Genesis 11:27-23 27 This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28 While his.

Genesis 11:27-23 27This is the account of Terah.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 29Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. 30Now Sarai was barren; she had no children. 31Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

Genesis 11:27-23Genesis 11:27-23 2727This is the account of Terah. This is the account of Terah.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 2828While While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 2929Abram and Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. and Iscah. 3030Now Sarai was barren; she had no Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.children. 3131Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Haran, they settled there. 3232Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

Is there anything of note mentioned Is there anything of note mentioned about any of these folks?about any of these folks?

Genesis 11:27-23Genesis 11:27-23 2727This is the account of Terah. This is the account of Terah.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 2828While While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 2929Abram and Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. and Iscah. 3030Now Sarai was barren; she had no Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.children. 3131Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Haran, they settled there. 3232Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

Sarai is childless, which is a huge Sarai is childless, which is a huge cultural negative: no heirs.cultural negative: no heirs.

Genesis 11:27-23Genesis 11:27-23 2727This is the account of Terah. This is the account of Terah.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 2828While While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 2929Abram and Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. and Iscah. 3030Now Sarai was barren; she had no Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.children. 3131Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Haran, they settled there. 3232Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

The clan’s destination is whereThe clan’s destination is whereAbraham ends up called to go,Abraham ends up called to go,but this journey stops in Haran.but this journey stops in Haran.

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey! Abram was 75 at If your heart beats at all, obey! Abram was 75 at this time. this time.

Ecclesiastes 12 12

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey!If your heart beats at all, obey!Violate your comfort zone. Progressive change is Violate your comfort zone. Progressive change is in the in the

package. package. Those who were dead in their sins have not Those who were dead in their sins have not experience in doing what those who are alive in Christ experience in doing what those who are alive in Christ do. We all have dealt with this. do. We all have dealt with this. (The confrontation of sin is never comfortable)(The confrontation of sin is never comfortable)

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey!If your heart beats at all, obey!Violate your comfort zone. Violate your comfort zone. Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never convenient. convenient.

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey!If your heart beats at all, obey!Violate your comfort zone.Violate your comfort zone.Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never convenient. convenient. Drop the nets. Drop the nets. (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I Kings 19:19-20)Kings 19:19-20)

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey!If your heart beats at all, obey!Violate your comfort zone.Violate your comfort zone.Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never convenient. convenient. Drop the nets. Drop the nets. (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I Kings 19:19-20)Kings 19:19-20)You do not need to know everything in advance. You do not need to know everything in advance.

““Trust and obey” or “Obey and trust”? (James Trust and obey” or “Obey and trust”? (James 2:14-26)2:14-26) (“What if?” should not be in our vocabulary toward (“What if?” should not be in our vocabulary toward God. Isaiah 40.)God. Isaiah 40.)

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

If your heart beats at all, obey!If your heart beats at all, obey!Violate your comfort zone.Violate your comfort zone.Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never Become inconveniencable ~ Moving is never convenient. convenient. Drop the nets. Drop the nets. (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I (Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 9:57-62; 10:25-27; I Kings 19:19-20)Kings 19:19-20)You do not need to know everything in advance. You do not need to know everything in advance.

““Trust and obey” or “Obey and trust”? (James Trust and obey” or “Obey and trust”? (James 2:14-26)2:14-26)How much do really know about tomorrow How much do really know about tomorrow anyway?anyway? Planning is fine, just stay very flexible. Planning is fine, just stay very flexible. (James 4:13-17)(James 4:13-17)Our destination is far more who we are Our destination is far more who we are becoming becoming

than where we are going. (It was than where we are going. (It was for Abram.)for Abram.)

..

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

33I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” will be blessed through you.”

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; and I will bless you;

Obedience places you where the blessing is.Obedience places you where the blessing is.Jeremiah 29: 10-14 Jeremiah 29: 10-14

(If he can do this for a nation, (If he can do this for a nation, he can pretty easily do this for you!)he can pretty easily do this for you!)

Humanly not possible; Sarai is barrenHumanly not possible; Sarai is barren

The path to God’s blessing is obedience.The path to God’s blessing is obedience.Not just not breaking rules, Not just not breaking rules, but following his plan/will for your life.but following his plan/will for your life.

Greatness must not be sought, rather Christ.Greatness must not be sought, rather Christ.Matthew 6:33; John 13Matthew 6:33; John 13

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

The people gathered at what became Babel The people gathered at what became Babel sought this.sought this.

This is up to God to grant, according to his This is up to God to grant, according to his plan. plan.

When man seeks this the result is tyranny.When man seeks this the result is tyranny.When God grants it the result is blessing.When God grants it the result is blessing.

..

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

The people gathered at what became Babel The people gathered at what became Babel sought this.sought this.

This is up to God to grant, according to his This is up to God to grant, according to his plan.plan.

Luke 14:7-11 ~ Seating yourself humbly Luke 14:7-11 ~ Seating yourself humbly John 13 ~ Wash feet: the Biblical path to John 13 ~ Wash feet: the Biblical path to leadership.leadership.

Obedience by faith results in honor from God. Obedience by faith results in honor from God. Self exaltation Self exaltation is bondage to other’s opinions. is bondage to other’s opinions.

..

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

The people gathered at what became Babel The people gathered at what became Babel sought this.sought this.

This is up to God to grant, according to his This is up to God to grant, according to his plan.plan.

Luke 14:7-11 ~ Seating yourself humbly Luke 14:7-11 ~ Seating yourself humbly John 13 ~ Wash feet: the Biblical path to John 13 ~ Wash feet: the Biblical path to leadership.leadership.

Be where God’s blessing is: humble obedience.Be where God’s blessing is: humble obedience.

..

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

33I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and whoever curses you I will curse;

In the place of blessing, God has your back.In the place of blessing, God has your back.

Obedience take you to blessingObedience take you to blessing

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

33I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” will be blessed through you.”

The best way to benefit others is to be obedient The best way to benefit others is to be obedient (from the heart)(from the heart)

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

33I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” will be blessed through you.”

44So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; So Abram left, as the LORD had told him;

Obedience can be complicated and a lot of Obedience can be complicated and a lot of work. work. (Packing camels is a lot harder than a U- (Packing camels is a lot harder than a U-haul.)haul.)

11The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.and go to the land I will show you.

22“I will make you into a great nation“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.and you will be a blessing.

33I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” will be blessed through you.”

44So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot and Lot went with him. went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.when he set out from Haran. 55He took his wife Sarai, He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot,his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had all the possessions they had accumulated accumulated and the people they had acquiredand the people they had acquired in in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan,Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and and they arrived there. they arrived there.

Abram’s obedience needs a good measure of

refinement. Whenever he walks out of obedience he

walks out of God’s blessing and is quite on

his own.

66Abram traveled through the land as far as the site Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time At that time the Canaanitesthe Canaanites were in the land. were in the land. 77The LORD The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”give this land.”

Again, the promise whose means were not Again, the promise whose means were not possible, yet.possible, yet.

God repeats the promise in the context of God repeats the promise in the context of obedience.obedience.

Obedience is the pavement to blessing. Obedience is the pavement to blessing. (This is a work in progress ~ sanctification)(This is a work in progress ~ sanctification)

66Abram traveled through the land as far as the site Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time At that time the Canaanitesthe Canaanites were in the land. were in the land. 77The LORD The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”give this land.” So he built an altar there to the So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. LORD, who had appeared to him. 88From there he went on toward the hills east of From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 99Then Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

He worshipped wherever he went. He worshipped wherever he went. Worship ought not be convenient. Worship ought not be convenient.

Altars take time, effort and planning.Altars take time, effort and planning.(This is not to diminish spontaneous worship but rather (This is not to diminish spontaneous worship but rather to emphasize planned worship. Worship should not be a to emphasize planned worship. Worship should not be a thrown together thing, indicating a low value of its thrown together thing, indicating a low value of its object. Sunday mornings are carefully planned. It object. Sunday mornings are carefully planned. It would be good to plan our personal worship as well.)would be good to plan our personal worship as well.)

66Abram traveled through the land as far as the site Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time At that time the Canaanitesthe Canaanites were in the land. were in the land. 77The LORD The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”give this land.” So he built an altar there to the So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. LORD, who had appeared to him. 88From there he went on toward the hills east of From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 99Then Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

He worshipped wherever he went. He worshipped wherever he went. Worship ought not be convenient. Worship ought not be convenient.

Altars take time, effort and planning.Altars take time, effort and planning.(This is not to diminish spontaneous worship but rather (This is not to diminish spontaneous worship but rather to emphasize planned worship. Worship should not be a to emphasize planned worship. Worship should not be a thrown together thing, indicating a low value of its thrown together thing, indicating a low value of its object. Sunday mornings are carefully planned. It object. Sunday mornings are carefully planned. It would be good to plan our personal worship as well.)would be good to plan our personal worship as well.)

66Abram traveled through the land as far as the site Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time At that time the Canaanitesthe Canaanites were in the land. were in the land. 77The LORD The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”give this land.” So he built an altar there to the So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. LORD, who had appeared to him. 88From there he went on toward the hills east of From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 99Then Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

He worshipped wherever he went. He worshipped wherever he went. Worship ought not be convenient. Worship ought not be convenient.

Altars take time, effort and planning.Altars take time, effort and planning.Alters are public. Let folks know (peripateo Alters are public. Let folks know (peripateo and word)and word)

The context of God’s blessing us.Not often easy, but it is the best.Trusting and obeying work together.Obedience should increase over time.

The context of God’s blessing us.Not often easy, but it is the best.Trusting and obeying work together.Obedience should increase over time.

God has great things in store for you/us.God’s blessing is not based on our ability.God has your back (obedient context)God uses you to bless others.The proper response to God’s blessing us.Needs to cost us something.Needs to be consistent.Physical gathering/reflecting places.