Ep. 14 | Abraham and the Sign of Circumcision
Speaker: Jesse Turkington
Summary: Abraham was consistent in his belief that God would fulfill His promises ... but sometimes he wanted to exercise control. Sometimes Abraham wanted to see things through on his own terms.
*Correction/Clarification: At minute mark 15:50, Jesse reads Genesis 15:1 and talks about the word "reward." The context for this passage comes off the heels of Abram winning a battle against some kings (Gen. 14:13-16), receiving a blessing from a priest named Melchizedek (Gen. 14:17-20), and refusing to take any spoils from the battle (Gen. 14:21-24).
Genesis 15:1 ESV
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
Abram refused any "reward" after his victorious battle and God took this opportunity to remind him that God had a blessing better than spoils of war planned for him.
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Music created by Chad Hoffman
Artwork created by Anthony Kuenzi
Jesse’s Personal Notes:
Abraham and the Sign of Circumcision
I. Introduction
Hey guys, welcome to the podcast this week! This is Pickled Parables and my name is Jesse.
For the last few weeks, we’ve been working our way through the book of Galatians. We’ve been going verse-by-verse and we’ve reached the beginning of chapter three.
Now at this point, Paul beings giving analogies and using historical people as examples and so to fully appreciate the teachings of Paul, we need to take a step back and grab some context to help us understand what is being communicated.
So we’re going to take two weeks, starting with this episode, to look at the story of Abraham and the Law of the Old Testament.
So this week, we’ll look at the story of Abraham and next week we’ll look at the Law of the Old Testament.
So that’s the game plan for now, after these two weeks we’ll go back to Galatians. But for now, let’s look at the story of Abraham.
II. Meeting Abram
A. Basic Abram intro (Genesis 12)
B. God comes to Abram (Genesis 12:1-3). Abram leaves for Canaan (Genesis 12:4-5) and builds an altar (Gen. 12:6-7)
C. Then Abram leaves Canaan and goes to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)
1. Abram lied
2. He put his wife in a compromising position
3. Plagues in Egypt
4. Abram gained many things (v.16) but it was through deception.
III. Abram Reaffirmed
A. Abram and Lot separate (Gen. 13:1-18). Abram rescues Lot (Gen. 14:1-16)
B. God’s covenant with Abram (Gen. 15:1-21)
C. Sarai and Hagar (Gen. 16:1-15)
IV. Abram Redirected
A. Renamed to Abraham (Gen. 17:1-8)
B. Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14)
C. Promise of Isaac (Gen. 17:15-21)
V. Conclusion
A. Bringing it back around.
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:1-5 NASB)
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify (or count righteous) the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:8-9 ESV)
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 ESV
B. Abraham was consistent in his belief that God would fulfill His promises … but sometimes he wanted to exercise control. Sometimes Abraham wanted to see things through on his own terms.
And while we commend his belief and recognize the incredible faith that he had; we need to admit that Abraham was susceptible to his own selfish ambitions and his own desire for control.
Yet this admonition is a testament that God’s standard is not achievable by mankind and that God alone is the only person who could purposefully use a person’s faulty ambitions for His own glory.
Next week we’ll look at the role that the Old Testament Law plays in the Bible. Specifically, in how it is related to this promise that God gave to Abraham.
So until next week, I’ll catch you later.