GOING BACK TO BETHEL
GENESIS 12:1-13:4
Introduction:
God called Abraham from unbelief to be a son of God and also to be the father of the nation of Israel. Many times the believer lives his life in a self-centered way thinking only of himself. Our life has a purpose much greater, that is, to glorify our God.
Abraham was the chosen of God to create a new nation; a people only for the LORD. He was like us many times, blind to the purpose of God and thus, disobedient. Bethel was a place of worship where Abraham encountered with the LORD.
I. ARRIVING AT BETHEL.
A. Abraham raised up an altar there, v. 8.
1. A place of worship.
2. Years later in this same place his grandson, Jacob, came to know the LORD, GENESIS 28:10-22.
B. Abraham called on the name of the LORD, v. 8.
1. Bethel was the place to meet with the LORD.
a. He did not understand the work that God gave him to do, but he was ready to try.
b. Later under the pressure of life, Bethel was his shelter from his difficulties.
2. Bethel was the place where he found strength to continue with the work that God had given him.
a. Prayer was made there.
b. Communion with God was found there.
c. Understanding was found there.
II. LEAVING BETHEL.
A. When things became difficult, v. 9-10.
1. A great famine was in the land, v. 10.
a. America has a great famine of the Word of God.
b. Life is more difficult because of that.
2. Running away is not the solution to the problem.
a. Abraham fled to Egypt and intered into more difficulties than before.
b. He lied about his wife, vs. 11-13.
c. His problems became more serious, vs. 14-17.
3. Abraham was thrown out of Egypt, vs. 18-20.
B. THE GRACE OF GOD IS YET SEEN IN ALL OF THIS, Genesis 13:2.
1. Even with Abraham’s disobedience, God still blessed.
2. But not to glorify Abraham, but rather to realize God’s purpose.
III. GOING BACK TO BETHEL.
A. HAVING BEEN FORCED OUT OF EGYPT ABRAHAM RETURNS TO BETHEL, Genesis 13:3-4.
1. At times the believer goes a long way from the LORD, but it is worth returning to the LORD.
a. Communion was restored.
b. Peace came back.
2. To remain away from the LORD only brings more problems.
a. To those close to you it brings problems because you are a disobedient son of God.
b. To you yourself it brings problems because you are losing the blessings that God wants to give to you.
B. ABRAHAM BECAME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
1. He believed in God, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
2. He became the Friend of God, James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
CONCLUSION
Abraham returned to Bethel. He learned his lesson. He learned to trust and depend on the LORD for everything in life.
Now the only thing lacking is for you to do the same. Now are you the rebel? Are you against everything and everybody? My brother, everything would be much more agreeable if you submitted to the will of God.
Don’t remain long away from Bethel (the house of God). Return!! Return to the communion of the Father and to your brethren in Christ. Matthew 11:28 is for the believer just as much as it is for the unbeliever.