Sermon Notes 7/17/2011

Sermon Text: Genesis 12:10-13:18

Sermon Title: The Unheroic Hero

Introduction:

Genesis 12:1-9 - Abram and the LORD

Genesis 12:10-20 – Abram, Sarai, and Pharaoh

Genesis 13:1-18 – Abram and Lot

Genesis 12:10 – Abram walked by faith – Walking by faith is trusting in the certain (What God has said) while walking through uncertainty (famine).

A famine compelled all the patriarchs to leave Canaan (Promised Land) at different times:

• Abram in Genesis 12:10
• Isaac in Genesis 26:1
• Jacob in Genesis 47:4
• Elimelech took Naomi and Ruth to Moab because of a famine

Scripture usually likens Egypt to dependence on the flesh. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult in the LORD!” (Isaiah 31:1).

Genesis 12:11-13

Abram was focused on what he thought might happen instead of God’s Word

Although what Abram predicted was true, his response was wrong – we know this by noticing God’s intervention and Abram’s silence following Pharaoh’s rebuke (Genesis 12:17-19). How in the world am I supposed to have a son if I give my wife away?

Arthur Pink: “Abram did as we are all prone to do, he sought relief from all his difficulties rather than profit by the trial. The failure of Abram is a solemn warning against being occupied with circumstances instead of with God. Look not unto the famine, but unto God’s faithfulness.”

It often times of great drought that supply the water we need to cause the Word we have received to bear fruit.

• Reference Mark 4:1, 10, 35, 40
• Reference Mark 1:9-11 compared with Mark 1:12-13

Worship does happen at the altar (12:7-8; 13:3-4, 18), but fruit is often birthed in Egypt.

• (Abram; Isaac Genesis 26; Jacob in Genesis 32 running and wrestling; Joseph in prison; Daniel in captivity; Church under persecution).

Genesis 12:14-20

Notice the unheroic performance of the hero (Wenham). This, again, amplified the covenantal nature of God’s working.

God’s sovereignty does not negate man’s responsibility. However, man’s fallibility cannot thwart God’s sovereignty.

• Read Romans 11:25-36

Genesis 13:1-18

Notice how it was not the famine that caused division. Division was prompted by their response to great and sudden blessing.

• Tie together 12:16, 20, 13:2
• Also, look at 13:6 and “for their possessions were so great” is sandwiched between twice emphasized “they could not dwell together.”
• Also, we will find that Hagar (Genesis 16) is also brought back from this trip to Egypt. 

Genesis 13:3-4

The solution to your problem is probably not “in front” of you. Going “back” is sometimes the fastest way forward.

• “we are back to prayer and reading together”

Abram’s worship is fueled by God’s Word – you wonder why you are worshipping idols? See the inseparable link between your worship and God’s Word (12:7-9; 13:14, 18).

• 12:7-8 – intermission in Egypt (of worship) 13:3-4 – When Abram needs to hear from God most (Egypt), there is no record of consultation, altar-building, calling upon the name of the LORD. Read Proverbs 3:5-6.