Lessons

Old Testament Study – Part 3. The lesson on January 29, 2006 continues the Old Testament Study with part 3 in the series. The calling of a nation. Abram was the individual called to form a separate group out of mankind that was dedicated to serving God. His call was specified in Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV) “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: 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: 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.” This was the beginning of the nation Israel when God no longer dealt with mankind as a whole but separated a group of people that were to be called Hebrews. In Hebrews 11:9-10 (KJV) we find “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Abram became Abraham and served as a change in administration from God’s dealing with mankind from the Garden of Eden. The promise of the seed of the woman was protected by Israel being called out separate from the gentile nations. Abraham was promised several things by God some of which included a promised land and offspring (a seed) that would receive this blessing. Keep in mind, Israel’s blessing are for Israel and the members of the body of Christ have a separate calling and inheritance. It is told in Zechariah 8:13-20 that God will remember Israel and give them a kingdom so “In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”