Genesis 12
Read Genesis 12
Helpful Background Information:
This chapter immediately follows the genealogy and background of Abram before he is called to leave his land and his relatives. Chapter 12 begins with the first promise that God makes to Abram at the beginning of his journey.
The first eleven chapters of Genesis show creation, shortly followed by the fall into sin. This is then followed by a continuing narrative about the depravity of man and their separation from God. It is not until chapter twelve that God first promises to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity.
In verses 1-3, God speaks to Abram, making a promise to him that He will make Abram a great nation, among many other things. Upon his father’s death, Abram was now the head of his family and had the authority to move them all to where God would lead them.
Verse 16 also has helpful background information to some of the wealth that was given to Abram. God continued to bless Abram and his family in many ways as He worked to fulfill His promise in His own timing. Note also that Hagar was one of the slaves that was given to Abram and Sarai by the Egyptians.
At the time of Genesis, slaves were obtained in multiple different ways, whether it be from debt repayment, captives of war, or voluntarily. Slavery in this context looked very different from the modern day understanding of the word and would have looked more like servanthood.
Reflection Questions:
Read carefully through the promises that God made to Abram. What parts of verses 1-3 stick out to you the most? How has God fulfilled these promises that He made?
In verses 10-20, it is recorded how Abram lied to protect his wife, but God redeemed it and blessed Abram in verse 16. As God is a redeemer, how have you seen His redemption in your own life? How is He continuing to redeem you now?
Abram was given the gift of flocks, herds, donkeys, slaves, and camels through God’s provision for him. However, Hagar, being one of the slaves given to Abram as part of that provision, was eventually used in an attempt to manufacture the provision of God’s promise of offspring for Abram. How have you tried to control your future? How can you rely on God to work it out in His own way instead of your own?