Genesis 12 - The Covenant begins. Abram and Sarai

Gen 12:1	Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Gen 12:2	And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: The caption of the painting should be the first, "What did I do to deserve this? I'm the chosen? Chosen for what?" How far did Abram need to go to win God's confidence and trust for such an awesome good work? Why was he even being tested? He had a good heart, and trusted God. Like Job, he was in the dark concerning God's mysterious purpose for things. Did he want to pick up and deal with all the people in his labor service, and a Jewish princess, Sarai? He had an affluent, happy life, in the Chaldees, city of Uz/Ur, where he was a great man, like Job was. Now, he's being pointed out of paradise and into the wilderness of Canaan? It's precarious, like it is parralleled today, when Jewish settlers try to populate the same regions! But he went. He didn't know, as we know, that God was working on a Plan of Salvation and redemption, which would be accomplished on the day when the veil of the Holy Temple was rent. The seed of Abraham and Sarah conquered the malignant species of demons which caused nothing but chaos on earth. Sarah is the Bible's first heroin. Who was she? She is the mother of Isaac. She was 65, past her menses, and was considered barren. What does that say about Abram, a great man, to not have any heirs, and stay true to his soulmate Sarah, literally his half-sister? Think about great men like Henry VIII who had women killed for not giving him heirs. Abraham had millions of more ancestors than Henry VIII. Sarai was the princess of this tribe. She was delightful, full of laughter, and was blessed beyond other women with beauty.
Gen 12:3	And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 12:4	So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Great sermon on Abraham! Sarah was sixty-five. I bet they didn't feel like packing up the enormous entourage and trekking through the wilderness, but, they went, because, Abram believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. This faithfulness will be tested to the EXTREMES, as we'll see. Like Enoch, before the flood, Abram and his sons talked with him, after the flood. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Sarai, and Hagar, as well. The LORD invokes blessings and prophecies about them. We sometimes minimize The Angel of the LORD, because, in context, that is the LORD, Himself. Would we be comfortable with the actual visible Angel of the LORD walking next to us all the time? The Angel is still there, whether we see Him or not, as Abram will learn, and so will we. Abram left his family's home, in the Ur/Uz area, above Northern Canaan. His family tribe was Shem, and to obey God, he gathers up his entire household, which was bad enough, but, he took his nephew Lot, and his large brood. Abram and Sarai were childless, so it is possible that they felt their nephew would be the next in line, to head the family, since they were childless? They concocted a solution that fit their mindset. Sarai was too old to bear children. They would make God proud by figuring out the puzzle. didn't work. never does. That is their first stumble, because, they assumed and didn't trust God, when he told them that they would inherit this gorgeous region. They were ready to give the land to their nephew, Lot, who later would actually be cursed. He succumbed to his grown daughters, and had children with them. Yuck. If Abraham had his way, incest would have destroyed the human gene pool, more than already damaged before the flood. What do Abram and Sarai do? They second-guess, and follow in a blind leading the blind way. Did they ask for help along the way? It isn't recorded that they did. At 65, like Abraham, or 80, like Moses, our faith is forged when we begin to talk to God with all our problems, and begin to recognize him, through a mutual effort of prayer and learning the language that can reveal THE WORD, God Almighty. Every day, we see signs of his glory, in flowers, fishes, and kitten's whiskers. Do we walk by God, and fail to chat with him on the way, like he's just there to meet us on the other side? Let's see what Abraham and Sarah did. They approach the Holiest Spot, the way The LORD talked about it. Abraham is taken into a mountain and shown the kingdoms, and told how his seed will inherit these wonders. What did it mean to Abraham? He was living in Ur/Uz, probably the most civilized city back then. It had a different meaning entirely to him, when he walked that long march through Canaan to Egypt.
Gen 12:5	And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. Abram, Sarai and Lot, their nephew, left Haran and went into the wilderness of Canaan. When God promised Abraham that he would be the "Father of multitudes" he couldn't have imagined it, at 75, with a 65 year old barren wife. Maybe they couldn't have children because they were sibling, and were resigned to that concession? He's presenting Abraham with the Promised Land, when he was childless and Sarah was barren. I'm repitive, because, this is a repetitive sign of grace throughout the Scriptures, until the days of Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mom, and Mary, mother of Jesus. In essence, he's giving Abraham a drive-through of the window to heaven over this land, and told his heir will establish the Lord's kingdom there.
Gen 12:6	And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land. O++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++O \SHECHEM Abraham's grandson, Jacob, came to Shalem, a ciry of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. (Canaan is ancestor of Ham.) Gen 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which [is] in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. Gen 34:11 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give. Gen 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister. Gen 34:18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. _____________________________________________________ It's hard for me not to preview the third generation, Jacob, when he is brought back to this land, the second time. The prince of the land fell in love with his beautiful daughter Dinah. He rapes her. He begs for her to marry him, and Jacob agrees. However, his sons, Dinah's brothers, did a dastardly thing which Jacob was ashamed of. It's hard to get a lot of volume, from the concise Biblical verses, but, it helps when you layer them, like a layer cake. That's what blesses us, when we can do that while reading.
Gen 12:7	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.
Gen 12:8	And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, [having] Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. BETHEL - "House of the Lord." Bethel is where Abraham's grandson, Israel (Jakob) annointed a rock, his pillow, and the stairway of the angels he dreamt of that night, following in the steps of his grandfather. From their territories in Ur/Uz, like Abraham, his grandson Jacob gets a ZIP THROUGH, only to wind up past the Land of Milk and Honey, only to be redeemed by the "right arm" of God, like Moses, or "left arm" like Pharoah, like Abraham, Jacob will be taken up into the mountainous and lush Northern Palestine, only to zip through, go out for 70 years, zip in, zip out.... Like a lesson we just don't get. Gen 31:13 I [am] the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. Gen 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Gen 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. Gen 35:15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. I take all of this literally. I believe that Jakob wrestled with the Angel, and I believe that he saw the angels coming and departing there. It fills me with wonder and awe. Eventually Beth-el became the place of abomination, with the worship of the golden calf, a symbol for the Isis worship that was prevalent. In the days of Elijah, Beth-el was considered Sodom, and Jerusalem was called Sodom, worse than Bethel. Bethel's illumination was not perpetual. It becomes almost a doorway to hell, itself. Jezebel represents the promised land. But, the original promise to Abraham that his seed will conquer, and win an inheritance in this land. The doorway won't be sealed, any longer. It may be the essence of the Seventh Seal. That's what makes studying Genesis a super blessing. It is the milk of scripture, and the most nourishing. This is where the symbols the LORD establishes as standards, including the blessings, curses, and prophecies have never been defeated, and they won't be, because, it is written. The promises to Abram will all come to pass. ___________________________________
Gen 12:9	And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Gen 12:10	And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land. Famine is an ongoing struggle with mankind, since the dawn of creation. Early civilizations didn't have the resources we have, in 2K7 , and they actually were closer to the heavens, because, there was nowhere else to help. Are we spiritually more developed than they are? We grow up with a filter of filth, static, and atrocities on this planet. It's growing more depraved by the millisecond. It is like a wildfire and hellfire, all at once. We glorify ourselves, but, we don't honor God. Woe to the generation of wrath on the Day of the Lord, for he doesn't come with water, but, with fire. We are spiritually famished. Our fields are parched and our souls are seared by heat but we have no refreshment. LORD, who is the God of Abram, of Isaiah, of Elijah, of Daniel, and all the Prophets, help us here on Earth. Remember your friendship with Abraham, your friend. Remember your grace and perfect justice and grace and save us from the indignities we live with every day. The bust of Sarah reminds me of my own mother, so I can see Sarah being as beautiful as my mom.
Gen 12:11	And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair woman to look upon: SARAI- "Princess"
Gen 12:12	Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Gen 12:13	Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
Gen 12:14	And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she [was] very fair.
Gen 12:15	The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. This almost humorous encounter that Abraham had in Egypt is complex. What cracks me up is that Abraham trust the LORD well enough to pick up all his possessions, and his nephew's, with all their staff and families, and go hiking in the wilderness and hostile towns throughout Caanan. There was a famine in Caana so they go down to Egypt. To avoid trouble over his beautiful wife, he tells her to represent herself as his sister. She really is his sister, but, also his wife. He fears a man killing him to get to possess Sarai, his princess. So, he concocts this plan, on his own. THE MAN TALKED AND TALKS TO THE LIVING GOD, (sorry, I'm shouting) and yet Abram didn't want to trouble God with their very wellbeing. God didn't tell him to lie about Sarai. Abram may have a seed of contrition about being married to his 1/2 sister. As it was, they had no children, and though Abraham was allowed to marry as many women as he could support, he didn't. He loved Sarai. Even at 65, she is perfect, and at 75, after their lives together, he was afraid someone would kill him to take her. What? Wouldn't God reassure him IF HE ASKED? This plan backfired anyway. She was so beautiful, and she was a princess, and she wound up in the harem stables of the Pharoah. Did Abram call out to God? It doesn't look like he talked to God about any of this.
Gen 12:16	And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. Sure Pharoah treated him well, like a future brother-IN-LAW!
Gen 12:17	And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. Ruh-roh. We think of Sarai as an old grey haired bubba, but, this is the first of her kind, a Princess Di-like princess for all seasons to come. The Lord presents Sarah in a spectacular way. But, she is not flawless. Like Abram, she was human, and had many moments where she didn't recognize the Lord, and didn't seek Him for a child. I wonder if Sarai ever entreated God for a child, and heir? She must have felt like a pariah, due to this fertility culture of this era. Abram never faltered in treating her like his queen. Genesis 12 is tricky to navigate without asking many questions, and then being forced to guess. I marvel at this portrayal of Abraham, man of God, and Sarai, who was the prototype for the messianic heroines in the Bible. They set the pace for Moses and Aaron's sister, Miriam, and finally the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Yeshua) from the final princess of Judah, Miryam called Mary. Abraham and Sarai conceived this one child together, and through Isaac, came the Messiah.
Gen 12:18	And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What [is] this [that] thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she [was] thy wife? Abraham must have felt like nothing was working for him. That's a feeling I've had a few times, and so have most people. In trying to protect Sarai, from being taken as a wife to another, he finds himself in the worst possible position.
Gen 12:19	Why saidst thou, She [is] my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take [her], and go thy way. Considering how pissed Pharoah was, it is extraordinary that he didn't impose any burdens, or worse, have him killed. Because of Abraham, his household had been plagued with supernatural things. The effect of these things must have added up for Pharoah to recognize the LORD, and having more understanding than Abraham. Just because people have different outer shells of religion, called "Muslim" called "Jew" called "Hindu"...doesn't mean they don't have a personal relationship with God, that HE finds acceptable. Abram is definitely prejudiced when going down into Egypt. He regarded it like an upper middle-class white family would have if having to move into the slums. He thought he'd be killed, and Sarai would be taken as a slave. Instead, the Egyptians recognized something in Abram, brother of the Princess ( Sarai). It seems like they treated them like royalty. They bring them into the lush compound of Pharoah, who is considered the sun-god on Earth. Pharoah was pious enough to know that God was doing something awesome with Abram and Sarai. He respected the LORD, and feared Abram, sent them on their way, unfettered. There are hundreds of plain messages of grace in the Bible that we never hear preached.
Gen 12:20	And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had. God's PROMISE was true. In effect, God blessed Pharoah, who called himself "the sun king" because the Pharoah sought the Living God, and more importantly RECOGNIZED HIM! That's more than Abraham did while being tested. Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.