Ep. #07 “YOUNG ABRAHAM" (0-98 YEARS OF AGE)” [Series: GENESIS & JOB]

Genesis 10-11:26 gives a very brief history of mankind from the time of Noah until the time of Abram, who will later be re-named Abraham. Although it is easy to skim through this section, it provides a background of nations that will be helpful to know through the rest of the Old Testament and up to today’s time. By the end of Genesis 11, we learn that Abram is the son of Terah, and they have moved from Ur to Haran. Abram is married to his half-sister, Sarai, and they are unable to have children. Abram’s nephew, Lot, is living with them. Terah dies at the age of 205. Upon Terah’s death, God tells Abram to take everything and everybody and move to a country that will be revealed in due time, and in return, God promises to make Abram into a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless all people through him. At age seventy-five, Abram takes everything and everybody and heads to Canaan, approximately the land of modern Israel and Palestine. After a brief stay in Egypt, Abram and Lot arrive in Canaan with many animals and possessions. They agree to split up in order to preserve family peace. Lot chooses to live on the plain near Sodom and Gomorrah. One time, Lot gets kidnapped and Abram has to rescue him. This provides the setting for Abram to meet the mysterious priest and king, Melchizedek. The Lord takes the occasion to convert his previous promise to Abram into a one-sided covenant through a very elaborate ceremony. As part of this covenant, God names all of the country that will be given to Abram’s descendants. Unfortunately, Abram and Sarai decide to “help” God, and Abram has a son through Sarai’s servant, Hagar. This son, named Ishmael, does not become Abram’s heir, but does become a great nation. God institutes the rite of circumcision at this time, and changes Abram’s name to Abraham. The people living near Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah became so evil that God chose to eliminate them. Abraham bargained with God to save them, but nothing could save them. The story of Lot and God’s angels describes their decadence in detail. Eventually, Abram and his family flee the area, and God destroys the two cities, setting the stage for God to fulfill his covenant.