Lord. The root from which the Hebrew
“believed” is where we get our Amen meaning in Scripture It shall be so, or It
is so! Not May it be so. A strong assertion So Abram could have answered
like a good Baptist, “Amen Lord!”
How
did Abram come by this faith? It’s not that his expectations were raised now.
He just simply rested on God’s promise. At this moment God’s word wasn’t just a
theory on how things would or may come about, but the voice around which life
is organized, as one commentator puts it.
did Abram come by this faith? It’s not that his expectations were raised now.
He just simply rested on God’s promise. At this moment God’s word wasn’t just a
theory on how things would or may come about, but the voice around which life
is organized, as one commentator puts it.
Abram
obviously had repented but at the end of the day, his fresh faith can only be
attributed to God. Abram’s faith was not a human achievement or resulting from
his moral will.
obviously had repented but at the end of the day, his fresh faith can only be
attributed to God. Abram’s faith was not a human achievement or resulting from
his moral will.
His
faith came from God, just as Peter’s confirmation of Jesus: You are the
christ; the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16).
faith came from God, just as Peter’s confirmation of Jesus: You are the
christ; the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16).
And how
did Peter come to this conclusion? Jesus answered him, Blessed are you
Simon Son-Jonah! For flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but my
Father who is in heaven (v.17).
did Peter come to this conclusion? Jesus answered him, Blessed are you
Simon Son-Jonah! For flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but my
Father who is in heaven (v.17).
In
the very same way, only centuries earlier, Abram moved from protest to
confession by the power of God. As Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, For
by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing;
it is a gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9). This wasn’t the first time that Abram had put his faith in
God’s word. He had believed for over a decade (12:1ff). Only here, his faith
was defined.
the very same way, only centuries earlier, Abram moved from protest to
confession by the power of God. As Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, For
by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing;
it is a gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9). This wasn’t the first time that Abram had put his faith in
God’s word. He had believed for over a decade (12:1ff). Only here, his faith
was defined.
This
is very important in our understanding of faith: He reckoned (counted) it
to him as righteousness (v6) There isn’t any other Old Testament
text that has exercised such an influence in understanding faith & on the
New Testament itself. [The closest parallel are Lev. 7:18; Numbers 18:27; 2
Samuel 19:19; Psalm 32:2; & 106:31].
is very important in our understanding of faith: He reckoned (counted) it
to him as righteousness (v6) There isn’t any other Old Testament
text that has exercised such an influence in understanding faith & on the
New Testament itself. [The closest parallel are Lev. 7:18; Numbers 18:27; 2
Samuel 19:19; Psalm 32:2; & 106:31].
Abram,
isn’t described as doing righteousness, but that faith was credited,
added to him, to his account, as righteousness. Abram who originally was
destitute of righteousness, now was counted as righteous through faith
in God.
isn’t described as doing righteousness, but that faith was credited,
added to him, to his account, as righteousness. Abram who originally was
destitute of righteousness, now was counted as righteous through faith
in God.
Above
all, though, his righteousness wasn’t the result of any accomplishments,
whether of sacrifice or acts of obedience, but rather as it is stated, like an
algorithm, a computer program; belief alone brought Abram into a proper
relationship to God.
all, though, his righteousness wasn’t the result of any accomplishments,
whether of sacrifice or acts of obedience, but rather as it is stated, like an
algorithm, a computer program; belief alone brought Abram into a proper
relationship to God.
Abram
was declared righteous because of his belief. This was in profound accord with
the primeval fathers Abel, Enoch, Noah. The principle remained operative
through the primeval & patriarchal history & the entire old covenant
period & is the foundation of the new covenant.
was declared righteous because of his belief. This was in profound accord with
the primeval fathers Abel, Enoch, Noah. The principle remained operative
through the primeval & patriarchal history & the entire old covenant
period & is the foundation of the new covenant.
Abram
was saved by faith alone; So the same for Abel: By faith Abel offered to
God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that
he was righteous, (Hebrews 11:4); And it was for Enoch, By faith
Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; (v5); And it was for
Noah: By faith Noah, being warned [by God] about things not yet seen, in
reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he
condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according
to faith. (v7). So it was for Abram: By faith Abraham, when he
was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an
inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ... 17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. (vv.8,17a).
was saved by faith alone; So the same for Abel: By faith Abel offered to
God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that
he was righteous, (Hebrews 11:4); And it was for Enoch, By faith
Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; (v5); And it was for
Noah: By faith Noah, being warned [by God] about things not yet seen, in
reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he
condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according
to faith. (v7). So it was for Abram: By faith Abraham, when he
was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an
inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ... 17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. (vv.8,17a).
Let
me close here with one question:
me close here with one question:
Have
you rested your faith on God the Son, Jesus Christ alone for salvation, or are
you trusting your works, all the nice things you have done or are doing?
you rested your faith on God the Son, Jesus Christ alone for salvation, or are
you trusting your works, all the nice things you have done or are doing?
Salvation,
eternal life, is in no other name but Jesus.
eternal life, is in no other name but Jesus.
Next
Sunday is Communion Sunday, I want to connect the Covenant with Abram, to the
New Covenant. Genesis 15: 7-21.
Sunday is Communion Sunday, I want to connect the Covenant with Abram, to the
New Covenant. Genesis 15: 7-21.
