Genesis 12
The ministry of Answers In Genesis provides a good biblical view of Genesis 1-11. Along with Got Questions and Matthew McGee, you can establish a great biblical framework and foundation. (answersingenesis.org, gotquestions.org, matthewmcgee.org/dispensa)
I believe that society and our churches currently need to develop a deeper understanding and theology of God's plan for humanity. This understanding will help Christians, especially those who are committed to the teachings of the Bible, in resisting false doctrines and confronting the spiritual warfare that is widespread in today's world.
This Bible study involves extensive setup and scripture, but understanding the distinctions between law and grace, the Kingdom gospel versus the Body of Christ, and Jew versus Gentile can clear up many misunderstandings and what you thought were contradictions.
It's beneficial to remain in the present and avoid thinking ahead. Concentrate on the current passage, contemplate what it is saying then vs now, and delve into the historical context of the time it was written, including the culture of the people and their likely reactions.
Here are some resources: webstersdictionary1828.com, bibleproject.com/explore/themes/, bibles.net/6-tools-background-bible/, https://biblehub.com/, av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/kjv-dictionary-index.html
Let's start with the call of Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 11:26-Genesis 12. This dispensation is "Human Government & "Promise." (see: matthewmcgee.org/dispensa).
Joshua 24:2b (NKJV), "... ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods."
They were Idolaters!
Genesis 11:28 (KJV) "Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees."
So, one of the brothers died before they move from Ur further to the northwest.
Genesis 11:29a (KJV), "Abram and Nahor took them wives; the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai;…"
Her name will be changed later on to Sarah. But she’s still called Sarai.
Genesis 11:29b-32, (KJV), "…and the name of Nahor’s wife, was 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, (in other words, the nephew of Abram) and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with him from Ur of the Chaldees, to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran, and dwelt there. 32. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran."
Geographically, upon leaving Ur, they journeyed to a region northeast of what is now known as Canaan. Specifically, this area was north of the modern city of Damascus, Syria, in the vicinity of the ancient community known as Haran. It was during their migration from Ur to Haran that God halted their progress until Terah's death. The underlying reason for this is notable; Terah was an idolater who worshipped other gods.
After Terah's death, Abram journeyed to the land of Canaan. God establishes a covenant with Abram, a divine promise that is unbreakable and irrevocable. This is called the Abrahamic Covenant. (Write that in the margin of your Bible).
Abram (later renamed Abraham) was 75 years old (he died at the age of 175). Sarai (later renamed Sarah) was 65 years old when they settled in Canaan. Sarah was 127 years old when she died.
The distance and time of travel from Ur to Canaan was approximately 1000-2200 miles. And it took them a total of about 8-10 years.
Genesis 12:2-3 (AMP), "And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you [abundantly], And make your name great (exalted, distinguished); And you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others]; 3 And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.”"
This right here is why the USA needs to be a blessing to Israel. "And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you."
Now of course, what did God have in mind? Redemption! Salvation! Salvation would come to the whole human race through the nation of Israel. "And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed."
Romans 3:1-2 (AMP), Then what is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God [His very words].
Side Note: Every word in this Book comes through the nation of Israel. Some would maintain that Luke was a Gentile, and I prefer to think that if he was anything we might have been a half-Gentile, but I think he was still primarily a Jew.
Now read Romans chapter 11, where Paul explains that through Israel's fall—specifically their rejection of the Messiah—that God will bring salvation to the nations of the world independently of Israel. However, Paul emphasizes that God has not rejected Israel permanently. Their exclusion is only temporary, as they remain part of His eternal plan.
Coming back to Chapter 12 of Genesis is a chapter that I feel requires careful study, paying close attention to the details and wording. It is also beneficial to examine other scriptures to understand its proper context. As you read on, you will see precisely what I mean. Ephesians 2:11-12 (AMP), Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called “Uncircumcision” by those who called themselves “Circumcision,” [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God.
Underline that word covenants because this is going right back to the Old Testament. Also pay attention that the Gentiles were "strangers from the covenants of promise." Ephesians 2:12b (KJV) "…having no hope, and without God in the world." This was the condition of our ancestors in the pre-Christian era. It is crucial to acknowledge that we all have ancestors dating back to Adam. Prior to the revelations given to the Apostle Paul, our forebears were in this predicament. They were not part of the nation of Israel; instead, they were Gentiles, not included in the Covenants God established with Israel. Consequently, they lived without Christ, "without God in this world." That was their destiny. Yet, our journey doesn't end here. The following verse introduces a pivotal three-letter word for any Bible scholar: "But now." 'Now' signifies a moment in time. Although our ancestors were subject to this reality for centuries, even millennia – over 2000 years – now the situation has changed. We are no longer bound by the conditions of being outsiders to the Covenants and estranged from the commonwealth of Israel, devoid of hope and without God. Now Paul says:
Ephesians 2:13 (KJV), "But now in Christ Jesus you who were at one time far off (they were without hope, without God in this world) are made nigh by the blood of Christ." The death, burial and resurrection are what makes all the difference in the world (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-10,13).
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