Prophecy Fulfilled

Prophecy Fulfilled

Genesis 25: ¹² Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. ¹³ And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ¹⁴ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ¹⁵ Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. ¹⁷ These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. ¹⁸ (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.

 

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After Abraham’s death, GOD turns the conversation to Ismael. HE carefully and methodically expressed who Ismael was and how many kids he had. Ismael was Abraham’s son, but not through Sarah, rather through Hagar, Sarah’s servant. Sarah could not have children, so she came up with a plan to “help” GOD’s prophecy.

 

My Observations:

• Ismael was Abraham’s son, but not the chosen son who would provide the lineage of CHRIST.
• GOD promised Abraham that Ismael would have twelve princes would become great nations.
• Ismael had twelve princes that became great nations.

 

Ismael’s sons lived in a vast territory containing Havilah. I am not convinced this is the same Havilah that was a suburb to the Garden of Eden that contained gold and precious stones, but it could be. I believe the Garden was destroyed in the flood. I also believe that remnants of gold and precious stones were disbursed throughout the broken land masses.

 

Ismael’s prophecy came true, just as GOD said. He must have kept in touch with Isaac and his step brothers. There was probably very little fighting if any. The step brothers and children gathered peacefully at Ismael’s funeral. GOD’s prophecy was fulfilled exactly as HE said.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into meticulous detail to Moses regarding Ismael’s genealogy?
• Have you ever felt on the outside of blessings from GOD?
• Do you realize that you are part of GOD’s family and HIS plan for you is far greater than you think?

 

Faith to Blessing

Faith to Blessing

Genesis 12: Now the Lord had said to Abram:

 

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
² I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

 

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After years of being in Haran, Terah, Abram’s father, died. Teran had learned many things from the Chaldeans and had possibly amassed great wealth. He may have taught Abram how to take care of this vast empire. But now Abram saw his father pass away. He may have remembered how sad his father got when thinking about the son he lost.

 

Before Abram had time to think about sadness of the loss of his father, GOD spoke to him.

 

My Observations:

• Abram seemed to be following GOD from his youth.
• GOD had a plan that would be fulfilled through Abram, so HE promised to protect him.
• GOD had to tell Abram not to settle for what he had, where he had it, but to leave and focus on HIS blessing.

 

It would have been easy for Abram to stay where he was and to fall into sadness like his father did. BUT GOD had a plan for Abram that would bless “all families: that were “in” him. He had to leave his father’s house without worrying about where he would live.

 

He may have been comfortable with settling with being unknown, BUT GOD wanted him known for HIS purpose. Other people sought greatness, BUT GOD sought Abram and made him great. Because of Abram’s belief in GOD’s ways from the passed down stories of Shem through Terah; Abram had greater faith than his ancestors. GOD clearly saw something different and blessed him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the blessing HE bestowed on Abram?
• Have you gotten settled where you are, doing the same thing that you have been doing?
• Are you open to GOD moving you to do something different, so HIS plan can be fulfilled through you?

Nations and People Groups 5 of 6

Nations and People Groups 5 of 6

Genesis 10:¹⁵ Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; ¹⁶ the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; ¹⁷ the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; ¹⁸ the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed. ¹⁹ And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. ²⁰ These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands and in their nations.

 

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Canaan’s list seems different than the rest. GOD goes into detail about people groups and where they were dispersed. Noah’s curse on Canaan was heard by GOD, Canaan seemed to be an influential leader. He seemed to oppose GOD while seeking power. He may have made his father Ham go into Noah’s tent, mocking nakedness.

 

Ham then had to tell people what he saw. Noah did not curse Ham, rather he cursed Canaan, the source of the problem. After the curse, Canaan may have wanted to ensure it would never come true.

 

My Observations:

• Canaan’s decisions caused him to speak against GOD.
• Some of Canaan’s followers took beliefs into the founding of Sodom and Gomorrah.
• GOD allowed Canaan to lead for a season, but his kingdom fell.

 

Seeking power seems to be a recurring them that is a problem with humans to GOD. HE is the source of life and strength, but HE shows incredible restraint when humans challenge HIM. GOD showed us a different route that came after the flood. HE would listen to people who sought after HIM.

 

Not just anyone could place a curse on people and make GOD agree that it is just. GOD listened to Noah because Noah spent most of his ark building days trying to convince people to follow GOD. Even after Noah’s family was saved, GOD saw the evil in the hearts of those who did not believe in HIS ways.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about people groups and locations to Moses?
• Have you ever got mad at GOD because you or someone else was not in power?
• Can you surrender your power to GOD so HIS will be done through you today?

Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Genesis 10: ⁸ Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. ⁹ He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” ¹⁰ And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. ¹¹ From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, ¹² and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).

 

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GOD seems to put a spotlight on Cush’s son Nimrod. There was a list before that did not mention him, but this special call out must have had significance. Nimrod had skills given to him by the LORD. He was a mighty hunter, but he was more than that. He was an influential leader who was strong. He could unite people to build cities like Babel and Nineveh.

 

My Observations:

• Nimrod may have been conflicted in his belief in the LORD.
• Nimrod wanted to prove Noah to be wrong in his curse, so he became an achiever.
• Nimrod’s conflicted nature may have known where he got his hunting skills, yet he refused to follow GOD.

 

Desiring to be back in GOD’s grace, people may have noticed Nimrod’s supernatural hunting skills. Some people may have even thought he was serving GOD. Unfortunately, the cities he built were not based on GOD’s love at all.

 

He used his leadership skills to unite people to think that they could take over GOD. He may have gotten so influential that the people believed in him more than GOD. They may have looked at GOD’s grace as weak and insignificant. Despite Nimrod’s influence, GOD still loved the people he led.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Nimrod and the cities he built to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted things to be better so you followed a human leader?
• Is today a good day for you to start your journey of following the LORD with all your heart?

Start of Nations

Start of Nations

Genesis 9: ¹⁸ Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. ¹⁹ These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

 

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From this family, every nation was formed. GOD made the ability to create diverse beings through two people, Adam and Eve. HE continued this propagation of diverse beings through Noah’s family. But I don’t think GOD was trying to prove HE could create variations in body types.

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have been talking to Moses, telling him about a large problem he was going to face.
• GOD was bringing Moses up to date when HE listed Noah’s genealogy
• Moses seemed to have an “aha” moment when he wrote “Ham was the father of Canaan.

 

Decades had passed and many people were born. GOD is dictating what happened to the family of Noah to Moses. Oh, Ham was the father of Canaan, Moses may have written with better understanding. This information put a problem into perspective for Moses. Ham had other children, BUT GOD specifically told Moses about Canaan.

 

This leads me to believe that the list is not a genealogy to prove GOD could make humans with diverse body types, rather it is a list of where the problem started. Calling out Canaan filled in the gap for Moses. In later verses, we will see why.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD call out Canaan in this list?
• Have you ever wondered where a certain problem started in your life?
• Can you let GOD inform you about missing information you need to move forward?