Genesis, Part 9

Genesis 13 – Abram (a work in progress)

Genesis 13:10 – It is thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were somewhere near the Dead Sea.
Genesis 13:14-18 – God repeats two of His promises to Abram.

Genesis 14:5-13 – Kings joined forces in battle – 4 kings vs. 5 kings. Lot, his family, and his possessions were captured. One who escaped traveled to tell Abram (approximately 30 miles).
Genesis 14:14-16 – Abram takes 318 trained men and defeats Chedorlaomer and three other kings. He drove them out of Canaan (over 100 miles).
Genesis 14:17-24 – Abram meets Melchizedek, priest of God Most High. Melchizedek recognizes that God delivered Abram. Abram pays tithes to Melchizedek and repeats his words. Hebrews 7 references Melchizedek and compares him to Jesus. This shows that God had dealings with other people besides Abram and his lineage. There were righteous people living in Canaan.

Genesis 15:1-5 – God reaffirms His covenant. Abram asks for clarification about offspring.
Genesis 15:6 – Abram believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. His faith was pleasing to God. It’s important to note that God was the one who did the counting as far as righteousness is concerned. It is God’s decision, not ours. See James 2:20-24.
Genesis 15:7-21 – God gives Abram a sign to prove to him the land promise and to show him what would happen to his descendants, foretelling of the Israelites in Egypt. The iniquity of the Amorites was not yet complete, showing that God is patient and just.
Genesis 15:18 – The land described here is much bigger than what was eventually taken, however under the rule of David and Solomon, the area did indeed expand to what is described here.

Sarai tried to intervene for God. She gave Hagar, her Egyptian maid, to Abram as wife.
Hagar conceived and looked down on Sarai.
Sarai is upset with Abram, then deals harshly with Hagar, who runs away.
Hagar travels toward Shur but God sends her back.
God continues to tell the history of his people.