6.1 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
February 2008
References and Notes:
1. Covenants with Abraham seven times: Genesis 12:2,3; 12:7; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-19; 21:12; 22:17,18
2. Gentiles accepted through circumcision: Gen 34:14-17; Exodus 12:43-48.
3. Circumcision: SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 322, 323
4. In the example of Job, a test or trial is allowed only by God’s permission. God has also promised that tests and temptations are measured according to our capacity.
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD” (Job 1:9, 12).
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. Abraham had faith to believe that if Isaac were sacrificed, God would raise him up from the dead to fulfill His covenant.
17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 “Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 “Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure” (Hebrews 11:17-19).
6. Dates: Abram to Exodus: Ussher’s Chronology SDA Commentary 184-195
| Abram moved to Canaan | 1921 bc | 1875 bc |
| Covenant confirmed -- | ||
| circumcision established | 1891 bc | |
| Jacob goes to Egypt | 1706 bc | 1660 bc |
| The Exodus | 1491 bc | 1445 bc |
| Fourth year of Solomon | 996 bc |
Genesis 15:13-16 indicates that Abraham’s descendants would be afflicted in a strange land for 400 years before they inherited the Canaan. This information was given at the time that the covenant was confirmed. There are two problems: (1) Exodus 12:41 states 430 not 400 years, and (2) Egypt is specified in this verse, but they lived in Egypt for only 215 years.
Historical comparisons show that from the time of Abraham’s sojourn into Canaan until the Exodus was 430 years. After Abraham was in Canaan a number of years he was told it would be 400 years. In Genesis chapters 12-22 it is hard to find 30 years between his sojourn until the covenant was confirmed. However, the narrative of the Bible is not always strictly chronological. Consider also that both are round numbers and are not critical to the message.
In Egypt for 430 years? At that time, Egypt was at the height of its power. They governed Syria and Palestine as well as Egypt proper./p>
40 “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
41 “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:40-41).
The age of Abraham for important events: Age:
| Abraham moved to Canaan | Genesis 12:4 | 75 |
| Abraham and Lot separate | Genesis 13:8,9 | |
| Abraham rescues Lot | Genesis 14 | |
| The covenant confirmed | ||
| “Thy seed” afflicted 400 years | Genesis 15:8-16 | |
| After 10 yrs Ishmael born of Hagar | Genesis 16:3, 16 | 86 |
| Circumcision established | Genesis 17:10-14 | 99 |
| Three Visitors, son promised | Genesis 18:1-14 | |
| Sodom destroyed | Genesis 19 | |
| Episode with Abimelech | Genesis 20 | |
| Isaac born | Genesis 21 | 100 |
| The sacrifice - faith tested | Genesis 22 | 120 |
7. How is Abraham the father of many nations?
Through Isaac and Jacob he was the father of Israel and the twelve tribes.
Ishmael, also his son, had twelve sons and became a great nation.
Six sons by Keturah, who became known as the “people of the east.”
Esau, a grandson, founded the kingdom of Edom.
Moab and Ammon were grand-nephews and founded their nations.
Jews have had a significant influence on many gentile nations.
8. Meaning of “yisra’el”
English Words used in KJV:
Israel 2489, Israelites 16
he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity :- Israel.
—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
9. Joseph
Joseph was the son of Jacob. It was through him that Israel moved into Egypt. To Joseph the covenant was not given by God but it became the central reference point in his life and in the lives of the tribe.
Joseph was sold to Potiphar in Egypt as a slave. Because of his qualities, he soon became overseer of all Potiphar’s household and estate. The record says, “the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake” (Genesis 39:5; see also Gen 39:2). When he was put into prison, he was soon put in charge of the prison (Genesis 39:21-23). After he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he was promoted to high office next to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:41-45). In the famine prophesied by Pharaoh’s dreams, Jacob and his family eventually had to move to Egypt to avoid starvation.
In these events can be seen an echo of the promise given to Abraham, “.. I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).
Jacob himself passed on the covenant promise to Joseph: “... God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers” (Genesis 48:21). Joseph, in turn passed on to his people, “... God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob” (Genesis 50:24). The covenant and its promises continued to be a focus in their lives.