Notes on Genesis 12
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and went out, not knowing whither he went. ~Hebrews 11:8
Called Out
Change. Transitions. Which emotions do they evoke when you wrap your head around them, dear reader? Dread. Fear of the unknown. Venturing out into the unknown is an experience we shun as humans. We would rather remain in the familiar territories. Where we have the locus of control you know. Not being thrust into the unkind fields of unfamiliarity. Being uprooted from the common surroundings destabilizes us. Yet without venturing out growth won’t be our portion. It is the trees that face adversities such as winds and famine that make quality wood and develop deep roots.
Change is what knocks on Abram’s door. For God to use him to show the world His character he must come out. But come out of what friend? In Joshua 24:3 we read:
And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
Abram is called out of idolatry. Called to worship the Creator rather than the creatures that were worshipped in Ur of the Chaldees. Abram is called to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house ( Genesis 12:1). What is that if not being uprooted? Mark you Abram gets out after burying his father Terah (Genesis 11:32; Acts 7:4). The record does not tell us the period that existed between Terah’s death and Abram’s call. But no doubt the patriarch was dealing with grief.
What else does the record tell us when Abram was called? He was old. For in Genesis 12:4b, we read “… and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” Age did not stop Abraham from heeding God’s voice friends. Genesis 12:4a says “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him…” Obedience. Trusting only God’s Word. Knowing all the way He leads he need not question. For fresh waters will He provide when his soul thirsts? Yes, whenever there is scarcity of food God will provide a way out. That is committing to God amidst trials.
Where do you stand friend? What are the impediments that stand in your way from heeding God’s voice? Do you feel you are too young to listen to His voice? Or old for Him to turn you around and use you? God is capable of using your youthful zeal and strength in His service. The Bible is replete with youths used in His service. The youthful Joseph He used in Egypt. The shepherd boy David was anointed to lead His people Israel. Child Samuel was put in the dual office of Priest and Judge. Youthful Jeremiah called to the office of the prophet. Let none despise your youth (1 Samuel 17:33,42; 1 Timothy 4:12). And don’t write yourself off because your old age friend. Abram heeded God’s voice at seventy-five years. Will you accept His voice? Heed the call this moment?
The Journey & Challenges
Abram obeys God’s voice and comes out of Haran. He journeys with his family. Keeping his ears open to God’s voice. When God appears to him again he pitches his tent. Then what does he do? He builds an altar and calls on God’s name. For the record in Genesis 12:8b, tells us “… and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.” He recognized God in his commitment journey. Think about that for a moment dear reader. In your journey of life do you recognize God? Do you have altars where you call God’s name? Or your closet has skeletons and cobwebs gathered? How is your spiritual state in your journey? May you recognize God in your life. In case you have neglected the altar may you repair it as did Elijah when Israel had apostatized ( 1 Kings 19:30).
Challenges
Abram’s journey of faith wasn’t a bed of roses. Challenges came along the way. Genesis 12:10 records of famine in the land forcing Abram to sojourn in Egypt. This sojourn reveals a weakness in Abram’s character. The challenge from within. The father of faith denies Sarai his wife, saying she is his sister. For we read in Genesis 12:11-13 the following :
11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 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, 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.
Of adversities being revealers of human characters! Abram plans to hide his identity in a bid to self-preserve. Jeremiah 17:9 speaks of the condition of the human heart. And asks a pertinent question. It says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” In our walk with the Lord, He will allow circumstances to reveal the weaknesses in our character. Yes, how our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. For He says in Isaiah 48:10 that He refines us not with silver but in the furnace of affliction. And when the fires of affliction reveal our wickedness we answer the questions posed in Jeremiah 13:23a in the negative. That the leopard is not able to change its spots. Neither has the Ethiopian power to change the color of his skin. That we need power outside of ourselves to do good.
Strength for the Journey
In your Journeying With God, what are the challenges you are facing dear friend? Has your Egypt moments revealed the cracks in your character? Has affliction exposed how desperately wicked your heart is? Have transitions made you hide your identity as God’s child? That being in unfamiliar territory pushed you to crave self-preservation? Our walk with God won’t be a smooth one. Afflictions and challenges will be our portion. Trials in and of themselves are not the problem. What matters is how we deal with them. Heaven is depending on us that we remain true to God in the Egypts we encounter as Joseph was when a slave. Yeah, that we purpose to dare join Daniel’s band in our Babylon moments.
So if you be on the dust dear friend God’s message to you this moment is that you rise. Dust yourself off fellow traveler. Yes, you’ve denied your Lord as Peter did. But He stretches His arms to strengthen you in your weeping. Arise and get strength from Him. He bids you recognize the angel next to you as was the case of Elijah. The angel has come with food to give you strength for the journey. For the journey is long for you friend. Will you accept that He strengthens you?
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