In Genesis 11 we are told, that as humans again multiplied on the face of the earth, they conceived a united plan of open rebellion against their Creator. They sought to build a tower, or Ziggurat, whose height would prevent the human race from being overwhelmed by a flood from God. The plan was stopped by creating confusion through the creation of new languages. This created suspicion and people scattering from the place of rebellion. From verses 10-26 is the record, or genealogy, of Shem's descendants till Terah, the father of Abram (whose name was changed in chapter 15 to Abraham). Verses 27-32 tells us the genealogical details surrounding Terah and Abram. It would appear that in the initial call of Abram to leave Ur of the Chaldeas the initiative was left with the patriarchal family head - Terah - to initially lead the family towards the Promised Land. Chapter 12 tells us, "Now the LORD had said ...". Later information tells us that at this time Abram was about 70 when called to forsake wealth, luxury and social prestige in Ur for an undefined Land (later we find it to be Israel - see Paul's comments in Hebrews 11verses8-9). Again, the Hebrew words for verse 1 are "Go for yourself". Both, Abram's father Terah, and his uncle Nahor, appear to want to settle in Haran - and to not continue their journey to the Land of the Promise. The words of the first 3 verses are a sevenfold promise that from Abram would descend the great nation of Israel. The personal element was to make the name of "Abraham" great in the earth. There was an international promise in verse 3 that blessings would come to all nations through "Abraham's" descendant - the Lord Jesus Christ (see what that meant in Romans 4verses13). At the age of 75 Abram left Haran without Terah, or his brother Haran. In verse 7 we see that the land of Canaan (Israel) was first promised to Christ (Abram's descendant) before it was promised to Abraham himself. There were great dangers in the Canaanite land. Famine forced Abram and his large group to seek sustenance in Egypt. Here Abram showed a lack of trust in God and told lies about his beautiful wife Sarah, believing that would save his life. God did deliver Abram despite this failure; and taught him that the Almighty can be depended on regardless of the seemingly immense difficulties. Psalm 14 is an important record, "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God". The Psalm is duplicated in Psalm 53 - an indication of the importance of the message (and is cited in Romans 3). But the message is telling us more than that atheists are foolish. It is not those who simply speak the words; but it applies to those whose actions say, 'I can act as I please and will not be punished'. The heart's intentions are what really counts. Psalm 15 speaks of the character required in order to dwell eternally with the Father in the Kingdom Age. Truthfulness, integrity, not going back on an agreement despite personal cost. The citizen of Zion despises all forms of corruption. Such a person seeks the benefit of others; not the profiting from them. Such upright characters are like their Father. Psalm 16 is about the motive power of the Lord Jesus Christ to resist sin by always pleasing His Father (verse 2 and 9 particularly). It describes Jesus' confidence that his Father would raise him, by resurrection, from the dead (Acts 2verses24-36) read slowly. Pause and ponder. Matthew 8 is a chapter demonstrating outstanding faith. It commences with the healing of a leper, who has no doubts about our Lord Jesus' power to heal and save, only a question as to whether he would exercise his power then. It is followed by an outstanding example of Gentile faith, shown in an unnamed Roman centurion, whose faith exceeded that of any of the Covenant people of Israel in that epoch, and whose faith Jesus equates to that of the father of the faithful - even Abraham. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that this stirred within him the message of the Scriptures when Abraham's children will, on the basis of their identified beliefs, be "the seed" that inherits the earth (Genesis 12verses1-3; Galatians 3; Romans 4verses13). Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow
