Let’s read those verses.  Genesis 12:1-5 says, “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: 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: 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. 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. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.”

Genesis 11 ends with the death of Terah, Abram’s father.  Abrah, of course, is Abraham.  The Lord changed his name in Genesis 17:5, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” The name, Abraham, actually means ‘father of many nations.”

In chapter 12, we see the sovereignty of God in calling Abraham and establishing a covenant with him.  To create a relationship with Abraham, the Lord called him away from his country and his family.  Notice that the Lord did not tell Abraham where to go.  He was just to leave and the Lord would reveal that to him when it was appropriate.  The Lord did tell Abraham that He would establish a nation through him.  It was through Abraham’s seed that the nation of Israel was formed.

Let’s look at a few points in this narrative that can also apply to us:

  • “Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him.” Abram’s obedience TO the Lord revealed his faith IN the Lord.  Is your faith manifested by your obedience to the Lord?
  • “Lot went with him.” The wording indicates that Lot willingly went with Abram.  Although Lot later fell into gross sin, we are told in 2 Peter 2:7 that the Lord “delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked.”  The Word of God declares that Lot was, indeed a redeemed and righteous man.
  • “Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered and the souls that they had gotten in Haran…” Abram was gracious and wise in leading these people to follow the Lord with him.  By our words and actions, we are continually encouraging or discouraging others in their walk with the Lord.  Solemn responsibility!
  • “Abram was seventy and five years old.” Abram did not allow age or grief (through the death of his father) to hinder this life of faith and obedience that he was now embarking on.  What excuse do you have for not obeying the Lord?  Is there a legitimate excuse to disobey the Lord?

May we set our hearts to obey the Lord, even as Abram did in his day, and as Isaiah did in his day.  We read his words in Isaiah 6:8, “Then said I, Here am I; send me.”  Let’s put our lives in the hands of the Lord to use us as direct our every footstep, even if we have to leave the security and confines of our homes.  Even if we have live lives of separation to the Lord.  May we be faithful to the Lord just like Abram was.  (216.8)