Welcome to Lech Lecha (Go Forth), this week’s Torah / Bible study Portion of God’s instructions.  Genesis 12:1–17:27; Isaiah 40:27–41:16; Matthew 1:1–17 “Yahweh said to Abram, ‘Go forth [lech lecha] from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you ... and I will bless you.’”  (Genesis 12:1–2). See the inserted narrative from the book of Jasher. 

In last week’s reading, Noach (Noah), concluded with a genealogy of Shem, Noah’s son.  That genealogy ended with Terah, father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.  Terah took his son Abram and Abram’s wife Sarai, as well as Lot, son of Haran, who had died, out of Ur of the Chaldeans and headed toward the Land of Canaan.  Instead of reaching their destination, however, they settled at Haran where Terah lived out the rest of his days.  In this week’s portion, at God’s command, Abram carries on with his father’s unfinished mission, to reach the Land of Canaan, the name given to the Promised Land at that time.  Gen 12:10  And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.  To get Abram to go to Egypt, God caused a famine in the land in which he was.  Similarly to get Jacob / Israel to go to Egypt God did similar.  Gen 47:13  And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 

This week we start with Abraham, the sole righteous man God chose to be the father of the righteous children.

Mat 1:1  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  Mat 1:17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 

Why does God have a love for Abraham and calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?  God said to Abraham “Go ye forth,” and Abraham went forth. He said, “Sacrifice for me,” and he sacrificed. He said to Isaac, “Stay,” and Isaac stayed. He said to Jacob, “Go back,” and he went back. Whatever He told them to do, they did.  In short Gen 26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Deu 4:37  And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;    See also Heb 11:16. God’s love is not limited to Israel only.  When Moses gave directives on how to get God’s love he was not only speaking to mixed multitude Israel but Deu 29:14  Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;

Deu 29:15  But with him that stands here with us this day before Yahweh our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:  Deu 30:16  In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.   The same criteria that got God’s attention and choosing of Abraham, is the same that brings us into favour and mercy of God Deu 7:9  Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;.  It was the same criteria that Got Yahshua His Father’s love  Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  He loved His father more than His own life and stated not my will but yours.  Abraham obeyed God’s commandments above love for his son.  That is the rule for us to follow.  David is also mentioned in the genealogy because he too felt the same  Psa 119:127  Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 

Abraham goes in poor and comes out Egypt rich: Likewise when it was time to leave God got them out with a lot of wealth.  In Abraham’s case it happened like this is brief.  Gen 12:12  Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Gen 12:13  Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.  Gen 12:15  The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Gen 12:16  And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. Gen 12:17  And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.  Gen 12:18  And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? Gen 12:19  Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. Gen 12:20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had. 

Israel goes in poor and comes out of Egypt rich:  

The Covenant of God and the Promised Land.

“Gen 12:6  And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land” (Genesis 12:6).  Abram and his wife, Sarai, become settlers of the land by packing up their belongings and homesteading in Elon Moreh, near Shechem (modern day Nablus in Israel's heartland of Samaria).  God made an eternal promise to give the land to Abram and his offspring: "To your offspring will I give this land” (Genesis 12:7).  At that time, the Canaanites controlled the land; nevertheless, God reassured Abram that it would one day belong to his offspring, today’s Jews, via Isaac and Jacob (Israel). 

We may see a clear correlation to the political situation in the Middle East today.  The Palestinians have gained control of large tracts of land within Israel, which leaves many Israelis wanting to see the Promised Land divided.  They believe that establishing a separate Palestinian state beside a Jewish state will create peace; but it could equally continue the generations of war due to the initial failings of the Joshua settlers.  Num 33:55  But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. See also Jos 23:13 and Judges 2:3.   

Many around the globe also think two states for two peoples is a fair solution because the some of the Arabs that currently live in Israel have roots that go back several centuries.  Some even wonder if the Jewish People have returned to the Land in vain.  That could be a solution if the Arabs would be satisfied with that; but their attitude says otherwise.  They wish to wipe out Israel if not in one go the little by little.  I suggest looking at a world map and seeing the comparable size of Israel to other countries, even small ones.  Then to the Arab nations around it. 

Rivers of tears and pools of blood have been shed in order for Israel to reclaim the small piece of land they have. They may ask, “did all those who risked and even sacrificed their lives to drain malaria-infested swamps, to re-plant the land, to re-build the cities, and to defend this nation against the hordes of enemies do so in vain?  Have the Jewish People survived the threat of extermination throughout 2,000 years of persecution, pogroms and inquisitions and even the Holocaust in the lands of their exile, finally to return to their Promised Land, just to be driven out once and for all by hate-crazed, religious radicals?” 

Only if God breaks His covenant.

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says Yahweh, who has compassion on you.’”  (Isaiah 54:10).  God made more than a promise to Abraham.  He made a blood covenant.  That covenant included giving the land to Abraham's descendants only through Isaac and Jacob as an eternal inheritance: 

To Abraham: 

“I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.  The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”  (Genesis 17:7–8). 

To Isaac:  “To you [Isaac] and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.”  (Genesis 26:3). 

To Jacob:

“I am Yahweh, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.  I will give you [Jacob] and your descendants the land on which you are lying.  Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and ... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.”  (Genesis 28:13–14).  [read also Gen 12:2; 15:18 and 26:5].  

Yahweh, chose to make His covenant with Abram because he was the only one to recognise there is only one God and desired to serve Him (Gen 26:5).  Gen 15:8  And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Gen 15:9  And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. Gen 15:10  And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not (compare with Lev 1:17 what God instructed Moses; hence existed before given to Israel). Gen 15:12  And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. …  Gen 15:18  In the same day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:   The sign of this covenant is circumcision Gen 17:14  And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.  Which is why most of Paul’s writings and the difference of opinion with born Jews in the New Testament regarding gentiles becoming part of Israel’s blessings is based on circumcision as a perceived law.  Sadly most Christians fail to see this when reading the word “law” in the New Testament.  So far we have seen two covenant signs, the rainbow with Noah and now circumcision with Abraham. 

 In this same section we learn a generation has 100 years Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;   Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

Israel’s claim on the land is not political; but one based on the bible, Divine right.  Of course, there is great opposition to God’s Word.  The Canaanites had their weapons and allies and so do the enemies of Israel today; both gained some temporary victories in their efforts to claim the land as their own; but ultimately, God owns the world, the land and can give it to whomever He wishes. Bible believers should know His everlasting covenant with Abraham will stand. 

Walking the Land as the First Hebrew.

“Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”  (Genesis 13:17).   

Abram was a Hebrew (Gen 14:13), called after the language he spoke?  When God commanded Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land, it was not just for a little sightseeing stroll; it fulfilled a legal custom in ancient times to claim ownership of a property by walking through it.  Egyptian and Hittite kings would regularly leave their grand palaces to take a ceremonial walk through their countryside in order to confirm their ownership of the land.  In Mesopotamia, according to ancient records, the seller of a property would lift his foot off the land and purposefully set the buyers foot upon it.  This may further explain the cultural context of the Scripture in which God promises to give Joshua every place the sole of his foot treads upon.  “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:3).  Legally, then, when Abram walked the length and breadth of the land, he took possession of it for himself and his descendants as an eternal possession. 

Whereas Noah walked “with” God; Abram walked “before” God, paving the way for the world to come to the knowledge of faith in the one true God.  Abram had an ability to cross over borders:  He not only crossed from Mesopotamia to Canaan, he courageously crossed from a world of idol worship to a world in which the one true God was worshiped, instead.  The world stood on one side and he stood with truth on the other.  He crossed over into his destiny and his descendants inherited the reward and blessing as well as the characteristic of being those who cross over.   For this reason, Abram became the first person to be called an Ivri—the one who crossed over.  This word comes from the Hebrew verb la’avor (to cross over) and is transliterated into English simply as a Hebrew. 

Lech Lecha, therefore, is one of the most exciting chapters in the Torah, since it chronicles the adventures of the first Hebrew with God.  One that crossed over from believing and worshipping many gods to the single one, Yahweh, 

Abraham Wins the War of the Kings:  

“And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.”  (Genesis 13:7).  In chapter 13 of Genesis, Abram and his nephew Lot have become quite wealthy.  Their herds are so large that the land cannot support all of them (Genesis 13:6).  Consequently, strife breaks out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot and instead of diffusing the situation, they decide to part ways.  We may perhaps see a hint of the underlying source of strife through the choice that Lot makes.  When Abram offers him first choice of the area, Lot chooses the best for himself, instead of insisting that his uncle, who has treated him much like a son, take the best.

Lot chooses the green, fertile plains of the Jordan near Sodom and Gomorrah and Abram moves on to the plains of Mamre (Hebron). 

“And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.  Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east.  And they separated from each other” (Genesis 13:10–11).   Although the grass may be greener on the other side of the hill, that fact does not mean it is better, nor does it mean we should go there.  Greener pastures do not guarantee that God's blessing is there for the taking. 

Soon after parting company, Lot needs Abram’s aid when four powerful kings capture all of Sodom, including Lot.  Abram rounds up a small army of 318 men and frees the captives: 

“.”  (And he [Abram] and his servants deployed against them at night and struck them; he pursued them as far as Hobah, which is to the north of Damascus.  And he brought back all the possessions; he also brought back his kinsman, Lot, with his possessions, as well as the women and the people (Genesis 14:15–16).  Not only did Abram reveal military prowess and valour in the War of the Kings, he also showed great self-sacrifice and kindness toward his nephew Lot, despite him taking the best land.  With a very small army, vastly outnumbered by the four kings and their armies, Abram risked his own life to save his nephew’s. 

The Destiny of Abraham, Eternal Salvation:  This study portion of scripture “Lech Lecha” spans Abram’s life from the age of 75 to 99.  That means he lived most of his life without really knowing his destiny or the true God; not until God confirmed Abrams discovery of Him through a covenant that led to a name change.  Abraham waited again a long time before he began to see its fulfilment through a son named Isaac.  Also in this section, God tells him, “No longer shall your name be called Abram [אַבְרָם] but your name shall be Abraham [אַבְרָהָם]; for I have made you a father of many nations [or Gentiles — אַב-הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם].”  (Genesis 17:5). 

With the addition of only one Hebrew letter, the letter hey (ה), Abram (exalted father) became Abraham, exalted father of a multitude of nations.  The Hebrew consonant ה is often used as an abbreviation for the name of God and is found twice in God’s personal name YaHWeH.  So by adding this letter to Abram’s name, God added Himself as Abba Father to Abraham’s nature, character, and destiny.  This letter is also found in what is called the Tetragrammatons’ which are the four Hebrew letters that translate into the four English ones of YHWH.  By adding the letter hey to Abraham’s wife’s name, it changed from Sarai (My Princess) to Sarah (Princess of the whole world).

אַבְרָם 87H   'abrâm  ab-rawm'   Contracted from H48; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham: - Abram.

אַבְרָהָם     85H   'abrâhâm  ab-raw-hawm' father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram: - Abraham.  

שָׂרַי   8297H   śâray   saw-rah'ee    From H8269; dominative; Sarai, the wife of Abraham: - Sarai.

שָׂרָה  8283H    śârâh  saw-raw'   The same as H8282; Sarah, Abraham’s wife: - Sarah. 

The yellow highlighted Hebrew letter is the “H” as in YHWH 

Changing one’s name could change their destiny.  When God called Abram for His service He changed his pagan name to one of His choosing.  From thence his descendants were given Godly names.  Pagan kings changed Israelite names back to a pagan one when called to be under their pagan godly empire i.e. with Daniel and his 3 colleagues (Daniel 1:7).  Hence why we should call on the Messiahs Godly given name “Yahshua” regardless of how one spells the sound, rather than a man (or Greek) given name Jesus, apparently translated! 

God did not only promise Abraham the land of Israel, but also that he would be a blessing to the other nations (Gentiles) (Genesis 12:2; 18:18; 22:17–18; 26:3–4) by being a light to them as a lighthouse is to ships in danger.   The righteous living instructions (laws) given to Israel and the blessing they would get if followed, should be a sign to the other nations that if they too followed such instructions they too would get God’s blessings as a nation or individuals.  Thankfully, the Jewish people have faithfully protected and brought to the world these instructions, as well as eternal salvation through faith in Yahshua Ha Mashiach (the Messiah).  All praise to God, the Father of our  Yahshua the Messiah.  It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Yahshua the Messiah from the dead.  Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance, an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

“1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”. 

God’s destiny for Abraham to become the father of a multitude of nations (even Gentile nations) is fulfilled in a significant way through Yahshua, Yahweh’s messiah who is a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matthew 1:2–17).  Anyone from any tribe, tongue, or nationality who declares faith in Yahshua becomes an heir of Abraham:  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yahshua.  And if you are Messiah’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27–29). 

Some other Points to Note.

Part of this week’s reading is the account of barren Sarai, Abraham’s first wife, asking him to bear her children via her servant Hagar.  As a result of that arrangement Sarai despised Hagar.  Today we have surrogate mothers, artificial insemination and other child bearing arrangements.  They too bring their relationship and legal problems. 

The patriarchs, prophets and biblical believers went through their own trials and tribulations.  We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out." (Rom 5:3-5)

The need to persevere is a normal part of being a believer. The joy of a convert's newfound faith is routinely tempered by life's difficult realities. Faith offers no quick fixes or easy solutions to problems. Sometimes being a believer makes life a lot harder.  So, if life is just as tough for believer and unbeliever alike, what's the advantage of believing? The advantage is hope. As a believer, you have God on your team, and you never know what He has up His sleeve. 

Who we call Jews are called Hebrews in the bible.  From Abraham to Paul  Gen 14:13  And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; …. Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

Another example of God’s laws existing before repeated to Moses Gen 15:10  And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.  Lev 1:16  And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:

Lev 1:17  And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: …  The reason they had to be repeated to Moses is after 430 years in pagan Egypt they were forgotten, even the name of their father Abraham God YHWH Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;  (See also Ex 3:15). 

Abraham’s household is treated as his family (for lack or a better word). They went to war with him and also got circumcised Gen 17:27  And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. 

Further information on Abraham, taken from the book of Jasher.  First a part of the account I found amusing; but has an element of wisdom.

Jasher Chapter 8

1. And it was in the night that Abram was born, that all the servants of Terah, and all the wise men of Nimrod, and his conjurors came and ate and drank in the house of Terah, and they rejoiced with him on that night.
2. And when all the wise men and conjurors went out from the house of Terah, they lifted up their eyes toward heaven that night to look at the stars, and they saw, and behold one very large star came from the east and ran in the heavens, and he swallowed up the four stars from the four sides of the heavens. 3. And all the wise men of the king and his conjurors were astonished at the sight, and the sages understood this matter, and they knew its import.
3. And they said to each other, This only betokens the child that has been born to Terah this night, who will grow up and be fruitful, and multiply, and possess all the earth, he and his children for ever, and he and his seed will slay great kings, and inherit their lands. 5. And the wise men and conjurors went home that night, and in the morning all these wise men and conjurors rose up early, and assembled in an appointed house.
4. And they spoke and said to each other, Behold the sight that we saw last night is hidden from the king, it has not been made known to him. 7. And should this thing get known to the king in the latter days, he will say to us, Why have you concealed this matter from me, and then we shall all suffer death; therefore, now let us go and tell the king the sight which we saw, and the interpretation thereof,  and we shall then remain clear.   8. And they did so, and they all went to the king and bowed down to him to the ground, and they said, May the king live, may the king live.

9. We heard that a son was born to Terah the son of Nahor, the prince of thy host, and we yesternight came to his house, and we ate and drank and rejoiced with him that night.
10. And when thy servants went out from the house of Terah, to go to our respective homes to abide there for the night, we lifted up our eyes to heaven, and we saw a great star coming from the east, and the same star ran with great speed, and swallowed up four great stars, from the four sides of the heavens. 11. And thy servants were astonished at the sight which we saw, and were greatly terrified, and we made our judgment upon the sight, and knew by our wisdom the proper interpretation thereof, that this thing applies to the child that is born to Terah, who will grow up and multiply greatly, and become powerful, and kill all the kings of the earth, and inherit all their lands, he and his seed forever.
11. And now our lord and king, behold we have truly acquainted thee with what we have seen concerning this child.
12. If it seemeth good to the king to give his father value for this child, we will slay him before he shall grow up and increase in the land, and his evil increase against us, that we and our children perish through his evil. 14. And the king heard their words and they seemed good in his sight, and he sent and called for Teah, and Terah came before the king.  15. And the king said to Terah, I have been told that a son was yesternight born to thee, and after this manner was observed in the heavens at his birth.
13. And now therefore give me the child, that we may slay him before his evil springs up against us, and I will give thee for his value, thy house full of silver and gold. 17. And Terah answered the king and said to him: My Lord and king, I have heard thy words, and thy servant shall do all that his king desireth. 18. But my lord and king, I will tell thee what happened to me yesternight, that I may see what advice the king will give his servant, and then I will answer the king upon what he has just spoken; and the king said, Speak.
14. And Terah said to the king, Ayon, son of Mored, came to me yesternight, saying, 20. Give unto me the great and beautiful horse that the king gave thee, and I will give thee silver and gold, and straw and provender for its value; and I said to him, Wait till I see the king concerning thy words, and behold whatever the king saith, that will I do.
15. And now my lord and king, behold I have made this thing known to thee, and the advice which my king will give unto his servant, that will I follow. 22. And the king heard the words of Terah, and his anger was kindled and he considered him in the light of a fool. 23. And the king answered Terah, and he said to him, Art thou so silly, ignorant, or deficient in understanding, to do this thing, to give thy beautiful horse for silver and gold or even for straw and provender? 

24. Art thou so short of silver and gold, that thou shouldst do this thing, because thou canst not obtain straw and provender to feed thy horse? and what is silver and gold to thee, or straw and provender, that thou shouldst give away that fine horse which I gave thee, like which there is none to be had on the whole earth? 25. And the king left off speaking, and Terah answered the king, saying, Like unto this has the king spoken to his servant; 26. I beseech thee, my lord and king, what is this which thou didst say unto me, saying, Give thy son that we may slay him, and I will give thee silver and gold for his value; what shall I do with silver and gold after the death of my son? who shall inherit me?  surely then at my death, the silver and gold will return to my king who gave it.  27. And when the king heard the words of Terah, and the parable which he brought concerning the king, it grieved him greatly and he was vexed at this thing, and his anger burned within him.

Some other facts.

When Abram was ten years old, he came out of the cave. The king Nimrod and all his soothsayers thought he was long dead by this time. However, taking no chances, we read that:  l "And when Abram came out from the cave, he went to Noah and his son Shem, and he remained with them to learn the instruction of the Lord and his ways, and no man knew where Abram was, and Abram served Noah and his son Shem for a long time.  l "And Abram was in Noah's house thirty nine years, and Abram knew the Lord from three days old, and he went in the ways of the Lord until the day of his death, as Noah and his son Shem had taught him; and all the sons of the earth in those days greatly transgressed against the Lord, and they rebelled against him, and they served other gods, and the forgot the Lord who had created them in the earth . . . . And Terah had twelve gods of large size, made of wood and stone, after the twelve months of the year. . . "

(Jasher 5-8).  Thus Abram, from age 10 to 49, was in the house of Noah, learning the truth of God! This would have been from the year 2046 (the year Sarai was born) until the year 2007 B.C. During this time, "king Nimrod reigned securely, and all the earth was under his control, and all the earth was of one tongue and words of union"

(Jasher 9:20).  When Abram was 50 years old, he left Noah's house and returned to his father's house. Terah was still steeped in idolatry, and still captain of the host of Nimrod (Jasher 11:13-15). Abram remonstrated with his father about his strange gods (verses 26-50). Incensed, Terah reported this incident to Nimrod , who sent soldiers to seize Abram. Nimrod, all his princes, and Terah were present, when Abram witnessed before them, urging the king to repent of his follies and wickedness, his idolatries, and to serve the "God of the whole universe, who created thee, and in

whose power it is to kill and keep alive" (Jasher 11:54-55). He ended his testimony, saying, "O foolish, simple, and ignorant king, woe unto thee forever" (v.56).  Nimrod was so indignant and full of wrath, that he ordered Abram put into prison, and then asked his counselors what ought to be done with him. They counselled that Abram should be thrown alive into a flaming furnace and be burned to death. 

(Jasher 12:6). For three days and nights a mighty fire was prepared in the king's furnace, and all the inhabitants of the land stood to see Abram being brought out to be burned. Jasher estimates the crowd at about 900,000 (Jasher 12:7-8).  What happened? Jasher relates: l "And the Lord loved Abram and he had compassion over him, and the Lord came down and delivered Abram from the fire and he was not burned. But all the cords with which they bound him were burned, while Abram remained and walked about in the fire. . . . l "And Abram walked in the midst of the fire three days and three nights, and all the servants of the king saw him walking in the fire, and they came and told the king . . . . And when the king heard their words his heart fainted and he would not believe them. . . and the king rose to go and see it, and he saw Abram walking to and fro in the midst of the fire . . ." (Jasher 12:24-28). 

Shalom.  Hope you enjoy your studies.