Shem and the Call of Abram
I. The Importance of Genealogy – Genesis 11:10-32, Luke 3:23-38
1. Keeping meticulous records and genealogies established God’s people as chosen, as partakers of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Citizenship, culture, and inheritance were tied to family history.
2. “Later on, Genealogies were essential to proving whether a Jewish male could serve in the Levitical priesthood. Priests could only be from the tribe of Levi and descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. If a man could not prove this connection, he was unable to serve as a priest.”
3. “Genealogies emphasized the importance of the family unit in Jewish culture. Traditional Jewish culture emphasized marriage between a man and a woman who were responsible for raising children and continuing the legacy of their family with the next generation. The Jews took seriously their responsibility to continue the line that would bring honor to the family name.”
4. “Finally, the genealogies of the Jews were important in tracing the line of the Messiah. The Old Testament made it clear that the Messiah would be the Son of David.”
{gotquestions.org}
Everything has always pointed to Jesus. From creation, through His royal lineage and connection to King David, to His death and resurrection, to His second coming. Everything in scripture points to Jesus.
God promises David that his son Solomon would succeed him and establish his kingdom, Solomon would build the temple, and that “…the right to rule would always remain with David’s dynasty. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these promises”. While presently He is not ruling from the throne of David, at His second coming He will assume this throne. (NAS commentary)
Jeremiah 23:5
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.”
Jeremiah 23:5
Branch: a shoot, a messianic title signifying the new life the Messiah will bring. (NAS commentary)
“In that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.”
Isaiah 11:10
I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying,
‘Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life;
I’ll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.’” - Message
Psalm 89:3-4 – a covenant made with David ensuring his seed would be established forever.
“Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:
‘What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?’
They said to Him, ‘The Son of David’.”
Matthew 22:41-42
5. VID – “That’s My King”Shadrach Meshach Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world. This is a clip from his sermon titled “Seven Way King” or “That’s My King”.
II. The Call & the Covenant
From Genesis 12:1-4:
1. The LORD spoke to Abram.
God formed Abram, He knew him. He set him in history, at the exact time and place according to His plan and will for Abram’s life, all for His divine purposes. Abram belonged to God, and He didn’t have to do anything to earn God’s favor or the call that was already on his life. God knew where he was, the man who would father His nation, His chosen people, the man who would become a hero to his people, known for His great faith in his even greater God. The God who found Abram, and merely had to speak in order to call him to his destiny... “Go,” He said. So Abram “went forth”. A call and a response, a command and obedience, all from a God who wrote the word ‘purpose’ into a man.
God made a promise to Abram, and He would continue to re-iterate this promise throughout their time together. The promise where God would lead Abram to a new land, where through him a great nation would be born. The promise of God to guide, protect, and bless His people.
Similarly, God calls us, grafted into His grand design through His son, Jesus Christ (Romans 11). God formed you, He knows you. He set you in history, in this exact time, place, country, and culture according to His plan and purposes for your life. You belong to God, and you didn’t have to do anything to earn His favor or the call He has put upon your life. God knows where you are; He knew where to find you. He knows where you’ve been, and He has a plan for where you’re going. The God who found you also made a promise to you - His name is Jesus. With unfailing love, He reconciled you to Himself through Jesus’ blood, and because of this you now have both eternal life after death, and a purpose-filled life to live while you still have breath and time here on Earth.
Found – called out – redeemed – and re-purposed for His Kingdom, for your good and for His glory.
2. God said, “Go,” and Abram “went forth”.
{So how is God telling you to “Go?”}
Perhaps you have ailing family members or neighbors, lost people in your life that God has entrusted to you that need to hear about Jesus before they die, so they too can discover their Purpose.
Maybe you’re called to “go” and love that person in your life that you can’t stand.
To raise your children or grandchildren in the Truth. Maybe you’re called to serve in this church, to be a part of the body of Christ. Perhaps it’s time to turn your religion and rules over to Jesus.
Maybe you are called to shine light on Facebook, to go overseas, to go across the street, to lead a Bible Study, to pray. To make and deliver meals, to seek out lonely people, to befriend that person. To be humble. To look like Him. In Christ, we were all called from darkness, out into light, and told to “Go” in two huge ways.
The first, to “Go…” and “make disciples of every nation, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
And secondly, to love God, and to love others.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
And it might cost you something. Your time, your money, your talent, your comfort, your familiarity, your family. Jesus said to pick up your cross and follow Him.
“I have heard the call, and I will not be moved. I have set my heart on one thing. When the cost is great, YOU are greater still. As for me I will raise your banner high.”
3. Lastly, from verse 8, as Abram stopped in Bethel, “house of God”, he built an altar to the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.”
{The called call upon the name of the Lord}
III. Abram’s Lie, and God’s Grace – Genesis 12:9-20
Key Points:
2. Schemes usually involve more than one person
3. Sin Affects more than just the Sinner
4. God blesses the Sinner - not their Sin
5. God is Faithful to Faithless People
6. God’s Grace Outweighs Mistakes