Join the Hit the Mark Sabbath School Panel as they have a lively, interactive discussion of the week’s lesson, “The Roots of Abraham.”

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Read Genesis 12:10-20. Why did Abram leave the Promised Land to go to Egypt? How did the pharaoh behave in comparison to Abram?

Ironically, Abram, who had just arrived in the Promised Land, decides to leave it for Egypt because “there was a famine in the land” (Genesis 12:10, NKJV). Evidence of people from Canaan going into Egypt in times of famine is well attested in ancient Egyptian texts. In the Egyptian teaching of Merikare, a text composed during the period of the Middle Kingdom (2060-1700 B.C.), people coming from Canaan are identified as “miserable Asiatic” (aamu) and described as “wretched … short of water … he does not dwell on one place, food propels his legs.” — Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1973), Pages 103, 104.

Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com

The temptation of Egypt was often a problem for the ancient Israelites (Numbers 14:3, Jeremiah 2:18). Egypt, thus, became a symbol of humans trusting in humans rather than in God (2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6, Isaiah 36:9). In Egypt, where water could be seen on a daily basis, faith was not necessary, for the promise of the land was immediately visible. Compared to the land of famine, Egypt sounded like a good place to be, despite what God had said to him.

The Abram who now leaves Canaan contrasts with the Abram who left Ur. Before, Abram was portrayed as a man of faith who left Ur in response to God’s call; now, Abram leaves the Promised Land by himself, of his own volition. Before, Abram relied on God; now he behaves like a manipulative and unethical politician who counts only on himself. “During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 130.

What we see here, then, is how even a great man of God can make a mistake and yet not be forsaken by God. When the New Testament talks about Abraham as an example of salvation by grace, it means just that — grace. Because, if it weren’t by grace, Abraham, like all of us, would have had no hope.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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The book of Genesis offers us so many and vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing 
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and 
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back toward our amazing God and what He has done for each of us in creation.

The first thing we learn of Abraham is in our memory verse – he obeyed. We find throughout the lesson study that it would have been easy for Abraham to sing
Trust and Obey – Hymn 590. The narrative for Sabbath afternoon tells of Abraham who would have been able to sing 
I’m But a Stranger Here – Hymn 445. But, Abraham hears God’s voice saying “Do not be afraid” – Genesis 15:1 NKJV, and with faith he then travels on showing the 
Faith of Our Fathers – Hymn 304.

Sunday walks us through the journey of Abram, on his way towards being Abraham. The keyword is “go” and Abram says 
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go – Hymn 573. Abram was to learn that “There’s a land that is fairer than day” in 
Hymn 428 – Sweet By and By as he follows God’s leading. Are we willing to go where God leads us? – 
Hymn 508 – Anywhere With Jesus.

Monday shows that Egypt was a land where humans would trust humans rather than God. We would rather 
Trust and Obey – Hymn 590. Leaving Ur shows that Abram was” a man of faith”: 
Hymn 517 – My Faith Looks Up to Thee. Even with the mistakes Abram was to make, we see that there was salvation by grace: 
Hymn 109 – Amazing Grace.

Separating from Lot, God speaks to Abram again. Oh, to have such a close walk with God: 
Hymn 315 – O For a Closer Walk With God!, Hymn
554 – O Let Me Walk With Thee, and 
Hymn 574 – O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee.

The first battle is recorded in the Bible in Wednesday’s study: 
Hymn 614 – Sound the Battle Cry.

Abram shows us the way (Thursday) to be thankful to God for all the generosity that is given by returning to Him a tithe which is a gift from God to us: 
Hymn 670 – We Give Thee But Thine Own.

God’s abundant blessings this quarter as we study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as 
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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