Come Follow Me 7: Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2
Come Follow Me Lesson 7: Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2
Earlier Readings: Abraham 1-2:
Come Follow Me: Abraham 1-2
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/1?lang=eng
Abraham 1
Why was it important to Heavenly Father that the Church obtain the records from Abraham?
What greater happiness, rest, and peace does our Father desire for all of us? (See vs 2)
Do we hold the rights belonging to the fathers?
When we covenant to do the Lord’s will and forsake the gods fashioned by the world, we have Jehovah’s promise, just as Abraham did in vs 18:
“Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee.”
Then this, “through thy ministry my name shall be known in the earth forever, for I am thy God,” in vs 19.
It is through Abraham’s seed that the gospel is being taken to all the world and that all the world will be blessed.
Abraham Chapter 1 talks about Ham marrying outside the covenant, a daughter of Egypt. Afterwards, Pharaoh, who was of their seed, set up his order after the pattern of the Priesthood, but he carried the curse and could not be ordained to the priesthood. He was blessed with the things of the earth and with wisdom, but cursed in not being able to have the Priesthood (vs. 26).
Vs. 27 clearly states that there was a lineage that did not have the right to the Priesthood (in that day).
“Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood…”
Abraham clearly received the Priesthood as the right of the firstborn, passed down through the fathers.
There was clearly a race of people who were not permitted to lay claim on the rights of the priesthood in that day.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/2?lang=eng
Abraham 2
All gospel blessings are promised to Abraham’s seed, and through his seed to everyone.
It is apparent here, that everyone, no matter their race would at some time receive all the blessings of the gospel, including rights to the priesthood. (see chapter heading)
The Lord gave a land to Abraham and also to his seed, when they hearken to the Lord’s voice (see vs. 6).
Abrahamic Covenant or rather Jehovah’s covenant with Abraham is found in verses 8-11:
8 My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee.
9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;
10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;
11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.
After this marvelous manifestation, Abraham recognizes, feels, and expresses his gratitude:
12 Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee;
13 Thou didst send thine angel to deliver me from the gods of Elkenah, and I will do well to hearken unto thy voice, therefore let thy servant rise up and depart in peace.
How do we feel when we leave from the temple endowed with that same power which anciently was given to Abraham?
“Eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation.”
Have we allowed Jesus to be our covering, our rock, and our salvation? Are we letting God prevail in our lives?
The Lord would give Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan (vs. 19).
Even though Abraham prayed that the famine would be taken from his father’s house, the famine continued. As a result Abraham went to Egypt.
What can we learn about accepting God’s will and timing from Abraham’s record?
Introduction:
Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness. Follow Jesus Christ. (Abraham 1:2)
Abraham is known as the Father of the Faithful (See D&C 128:41).
Abraham is called the Friend of God (See James 2:23).
When we desire to be followers of righteousness, God will honor our desire. Let’s do it His Way, through Jesus Christ.
No matter what our past has been, our future can be filled with hope.
Personal Section:
How can righteous desires help propel us to where we need to be?
How can lack of hope and faith thwart our progress?
How can Faith in Jesus Christ help us overcome doubt and free and be able to do want He wants us to do?
What can you do to purify your desires?
How can you best see to develop charity?
How has God helped you because of your righteous desires and your covenants with Him?
Matthew 7:7 We need to let our desires for good grow by seeking the Lord and His righteousness.
Video: The angel saved Abraham from being slaughtered.
The Covenant People are those who make and keep covenants with God. The seed of Abraham pertains to those who are given the blessings of the priesthood. (See Abraham 2:10-11)
If we are Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s seed: Galatians 3:26–29
We’ll be eternally blessed if we do the works of Abraham: Doctrine and Covenants 132:30–32 .
“To be counted as Abraham’s seed, an individual must obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel.”
My Family Has Been Blessed by the Abrahamic Covenant
The Lord has watched over us through all the generations. In this day we have been given the endowment and sealing powers in the temple. Our generations are being link through the atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of the Priesthood. We have the same promise as Abraham, the continuation of lives forever. Abraham 2:8–11
The United States of America has been the place for the Restoration of the Gospel and the Center Place for the Gathering of Zion, Abraham’s seed. We are blessed as we keep God’s commandments. We are also responsible to carry the gospel to the world. When we have been righteous as a people, the Lord has protected us from all other nations. Genesis 12:1–3
The blessings of a continuation of our seed is not for this life only. 15:1–6 Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 15:9–12 Doctrine and Covenants 132:29 131:1–4 ; 132:20–24, 28–32
The promise of the covenant was not only to Abraham but to Sarah as well. Both of them had name changes in connection with the covenant, becoming kings and queens, princes and princesses. God established the covenant with Isaac as well. Ishmael was also blessed. In our day, it is up to us to invite all to come to Christ and be partakers of the blessings of the covenant. ; 17:1–8, 17:3–12
If we help to build up Zion, this land will be ours and our children’s forever. ; 13:15–16 15–22
Ephraim has a greater responsibility to take the gospel to all the world. How am I helping to fulfill this covenant? What will I do from now on to do my part? Abraham 2:11
Bible Dictionary, “Abraham, covenant of”;
In the covenants that I have made am I building a relationship of trust with the Lord? Thoughts to Keep in Mind: The Covenant
President Nelson explained, “bind us to Him and give us godly power.”
“Think also about what you can do—as a covenant follower of Jesus Christ—to be a blessing to the families around you.”
Readings: Genesis 12-17: (Along with Family section)
Do we trust in the Lord’s promises even when we cannot see a way for their fulfillment? Abraham and Sarah were not blessed with parenthood for a long time. Yet the Lord’s promises of posterity were great.
Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40
Melchizedek was a righteous High Priest. He gave Abraham a Patriarchal Blessing. Abraham paid his tithing to the Lord through the Lord’s servant Melchizedek.
The Melchizedek Priesthood is bestowed by the will of God, not by men’s or women’s own desire.
Melchizedek taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and repentance to a very wicked people, and peace was restored. He was known as the prince of peace, because he was the king of Salem.
Genesis 12:
vs 7 The Lord appeared to Abraham and gave him a land of promise. Abraham built an altar to the Lord.
When the Lord covenants with me and gives me promises and blessings, what do I give Him in return?
Vs 8 In every place he traveled, Abraham built to the Lord a new altar. What altar am I building today?
Abraham and Sarah went into Egypt because of the famine. The Lord protected Sarah from being taken by Pharaoh. They were sent on their way with supplies.
Genesis 13:
vs 4 Abraham returned to the place of the altar he’d previously made between Bethel and Hai. There he called again upon the Lord.
Because both men, Abraham and Lot, had many possessions, there was a strife over who should have the land. Abraham said,
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Lot chose Jordan because it was well-watered. (vs 10-11)
Abraham dwelt in Canaan (vs 12).
It’s interesting that Lot chose a really goodly land, but along with that there was great evil in Sodom.
14-17 The Lord covenants to give all the surrounding land (of Canaan) to Abraham and his descendants.
Abraham walked over to view it, and again he built an alter unto the Lord in Hebron.
Genesis 14:
vs 10 Wicked kings are going to slide into slime pits.
Vs 12 Lot was taken captive
vs 14-16 Abraham redeemed Lot and all his family and possessions.
Vs 18-20 Melchizedek recognized Abraham’s calling and blessing from the Lord. He brought forth bread and wine to have with him. He blessed Abraham and blessed (or thanked) God for Abraham and His calling. Abraham gave his tithing to Melchizedek.
Abraham refused to take anything from the king of Sodom.
Genesis 15:
Abraham was sad to not have children, but still trust God. He thought maybe a servant in his house would be his heir; but the Lord told him that he would have his own children.
Vs 2 “What wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless,?”
vs 4 “This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.”
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
We need to keep believing in the Lord’s promises. It will be counted to us for righteousness.
Vs 8 Abraham questioned the Lord freely. “whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?”
vs 13 The Lord let Abraham know that his seed would serve in captivity in Egypt. Vs 16 They would again return to the promised land.
V18 The Lord covenanted the promised land to Abraham and his seed.
Genesis 16:
Hagar was Egyptian. (Was she among those who at the time could not have priesthood blessings?)
Ishmael was born when Abraham was 86. Were there more children between Ishmael and Isaac?
Sarah had given Hagar to Abraham, but then she was angry and jealous when Hagar became pregnant.
When Hagar fled the Lord spoke to her and asked her to return and made her promised concerning her seed.
Ishmael means “God hears.”
Genesis 17:
vs 1. Abraham is commanded to walk with God and to be perfect.
Vs 7 God made the covenant to be with Abraham and his seed forever.
If we will have Him to be our God and allow Him to prevail in our lives, we can have the blessings of the covenant always with us.
Circumcision was a sign of the covenant. Male children were circumcised at 8 days old as a reminder to be baptized at 8 years old.
Vs 16 Sarah was also given the promise of children and many nations and kings coming from her.
17-18 Abraham knew he was near 100 and Sarah 90, and asked if the Lord wouldn’t just let Ishmael be the favored recipient of this promise.
19 Sarah was to bear a son indeed. The Lord would establish the everlasting covenant with Isaac.
20 Isaac would also be blessed and favored of the Lord.
21 The covenant would be established with Isaac (who would be born at the set time in the next year).
Abraham followed the conditions of the covenant immediately. He was circumcised at 99 years old; Ishmael was 13; and all his household who were male were circumcised that day.
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