Genesis 12:1-9: God’s Call to Abram – A Leap of Faith

This passage introduces us to Abram (later known as Abraham), a man who would become the father of many nations. But it all starts with a simple, yet profound, command from God: “Go!”

What happened

God tells Abram to leave his homeland, his family, and everything familiar to go to a land that God would show him. It’s a big ask! But God doesn’t just give orders, He makes promises:

• A great nation: God will make Abram’s descendants numerous and powerful.
• A blessing: Abram will be blessed, and his name will be great.
• A blessing to others: Through Abram, all the families of the earth will be blessed.

Abram obeys, taking his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot on this epic journey of faith.

Why is this important?

This story shows us how God works:

• He calls us out of our comfort zones: Following God often involves stepping into the unknown.
• He makes big promises: God’s plans are far greater than we can imagine.
• He is faithful: Even when we can’t see how His promises will come true, we can trust Him.
• We have a role to play: God’s plan for blessing the whole world involves us!

What does this mean for us?

Just like Abram, we might hear God calling us to step out in faith. It might be to:

• Try something new: Maybe join a youth group, volunteer, or learn a new skill.
• Stand up for what’s right: Even when it’s unpopular.
• Share our faith: Talk to friends about Jesus.
• Forgive someone: Even when it’s hard.

Study Questions

1. How would you feel if God asked you to leave everything familiar behind?
2. What does this passage teach us about trusting God?
3. How can we be a blessing to others, like Abram was meant to be?
4. Have you ever felt God calling you to do something outside your comfort zone? What happened?
5. What are some ways we can step out in faith today, even in small ways?

Challenge

Think about one area where you feel God might be nudging you to take a step of faith. Pray about it, talk to a trusted adult, and see how you can respond to God’s call in your life. Remember, even small steps of obedience can lead to amazing adventures with God!

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Verse 1: “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.”  

• Matthew Henry: “God made choice of Abram, and singled him out from among his fellow-idolaters… Abram was tried whether he loved God better than all, and whether he could willingly leave all to go with God.”  
• Spurgeon: “It was God’s intention to keep his truth and his pure worship alive in the world by committing it to the charge of one man, and the nation that should spring from him.”  

This verse marks a pivotal moment in salvation history. God initiates a covenant with Abram, calling him to leave behind the familiar and embark on a journey of faith. This call challenges Abram’s loyalties, demanding that he prioritize God’s will above all else.

Verse 2: “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.”  

• Matthew Henry: “Here are many great and precious promises. All God’s precepts are attended with promises to the obedient.”

God’s promises to Abram are expansive and transformative. They include not only material blessings but also spiritual significance. Abram is called to be a channel of blessing to others, foreshadowing the ultimate blessing of salvation through his lineage.

Verse 3: “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.”  

• Matthew Henry: “In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Jesus Christ is the great blessing of the world… All the true blessedness the world is now, or ever shall be possessed of, is owing to Abram and his posterity.”

This verse highlights the universal scope of God’s covenant with Abram. Through him, all nations will be blessed, pointing to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation to the entire world.

Verse 4: “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.”  

• Matthew Henry: “Those who leave their sins, and turn to God, will be unspeakable gainers by the change.”

Abram’s obedience to God’s call demonstrates his faith. Despite his advanced age, he leaves his homeland, trusting in God’s promises. His departure serves as an example for all believers to follow, demonstrating the importance of radical obedience to God’s will.

Verses 5-9: These verses describe Abram’s journey through Canaan, his encounters with the Lord, and his establishment of altars for worship.

• Matthew Henry: “All good people must look upon themselves as strangers and sojourners in this world, and by faith sit loose to it as a strange country. So Abram did.”  
• Spurgeon: “Abram journeyed, going on still… Our removes in this world are often into various conditions.”

Abram’s journey through Canaan is marked by his constant awareness of his pilgrim status. He builds altars, signifying his dependence on God and his commitment to worship. His life is a testament to the transient nature of earthly existence and the enduring importance of seeking the heavenly homeland.

Conclusion: Genesis 12:1-9 lays the foundation for God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Abram’s call and obedient response highlight the importance of faith, obedience, and the transformative power of God’s promises. Through Abram’s lineage, the ultimate blessing of salvation would come to the world, fulfilling God’s covenant and demonstrating His faithfulness to all generations.