The theme of the Bible takes a major turn in this chapter. God begins to deal with one man (Abraham) and his descendants (Israel). God gives Abram what is called the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3 [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.
See All...) where He promises to bless Abraham and to make of him a great nation. In the remainder of the chapter, we see the early struggles of Abram as God works in his life.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. Abram was __________ and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
2.  In Sichem, the Lord appeared unto _________ and he built an _________ unto the Lord.
3. Abram asked his wife, “Say, I pray thee, thou art my _________: that it may be well with ______.”
4. When Abram came to Egypt, the ____________ saw Sarai that she was very ________.
5. Pharaoh scolded Abram, “Why saidst thou, She is my ___________? So I might have taken her to me to _________.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. The Abrahamic Covenant is one of the great covenants of God in the Bible (v.1-3). However, it did require four things of Abraham. Carefully read verse one and tell what four things were required of Abram. Now, look in chapters 11-13 of Genesis and tell when each of these four requirements was met.
2. The Abrahamic Covenant itself (v.2-3) has seven promises. Read verses 2-3 and make a list of the seven promises.
3. Pharaoh innocently took Sarai into his house. Yet, God plagued Pharaoh and his house with “great plagues” because of her (v.17). Why? Abram and Sarai had lied and created the misunderstanding. Why did God punish Pharaoh?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. In scripture, Egypt is a type of the world. Most Bible students look on Abram’s going into Egypt as a sort of backsliding for Abram. Study verses 8-13. What wrong moves did Abraham in his move into Egypt? How are these actions a picture of the steps we take when we get away from God?
2. Why did Abram ask Sarai to lie about being his wife? Compare verse 2 with verse 12. There is a very good reason that Abram had no need to fear. How was this lie a proof of his weakness of faith in the promises of God? What does this incident teach us about faith? How can faith help you in your own life?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:

Genesis 12:1Now 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:
See All..., 2, 3, 7