The Call of Abram

This week we’ll continue our walk through the highlights of the Old Testament!

Genesis 12 and the Call of Abram is one of the major turning points in the narrative of the Christian Scriptures. Genesis 1-11 are what is often referred to as the Scripture’s “prehistory,” while Genesis 12 and following begins to root the Bible’s story with much more specificity.

Genesis 1-11 are about the world in which we live—created as “very good,” infected with sin, in need of some remedy to make things as they should be again. Genesis 12 is where the story of that remedy begins, and it is a story that continues to this day.

Abram is introduced to the story via the genealogy of Genesis 11. He is form “Ur of the Chaldeans,” and is called from there to “the land I will show you.” Somewhat miraculously, Abram says yes to this invitation from God (this story leaves many questions unanswered!).

Crucially, the story includes three promises from God to Abram and his descendants should he heed his call to “go”:

1) Land: God promises a place for Abram and his descendants;

2) Progeny: God promises to make Abram’s family into a great nation;

3) Blessing: God promises that this family line will be a source of blessing for “all the peoples on earth.”

These are the great “promises of redemption” that are carried out through the rest of the story (not without some fits and starts, to put it mildly).

It is from these humble beginnings God began his cosmic renovation project, a project in which we all find ourselves this very day.

It is a story to cherish because it sets the trajectory for everything that comes after, all the way to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb and the descent of Heaven to Earth!

Scripture to consider:

• Gen. 12

  
  

Question for your kids

• I wonder: what would you do if God called you to “go” without even telling you where?

• Have you ever had a situation in your life when you’ve had to trust God without knowing everything you wanted to know? What was that like?

Peace,

Danny+