Genesis 12

Genesis 12: The Beginning of a Covenant with Abraham

• The Story in Genesis 12:

Genesis 12 marks a pivotal moment in the Bible, where God makes a personal covenant with Abram

(later Abraham). God commands Abram to leave his homeland, his family, and go to a new land,

promising him that through his descendants, all the families of the earth will be blessed.

NLT (Genesis 12:1-3):

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your

father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great

nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will

bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families

on earth will be blessed through you.’”

• The Promise to Abram:

God’s promise to Abram was a personal covenant, not a national one. While God’s blessing was

extended to Abram’s descendants, it was rooted in personal obedience and faith.

The Connection Between the Pharisees and Modern Judaism

• The Pharisees:

During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were a prominent religious group within Judaism. They were

known for their strict adherence to the Jewish Law and for often clashing with Jesus, who challenged

their interpretations of scripture and their legalistic practices.

• Key Conflict:

Jesus was seen as a threat by the Pharisees because his teachings about grace and salvation,

and his claim to be the Messiah, contradicted their beliefs that strict adherence to the Law

was the only way to righteousness.

• Modern Jews and Pharisees:

While Judaism has evolved significantly since the time of the Pharisees, there is a historical

connection. The Pharisees were part of the development of what later became rabbinic Judaism,

which is the foundation of modern Jewish belief. But modern Judaism is not exactly the same as the

practices and beliefs of the Pharisees, as it has evolved over centuries.

The Birth of Christianity and the Messiah Debate

• The Christian Belief in Jesus as the Messiah:

For Christians, Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, and

through his life, death, and resurrection, offers salvation to all who believe in him. This is the major

theological divide between Christianity and Judaism.

• Key Difference:

Christians believe that Jesus came to fulfill the role of the Messiah (as prophesied in the Old

Testament), while Jews continue to await the arrival of the Messiah who will bring peace

and establish God’s Kingdom on Earth.• NLT (John 14:6):

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father

except through me.’”

• Jesus' Challenge to the Pharisees:

Jesus was not just claiming to be the Messiah, but he was also challenging the Pharisees’ view of the

Law. He emphasized the grace and love of God, teaching that faith in God, rather than blind

adherence to the law, was the way to salvation.

NLT (Matthew 5:17):

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or

the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

Judaism’s Rejection of Jesus as the Messiah

• The Rejection of Jesus:

Most Jews at the time of Jesus rejected him as the Messiah. This rejection continues today, with

modern Jews not accepting the divinity of Jesus or his role as the Messiah. This difference in belief

has led to theological division between Judaism and Christianity.

• The "Burning in Hell" Concept:

Some Jews, particularly from certain historical and theological traditions, may have a view that Jesus

was a false Messiah. There are extreme claims from polemical sources suggesting that some Jews

believed Jesus was suffering in hell, but this is not a widespread or mainstream Jewish belief.

• It's important to note that most Jews see Jesus as a teacher or prophet, but not divine.

The Influence of Christianity on Modern Geopolitics

• Evangelical Support for Israel:

In modern times, many Evangelical Christians, particularly in the United States, see a theological

connection between the Biblical promises to Abraham and the modern state of Israel. This belief is

rooted in the literal interpretation of Genesis 12, where God promises to bless those who bless

Abraham's descendants.

However, the modern political situation in the Middle East is much more complicated than simply

aligning theology with policy.Summing Up the Key Differences

1. Genesis 12 is a Personal Covenant, Not a National One:

• God’s promise was made directly to Abram, and through him, all nations would be blessed.

2. Judaism vs. Christianity:

• Judaism: Focuses on the Law, waiting for the future Messiah.

• Christianity: Believes Jesus is the Messiah who came, died, and was resurrected, fulfilling

Old Testament prophecies.

3. Pharisees and Modern Judaism:

• The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that developed many of the traditions of modern Judaism,

but modern Jews are not direct spiritual descendants of the Pharisees.

4. Theological Divide:

• Christianity holds that faith in Jesus is the key to salvation, while Judaism continues to wait

for the Messiah.

A Conclusion on Faith and Society

The divisions between Judaism and Christianity, while rooted in the distant past, continue to shape

modern religious and political dynamics.

📖 King James Version (KJV)

1 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.

2 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:

3 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.

4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram

was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance … and they

came into the land of Canaan.

6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And

the Canaanite was then in the land.

7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there

builded he an altar …

8 … unto Bethel … and called upon the name of the LORD.

9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb. (King James Bible Online, Bible

Gateway)📘 New International Version (NIV)

1 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 Haran.

5–9 [Parallels KJV: Abram travels, builds altars at Shechem and Bethel, calls on the LORD,

heads toward the Negev.] (Bible Gateway, Bible Hub, Bible Gateway)

📗 English Standard Version (ESV)

1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s

house to the land that I will show you.

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that

you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the

families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4–9 [Same narrative: departure from Haran, altar at Shechem, Bethel, journey to Negeb.] (ESV

Bible)

📕 Amplified Classic Edition (AMPC)

1 Now [in Haran] the LORD had said to Abram, “Go away from your country, and from your

relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you;

2 And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you [abundantly], and make your name

great (exalted, distinguished); and you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others];

3 And I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and

judgment] those who curse you; and in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be

blessed.”

4–9 [Abram obeys, travels, builds altars, and worships.] (Bible Hub, Blue Letter Bible)

🟩 New Living Translation (NLT)

1–3 [Paraphrased: leave homeland, promise of nationhood, blessing to others.]

4–9 [As above: travels, builds altars, calls on the Lord.]

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, so Abram went down to Egypt …

11–13 Fearing for his life, Abram says Sarai is his sister; Pharaoh takes her into his palace …

14–20 Plagues come on Pharaoh's house; Pharaoh confronts Abram and sends him away with his

wife and possessions. (YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com)🔍 Why Genesis 12 Matters

• Foundational Covenant: God's promise to Abraham anchors the narrative of blessing and land.

• Symbolic Unity and Division: This chapter is a cornerstone for Jewish, Christian, and even Islamic

theology—Genesis 12 sets up the theological roots of identity and shared promise.

• Genesis of Division: The idea “all families on earth will be blessed through you” lays groundwork

for both unity and theological tension.