Genesis Chapter 12 -Abram - Sarai- Lot | In His Image Genesis Bible Study

Introduction

Genesis 12 marks a major turning point in the book of Genesis. After the scattering of the nations at Babel in Genesis 11, God's redemptive plan begins to focus upon one man—Abram—and the family and nation that would come through him.

God commands Abram:

“Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” — Genesis 12:1

Abram is called to leave what is familiar without initially being given every detail concerning where God is taking him. His journey therefore becomes an important picture of faith expressed through obedience.

God accompanies the command with extraordinary promises. He will make Abram a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and make him a blessing. Most importantly, God declares:

“And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” — Genesis 12:3

The promise reaches far beyond Abram personally. God's purpose through Abram and his seed would ultimately have implications for all nations.

Abram obeys and enters Canaan, where God further declares:

“Unto thy seed will I give this land.” — Genesis 12:7

Abram responds by building an altar unto the LORD. His journey through the land becomes marked by places of worship, calling upon God's name, and dependence upon God's promise.

Yet Genesis 12 also shows that a person of faith can still struggle with fear. When famine drives Abram toward Egypt, fear concerning his life leads him to conceal the full truth about Sarai. The chapter therefore presents Abram realistically: called by God and walking by faith, yet still growing in his ability to trust God completely.

Genesis 12 introduces themes that will continue throughout Genesis: calling, covenant promise, land, seed, blessing, faith, obedience, worship, fear, and God's faithfulness.

Genesis 12 :1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

• Abram

Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Name the four things God said He would do for Abram

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Name the three things God said He would do for Abram

Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

• How old was Abram when he departed?

• Who left with Abram?

Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

• Who else did Abram take with him when he left Haran?

• Did he take anything else with him?

• What Land did they come into?

Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

• Sichem

• Moreh

• Who was in the land?

Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

• What land did the LORD give to Abram?

• What son of Noah's descendants is this land?

• What was the curse placed upon this descendant?

• Who else did the LORD give the land to?

• Why did Abram build an altar?

According to Genesis chapter 1:11 what was his intentions for the seed?

What do you think God's intentions was for this land?

In terms of modern geography, the promised land is primarily associated with present-day Israel and the Palestinian territories, with some biblical descriptions extending into neighboring countries.

The conflict is about two peoples who both claim the same land as their home land

Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

• Bethel

• Hai

• Why did Abram build another alter here in this place?

Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

• What is a Famine?

Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

• Egypt, What son of Noah is the land of Egypt?

Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

• What was Abram's fear here in this verse?

Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

• What was Abram asking Sarai to do for him?

Genesis 12:14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

Genesis 12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

• What is a Pharaoh?

The lust of the eyes

Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Genesis 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

• What is a plague?

• Why do you think the LORD plagued Pharaoh's house?

The Scripture says, For we are not ignorant of Satan's devices

What can we learn about receiving blessings not given to us by God?

Do you think the blessings would had turned Abram from God?

Genesis 12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Genesis 12:19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

• How was Abram's secret brought to light?

• What was God protecting?

  What else was God protecting according to Genesis 3:15?

Genesis 12:20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

(KJV)

Practical Application

Genesis 12 teaches us that faith must eventually become obedience.

Abram could have agreed with God's promise while remaining in Haran. But genuine faith required movement:

“So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him...” — Genesis 12:4

There are times when God gives sufficient instruction for the next step without revealing every detail of what follows. Our responsibility is to obey what He has made clear.

Genesis 12 also teaches us not to interpret difficulties automatically as evidence that we have missed God.

Abram obeyed God's call—and then encountered famine.

Obedience did not prevent difficulty.

Likewise, encountering resistance after obeying God does not necessarily mean the direction was wrong. Difficult circumstances can expose areas where our trust still needs to grow.

Abram's experience in Egypt also warns us about allowing fear to become our counselor. When Abram became afraid, he began manipulating circumstances to protect himself.

We should ask ourselves:

Am I making this decision because God directed me—or because fear is directing me?

Finally, Abram's altars provide an important pattern. As God revealed Himself and His promises, Abram responded with worship.

Our journey with God should likewise leave behind spiritual markers of prayer, worship, remembrance, and thanksgiving.

Key Truth

God called Abram out before He showed Abram everything that lay ahead.

Abram's responsibility was to hear, believe, obey, and continue walking.

Genesis 12 teaches us that faith is not the absence of uncertainty. Faith is trusting God's character enough to obey His Word even when we cannot yet see the complete fulfillment of His promise.

And when Abram's faith faltered in Egypt, God's faithfulness did not falter with it.

The chapter begins with God's command:

“Get thee out...”

And Abram responds:

“So Abram departed...”

That is the heart of Genesis 12:

God speaks. Faith hears. Obedience moves. God remains faithful to His promise.