Sunday School Lesson for Dec. 11, 2011: The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15)

Genesis 15:1
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.





Genesis 43:23
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks:





Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.





Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.





Judges 6:23
And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.







“After these thing..” What things? What had just happened? An important part of the lesson this week is the set of events which immediately precede God’s appearance to Abram in this passage. In the eleven years since he had had obeyed God’s call, Abram had become wealthy. So had Lot; his nephew. Between them their wealth was so great that they could not dwell together. They decided to go their separate ways. Abram remained in Canaan, the land promised to him by God, while Lot moved to the fertile plain of the Jordan (Sodom). Not a good move. Lot, his household, servants and possessions were captured by the kings who ruled the area. Abram gathered his servants; three hundred and eighteen strong and they ambushed the marauding kings, rescued lot and recovered all of his relatives, servants and possessions. Remember: Abram is around eighty five years old at this time. After the victory, Abram was blessed by Melchizedek, the King of Salem. Melchizedek is regarded by many as a ‘Theophany’: a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. The Bible states that he was ‘Priest to God Most High’. Abram paid homage to God, giving a tenth of all he had recovered to this King of Salem, God’s High Priest.

His problem was the other king, Bera: the king of Sodom. Bera approached Abram immediately after his offering to God and offered Abram a deal. “Keep the stuff, give me the souls”, he demanded. Selah. Your adversary, the devil has stuff, doesn’t he? Satan offered Jesus all of the Kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him. Jesus Rebuked Satan. The Hebrew definition for ‘Bera’ is ‘son of evil’. Abram rebuked Bera. But where did that leave him? Bera’s tone was threatening. Abram was getting older. Now he had an enemy (or enemies) on his border. And while God had prospered him, he had not yet provided him an heir. Abram had doubts. He was beginning to think that he was running out of the time and energy required to see the Promise of God worked out in his life.

This is how God found Abram when he appeared to him that day. Sometimes after our greatest victories, we feel the most vulnerable. We overcome one hurdle and find ourselves staring over the horizon in search of the next. How soon we forget that God brought us over the last one; He’ll be there waiting on us when we arrive at the next.

“Fear not!” Is that a command? It sounds like a command. It sounds like an imperative. What does it sound like to you? Did God shout or did He whisper? Would it make a difference? How would you react? Would you shrink in more fear? Fight or flight? Which one are you? God’s next words take the edge off for Abram. “I am your shield,” : protector, guardian, barricade, shelter. “.. and your Exceeding Great Reward”. The same way I blessed you before, I will bless you again.” “I never run out.” “I never dry up.” “I am and will always be more than enough for you.”

Abram was encouraged, but not yet convinced, “But God? What about the heir (son) you promised me?” I can see God smiling as he directed Abram’s gaze toward the heavens. “Son, count the stars, if you can. Your seed will be just as numerous”.

The Bible says Abram believed God in that moment. He believed God. God could see it. He saw his shoulders relax. He saw his eyes curve into that hopeful, childlike smile. In that moment Abram was right where God wanted him, a place where they could see eye to eye. Complete agreement. Abram was ready. He was ready for Covenant. In that day, God no longer regarded Abram as His servant. He regarded him as His friend.

Here’s the good news. We have access by the shed blood of Jesus. God does not call us servants, He calls us friends. More than that, He calls us heirs, joint heirs with Christ of all of the treasure of Heaven. He’s given us an eternal heritage, an everlasting hope. He’s given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness in His precious Son, The King of Peace. King Jesus.

The Holidays can be stressful. Times are difficult. Fear not. God is with you. And because He is with you… you know the restJ (He’s more than enough).





Blessings,





.wb





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2 Kings 6:16
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.





Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.





Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.





Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,





Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.





2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.





1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear





Revelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: