Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Genesis 12
Genesis 12
“GO!!!”
In the final verses of chapter 11 we are introduced to a man named Abram, who will eventually get his name changed to Abraham. This one man will be used by God to change the face of worship. By far, he is one of the most famous biblical figures. So, how does it start for Abraham?
Vs. 1
"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” I must admit, I am grateful that I have never heard those words directed towards me. Again, God shows His desire to keep the Gospel moving as He sends His followers outward.
Vs. 2-3
God gives Abram many blessings. Many things are promised to him. “I will make you into a great nation.” Abram is promised that many generations in the future God will make his family great. “I will make your name great” We get a look at the future of the recognition with this blessing. The great patriarch Abraham today blesses us. We see all the things about him in retrospect that he never got to see. The Bible calls Abraham “a righteous man” because of his faith. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God also gives to Abram a promise of protection. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." The promise of the Savior to come was also a part of the blessing to Abram.
Vs. 4
“Abram left, as the LORD had told him.” So, Abram left. He did as God had told him to. We learn a great lesson here from Abram. He left and did what God commanded him to, long before the promises ever came true. Abram was a man of obedience, not because he was given the benefits, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. Abraham made a commitment to obey God, and was blessed because of it.
So often in our lives today we only want to obey only when the “benefit” is visible. Abraham believed in the promises from God, but had not ever seen the promises come true. Before we make a large commitment to God, we want to see signs and “doors opened up for us”. We so seldom step out in faith without seeing benefit. Abraham “…left, as the Lord had told him”. What a powerful way to live.
Vs. 10-18
These verses tell the story of one of Abraham’s “less than brilliant” moments. He doesn’t act like the man of faith that he is, and does some dumb things. However, God honors His promises to Abraham. He protects Abram anyhow! Even when Abram is in disobedience, he is kept safe. Why? Not because Abram is a good man, but because God is a good God!
Two things for us to learn here:
1. We are called to obey for obedience’ sake, not for benefits. The benefits come as a part of the package, but should not be the motivator.
2. God is faithful to His promise to us, even when we are not faithful in our promises to Him. He is a good God, and we are blessed to be loved by Him.
“GO!!!”
In the final verses of chapter 11 we are introduced to a man named Abram, who will eventually get his name changed to Abraham. This one man will be used by God to change the face of worship. By far, he is one of the most famous biblical figures. So, how does it start for Abraham?
Vs. 1
"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” I must admit, I am grateful that I have never heard those words directed towards me. Again, God shows His desire to keep the Gospel moving as He sends His followers outward.
Vs. 2-3
God gives Abram many blessings. Many things are promised to him. “I will make you into a great nation.” Abram is promised that many generations in the future God will make his family great. “I will make your name great” We get a look at the future of the recognition with this blessing. The great patriarch Abraham today blesses us. We see all the things about him in retrospect that he never got to see. The Bible calls Abraham “a righteous man” because of his faith. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” God also gives to Abram a promise of protection. “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." The promise of the Savior to come was also a part of the blessing to Abram.
Vs. 4
“Abram left, as the LORD had told him.” So, Abram left. He did as God had told him to. We learn a great lesson here from Abram. He left and did what God commanded him to, long before the promises ever came true. Abram was a man of obedience, not because he was given the benefits, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. Abraham made a commitment to obey God, and was blessed because of it.
So often in our lives today we only want to obey only when the “benefit” is visible. Abraham believed in the promises from God, but had not ever seen the promises come true. Before we make a large commitment to God, we want to see signs and “doors opened up for us”. We so seldom step out in faith without seeing benefit. Abraham “…left, as the Lord had told him”. What a powerful way to live.
Vs. 10-18
These verses tell the story of one of Abraham’s “less than brilliant” moments. He doesn’t act like the man of faith that he is, and does some dumb things. However, God honors His promises to Abraham. He protects Abram anyhow! Even when Abram is in disobedience, he is kept safe. Why? Not because Abram is a good man, but because God is a good God!
Two things for us to learn here:
1. We are called to obey for obedience’ sake, not for benefits. The benefits come as a part of the package, but should not be the motivator.
2. God is faithful to His promise to us, even when we are not faithful in our promises to Him. He is a good God, and we are blessed to be loved by Him.
