​STATE THE PROMISES MADE BY GOD TO ABRAHAM DURING THE MAKING OF THE COVENANT

​STATE THE PROMISES MADE BY GOD TO ABRAHAM DURING THE MAKING OF THE COVENANT

1. God will give Abraham a heir/son
2. God will give Abraham many descendants
3. Abraham's descendants will be enslaved in a strange land for 400 years
4. God will punish the nations that will enslave Abraham's descendants
5. God will deliver the descendants of Abraham with a great possession/wealth
6. God will give Abraham long life/ Abraham will live to a ripe age and die in peace
7. God will give Abraham's descendants land/Canaan
8. Sarah will be mother of many nations
9. God will make some of his descendants Kings.

​The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

​The call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)

1. God told Abraham to leave his country Haran /his kindred/his father’s house to the land that God would show him
   
2. God promised Abraham that he would make him a great nation/bless him/make his name great/source of blessing
3. Abraham left the land of Haran as he had been instructed by God
4. Abraham was seventy five years when he was called
5. He took his wife Sarai /Lot his brother’s son/all their possessions/his servants/set forth to the land of Canaan
6. They passed through Canaan to the place at Shechem/oak of Moreh
7. God appeared to Abraham in the land of Canaan/promised to give the land of Canaan to his descendants
8. Abraham built an altar to the Lord at Shechem
9. He moved to the mountain on the east of Bethel /pitched his tent/built an altar for the Lord/called on the name of the Lord
10. Abraham journeyed on towards Negeb.

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed,[c] because you have obeyed me.”

19 Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

• God told Abraham to take his only son to the land of Moriah / offer him as a sacrifice,
• Abraham took his son, two servants and wood for burnt offering,
• They arrived at the place after a three day’s journey,
• Abraham commanded his servants to remain behind as he and Isaac went up to worship.
• He took Isaac, the firewood and the knife and went up.
• Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the offering would come from,
• Abraham told Isaac’ that God would provide the lamb for a burnt offering.
• When they arrived at the place God had commanded, Abraham build an altar.
• He bound Isaac, laid him on the altar upon the wood Abraham took the knife to slay his son but the angel of the Lord stopped him.
• Abraham saw a ram, which he offered instead of his son.
• He called the name of the place. The Lord will provide.
• The, angel appeared to Abraham a second time and gave him promises because of his obedience.
• Abraham returned with his men to Beersheba.

• It was unconditional
• It had promises to be fulfilled.
• It had an outside sign /circumcision.
• It was sealed through sacrifice/ritual
• It was voluntary / the parties were willing to enter into covenant /mutual
• It was solemn/binding
• It was initiated by God​

• By abandoning  the idol worship (moon god) to serve Yahweh the true God
• By accepting to leave Haran to unknown land
• By building alters at Bethel/Shechem in honour God
• By accepting circumcision as a sign of the covenant (He got circumcised/his servants were circumcised/so was his son.
• By sacrificising the animals in the covenant making
• By accepting to change their names (Abram to Abraham as the father of the great nation, Sarai / Sarah as the mother of the great nations.
• By agreeing to sacrifice his son Isaac.
• By worshiping god he prayed/sacrificed to god/interceded.
• By believing in the fulfillment of God’s promises
• By making a covenant with God.   

• Abraham would be the father of a great nation/many descendants/many children
• Abraham would receive personal blessings-will die in peace
• Abraham will receive honour /he will have many descendants.
• Abraham will receive personal reputation/his name would be made great
• Abraham would receive personal reputation/his name would be made great
• All those that bless Abraham would be cursed/God would protect Abraham.
• Abraham would be a source of blessings to his descendants/ God will rescue Abraham’s descendants.
• Through him all nations of the earth would be blessed.
• God would give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan.
• The covenant would be everlasting.
• He promised Abraham a son/a heir through his wife Sarah.

1. He left his home/  family / kindred/ kinsmen ( Gn. 12: 4-5)
2. He circumcised his sons/ male members 17: 23- 24
3. He was ready to sacrifice his son Isaac 22: 1- 12
4. He built altars in honour of God 12: 7- 8
5. He made sacrifices to God 12: 7- 8, 15: 9, 10 22: 13-14
6. He accepted the change  of his name that  of his  wife 17: 5-6, 15 -6
7. He entered a covenant with God Gen 17, 18

​A ram/A she- goat/ A heifer/ A pigeon/ A turtle dove

• He would make Abrahams name great/ famous
• God would bless those who bless Abraham/ curse those who curse him/ protect him
• All the families of the  world would be blessed through Abraham
• God would give land to Abraham’s descendants
• He would give Abraham  many descendants/ he would have a great  nation
• God will bless Abraham
• God would give Abraham long life/ he would die in peace
• He would give Abraham a son/ heir
• Kings will come from Abraham’s descendants

• It was an outward sign of the inner faith  in God
• It was a physical  badge/ identity for  all male children
• It showed that one had  made a covenant with God/ that benefits from God’s promises to Abraham
• It was a sign of obedience to God
• It signified purity/ cleanliness
• Through it, one became a member  of Jewish  community/ Abraham’s family 

• It was initialized by God
• It was solemn permanent /long lasting
• It was unconditional
• There were promises to be fulfilled
• It was sealed through the sacrifice of animals
• The parties entered it willingly/it was voluntary
• It had an outward sign/circumcision
• It was between two unequal parties

• God established a personal relationship with Abraham/Abraham became God’s friend.
• It showed that Abraham had faith/trust in God
• It demonstrated Abraham’s obedience to God.
• Abraham was assured of God’s protection.
• God revealed to Abraham that he would have a son as his heir/ many descendants
• God revealed to Abraham that he would have a son as his heir/many descendants
• It confirmed Abraham as God’s choice through whom all nations shall receive salvation.
• God was in control of Abraham’s life / all other events
• The descendants of Abraham were promised the land of Canaan. 

Related Links:

• CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’ COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM
• ABRAHAM’S ACTS OF FAITH IN GOD - KCSE C.R.E NOTES
• GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM 
• FAITH AND GOD’S PROMISES: ABRAHAM
• IMPORTANCE OF CIRCUMCISION TO ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDANTS

• They should obey God
• They should have faith in God
• They should be patient and wait upon God/should not give up
• They should be prepared to face difficult situations
• They should be ready to give up everything for God/be totally committed to God
• God blesses those who are ready to serve him
• They should rely on God’s guidance
• They should be wise when dealing with issues affecting their lives
• They should involve family members in worship

• By visiting them / inviting them to their homes.
• By being patient / forgiving them.
• By evangelizing to them/ preach / teaching.
• By guiding and counseling them / referring them to experts according to their needs.
• Praying for them.
• By inviting them back to church.
• By encouraging them to repent /confess.
• By offering material needs /aids.

• A covenant is made between two parties who enter into a mutual agreement. God and Abraham were the two parties that entered into a mutual agreement
• In a covenant promises are made.  God made several promises of what He would for Abraham
• The covenants solemnized through rituals. Abraham offered animals/ birds as scarifies to  God.
• A covenant has an outward sign. Abraham was to circumcise all his make Children/ descendants to show that he made a covenant with God.
• Covenant  has conditions/ obligations to be met.  The covenant between God and Abraham was not be broken it bound even his descendants generations later.
• During covenant making there were witnesses. God as the sole initiator rasped through the Sacrifice as the witness to the covenant.
• A covenant is sealed.  It was abseiled through the blood of animal

• God demand faith / obedience from people.
• God is the provider / sustainer / giver.
• God blesses / curses./ God is the protector.
• God is the controller of the world
• God is a sprit / everywhere
• God is be worshiped./ God guides people.
• God speaks / makes promises / fulfills promises.
• God cares for His people.

• The emergence of splinter groups within the church.
• The emergence of cults which practice ungodly activities.
• The emphasis of materialism by the churches.
• Lack of roles models among the leaders.
• Open conflict among/between the leaders and the church members/authoritarianism.
• Misuse of resources by the leaders.
• Rise of state-church conflict e.g No/Yes situation.
• Confusion among Christians due to different interpretation of the Bible.
• Church leaders not having time for all members/discrimination.
• Negative effects of mass media/modern technology
• Permissiveness/moral decadence/during abuse

• Abraham was in doubt for the promise of a son
• God assured him that his own son would inherit him and not Eliezer of Damascus. 
• God showed Abraham the many stars and confirmed that his decedents would be as the stars.
• God asked Abraham to bring him a heifer, a goat, a ram, each three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon
• Abraham cut the animals into two and arranged the halves in two rows. 
• The birds were not cut.
• He drove away the birds of prey that targeted the carcasses.
• At sunset Abraham fell into a deep sleep
• God spoke to him giving the promise that his descendants would be slaves for four hundred years but He would set to liberate them.
• Abraham was promised a long peaceful life
• Abraham saw God pass through the carcasses in form of a smoking fire pot and  a flaming torch/reaffirms to give his descendants land   

• In the Jewish community, it is for boys only while in some traditional African communities it is for both boys and girls. (Gender)
• In the Jewish community, it is done on the eighth day while in traditional African communities it is done during adolescent stage. (age)
• Its purpose in the Jewish community is to identify with God's people while in traditional African communities it is to promote one to adult life. (purpose)
• Among the Jews, the practice was commanded by God while in traditional
• African communities it was done in obedience to the ancestors. (Source, origin)
• The rite is not seasonal among the Jews as is the case in traditional African communities. (timing)
• In traditional African communities it is a gateway to more responsibilities while among the Jews one is too young for any responsibility. (responsibility)

• To receive God's blessing/guidance.
• To get acknowledgement from the people being served.
• It reminds the leader to stick to the church regulations/mission.
• To get the authority of God to lead.
• It gives the leader courage/confidence to do his/her work.
• It shows one's willingness/commitment to serve/acceptance
• To emulate the Biblical way of commissioning servants of God.

• Give him land
• Make his name famous
• Protect him
• Great Nation
• Bless those who bless him/curse those who curse him
• Live for long/die in peace
• Bless the families of earth through him
• Make descendants Kings/Priests
• Descendants to be enslaved for four hundred years.
• Give son 
• Bless him

• God told Abraham to take the only son to Mt. Moriah
• Took his son and three servants
• Arrived after three days of journey
• Abraham commanded servants to remain behind as he and Isaac went up for worship
• Took Isaac, firewood and Knife and went up
• Isaac asked the father where the lamb of offering was.
• Abraham told Isaac that God would provide
• Arrived at the place and commanded Abraham to built the altar, tied Isaac and put him on wood.
• Abraham raised the knife to slay /slaughter the son but the angel stopped him
• Abraham saw a ram which he offered instead of the son
• He called the place “The lord will provided”
• Angel appeared to Abraham and gave promises
• Abraham returned with his men to Beersheba. 

• God commanded Abraham to leave his fathers’ house to the land that he would show him.
• Abram went as the Lord told him at the age of 75 yrs.
• Abram took with him Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son and all their possessions.
• On arrival in Canaan, Abraham passed through the land upto the place called Shechem.
• At Shechem the Lord appeared to Abram and told him that he will give him and his descendants the land of Canaan.
• At Shechem, Abram built an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him.
• From Shechem, Abraham moved south to the hill country; east of Bethel. He set up a camp between Bethel and Ai and called on the name of the Lord.  

• Abraham obeyed when God told him to move to unknown land
• He was ready to sacrifice his only son Isaac
• He believed when he was promised a son
• He built two alters at Bethel and Sechem
• He obeyed God’s instructions to circumcise all males
• He had total faith in God’s greatness and loyalty
• He offered sacrifices to God in Canaan.
• Abraham accepted the change of his name and that of his wife.
• He entered into a covenant relationship with God.
• He abandoned the worship of many gods and went for one true God.

• To separate him from idol worshipping
• To be a founder of God’s great Nation
• God wanted to make a new plan of salvation to all mankind
• God wanted to teach people the meaning of faith
• He was a man of faith/obedience
• It was a new beginning of rescuing mankind from sin
• To make a Holy Nation through him
• To make a covenant with him
• To give his descendants the promised land
• He wanted Abraham to worship him
• God wanted to reveal himself to Abraham
• God wanted to bless him with a son

• Through worshipping of one God
• By speaking the truth
• By helping the needy, sick lame
• By doing his work well
• By obeying the commandments of God
• By being honest and upright

• He lived in Ur near R. Euphrates
• His father was a Semite
• His community was nomadic.
• His community was worshiping moon.
• The father was Terah
• He married Sarah
• She remained barren till her old age.
• Settled at a place called Haran
• Had two brothes,Nahur and Haron.

• Abraham would be the father of a great nation/many descendants/many children
• Abraham would receive personal blessings-will die in peace
• Abraham will receive honour The will have many descendants.
• Abraham will receive personal reputation/his name would be made great
• Abraham would receive personal reputation/his name would be made great

• All those that bless Abraham would be cursed/God would protect Abraham.
• Abraham would be a source of blessings to his descendants/God will rescue Abraham’s descendants.
• Through him all nations of the earth would be blessed.
• God would give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan.
• The covenant would be everlasting.
• He promised Abraham a son/a heir through his wife Sarah.

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