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THE GREAT ADVENTURE (14 OF 54)

by Keith Krell

Scripture: Genesis 11:27, Genesis12:9
This content is part of a series.


The Great Adventure (14 of 54)
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 11:27-12:9


Genesis 11:27 begins a new division in the book of Genesis. The book of Genesis can be structured by tracing four great events and four great people. The four great events are laid out in chapters 1-11: Creation, Fall, Flood, and Nations. The four great people complete the book in chapters 12-50: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The point being: God's first concern is all the people of the world (Gen 1-11), but the focus of Genesis (and the rest of the Pentateuch) is on God's choice and care of His chosen people, Israel (Gen 12-50). This sovereign choice begins with the call of Abram. The book of Genesis covers more than 2,000 years and more than 20 generations; yet, it spends almost a third of its text on the life of this one man (11:27-25:18). What a reminder that God truly cares about people and considers individuals valuable. This passage is going to challenge us to live a life of faith.

1. Faith grows gradually (11:27-32): In these six verses, the genealogy of chapter 11 becomes quite specific and focused. Moses begins with the familiar phrase, ''Now these are the records of the generations of...'' (11:27a). This ''formula'' serves as an outline throughout Genesis. The last major occurrence of this phrase was in 6:8, in reference to Noah, where God began a new thing in Noah and his sons. This is one hint that what is coming in 11:27-32 concerning the life of Abram will be something new on a grand scale. Moses goes on to say that ''Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran'' (11:27b). Again, this doesn't seem to be terribly significant until we realize that the mention of Terah having three named sons alerts us to a previous pattern. Adam and Noah both had three named sons and both of them obviously point out high water marks in God's dealings with people. So we should not be totally surprised when God calls Abram and embarks on a new path in the ...

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