310
June 1930
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K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
International £esson £esson Outline and, Exposition (Blackboard Outlines
golden Tjcxt Illustrations
(Bhildren’s (Division (By gdtth JSillian Young
Wy ¿f. 8. ¿Jaderquist
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(By ^tla n S . Pearce
July 6, 1930 Abraham (A Pioneer of Faith) Lesson: Genesis 12:1-5; 13:1-12; 17:1- 8 ; 18:22-23; Hebrews 11:8-10. (Lesson Text: Gen. 12:1-3; 13:7-12; Heb. 11:8-10.) Golden Text: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an in heritance : and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Heb. ,11:8). * * * L esson in O utline I. Covenant with Abram (Gen. 12:1-3). 1. The command—“Get thee out” (1). 2. The prospect—“the land” (1). 3. The sevenfold promise (2, 3). II. Separation from Lot (Gen. 13:7-12). 1. The occasion—strife (7). 2. Abram’s renunciation (8, 9). 3. Lot’s choice (10-12). a. Walk by sight (10). b. Walk in self-will (11). c. Walk away from God (12). d. Walk away from fellowship with Abram (12). III. Abraham, the ‘‘Father of the Faith fu l " (Heb. 11:8-10). 1. Faith’s test—obedience (8). A pproach to t h e L esson A GENERATION ago the history of ^ the times of Abraham w a s little known. As recently -as in 1892 Schultz, a leading exponent of the higher criticism, went so far as to say that dll narratives of the pre-Mosaic period must be legen dary, because there was no knowledge of writing at that time. 'It is now known that a thousand years before Moses the great king Sargon of Babylon caused Baby lonian culture and literature to spread throughout all of western Asia. Recent investigation by archeologists on the site of ancient Ur, discloses that Abraham was brought up among a people who were skilled in the arts and science. It is also perfectly clear that he lived in the midst of a corrupt polytheism which was threat ening to rob men of all knowledge of the true God. * * * H eart of t h e L esson I. Covenant with Abram (Gen. 12 ;l-3). V. 1. Jehovah said unto Abram. The preceding chapter describes the leaving of Ur. Terah, the father of Abram, led the company to Haran. It is likely that Terah died there before Abraham left for Canaan. How God spoke to Abraham is not told us. There may have been a theophany such as he was granted on 2. Faith’s pilgrimage (9). 3. Faith’s outlook (10). * * *
later occasions (cf. Gen. 18:1, 2), or may have been impressions deepening i n t o convictions,
vantage, he magnanimously laid aside his rights. The controlling motive of his deal ings with Lot is seen in the words, “We are brethren.” V. 9. The whole land before thee.. Abram gave his nephew the first choice, without any reservation or restriction. He lost nothing by this generous attitude, which was founded upon trust in God. Pleasing God was of greater importance to him than saving his property. V. 10. Lot lifted up his eyes. Lot was probably standing on some hilltop over looking the valley where he could see its extent down to the cities of the plain. He began his downfall by walking by sight and not by faith. A well-watered valley meant moire to him than a heart refreshed by the Spirit of God. His vision was earthward and not heaven ward. He saw possible gains in Sodom and Gomorrah, the doomed cities, but was blind to spiritual values. V. 11. So Lot chose. The second step down was a wrong choice. Self-will and not the will of God ruled this man. Lot journeyed east. He set his face toward the city of destruction, walking away from light. They separated. The influence of Abraham upon his nephew had been good. He deliberately cut off the last tie that drew him toward God. V. 12. The land o f Canaan. . A,bram found his home in the southland, an open country adapted for pasturage. It was an isolated territory, favorable to a quiet walk with God. A s far as Sodom. Lot went down1 rapidly. Beginning with a walk by sight, he was spon “at home” among the enemies of God, profiting ma terially by his association with them but soon iosing everything that he had lived for. III. Abraham, the “Father of the Faith ful" (Heb. 11:8-10). V. 8. By faith Abraham. The list of the heroes of faith in this great chapter of Hebrews includes many worthies, but to Abraham is given the honor of the most extensive and detailed story. This is doubtless because he was considered the pioneer of faith. Obeyed to go out. The details of this experience have all been discussed. The passage gives the added in formation that he was to receive the new land as an inheritance. As a matter of fact, he received during his lifetime only a burial place, the cave of Machpelah; but by faith he claimed the whole land. Not knowing whither he went. He may have had the general idea of Canaan as his prospective home, but of what would await him or what spot would be given him, he was ignorant. It was a venture of faith. V. 9. Became a sojourner. He had no settled residence but lived the life of a pilgrim (Heb. 11:13). A land not his own. It was his own by promise but the
covering a long pe riod. Get thee out. The call was to leave (1) country, (2) kindred, ■(3) f a t h e r ’ s house. Whether this refers to his o r i g i n a l
h o m e, Ur, or Haran, where he had lived for s o me t i me , it was a se vere test. A similar test comes to many Christians (Lk. 14:33; Matt. 10:37). The evident reason for Abram’s separation from his old home was that he was in the midst of idolaters (Josh. 24:2; Gen. 31: 19, 20). God purposed to train a new people in the new land, in Order that the knowledge of the living God might be re tained in the earth. The land that I will show. At first Abram did not know where the land was (cf. Heb. 11:8). God called to a walk of faith. Vs. 2-3. A great nation. Abram was called to leave the greatest nation of the world at the time; moreover, he was seventy-five years old, and childless (cf. 17:16; 18:18). It required great faith on his part, to accept this promise. His faith has been rewarded (cf. Rom. 4:16). Will bless thee. God’s blessings cover both temporal and spiritual need. Make thy name great. Three great religions of earth, Christian, Jewish, and Moham medan, have honored the name of Fa ther Abraham. Thus this promise has heen literally and wonderfully fulfilled. Be tlwwi a blessing. This is read as a promise in' the Authorized Version. Taken as a command, it enforces the lesson that the one whom God blesses has a solemn obligation to pass on the blessing to others. Bless them that bless thee. God always favors those who favor His peo ple. Him that curseth thee. Those who harm God’s children incur His displeasure (cf. Matt. 18:4-6). A ll the families of the earth be blessed. This is marvelously ful filled in Christ, who is descended from Abraham (cf. Acts 3:26; Gal. 3:8). II. Separation from Lot (Gen. 13:7-12). V. 7. There was a strife. The land in which Abram and Lot dwelt was semi- arid, and quarrels about water supply could easily arise (cf. Gen. 21:24-32; 26: 15-33). The Canaanite and the Perissite. The presence of these enemies made strife between Abram and Lot dangerous. Fur ther, Abram must have felt that brethren with a common hope should not quarrel in the sight of enemies of God lest His name should be dishonored. V. 8. Let there be no strife. Abram was not moved by selfishness or worldly policy. It would have been within his rights to have ordered Lot to remove from him. Instead of taking any ad
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