The Call of Abram

Genesis 12:1-9

Scripture · Genesis 12:1-9

¹Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. ²I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” ⁴So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. ⁵And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, ⁶Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land. ⁷Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. ⁸From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD. ⁹And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev.

Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.

Genesis 12 begins with a radical call from God: “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’” (Genesis 12:1-3). This command is significant because it requires Abram to leave everything familiar—his homeland, his relatives, and his father’s household—to journey to an unknown land that God promises to reveal. The call of Abram is the beginning of a new chapter in God’s plan for humanity. It is through Abram, later renamed Abraham, that God initiates His covenant with a specific person and, through him, a specific nation—Israel. This covenant is not just about personal blessings for Abraham but has a global impact, as God promises that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Deeper Revelations

Faith and Obedience: Abram’s response to God’s call is immediate obedience. Despite the uncertainties, he trusts God and sets out on the journey. This act of faith is

foundational to Abram’s relationship with God and sets the stage for the unfolding of God’s promises.

God’s Sovereignty and Initiative: The call of Abram illustrates that God takes the initiative in establishing relationships with humanity. God’s choice of Abram and the promises given are acts of divine grace, not based on Abram’s merit but on God’s sovereign will.

Practical Applications

Responding to God’s Call: Like Abram, we are often called to step out in faith, leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable to follow God’s leading. This requires trust in God’s promises, even when the destination is unknown. Reflect on areas in your life where God may be calling you to take a step of faith, and consider how you can respond with obedience.
Understanding God’s Purpose: Recognize that God’s blessings in your life are not just for your benefit but are intended to flow through you to others. Consider how you can be a blessing to those around you, reflecting God’s love and grace in your interactions.

This devotional is one day from Our Daily Dose, a 365-day journey through Scripture by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
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The Call of Abram

Scripture · Genesis 12:1-9

Deeper Revelations

Practical Applications

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