“The Patriarchs”

Series: A Journey through the Old Testament [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

May 30, 2021

Introductory Comments:

We are continuing our journey through the Old Testament and today we come to three very important figures. These men were three generations of men who are, in many ways, the fathers of both Christianity and Judaism. We call them the Patriarchs. [on screen]

By the way, the word patriarch can refer to the father or head of a family, tribe, or nation. Well, these three men are the fathers of our faith. They are monumental figures in the story of the Old Testament. 

So, before we go any further, let’s pray together and ask God to speak to us. 

(prayer)

Thus far, in our journey in the Old Testament, we have learned about how God created everything out of nothing, sin came into the world, God destroyed the world through a global flood because of the wide-spread nature of sin, and God intervened at the Tower of Babel as humanity was trying to make itself great apart from God. 

Now, here we are, quite a while after the flood and the Tower of Babel, and God is going to do something special and significant that He has not yet done throughout the history of the world: He is going to choose a man and make him into a great nation. 

So, as we study the Patriarchs, let us first look at the:

I. Major elements[on screen]

First, who are the Patriarchs? [on screen]

Abram, also known as Abraham. [on screen]

Abraham’s son is Isaac, also known as Isaac. [on screen]

Isaac’s son is Jacob, also known as Israel. [on screen]

Let’s get these names established right away and let’s move forward from there. 

Ok, let’s look at Abraham a bit. 

We see that God called Abram to move from Haran to Canaan and Abram obeyed. (Genesis 12:1-4)[on screen]

By the way, Abraham was first known as Abram. 

Abraham was originally from the land of Ur, but his father had moved their clan to the land of Haran. 

While in Haran, God spoke to Abram. Let’s read about it. Look at Genesis 12:1-4. (read in paper Bible) 

Notice what God said to Abram in verse 3: “all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Remember that statement because it’s a pretty powerful statement. 

Next, the Lord spoke a great blessing to Abram. (Genesis 13:14-17) [on screen]

God has already spoken a blessing to Abram, but He is not done yet. Look at Genesis 13:14-17. (read in paper Bible)

God promises Abram land and offspring that is more than he can even comprehend. By the way, do you know how many children Abram had at this point? Zero!

Then, we see that God promised an heir to Abraham. (Genesis 15:2-6) [on screen]

Abram was starting to doubt this plan and he expresses his doubt to God. God reminds Abram of His promise. God says to Abram that an heir will come from Abraham’s own body and that Abraham’s offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. 

Next, Abram and Sarai try to bypass God’s plan. (Genesis 16:1-4) [on screen]

By the way, Abram has a wife named Sarai, whose name is later changed to Sarah. She really wants a son as well and so she decides to come up with a plan to help things along. Let’s look at Genesis 16:1-4. (read in paper Bible)

Let’s be clear, church: this was not the design that God had for Abram and Sarai. They tried to take over and it only made matters worse. 

God still had a plan for Abram and Sarai and it would involve their son, not Abram and Hagar’s son (his name was Ishmael, by the way). 

So, God renews His covenant and changes Abram’s name. (Genesis 17:3-8) [on screen]

Look at Genesis 17:3-8. (read in paper Bible)

God’s not giving up on Abram (now Abraham, which means “the father of a multitude). God has a plan, God has made a promise, and He means to keep His plan and promise. 

Well, Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah. (Genesis 21:1-3) [on screen]

We see that God is faithful t