|
|
“Abram, God’s Man”Moses mentions again another genealogy, only this time it’s a repetition. The names recorded in 11:10-26 are the same names from the end of the previous chapter. But in this case something is different. Rather than just listing the name, Moses includes the ages of each of the fathers and their subsequent sons. This clues us into the mindset of the Prophet, who has in mind the Gospel promise in embryonic form from 3:15. The inclusion of genealogies in the Old Testament is one way for the Hebrews to look for the promised Seed who will crush the serpent.
Suddenly, however, Moses changes pace. After going link by link in a genealogical chain, he shifts gears and presents a web or tree. This should cause us to pause and ponder what the great Prophet is preparing us for. In this instance, Moses introduces a man and his three sons. Now doesn’t that pattern sound familiar? |
This slow down is because Moses introduces Abram, a man chosen of God and called for a special redemptive purpose. Is this the promised Seed? Looking back the answer is no, but, in the moment, it seems God is doing something through Abram. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and reckoned righteous by the decrees of God, Abram does the only natural thing a regenerated man can do and that is trust and obey.