Call of Abram – Genesis 12:1-9
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 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 the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.
What does the Passage say?
The Call of Abram
- 1 Go Abram was told to
leave his father, his brother and his family; to leave the land he knew as “home.” God called him to follow where God would lead him.
- Abram’s role was to obey
- 2-3 Blessing of obedience
God’s role was to bless
God promises Abram abundant blessings – He will be a Nation set apart in greatness. His Name will be known (through the ages!!). “I will bless you” – we learn through later chapters that God’s blessing included children (after long years of infertility), wealth, protection from harm, and closeness to God/ understanding of His Will. Abram brought blessing to those associated with him, even more, the whole human race is blessed by him.
- 4-9 Abraham Obeyed God
He traveled about 400 miles by foot with an entourage of family, slaves / shepherds and livestock safe under God’s protection.
At Shechem God appeared to Abram and extended His blessing, promising that Abram’s offspring (he doesn’t yet have) would receive the land of Canaan as a gift from God. In awe Abram built an altar to God – an expression of trust in what God can/will do. At Bethel Abram built an altar and interceded to God. Abram continued to move in Canaan.
What does the Passage say to me/us?
Richard N. Donovan states that Abraham’s obedience to God’s calling was the “great turning point in human history.” Through Abraham’s seed God built a nation who faithfully recorded how God revealed Himself and His Will to them. Thousands of years later, through Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ, all human kind is blessed with the hope of salvation and resurrection through faith in Him.
Obedience to God is truly the one sure calling on every single person. Following God’s call will unfold differently for each of us as we live out our lives with our gifts, families, associates and journeys. However, the one sure sign of obedience to God’s call is that God’s ultimate will is accomplishedà His Name becomes known among the nations and He is glorified.
As I journeyed through the tedious readings of the Prophets this summer the phrase “Then they will know I AM, THE LORD” resonated in my heart. Abraham left altars behind in witness to His worship of God. The people of Canaan marveled at God’s providential actions on behalf of Abraham.
The majestic cathedral – Milan Duomo – was completed 600 years after building began. It is a testimony left by each laborer, architect, sculptor, painter, stained glass artist, priest… proclaiming “God is worthy of every ounce of our devotion.” The final glorious structure and sanctuary which hundreds of people visit every day draws them to consider “Who is Jesus Christ? Should I know Him? Does He know me?”
Each day we also should be leaving behind a lasting witness to our Lord Jesus. We may never know the impact or fruit of our witness but Abraham teaches us surely God’s blessings flow through obedience.
Prayer
Oh, awesome and worthy Lord God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Open our ears to hear Your Call. May we willingly follow where you lead. Guide our church family to build and be a witness to Your Glory. In all we do may Your Holy Name be exalted and may Your blessings be known. In Christ name, AMEN.
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