The unnamed servant has asked the Lord to reveal who the Bride will be – by volunteering to give water to the ten camels.
Genesis 24:15-27
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
Camels have a series of physiological adaptations that allow them to withstand long periods of time without any external source of water.[17] Unlike other mammals, their red blood cells are oval rather than circular in shape. This facilitates the flow of red blood cells during dehydration[21] and makes them better at withstanding high osmotic variation without rupturing when drinking large amounts of water: a 600 kg (1,300 lb) camel can drink 200 L (53 US gal) of water in three minutes.[22][23] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel
That’s right ! 53 gallons of water for 1 camel!
53 gallons x 10 camels = 530 gallons of water!!!
Rebekah was not a sluggard! as the bride of the son of promise – she portrays the bride of jesus Christ – the church.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
The unnamed servant gives precious gifts to Rebekah, gold bracelets and earrings, tokens of his master’s wealth. The Servant (Holy Spirit) gives tokens of the Father’s riches – endless joy, and boundless peace.
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.
27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
What an example the unnamed servant is to us! He was a faithful steward in every way. He looked after his master’s affairs as if they were his own. Unfaithful stewards will cheat and steal from their masters. In our own service to Christ, as faithful stewards, we must handle our talents, abilities, money, time, and opportunities as faithful stewards of God. In so doing, we will be rewarded for our faithful stewardship at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The unnamed servant also trusted God implicitly to help him meet his responsibility.
Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Abraham has buried his beloved wife, Sarah, in the cave of Macpelah – which later became the family burial place for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not Ishmael and Esau!!!
Genesis 24 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Here the very aged Abraham, is adjuring his most trusted servant, to journey to the land of his birth, to find a bride for the son of promise. His instruction to place the hand under his thigh, is deep in covenant meaning. The thigh area is generalized in the Old Testament to mean the area of sexual reproduction, also playing significantly into the symbol of circumcision. It refers to the importance of the son of promise and his progeny – from which the Messiah would come.
Abraham also, in choosing the Gentile bride for Isaac portrays our heavenly Father choosing a Gentile Bride – the church – for His Son – the Christ. If Abraham had chosen a Canaanite bride for Isaac, imagine how differently things would have happened!
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
This is a strong caution to the unnamed servant!
7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
The son of promise, Isaac, is not to be brought to that land under any circumstances!
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
Remember – the hand under the thigh refers to the blessed progeny of Abraham, through his covenant with God!
THE UNNAMED SERVANT IS THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTER OF GENESIS 24 –
Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Why is the servant nameless? Because God chose for him to be nameless. A faithful servant never cares about promoting himself, his interest is solely in serving his master. The Holy Spirit never promotes Himself, but always exalts the Son of God.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
This is very significant. The unnamed servant does not rely on his own perspicacity to find a bride for his master’s son. He relies on the God of heaven to do it all!
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that Thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
The unnamed servant states right here that if God is providing the bride, that God is showing kindness to Abraham – not the servant himself!
THE SERVANT (THE HOLY SPIRIT) SEEKS THOSE WILLING TO BELIEVE HIS MESSAGE (THE GOSPEL) EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BRIDEGROOM (CHRIST).
The year was approximately 1892 B.C., when the Lord fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Both Abraham and Sarah had laughed when God said that 90-year-old Sarah would have a son. But it was a different story when the promised son did arrive – and joyous laughter would be heard in Abraham’s tent.
GENESIS 21:1-8
21 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
But for Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar, Issac’s presence caused jealousy and resentment. He had been the apple of his father’s eye until Isaac came – and we can naturally expect jealousy to be demonstrated towards his half brother. At the feast Sarah sees Ishmael mocking, or teasing the little Isaac, who is perhaps 2-3 years old at the weaning. Sarah, knew that Ishmael was old enough, at around age 16-17, to know better.
GENESIS 21:9-13
9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
Sarah was very upset at Ishmael’s behavior, and Abraham was upset at losing his son. But the Lord told him that Sarah was right – and that he must cast out the bondwoman and her son. Though it was painful – Abraham obeyed in faith – believing that if he did God’s will, that everything will turn out right.
God cared for Ishmael as he promised Abraham He would. Through this extremity, Ishmael met the Lord; and God promised to make of him a great nation. These are the tender mercies of God, because Abraham believed in faith.
GENESIS 21:14-21
14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
AN ALLEGORY OF LAW AND GRACE
GALATIANS 4:22-24
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
GALATIANS 4:28-31
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Ishmael and Isaac represent a spiritual allegory of law and grace (unmerited favor.) Hagar and Ishmael represent the law at Sinai, while Sarah and Issac represent God’s grace at Calvary. The two principles – law and grace – are always in conflict! They can not coexist. The “law” represents all of man’s best efforts to earn favor with God, while “grace” represents favor from God that is not earned.
The law principle must be “cast out” of our lives in order for us to receive grace. We need grace both for our salvation, and for our daily walk with God. Salvation and victory in the Christian life are always done through faith, not through the law – not through trying to earn God’s favor by good works.
GALATIANS 3:6-7
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
GALATIANS 3:11
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Even so – to receive God’s grace by faith does not mean we can live any way we choose! Rather – it is His grace that teaches us how we should live!
TITUS 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. . .
Lot has returned from trying to persuade his two married daughters and their husbands of the impending doom. They mocked him in the same fashion that the world mocks Christians today. Since they can not see the doom coming – it does not exist in their minds. Forever the fallback of the secularists – prove it!
The angels spend the night in Lot’s home, then awaken him at dawn.
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
Apparently Lot was “lingering” (vs. 16) – something many people do when presented with the Gospel. They delay leaving their old, sinful life, because they, like Lot, fail to see the gravely perilous situation they are in. We also see that Lot is being delivered, as we are, because of the Lord’s mercy. Not for anything that Lot did – and not for anything that we do.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:19 Behold now, Thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified Thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
The map at right shows the approximate locations of the “cities of the plain.” Some scholars believe they were farther north, but the location is not germane to this study.
Lot – still the carnal believer – is terrified of being homeless. His weak flesh still has control over his actions. He feels that if he were too far from “civilization” he would not be able to live. He asks to be granted sanctuary in the “little” city of Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
Many archeologists have attempted to locate the remains of these cities. I find that rather ridiculous, because the Lord “overthrew those cities.” Working in my garden, I often turn the top layer of soil and its weeds completely over. When I go back a few weeks later, the weeds underneath are all dead. If that could happen in my garden in just two weeks – how could something the the Lord completely destroyed still remain after thousands of years? Most experts now agree – that Sodom and the “cities of the plain,” are now what is known as the Dead Sea. They were completely destroyed. The Lord “overthrew” them – even turning them upside down, as one dumps out a garbage pail!
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. LUKE 9: 62
27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:
28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. Genesis 19: 15-29
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 18: 22
ALL sexual behavior outside of the God ordained marriage between one man and one woman is sin – gay or straight, plural, animal, whatever – including all fornication and adultery among “straight” people. Christians – when you are intimate with someone- you are permanently joined to them. Only God can separate that. Sexual sin is sin against your own body – and sin against God.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is One Spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6: 15-18
The Lord Jesus Christ could not have been more clear on this subject –
Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19: 4-6
If you are struggling with sexual sin – no matter if it is homosexuality, pornography, adultery, or fornication – it is the same sin of lust. Jesus can deliver you from this sin, no matter how heinous and unforgivable you feel. You may feel that you are beyond redemption. Jesus came and died to save sinners! If you are truly repentant, and truly want to be delivered – you can be delivered. Do you long to be pure? You can be – just like the thief on the cross next to Jesus. It’s not too late for you. . . repent now, and turn to Jesus Christ.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Psalm 51: 7-13
In our last devotional, Abraham has interceded for his nephew Lot, after the Lord has revealed to him the impending judgement of Sodom. We learned two things – that the Lord desires the faithful to know His plans, and that He is receptive to the prayers of His saints. As we enter this lesson – the Lord has left communing with Abraham, and the two angels that had accompanied Him continue on towards Sodom.
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Lot “sat in the gate.” meaning he had a position as a civic leader. Lot arises and bows with his face towards the ground in the Oriental custom. [far different from when Abraham prostrated himself to the ground at the appearance of the Lord]
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Lot, the carnal believer, lives among these people and knows it is not safe for them to remain in the streets all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
They relent and enter Lot’s home and eat a meal with him. Yet another example of angels having the ability to take on the appearance and function of human flesh. These are not disembodied spirits!
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
Many so-called “gay Christians” try to claim that the issue here is hospitality, not homosexuality. This defies all logic. For what possible reason could a hundred or so men have to bang on the door of someone’s home at night? Here is Sodom and Gomorrah, just a few miles from Hebron, Abraham’s home, and Jerusalem, Melchizedek’s home – and the stench of evil is so great that it has reached unto God in heaven! (Gen. 18: 20-21) Only 400 years since the profligate wickedness of the entire world was destroyed by Noah’s flood!
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
Lot attempts to reason with these savages. Here is proof that the men of Sodom are wanting to violate Lot’s visitors, because Lot offers his two young daughters instead. I assure you that what is going on here has nothing whatsoever to do with the Oriental sense of hospitality.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
The Sodomites tell Lot to get away from the door, and then deride him as being in no position to judge them, he being a newcomer. They proceed to threaten Lot with even worse things than they had planned for the two angels. With even more aggression, they almost break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
Through supernatural power, the Sodomites are blinded by the angels – yet Lot is able to leave and seek out his married daughters and their husbands in an attempt to deliver them from the impending doom.
12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. Genesis 19: 1-14
Recall that after Abram had rescued Lot, and the King of Sodom along with him, Abram declined to keep any of the booty he was entitled to as victor of the war. Abram refused to give the “devil an inch,” if you will. Please don’t underestimate the importance of this. From the beginning – God has been separating the wheat from the tares. In the story of Lot, living among the Sodomites, we see ourselves. We are living in a sinful, fallen world, that daily grows in degeneracy. As the evil grows, those that belong to Christ shall grow more and more uncomfortable living in “Sodom.” The Bible tells us that the immorality of the men of Sodom was a great affront to Lot’s sense of righteousness, as he was a believer in the One True God. The Word also says that for the same reason – our souls will be vexed – but that we will be delivered.
As we try to witness to family, friends, and people we just happen to meet, or we have a King like the King of Sodom, or our churches embrace abomination, and we read things like this – “A Christian Finds Acceptance of Homosexuality in the Bible,” and the whole world treats us with scorn as Lot’s sons – in – law did, we can take strength from the following passage, and know in our hearts that the Lord is yet separating the wheat from the tares until the cup of iniquity is full:
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
As we left Abraham last week, he was being visited by three angels in human form who appeared out of no where. Abraham was given no warning by his men that strangers were approaching the camp. They were suddenly there at his tent door! After the Lord’s extraordinary and prophetic exchange with Sarah, the men arise to leave . . .
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.
This is so wonderful – that the Creator of the universe will share His thoughts with faithful Abraham. In like fashion, the Lord desires us to know all of His plans. That same Creator, Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry had this to say about the faithful:
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15
20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know.
If the Lord is Omniscient – why does He need to go and see? It is entirely for our benefit, to teach us an eternal truth. That God is interested in the affairs of men, and that He is responsive to the prayers of the faithful.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
Who is Abraham thinking of here? His worldly nephew, Lot! How patient the Lord is, already foreknowing what the end result will be. And it is indeed the Lord that Abraham is speaking to. The One Who stays behind to talk to Abraham is Jesus Christ in preincarnate form, known as a Theophany, or more correctly – Christophany. Please recall that Abraham did not worship the king of Salem – Melchizedek, but he “bowed himself to the ground,” [Gen. 18:2] instantly when he saw these visitors. God’s messengers (angels) will never accept worship – but here it was rightly accepted by the only One worthy of worship.
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And He said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And He said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And He said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.
33 And the Lord went His way, as soon as He had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Genesis 18: 16-33
So many have asked me – what was that long negotiation all about? It was for us! Telling us that no matter how sinful and degenerate the world becomes (for they will surely outnumber us as the Sodomites outnumbered Lot) – the end time judgement will not fall until the faithful are safely taken out of the way. Even if there are only ten Christians left in the whole world! The same judgement that fell on Sodom will happen again, except next time it will be world wide.
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5: 17
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The Covenant has been sealed by both YHWH and Abraham. The year is approximately 1898 B.C. With the sealing of the Covenant, officially begins the Abrahamic Covenant – and the nation of Israel.
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Abraham lived in Mamre, a life that could be described as Spiritually rich.
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from Thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
Here is evidence that angels can take on the function and form of flesh – because they all ate. Abraham’s visitors are not spirits. But – they are not human beings either. The identity of One of these visitors will be covered in the next devotional.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.10 And He said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And He said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Genesis 18: 1-15
There is a distinct difference between Abraham’s laughter of indescribable joy [Genesis 17:17] and Sarah’s laugh of disbelief. Also note in vs. 12, that Sarah laughed within herself – it was not audible laughter. See how the Lord knows our very thoughts? But this extremely significant exchange between the Lord and Sarah is often overlooked.
Sarah is far, far past the age for having children – she is as “good as dead”
She frankly asked if she were to “have pleasure” – meaning would the son be conceived naturally with her “lord” – very old husband
She denied that she laughed
The Lord asked her a question – which went unanswered – “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?”
The Lord had waited until there could be absolutely, positively, no chance of Sarah conceiving a child naturally. In His Sovereign Majesty He states that He will do what man can never do. The unanswered question – “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” was answered miraculously almost 2,000 years later in reference to the most impossible Conception and Birth. Issac was an impossible conception and birth from dead flesh – Foreshadowing the impossible conception and birth of Jesus Christ – born to give all mankind, spiritually dead in sin – New Birth, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit.
Last week, the focus was entirely on the anticipated son of promise, Isaac. This week, the focus is Ishmael, who up until this point is Abraham’s only son. We learned in the last study, that Ishmael was born after the flesh, while the promised Isaac would be born of the Spirit. It is interesting to observe – that once again God presents us with the two lines – the Godly and the ungodly. . .
Abraham has expressed his desire that the Lord bless Ishmael [Gen. 17 : 18]
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
22 And He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. Genesis 17: 20-27
I am not advocating for or against circumcision – all I am doing is explaining what it means! Also consider that circumcision is the only flesh that can be severed without physical deformation. God would never require anything from us that He would not do Himself. Our Savior was circumcised at eight days old.
AND WHEN EIGHT DAYS WERE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE CIRCUMCISING OF THE CHILD, HIS NAME WAS CALLED JESUS, WHICH WAS SO NAMED OF THE ANGEL BEFORE HE WAS CONCEIVED IN THE WOMB.
Luke 2: 21 Jesus the Christ was the only One in all of history Who kept the entirety of the Law perfectly. All of it. The last devotional covered the important distinction between the bondage of the flesh or Law, (Hagar) and the freedom of the Spirit, (Sarah). Circumcision is the sign of the Covenant. It is the seal of the covenant, which must be sealed in blood.
A good way to understand this is to think about an important document, which is only considered viable when it has an authentic, impressed or embossed seal. Without the seal – it is fraudulent. Please go here to review God’s part of the Covenant. Now, as we arrive at the end of Genesis 17, both God and Abraham have committed to the Covenant by “sealing” it.
The Jews came to think of the actual circumcision as being more than a sign, and regarded it as their actual justification. It is important to understand that Abraham was part of the Covenant long before he was circumcised. Much like a Biblical betrothal period, in where the bride is considered fully the wife of the groom, but the marriage has not been consummated yet. Paul enlarges this for us –
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
Our last devotional covered the Covenant between Abraham and YHWH, with circumcision being the sign of the Covenant. The Lord also changed Abram’s name to Abraham – from “exalted father,” to “father of many.”
15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
As God did with Abraham , He changes Sarai’s name to Sarah.
YHWH –
We now see the the “hey” on the end of His name, being attached to end of Sarai’s name, the same as He did to Abraham. Her name becomes Sarah. Remember – this letter – – means “Spirit.”
Sari + = Sar or Sarah
16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
She changes from “princess,” to “Princess of many.” The “Spirit” of God is now in both the mother and father of God’s people. God tells us that He accomplishes these things through His Spirit: “Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the Word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zech 4:6)
17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Abraham laughs, not out of unbelief, but out of being overwhelmed. He is satisfied with 13 year old Ishmael. The hopes and dreams of this old man are focused on Ishmael alone.
18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Genesis 17:15-19
In Galatians 4, we are given the deeper meaning of what has just transpired. The Covenant of the Law (Hagar) is compared with the Covenant of Grace (Sarah). It is the answer to any teacher, preacher, sect or religion, as to why we as believers, are not under the Law.
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.(Hagar)
25 For this Agar ( Hagar) is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Are not the Arabs under bondage to the Koran?)
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (He is speaking of the New Jerusalem in Heaven)
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. (the descendants of Ishmael to this day persecute the people of The Book)
30 Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Galatians 4: 21-31
The flesh is bondage, the Spirit is freedom. Does that mean believers can do away with the Law and live how ever they choose? No. What it means, is that the Law does not give life. Only the Spirit does. As Sarah was so old, she was as good as dead – yet she gave birth to life through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we are dead in our sins, so we give birth to the new man, when we are reborn by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Thirteen years have passed since Hagar bare Abram a son, Ishmael. Although Abram loves Ishmael, he and Sarai still have no child. She is well past the age for having children, and certainly this has been a long time of testing.
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Look carefully at verse 5 above. Abram’s name had always meant “exalted father.” When God changes Abram to Abraham – it changes to “father of many.” But the even more significant thing is that God attaches part of His own name to Abram’s. YHWH – sounds something like “hey” or the sound made when exhaling strongly.
Abram + = Abram or Abraham
means “spirit.” The letter occurs twice in YHWH. The Lord takes one of the letters and inserts it into the middle of Abraham’s name. This is similar to when God – ” And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7
7 And I will establish my covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
God has stated His part of the Covenant:
Abraham will be the father of many nations
Abraham will have exalted descendants
This is an everlasting Covenant
Now God states Abram’s part of the Covenant:
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep My covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.10 This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Genesis 17: 1-14
Why circumcise? Always keep in mind that the nation of Israel was chosen by God to be a light unto the world. Everything that they experienced throughout the long history of the Old Testament was portraying and preparing for the Messiah.
The outward circumcision is a symbolic representation of what occurs on the inside man when he belongs to YHWH.
” And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Deuteronomy 30:6
” Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.” Jeremiah 4:4
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:29
[As an interesting side note – from Dr. M.R. De Haan, “Chemistry of the Blood,” that a newborn baby has natural resistance to infection in the first seven days of life – but it is only on the eighth day, that the infant develops blood coagulating ability. While modern science has medications to prevent excessive bleeding – certainly, ancient peoples could not have been aware of this type of blood chemistry. Also. Dr. De Haan states – “Circumcision is probably the greatest factor in the prevention of venereal disease.” While Dr. De Haan wrote his book in 1943, his research has been more recently validated – see here. ]
As we will explore during our journey through the Word of God – outward disease was used of God to represent inward sin.
We will now see the fruit of Abram’s Sojourn in Egypt. Recall that it was a crisis in Abram’s faith that lead him to run to Egypt during a period of famine. Rather than fully trusting God’s promise – he went to Egypt, which represents the flesh. Even so, he came out of Egypt more full than when he arrived, which is testimony to God’s faithfulness, even in our time of weakness. But, Abram came out of Egypt with more than goods, he also brought home a slave girl named Hagar.
1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
Abram is now 85 years old, and he had arrived in Canaan 10 years previously. In our last devotional, Abram had suggested to God that perhaps he could obtain an heir though his servant – Eliezer. God said no. So what just happened in verse two? Abram did not consult the Lord – Abram heeded his wife. Many wives give very wise counsel; but in this case, Sarai’s manipulation was in direct opposition to God’s promise.
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Hagar conceives easily, and consequently feels superior to her mistress, Sarai. Now feeling the pain of her foolish and impulsive decision, Sarai complains to her husband, who then gives her permission to do whatever she wants to her maidservant. After harsh treatment – pregnant Hagar runs away.
7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
The Lord does not want us to run away from our problems.
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Here, Hagar is given the prophecy of the descendants of Ishmael her son, who will become some of the very same people in conflict with Israel today.
13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Thou God seest me – for the first time, God is called “El Roi,” the God who sees.
14 Wherefore the well was called Beer–lahai–roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 16: 1-16
Again and again, the failure to trust in God’s solemn promises reap terrible consequences.
Ishmael is foreseen to be a “wild man,” and his hand is against everyone, meaning innate violence
Sarai tries to anticipate God – as if He needs help!
Abram gives his wife’s desires precedence over his covenant with God.
To this very day – almost 4,000 years later, the entire world is reaping the repercussions of this tragic episode.
In our last devotional, Abram’s extraordinary faith was shown, and God promised Abram an innumerable inheritance. We proceed with the establishment of the the Abrahamic Covenant. It is a detailed procedure, not being fully sealed for 15 years.
7 And He said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
9 And He said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
It is only my personal take on this – but I believe the covenant animals used here are extremely significant.
The heifer would correlate with the Babylonian empire.
Persia is not included because Persia willingly released Israel.
The she goat is the Grecian empire.
The ram is the Roman empire.
The animals are three years old – each representing a third of Israel’s bondage. The undivided turtle dove would be Israel, and the undivided young pigeon is the offspring of the turtle dove – the church. The fowls that come down to devour the sacrifice, are Satan and his demons.
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.13 And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
God tells Abram of Israel’s 400 years of slavery in Egypt.
He is told of Egypt’s reciprocal punishment
They will come out of Egypt with great wealth
God will afterwards use Israel to punish the Amorites, but not yet. They had not fully descended into the moral abyss. Much like the pagan world today. But – it’s coming!
17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
Notice that Abram does not pass through the pieces! God does. God is not “cutting” the covenant, He is sealing it with fire! Sealing off His chosen from the pagan nations throughout history, carrying them through, for His purposes. God’s eternal covenant is just that – eternal.
18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
Genesis 15: 7-21
Interesting to ponder – the governments of the world all want Israel to give up even more of the tiny patch they hold now. The nations of the world are now much in every way like the “ites” that Israel was commanded to destroy.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
After the king of Salem departs, the king of Sodom speaks with Abram, but this is an entirely different exchange.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
The king of Sodom, is in no position to make such a request. He has been conquered, first by Chedorlaomer and his confederates, then by Abram. Technically – all the spoils belong to Abram.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Abram has made a very solemn promise to God –
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. Genesis 14: 21-24
As far as Melchizedek is an Old Testament “type” of Christ – the king of Sodom is most certainly a “type” of Satan. The Lord has revealed to Abram that the king of Sodom would be first in line to accuse him of coming by his riches dishonestly. How like the evil one – Satan is the “accuser of the brethren.” {Rev. 12:10} Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments – the Godly and the ungodly are always presented together.
1 After these things the Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3 And Abram said, Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Abram wonders if God means to give him a son though his servant.
4 And, behold, the Word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.5 And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Abram expresses his concern to the Lord. Yet another test – that resonates with us to this very day.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15: 1-6
What a high watermark in Abram’s faith! When he is first called out of Ur of the Chaldees to travel to an unknown land, he demonstrated complete trust and faith. It was challenging, but not impossible. But here – Abram is trusting in God to do what seems impossible.
Genesis 15:6 is the first record in Scripture of imputed righteousness. Genesis 15:6 is the foundation of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Abram is Paul’s witness to salvation by faith –
“. . .faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. . .Rom.4:9
There is only one plan of salvation in both the Old and New Testaments – FAITH. Old Testament saints looked forward in faith to the coming Savior, while we look back in faith to the Savior.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Galatians 3: 6-8
***Important note: Followers of Les Feldick and other ministries which teach that Old Testament saints received another “gospel,” are grossly mistreating the Word of God. Galatians clearly states that God Himself preached the Gospel to His friend Abraham in Galatians 3:8. There is only ONE Gospel, and has only ever been ONE Gospel.
Our last devotional covered the exciting rescue of Lot, by Abram, who performed a brilliant coup in the middle of the night with only 318 men. Lot has been restored to his old life, and Abram turns towards home.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
Lot and his household had been taken hostage right along with this “king of Sodom.”
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.
And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14: 17-20
Melchizedek (Melkhey-Tsedek) is translated as King of Righteousness
Melchizedek was the King of Shalem, which is King of peace
Mysterious Melchizedek has been seized upon by cults and the occult for millenia. Mormons/Masons have a Melchizedek priesthood. With extra-Biblical writings, he has been ascribed variously to be a man, Noah’s son Shem, the Holy Spirit, another supernatural entity, the archangel Michael. . .
The most important thing to remember – always use Scripture to interpret Scripture!
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Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek was around 1913 B.C. While in the Spirit, King David wrote this beautiful prophetic Psalm almost 1,000 years later –
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.
Verse one refers to the past 2,000 years – between Christ’s first coming and His second coming.
2 The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth. 4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at Thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall He lift up the head. Psalm 110 1-7
Verses 2-7 is a scene of Armageddon, when “Christ will become King of kings and Lord of lords; He will also reveal His priesthood. He is the altogether unique High Priest established, not after the order of the Levitical priesthood, but after the order of Melchizedek.” {Hidden Prophecies in the Psalms, J.R. Church, p. 315}
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So here it is – right in the middle of the Old Testament – Gentile New Testament Christianity!! Psalm 110!!
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Then in A.D. 64, this incredible passage was written in Hebrews 7 –
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Verse three seems to indicate that Melchizedek is more than a man, but we must remember that Hebrews was written to the Jews, whose entire thinking was based on the priesthood, and genealogies, specifically the Levite High Priest as the only means to access God. It is being stressed here that Melchizedek, whom was written about in their own book of Psalms, was not part of this Levitical priesthood, not of the bloodline of priests, but better! Even their father Abram tithed to him, and Levi tithed also while the priesthood was “being in Abram’s loins.” Saying he is without mother or father, is demonstrating Melchizedek is not in the Aaronic bloodline.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 7: 1-17
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The writer of Hebrews (Paul) throughout this last letter to the Jews, is stressing that the Perfect High Priest has made the perfect, final sacrifice. All the priests up until this point had been frail humans, who had to offer sacrifice for their own sins, but this High Priest is the completion of what was begun so long ago. As the Jews would undoubtedly been well versed in the book of Psalms – this was intended to open their eyes to Who Jesus Christ really was.
The focus of both David and Paul – is Jesus Christ – not Melchizedec!
MELCHIZEDEC IS AN OLD TESTAMENT “TYPE” OF CHRIST – A FORESHADOW OF JESUS CHRIST
Both priest and king
Superior to Aaron
Superior to Abram
Offers bread and wine (great symbolism here)
For such an High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens
Hebrews 7: 26
And as much as King of Salem, Melchizedec, is Biblical typology of Jesus Christ, next week we will see that the the King of Sodom portrays the devil.
1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. 3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. (Dead Sea)
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El–paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 And they returned, and came to En–mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon–tamar. 8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; 9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
Essentially – this is a battle among kings of very small areas. Abraham would have been considered a king, he had approximately 1,000 people in his tribe.
On Chedorlaomer’s side we have:
Chedorlaomer (Hebrew kedhârelâ‘ômer or in consonantal form k-d-r-l-‘-m-r) king of Elam
Amraphel (Hebrew ’am’râphel or in consonantal form ’-m-r-p-l) king of Shinar (Babylon)
Arioch (Hebrew ’ar’yôwkh or in consonantal form ’-r-y-v-kh) king of Ellasar
10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Here is Lot, Abram’s “brother,” (in the faith) being carried away, part and parcel by the invading armies. Lot, the carnal believer, living in Sodom, is captured by the worldly conquerors, because he chose to live among them – even though he is not a participant in the fight!
13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14:1-13
You can see on the map, Abram’s route from Hebron, where his home was, to Dan, where Lot had been taken captive. We can see ourselves in this true story.
We modern day believers, often choose to live among, tolerate, and very often emulate the sinful world
We can be “carried away” by the fleshly world we inhabit
We can be rescued and restored by the Lord, who was personified by Abram in this passage
What can the Christian be carried away by? Lust – in all its forms.
money
sex
things
talent
beauty
love
power
Genesis 14:2 is the first mention of war in Scripture.
We can also see from verse 16, that Lot returns to his former home in Sodom. Why didn’t he learn from this terrible experience? Why don’t Christians learn from their terrible experiences? Why doesn’t Lot take this a a first warning?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth–el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth–el and Hai; 4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
We see Abram and his caravan returning to the Promised Land. Pharaoh sent Abram away with a great deal of riches, in the form of “sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.” Gen. 12:15 These gifts were given to Abram by Pharoah when he was entreating for Sarai. In the above passage, we read that Abram also came away with much gold and silver. Even in backsliding – God’s people are blessed.
Abram has “turned back,” and offered sacrifice. True repentance involves a turning, an identifiable change from the sinful path, back to the straight path. Without the “turning,” or repentance – there can be no fellowship with God.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Abram lays out to Lot, a choice, similar to the choices that every believer must make in their lives. Do we take the hard road, full of resistance and challenges? Or do we take the easy road that will give ease and comfort to our flesh?
Abram and Lot represent the two kinds of Christians. Lot – the Carnal believer, and Abram – the Spiritual believer.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
Lot’s worldly vision – only has eyes for the well-watered plain of Jordan. In his eyes, it is even like the Garden of Eden, and the lush land of Egypt. In his covetousness – he blocks out the reality of the depraved moral condition of the men of Sodom. His desire has overruled his faith.
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. Genesis 13: 1-18
This is likely the view that Abram had of the Promised land. Not in any way like the lush, well-watered plain of Sodom that Lot chose. Abram remained in the rocky, stubble filled mountains.
Lot – the carnal believer chose the selfish way, the worldly way. He chose not to separate himself from evil and its influence, rather, he chose to live alongside it; in the same fashion that the post modern Christian does; thereby inviting disaster. Like Lot, when disaster comes, the carnal Christian will fail to see it as a warning from God.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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. 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: 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. 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. Genesis 12:10-13
Several things did not happen here, which should have. As we have observed faithful Abram over the past few weeks, his faith was in evidence. Where is it now? Where is the sacrifice?
He decides to go to well watered Egypt (river culture similar to Ur) to wait out the famine.
Rather than relying on God’s promises, he fears for his life based on the desirableness of his wife.
He predetermines to deceive the people he is sojourning with.
At this point, Abram and his caravan would be traveling from Beersheba to Egypt. In Scripture, Egypt represents the world (flesh). Seeking after it indicates broken fellowship with God. Rather than turning wholly unto YHWH in the test of the famine – his fear overcame him, and he attempted to anticipate the future, despite the fact that God had clearly stated that he would be blessed – in the promised land.
We will pause here, and examine Hurrian culture for a moment. It would not be unusual – for a man to be killed in order to seize his wife. Abram, passing Sarah off as his sister, would be able to stall for time to escape (during a long betrothal period) while the negotiations were taking place. During this time, Sarah would dwell safely with her “brother.” Aside from that – Sarah was without doubt – an extraordinarily beautiful woman.
These paintings are from the rock cut tomb of Khnumhotep II located between Upper and Lower Egypt at Beni Hasan, and made during the reign of Senusret II of the 12th dynasty (around 1880-1874 BC). The hair, beards, and clothing portray Semites from the area of Palestine. More than just a trading party, entire families with wives and children appear to be relocating to Egypt. They are well groomed and dressed in the colorful clothing of their heritage.
14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
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. 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife. 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? 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. 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
Genesis 12: 14-20
The consequences of Abram’s backsliding are so far reaching, it is breathtaking in scope.
Backsliding always begins by failing to trust God in some area of life
Backsliding then progresses to “departing” from the will of God.
Backsliding always reaps unpleasant results.
Today – the world still reaps the “crop” sown by Abram’s backsliding. While in Egypt, he bought a young slave girl named Hagar to be Sarah’s handmaid – who became the mother of the Arabs.
The seeds of unrighteousness always reap a bitter harvest of sorrow and grief for generations to come. Seeds of righteousness reap a bountiful harvest of blessings – for generations to come.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 57:1
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: 11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
This family tree displays Genesis 11: 10-26
27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. 28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. 29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah. 30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child. 31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. 32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Genesis 11: 10-32
We have come through four great events in our study of Genesis 1-11; which took place over a period of 1,800 years.
The Creation
The Fall
The Flood
Babel
What happens in the next chapter – 12 – is pivotal. There are very few Bible characters whose lives are so extolled in the divine record as Abraham’s is. He is a wondrous example of a person who is justified by faith – not works. 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: Genesis 12:1
Looking at the family tree above, you can see that Abram is a descendant of Shem – who is still living at over 500 years of age! Knowledge of the true God was available, through Shem, but very few people wanted it. Just like today!
The people of Ur worshiped many gods, even Abram’s own father – Terah – was a pagan. In the following verses from the book of Joshua – God is telling the people the history of Israel:
2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. 3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. Joshua 24:2-3
[Ur had libraries complete with: dictionaries, grammars, reference works, encyclopedias, official annals, works on mathematics, astronomy, geography, religion and politics. Hammurabi, who ruled Babylonia in Abraham’s day, was a great patron of learning,]
This military standard is from the ruins of the royal tombs at Ur of the Chaldees in ancient Mesopotamia. The standard is about 4500 years old and one of the earliest representations of an ancient Sumerian army. It has two sides, one depicting war and the other depicting peace. The excavator was the brilliant Sir Leonard Woolley, the archaeologist who uncovered the ruins of a highly advanced civilization, whose ruins can be traced before the flood of Noah. The royal standard of Ur is important in the study of Biblical archaeology, it reveals the fact that the original home of Abraham, the city of Ur really existed. Ur was an ancient city of Sumer, South Mesopotamia. The city is also known as Ur of the Chaldees. It was an important center of Sumerian culture and is identified in the Bible as the home of Abraham. [biblehistory.com]
Abram was being asked by God, to leave comfortable civilization and go out into an unknown land – strictly on faith. The faithfulness of Abram is truly incredible.
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: 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. Genesis 12:2-3
All the families of the earth are blessed through Jesus Christ – Abram’s ultimate descendant, Who is the focus and theme of the entire Bible.
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. 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. Genesis 12:4-5
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.
This map displays Abram’s journey from Haran, where his father, Terah died, to the land of Sichem – or Shechem as you see at the end of the red trail.
The Canaanites that were in the land were the descendants of Ham’s cursed son – Canaan. Gen. 9:25
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. 8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth–el, and pitched his tent, having Beth–el 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. 9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
The above timeline from Antioch International Christian Fellowship displays all of Genesis 10, which is essentially Noah’s family tree. “Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: And unto them were sons born after the flood.” Genesis 10:1
We will extract out one of Noah’s grandsons – “And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel. . .” Genesis 10: 8-10.
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Genesis 11: 1-4
The Tower of Babel has been identified with the “Tower of Jupiter Belius,” (Accadian god – Bel) in Babylon, seen and described by Herodotus, 440 B.C. It was a quarter of a mile square at the base, and at eight stories, rose 650 feet high. [There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Gen.6:4] There is some secular writing indicating that Nimrod was of the fallen angels – a demi-god.
This was the first effort by ungodly men, under the influence of Lucifer, and the continued interaction of fallen angels, to consolidate power with a world empire.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said,Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. Genesis 11: 5-7
All within 100 years of the flood, the Tower is built, God descends and confuses their language, the people are scattered . . .and the earth is divided. For an in depth look at how the earth was divided after the flood go here.
25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. Genesis 10:25
Peleg was undoubtedly named for this very important event – The name Peleg comes from the verb (palag), split divide; “for in his days the earth was divided” (Genesis 10:25). Derivations are: (peleg), channel or canal; (pelagga), stream, division; (pelugga), division; (miplagga), division.
Bodie Hodge, in his book – Tower of Babel, documents the dispersal of the different people groups following the “division of tongues.”
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Genesis 11: 8-9
Now begins the division of people groups, which is inaccurately called “races of men.” There is only one race. All human beings are the same color! The difference comes from the quantity of melanin in the individual’s skin. The people that left the Tower of Babel at this point, were of a middle brown skin color, as in India and the Middle East today, with slightly lighter and darker shades.
Initially – people of these middle brown skin colors would have moved to both Northern Europe and Africa. Exposure to sunlight results in the production of vitamin D, but at the same time, causes the destructive photolysis of folic acid. It is this loss of folic acid that greatly reduces fertility. Excessive sunlight causes skin cancer. Remember – there is no longer a protective layer of water between the earth and the sun. Full radiation is now striking the earth, and its inhabitants.
In only 3-4 generations, the lighter skinned peoples in the northern areas would have successfully reproduced themselves – and their lighter skin – because they did not need as much sunlight. Conversely- the lighter skinned peoples that moved into the hot, sunny areas of Africa would have fared miserably. Each successive generation would have reinforced these qualities – eventually losing the genetic material for middle brown skin.
Today there are over 30,000 different languages which can be grouped into nine headings. From – The Loom of Language, F. Bodmer:
Indo – European
Finno – Ugrian
Semitic
Hamitic
Indo – Chinese
Malayo – Polynesian
Turco – Tartar
Dravidian
Bantu
The author also states that the Korean, Manchu, and Mongolian languages stand out against the language families, which confirms Genesis 11 – “Let Us go down, and confound their language.”
It is evident that the confusion of language slowed man down scientifically. Now – in this age – language is no longer a barrier. Now – the book of Daniel is opened. . .
Nothing has changed. The endless pursuit of power, the drive to become gods, and the lust for money has brought us full circle.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4
Our study last week left off with the cursing of Ham’s youngest son – Canaan. Genesis 10 is a genealogy, which is best observed in graphic form.
One of the greatest difficulties the believer faces while in the flesh – is to be in the world – not of the world. God sanctified Noah by removing him from the sinful world that was – before judgment – a beautiful picture of the rapture of the saints. The believer’s sanctification requires continual rejection of the world’s temptations.
JOHN 17:15-16
15 I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
There is a clear principal expressed in the Word of God, which indicates that the LORD wants Christians in the world as a witness – without becoming contaminated by the world and its trappings. If the Christian loses his testimony – his ability to witness effectively will be very difficult. These failures are infamous, and leave the church exposed to ridicule, rather than admiration.
MATTHEW 5:13
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
The Scriptures are chock full of examples of men so affected by the world surrounding them, that they temporarily lose their testimony through their failure. These cases are intended to serve as an example to us of what not to do! Sanctification (being set apart from the world and unto God’s service) is our goal once saved, and it is so important that we all, as believers, should pursue sanctification with due diligence. We are not to continue living our lives in the same old way.
Noah’s family was saved (sanctified) from the Flood, but soon afterwards they fell into a variety of sins. Noah’s family carried the wickedness of the pre-flood world into the Ark with them. Faithful Noah got his family out of the completely evil world system, but he could not get “the world” out of his family.
HOW ABOUT US? ARE WE LIVING A SANCTIFIED LIFE? OR DO WE LIVE ONE WAY AT CHURCH – AND ANOTHER WAY AT HOME AND WORK? ASK YOURSELF – HOW IS THE WORLD INFILTRATING MY FAMILY? TV? INTERNET? VIDEO GAMES? DO WE SING PRAISE TO OUR HOLY GOD ON SUNDAY – AND THEN GO HOME AND WATCH R-RATED MOVIES, OR HALF NAKED CHEERLEADERS DURING HALF-TIME? ROMANCE NOVELS? SOAP OPERAS?HOW ABOUT THE NEW PROBLEM – COVETING OVER PINTEREST?
Sanctification occurs in the past (when we are saved) the present (occurs daily as we cleanse our lives of sins) and in the future (as we are saved from the presence of sin.)
Our “present” sanctification should be the work of every Christian. How?
Studying the Word of God brings sanctification. John 17:17 – Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.
Surrendering to the Lord’s Will brings sanctification. Romans 12:1,2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Sanctification is brought about in the life of the believer by his separating himself deliberately from all that is unclean and unholy, and by presenting, continually and constantly, the members of this body as holy instruments unto God for the accomplishment of His holy purposes. Thus by these single acts of surrender unto holiness, sanctification soon becomes the habit of life.
William Evans
1 JOHN 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. 19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
Modern biochemical analysis supports verse 19, in that through these three sons of Noah was the whole earth populated.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicates that all women have descended from a single woman, called mitochondrial Eve. This does not prove that she was the only woman alive at the time, but is consistent with it. High mutation rates indicate that this ancestor lived at about the time of the Biblical Eve as well.
[Carl Wieland, “Mitochondrial Eve and Biblical Eve are looking good: criticism of young age is premature” TJ 19(1) 2005, p. 57
This video is of Professor of mathematics, John Heffner, on the statistical evidence for the current world population.
And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: 21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. 23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
This is the first alcohol that was ever made. Before the flood – fermentation was impossible.
John Chrysostom, a church father, writes that Noah’s behavior is defensible: as the first human to taste wine, he would not know its aftereffects: “Through ignorance and inexperience of the proper amount to drink, fell into a drunken stupor”. Wikipedia
Which brings us to verse 22. Ham seeing “the nakedness of his father.” A great deal has been written on just what that means. My preferred method is to take the Scripture literally, and not put things in that aren’t there. Also – the best way is to use Scripture, to interpret Scripture.
We will take a short excursion into Leviticus, and see the Law.
7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8 The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness. Leviticus 18:7-8
Leviticus 18:8, specifically states that uncovering the father’s wife’s nakedness – is equivalent to uncovering the father’s nakedness. Back to Genesis:
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. 25 And he said,
Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. 26 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. 27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Why was the curse on Ham’s youngest son?
The prevailing theory is that Ham simply saw his father’s nakedness. But that does not explain why the curse was on the youngest son, Canaan.
Some like to postulate that Ham committed great immorality, by the act of sodomy on his father. Scripture does not support this.
Here goes my take on this – supported by Leviticus 18.
Ham committed incest with his mother – and produced the cursed son – Canaan. I’m sure many will object to that idea, but Holy Scripture completely supports it. Please fire your best shots!!
8 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. 29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
Genesis 9: 18-29
Many evil people have misappropriated Genesis 9: 26-27, to justify the enslavement of black people throughout the centuries. It is still going on today in Africa, the Middle East, and in some cases – even here.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: Acts 17: 24-27
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Replenish means to completely fill; to make replete.
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Since creation, man’s diet has been the fruit of the ground, but now he is told to eat meat – with one exception – man was not to eat blood.
4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
The command to abstain from ingesting blood is again given in the New Testament, when the early Christians (Jews) were attempting to put Gentile Christians under the Law, but Paul replied that the Law was death – since no man could keep it. He gave these instructions for Christian dietary Law:
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Acts 15: 29
The creation has become so altered and corrupted now, that some animals also begin to eat meat. God’s creation has now turned cruel, with an endless cycle of hunting and being hunted.
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. [Animals could not kill man; or man kill man -this is great emphasis on the fact that human life is sacred]
8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish My covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
For the first time since the dawn of time – man sees the rainbow. There were no rainbows before the flood, because it never rained before the flood. The symbol of the rainbow and the covenant it represents is so important – the father of lies has attempted to co-opt it with the New Age Religion.
12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember My covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Genesis 9: 1-17
This is God’s eternal promise to every living creature – man and beast – that the world would never be destroyed by flood again. While there is still regional and local flooding, but never again a worldwide flood.
When the heavens were opened to Ezekiel the prophet, 593 B.C., he saw the Glory of the Lord – 26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. Ezekiel 1: 26-28
John the beloved is taken in the spirit up to heaven – : 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; 2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; 3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. 5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
“It is significant that the Ark is said to have “rested,” as though it had been laboring for five months in accomplishing its work of saving its occupants from sin and corruption. This is the second mention of “rest” in Scripture, the first being when God rested after His work of creation. (Genesis 2:2,3; actually these are two different, though synonymous, Hebrew words) If the Ark is a true type of Christ, as previously intimated, this is most appropriate. As God “finished” His work of creation and as the Ark “finished” its mission, so Christ “finished” (John 19:30) His work of salvation.” -Henry Morris, The Genesis Record
Before anyone gets excited, the above timeline only demonstrates the time relating to Noah and the flood – not from the beginning of Creation!! And these are days – not years!!
6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: 7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
The first bird Noah released, the raven, did not return. Ravens are carrion eaters, and would have found plentiful food. The first dove would not even lite on a dead body of any kind. Which is why she returned.
13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. 14 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.
15 And God spake unto Noah, saying, 16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. 17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. 18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: 19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8: 1-22
Before Noah even built a shelter, he built an altar, and offered sacrifice. The ark represents the safety of dwelling in Christ, while the burnt offering represents Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins. Noah teaches us that God comes before everything.
Verse 22 – God promises that “while the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
The demonic concepts of “global warming” and “climate change” are yet again man’s efforts to become gods. If the Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent Lord God Almighty says that the earth will continue – it will continue.
After more than a year in the ark, Noah’s family finally stepped out on dry land! Talk about faith!
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. Genesis 7: 17-18
The flood came 1,656 years after Creation.
The flood waters came from two sources; the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened {Genesis 7: 11}
God shut Noah in. {Genesis 7: 16}
And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. Genesis 7: 19-20
The deluge from the sky – and the fountains of the deep continued until the highest hills were covered.
No rain had ever fallen before – Genesis 2: 5
Then after the highest hills were covered, the water continued 23 more feet until the mountains were covered.
The above chart from Answers in Genesis demonstrates the flood, against the objections of those who claim the flood could not have covered Mt. Everest, if the waters only rose 23 feet after covering the highest hills.
Marine fossils are also found high in the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain range, reaching up to 29,029 feet (8,848 m) above sea level.3 For example, fossil ammonites (coiled marine cephalopods) are found in limestone beds in the Himalayas of Nepal. All geologists agree that ocean waters must have buried these marine fossils in these limestone beds. So how did these marine limestone beds get high up in the Himalayas?
We must remember that the rock layers in the Himalayas and other mountain ranges around the globe were deposited during the Flood, well before these mountains were formed. In fact, many of these mountain ranges were pushed up by earth movements to their present high elevations at the end of the Flood. This is recorded in Psalm 104:8, where the Flood waters are described as erodingand retreating down valleys as the mountains rose at the end of the Flood.
21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.
Genesis 7: 21-24
Even though the deluge from the heavens was for forty days and nights – the flood waters continued to rise for an additional 110 days until the water reached its crest.
We first read about Noah in Genesis 5, found at the end of a genealogical list beginning with Adam, following the lineage of his son Seth. Noah is our English translation of the Hebrew No’akh. In the Chinese, He is called Nuòyà. The phonetic similarity between the Hebrew and Chinese is not the result of translation, as is the case with English. Noah’s name was in use among the ancient Chinese people. They knew of this man before the Hebrew Scriptures were written.
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 2 Peter 2:5
And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.
The Lord says “Come thou . . .into the ark;” He does not say go in – because the Spirit of the Lord Himself is already inside! Genesis 7: 1
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. 3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. Genesis 7: 2-4
v.2 – the seven clean animals are for sacrifice, first instituted by God, in the Garden of Eden. ( Gen. 3)
v. 4 – seven more days are given to the people to repent, before the judgement.
v.4 – forty in the Bible always means testing, probation or proving, and judging.
5 And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. 6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, 9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; 14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. Genesis 7: 5-16
The number seven is very significant to the Lord. In just these early chapters of Genesis we see these profound occurrences:
God rested on the seventh day of creation (Gen. 2:2)
God asked Adam a question in seven words, “Who told thee that thou wast naked?” (Gen. 3:11)
God asked Eve a question with seven words, “What is this that thou hast done?” (Gen. 3:13)
God’s sentence upon the serpent was in sixty-three words, 9 x 7, (Gen. 3:14-15)
God protected Cain’s life with a sevenfold judgment, (Gen. 4:24)
[God the Master Mathematician, Dr. Noah Hutchings, p. 82]
159 Consider how I love Thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to Thy lovingkindness. 160 Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Every evil behavior that you can imagine, and probably ones you can’t – in every human being – infanticide, matricide, patricide, rape, murder, adultery, incest, treachery, cannibalism – and human sacrifice to the god – Molech. In addition – the entire human race had been corrupted by fallen angels.
Let’s review this passage from Jude, which describes the interaction between the fallen angels and mankind –
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
strange = Strong’s #2087 – other or different. This phrase is not a reference to sodomy.
6 And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. Genesis 6: 5-7
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6: 8
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Noah’s gene pool was not corrupted by the fallen angels.
10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
All flesh – not only human beings. This is just one example of Sumerian bas-relief. There are hundreds of such chimeras depicted in Sumerian, Babylonian, and Egyptian artifacts.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6: 9-13
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
The ark was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. These are the same proportions employed in modern ocean liners and battle ships. It was divided into three decks, with compartments, and a course of windows around the top.
Gopher wood is used in this passage only, in the entire Bible. The type of wood can not be identified. It most likely refers to the process of treating the wood, rather than the species of tree.
Dr. Henry Morris said in his Defender’s Study Bible (1995) that the ark was made of “a hard dense wood whose species has not yet been identified.” He added that the “pitch” that made it waterproof (Genesis 6:14) is the Hebrew word kopher, equivalent to kaphar, which was “frequently translated later as ‘atonement’ (Leviticus 17:11). In providing a protective covering against the waters of judgment, it thus becomes a beautiful type of Christ.”
It is interesting to note – that so many people who profess Jesus Christ, do not believe in the Genesis flood. Do they think Jesus was a liar? Here He is giving the Olivet Discourse. . .
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
We left off last week, with the family tree, from Adam to Noah. We also covered Enoch, and his translation, which portends the translation of all the saints living on earth before the next world-wide judgement.
GENESIS 5:24-32
King James Version (KJV)
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.
26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed.
30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
32 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
WE HAVE SEEN THE PROGRESSION OF SIN; FROM LYING, TO JEALOUSY, TO MURDER, AND POLYGAMY. AS WE ENTER CHAPTER SIX, MAN’S MORAL CONDITION HAS FURTHER DETERIORATED.
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Genesis 6: 1-2
A great many books have been written on this one passage. Let us first examine the term “sons of God.” This term is used only five times in the Old Testament. Twice in the passage we are studying here, and three times in Job. In every case, the term is accepted to mean angels. Look at this reference from Job:
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1: 6-7
Let us continue in Genesis 6. The Lord now states that He is going to shorten man’s life span. Up until this point, people had incredibly long lives.
3 And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
This Egyptian bas relief shows great physical disparity between the ruler (Ramses II) and his subjects. Ancient Greeks and Romans also held that there were gigantic Titans and mercurial gods and half human / half god offspring such as Hercules.
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Genesis 6: 3-4
Josephus – the Jewish Historian “Whereby they made God to be their enemy, for many angels of God accompanied with women, and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good, on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the tradition is, That these men did what resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call giants.” Antiquities of the Jews, p. 73
Man’s quest to become a god continues to this day. This following quote from noted trans-humanist Richard Seed, says it all. Trans-humanists believe they will accomplish it one way or another, either through selective breeding and genetic engineering, or through demonic interaction – or both. It is my belief that this is the ultimate goal behind the “extraterrestrial” saturation we are being desensitized with.
We are going to become Gods, period. . .but if you are going to interfere with me becoming a God, you’re going to have trouble. There’ll be warfare.
The New Testament explains just who those “sons of God” were –
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 1:6
The beginning of Genesis 5, is a summary of what has gone before.
1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him; 2 Male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
Adam = of man- kind [Strong’s 120]
***Note to anyone witnessing to Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. They often rely on the following verse to de-deify Jesus Christ and make Him a “created being.” It is a good idea to memorize the definition of the word – Adam. It means “of man-kind,” with kind being the operative portion of the definition. As Christ is the last Adam – those who are born- again, under His precious Blood are of His – kind – no longer of “man-kind.” The word Christian quite literally means – “of Christ.” Think back to the kinds that were established at the very beginning of Creation. This is very important doctrine! The truly saved of Christ are a different kind than the unsaved. Kinds can only bring forth after their own kind!
1 CORINTHIANS 15:45
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: 4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: 5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. Genesis 5: 1-5
This chart demonstrates the family tree that is detailed in verses 6-22.
(Chart from Dark Mirrors of Heaven)
Worth picking out of the family tree – is Seth’s descendant – Enoch.
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5: 21-24
And “he was not;” – What does that mean?
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11: 5
Only Enoch and one other man – Elijah – did not experience death. This is the same experience that believers still living at the time before the Tribulation will have.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52
If you are entranced by the esoteric “Book of Enoch,” I will state that I do not believe it to be the inspired Word of God. Anyone with good understanding of the King James Bible, upon reading the Book of Enoch would likely agree with me. For a good study on some of the obscurities I recommend this article by David J. Stewart. (though I disagree with Mr. Stewart strongly on origins!)
Last week, we studied the fruit of Adam’s sin, passed down to his son, Cain. It emerged in the form of envy, which manifested itself in violent fratricide.
God takes away Cain’s ability to grow things from the ground – something he had been very proud of.
God drives Cain away from his family to live as a wanderer, always on the move, with no secure dwelling place, and no inner peace.
Cain’s attitude is alive and well in those that are of the “wicked one.” They feel no responsibility for the safety and well-being of others, nor for posterity.
Cain’s guilt made him fear – for himself – fearful that he would be killed, because he himself was a killer. Considering that this event took place when Cain was around 129 years old – logically there would have been thousands of people by this time – with no disease.
Our merciful God set a mark on Cain, to protect him. I will state right here – that the mark of Cain – was not black skin. It was a mark of protection. And it belonged to Cain alone – not only that – all of Cain’s descendants were killed in the flood.
ROMANS 2:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. . .
16And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Genesis 4:16
No one knows where the land of Nod was. Cain was the settler of Nod.
When Moses was recording this he used a literary technique called “prolepsis” (the assignment of something, such as an event or name, to a time that precedes it). [ ie: When my husband was three years old, he had a toy machine gun. At the age of three – he was not my husband.]
17And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. Genesis 4: 17-18
Cain did not find his wife in the Land of Nod. He already had a wife.
Cain’s wife was his sister, daughter, of Adam and Eve.
This begins the ungodly line of Cain.
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. 21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal–cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal–cain was Naamah. Genesis 4: 19-22
Here is recorded the progression from one sin to another. v. 19 – Cain’s descendant Lamech, begins the practice of polygamy.
v. 22: Primitive inscriptions reveal that Babylon has never been without the use of metals.
v. 21: While Adam was yet living – his descendants invented musical instruments.
23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. Genesis 4: 23-24
By the fourth generation there is a second murder
Lamech boasts about killing a boy who struck him. And further boasts that if anyone tries to avenge this boy – the Lord will avenge him (Lamech) 77 times.
This is a boastful presumption – that anyone could kill without fearing revenge.
25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. Genesis 4: 25-26
Adam still only has one wife
Eve rejoices , as she says Seth is to replace the godly Abel.
This begins the godly line of Seth.
There is a spiritual revival.
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Throughout the Bible, the two lines are demonstrated – the godly and the ungodly. First, the conflict between Cain and Able, and in this segment, the ungodly line of Cain, and the godly line of Seth. Although Satan had won a temporary victory when Cain killed Abel, the godly line was restored through Seth. This enmity continues today. . .in the political arena, mainstream media, and Hollywood – abortion, evolution, perversion, and socialism are accepted, glorified and promoted; while true conservative Christians values and Biblical principles are mocked and denigrated.
Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7: 13-14
The Vine Vigil 
