Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Avram (Abram) -- great (exalted) father
• Avraham (Abraham) -- sounds like "father of many" (Ab[ram]-hamon)
• Avram and Avraham are mentioned 345 times in the Bible:
  • He appears not only in Genesis 11-25, but also in Exodus-Joshua, 1 Kings-2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Malachi.
  • He also appears in Acts, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter.
• Sarah -- princess. (Note: in Genesis 11:29-17:15, she is Sarai, or "my princess.")
• Yishma'el (Ishmael) -- "God hears" -- a natural response when at age 86 Abraham finally became a father.

Abraham, the man of faith:

1. Faith keeps moving (Genesis 12)!
   1. Though the main application is to moving spiritually, still the question remains: Have I ever moved for spiritual reasons? How willing am I to step out of my comfort zone -- even literally stepping out?
   2. We go forward, or we go backward! Am I stepping out in faith?
   3. Where am I, spiritually?
      1. Ur? Spending time with worldly people, in worldly activities? Holding back?
      2. Haran? Gone only part-way to the faithful life God has called me to? In a compromise position?
      3. Canaan? Gone all the way? Delighting in radical decisions, willing to push myself, open to taking risks?
2. Faith embraces God's promises.
   • The Triple Promise (Genesis 12:1ff):
     • Land -- fulfilled in Joshua 21:43.
     • Nation -- fulfilled in the Exodus. See Exodus 14; 19:6.
     • Spiritual -- fulfilled in Jesus Christ. See Psalm 117, Zechariah 8, Isaiah 49:6, etc.
     • This is a key passage for biblical study.
     • The theme of the whole Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) is thepartial fulfillment of these promises.
   • Some N.T. promises:
     • 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 15:16; Mark 11:24; Matthew 28:20.
     • And many more!
3. Faith acknowledges a higher order (Genesis 14).
   • Melchizedek was a priest and king entirely outside the visible people of God. He was "above" Abraham in that he received the tithe from him and he himself (the greater) blessed Abraham (the lesser).
   • In this respect Melchizedek was like the Messiah. See Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7.
   • He is also someone "outside the system" who is clearly in a right relationship with God.
4. Faith believes the unbelievable (Genesis 15).
   • His faith is credited as righteousness even before he has been circumcised.
     • Paul bases his argument on justification by faith (Romans 4) on this point.
     • Note: This in no way means that circumcision (old covenant) or baptism (new covenant) was optional.
   • This does not mean a perfect faith.
     • Abraham tried to take short-cuts on more than one occasion (Genesis 15:2; 17:18).
     • Furthermore, on two occasions Abraham told a lie -- or, technically, a half-truth (12:13; 20:2).
   • Do we believe the unbelievable? For example, that we can change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), or that this world will some day come to an end (2 Peter 3)?
5. Faith is quick to obey (Genesis 17).
   • Psalm 119:60.
   • Don't procrastinate (procrastinare = Latin: pro [for] + cras [tomorrow)!
6. Faith is authentic (18:25).
   • As Sodom and Gomorrah are about to be judged, Abraham cannot conceive of an unfair God. (Also, his relative Lot is there.)
   • For more on models of authentic prayer, study the Psalms.
7. Faith trusts God with what is precious (Genesis 22).
   • Although God never accepted human sacrifice, Abraham was being tested. And he passed the test.
   • There are 10 parallels between the sacrifice of Isaac and the sacrifice of Jesus! (See more at the primary website.)
   • His faith and deeds were working together. See James 2:20-24.

In conclusion, to walk in Abraham's footsteps means:

• To be on the move, and quite possibly lacking financial security.
• To believe, even when the facts don't paint a pretty picture.
• To obey, even with only partial understanding.
• To walk by faith, not fear.
• To live with a large and low horizon, with expansive hopes for the future.

Further study:

• Biblical:
  • Romans 4:1-22
  • Hebrews 11:8-19
  • James 2:20-24
  • Sons of Abraham / daughters of Sarah: Matthew 3:9; Luke 1:55, 3:8; 19:9; Galatians 3:7; Hebrews 2:16. Notice that Christians are not necessary sons of Jacob (as the Jews were); perhaps "the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16) refers only to Jewish Christians, and not to all Christians. For more on this, consult Jim McGuiggan's commentary on Romans.
  • Abraham as the "friend of God": 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23.
• Extrabiblical:
  • The Qur'an mentions Abraham in 21 chapters. The Muslim scriptures assume the reader knows who Abraham is; in fact, they assume the validity of the O.T. scriptures.
  • By the way, the Qur'an never says Abraham sacrificed Ishmael. Or Isaac. The son is not specified! The tradition that Ishmael was offered came later (after the origins of Islam in the 7th century).

Some things we learn about God:

• The Lord will fulfill his promises, but he is in no rush. We get impatient after minutes. With God, decades fly past in the blink of an eye. (See Psalm 90.)
• The Lord is a Just Judge, who wishes that all choose the right way. See also 1 Timothy 2:4 and Ezekiel 18.
• Friendship with God is based on our personal willingness to obey.

For kids:

• Lesson from Genesis 15:5-6 (and, time allowing, 22:1ff). Abraham:
  • Looked up. We get faith when we look up, turning to God, not getting sad about things happening to us down here.
  • Believed God's word. Even though he had no children and was very old, he trusted that God would not let him down.
  • Pleased God. God was very pleased with Abraham when he trusted, and did not give up. Especially since he never saw all the descendants God promised. (Adults: see Hebrews 11:39-40. Children will be addicted to instant gratification unless we train them to wait.)
    • He really believed. He was willing to give back to God what was never really his in the first place (22:1ff).
    • Faith means doing something.
    • Other chapters illustrating this point in Abraham's life: chapter 12 (leaving Haran), 17 (circumcision), 22 (offering Isaac).
• If your family ever has to make a physical move, use Genesis 12 and compare Abraham's journey of faith with your own relocation. (We have had more than one family devotional sitting on the floor of a vacant house, striving to set our family move in spiritual context!)
• Click for another children's online Bible study, God Tested Abraham.
• For parents of step-children or half-siblings:
  • Study the lives of Abraham and his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 16+).
  • What are some of the painful experiences in Ishmael's family background?
  • How do you think Abraham's favoring Ishmael over Isaac affected his family?
  • How does it make you feel to know that many families in Old Testament times were complicated?
  • What perspective does this study yield to make you a better parent?
  • How does it empower you to overcome family dysfunction?

Key verses:

• 12:3-- All the earth to be blessed through Abraham's seed.
• 15:6-- Faith is credited as righteousness.
• 18:25-- Men and women of faith have an implicit trust in God's fairness. Accordingly, prayer is genuine!

For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Noach (Noah) -- rest
• Sheth (Seth) -- sounds like Hebrew for set, granted

Further study:

• Biblical:
  • Jude 14; Ezekiel 14:14,20; Matthew 24; Luke 17; Hebrews 11:1-7; 1 Peter 3:19ff; 2 Peter 2:5.
  • Verses mentioned in passing: 1 Peter 4:4; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Hebrews 13:15; Proverbs 22:6.
  • About the extreme longevities of Genesis 5, click here.
• Extrabiblical:
  • On parenting, see Principle Centered Parenting. The four "impossible" things in Hebrews are found in chapters 6, 10, and 11. Can you find them?
  • For more on Genesis, see my book Origins.
  • Take a look at the apocryphal and pseudepigrahal book of 1 Enoch.
  • In the Sibylline Oracles 175-233 Noah makes an impassioned speech condemning the people and announcing the imminent flood -- such a tradition may be reflected in 2 Peter 2:5. Yet, as Longman and Walton observe in The Lost World of the Flood, p.74, "... textual evidence argues against Noah engaging in evangelistic activity. Noah was instructed precisely who would be brought on the ark, and space was made for eight passengers. No others are anticipated or given opportunity."

Some things we learn about God:

• God hates violence (Malachi 2:16 etc). Violence was the trigger for the great flood. In our worldly society, we have been desensitized to violence, but this is something the Lord takes most seriously.
• God is patient. He gives the people 120 years before sending the Flood -- more time to repent. (Unless this means the average lifespan is being shortened to 120 years. Or that 120 years is an idealized [not actual] age.)
• God judges sin. The Flood is like chemotherapy; there is grace even in judgment.
• Even a God-fearing man may have a child who is not God-fearing. Each is held accountable for his own decisions. (See Ezekiel 18:1-32.)

For kids:

• God keeps his promises.
• By obeying God, we are saved, and we can save others, too.

Key verses:

• 6:9 -- Noah was a "blameless" man, and yet
• 9:21 -- he sinned (like all of us).
• 8:1 -- This verse is the exact center of the flood account, which is written in a chiastic pattern.

Next lesson: Abraham

For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website. 

Hebrew words:

• Qayin (Cain)
• Hevel (Abel) = vapor, mist
• Nod = wandering

Further study:

• Cain -- Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12; Jude 11
• Abel -- Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4; 12:24
• Other passages referred to: Job 7:16; Psalm 39:5; Genesis 3:16; Matthew 18:22

Key verses:

• 4:7 -- Determining to master sin
• 4:9 -- Genuine care for our brother
• 4:24 -- Revenge

Some things we learn about God:

• Sacrifice is part of our relationship with God.
• God does not accept our excuses for sin.
• He holds us accountable for sin.
• God is gracious -- he does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:12).

For children (simplified lesson):

• Question 1: How did Cain accept correction?
• Question 2: How should he have accepted correction?

Suggested Bible versions for O.T. Study:

• Holman Christian Standard Version
• New English Translation
• Fox Translation (Schocken Bible series)
• Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society)
• English Standard Version
• International Standard Version
• The Septuagint (2007 translation)

The Next lesson: Noah (Seth, Enoch....)

For more notes and resources click this link for Douglas' website. The website has 100’s of articles, podcasts and videos for you to access for free. You can also become a premium subscriber and gain access to 1000’s of online resources from Douglas’ Teaching Ministry. Thanks again for listening.