War in the promised land! Genesis 14 records a conflict among the ruling city states in Canaan and Abram’s nephew, Lot, becomes a victim of the battle. Find out how Abram responds with incredible success in lesson five of Abraham: God’s Friend.
The promised land is once again the main theme of the Abrahamic narrative. Deserting the land for Egypt caused problems for Abram in chapter 12, but chapter 13 demonstrates to the patriarch that even though he is remaining in the land, strife is still possible. Abram will have to learn to solve problems in keeping with the program of God.
God initiated His new relationship with Abram by declaring three amazing promises to Him. These divine commitments formed the bedrock of the covenant between the Lord God of heaven and earth and the patriarch (as well as his future descendants). Learn about these three promises in today’s lesson.
Abram is first introduced in the Genesis record at a pivotal point in ancient history. The Creator God had just scattered the descendants of Noah after the rebellion at Babel which is followed by the tracing of the blessed line of Shem, one of Noah’s sons. In the midst of Babylonian chaos, God called a uniquely important man to follow Him.
The Lord’s desire for Israel was that she be like a great, vibrant fruit tree, well watered by the river of God’s word, but after centuries of ignoring His sacred commandments, the nation become rotten to the core. Evangelist Shahe Gergian reminds us what God does to rotten trees.