Tests of Faith

Message Audio

NOTES

Genesis Recap

Adam’s relationship with God changed after sin.

Noah preached repentance to his generation.

Abraham actively sought the conversion of his generation.

The Destruction of the Cities

Genesis 18-19

• Abraham interceded on behalf of Lot and the people of the cities.
• Destruction came not because of one sin but the buildup of sin.
  • Ezek. 16:49-51
• Gen. 19:16 – Lot lingered for his wealth – Rashi
• Gen. 19:20 – He asked to flee to a nearby city instead of obeying the command. In verse thirty, we see he had to heed eventually.
• Gen. 19:26 – Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt.
  • The Sages tell us that she looked back because she longed for the city.
  • She wasn’t willing to move forward.
  • She halted between two places.
  • We cannot become stuck looking back to our past.
  • Lot wanted to bring his wealth; we cannot bring the past forward.
  • There is a choice to make
  • Lk. 9:62; 17:28-33
  • Mt. 13:24-30
  • Follow the example of Abraham and be willing to leave the familiar for the promise.

Separation and Sacrafice

Genesis 21-22

• 21:9 – laughing (disporting himself): Ishmael had been worshipping idols.
• The promise was always through Isaac, but Abraham had to be willing to let Ishmael go. He soon found out he had to be ready to let the promise go as well.
• Testing (Js. 1:2-4).
• v. 5 – “come again to you” – prophecy
  • He did not prophecy according to his own desire but from the given promise of God.
  • Heb. 11:17-19
  • v. 7 – “they both went together” – In the same spirit – Rashi
• Ram – substitution
  • Zech. 9:14-17
  • Rams horn – deliverance, the sound of the coming Messiah – a reminder.
  • Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world – John 1:29
• Abraham made an altar so generations would remember that the Lord would always provide.