January 5 A READ GENESIS 12–14
Abram’s Call and God’s Promises
OVERVIEW
Having dealt with rebellious people for generations, God now begins to unfold his great plan of redemption—a plan beginning with one man, Abram. God calls Abram to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldeans and travel to a distant but unspecified new land. Responding in faith, Abram obeys with nothing to cling to but the promises of God—promises of a great name, a great nation, and a great blessing for all people. The journey is not without its moments of danger, as seen in the life of Lot. But through it all, Abram dares to believe God for what seems impossible, given his childless condition.
MY DAILY WALK
How long have you lived in your present home? If your answer is less than three years, you are a typical American family.
Genesis 12:1-4 describes a similar “moving experience”—a God-fearing family obeys the voice of God, pulls up stakes in Ur, and heads for a new home more than a thousand miles away. But Hebrews 11:8 explains why this was no ordinary move. “Abraham . . . went without knowing where he was going.” The command of God was clear, but the destination was not. That’s faith—the kind that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) and the kind God wants you to exercise today in similar situations. Abram (later called Abraham) found that you don’t always need to know where you’re going, provided you know whom you’re following.
Discuss with family or friends a decision you are facing involving career, home, or finances—and the way Abram’s example can make your decision easier. Then memorize this verse together: “Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith” (15:6).
THE EVIDENCE FOR KNOWING GOD IS OBEYING GOD.
INSIGHT
Promises, Promises | Gen. 12:2-3, 7
In Genesis 12:2-3, 7, we have a record of eight profound, world-changing promises that God made to Abram (later called Abraham). In Galatians 3:29, the apostle Paul explained that if “you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”
INSIGHT
The True Test of Values | Gen. 13:11
Lot’s choice of the well-watered plains of the Jordan was the beginning of his downfall, for it caused him to pitch his tent toward the wicked city of Sodom. By contrast, Abram was building his life on the promises of God. Lot chose for himself (13:11); Abram allowed God to choose for him (13:14-15).
The Call of Abram
1The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
4So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
7Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.*” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the LORD, and he worshiped the LORD. 9Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.
Abram and Sarai in Egypt
10At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”
14And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17But the LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.