"So Abram left, as the Lord had told him…" Genesis 12:4
Struggles and Decisions
Ever been faced with a major move? What went through your mind?
God told to Abram to leave all he knew behind, and Abram went. Why? Why would Abram listen to a God he had never know before? For a clue, see Acts 7:2
Putting the pieces together, Acts tells us God first called Abram in Ur. But, Abram did not leave right away. Instead, he settled in Haran with his father. Then, God spoke to Abram again in 12:1. God's patience is evident.
We're not told what Sarah thought about this, or what Terah thought. How do you think Abram broke the news to them? Those were two interesting conversations!
Small steps are easy, giant leaps are hard
Traveling from Ur to Haran was easy. Plenty of pasture along the river valleys, they were going to a place that practiced the same religion. Going to Canaan was hard. No indication Abram had ever been there, a strange God is telling him to go. Abram would have to leave family, friends, and a familiar life behind.
It is so tempting to settle for the easy, to go part ways in what God asks us to do, and stop just before things start to get difficult. Thank you God for showing us mercy and patience when we draw back from fully doing your will!
Family
Terah was the head of the family in this patriarchal world. How could Abram break away from the family?
No indication that God spoke to Sarah. How could Abram take her away from her world?
God's Affirmation
From 12:1-3 to the time Abram arrived in Canaan, we have no record that God spoke to Abram again. Was Abram wondering where God went?
God's love and concern is again evident as God does speak to Abram when he reaches the strange land. In verse 7, God reiterates His promises, a reassurance that Abram didn't come all this way because of voices he heard in some bad dream.
Abram stops near places that will become important in later years to the Israelites (Shechem, Bethel.) Abram builds the first of several altars.
Verse 8, Abram calls out to God. When we are in strange places, and when doing the will of God puts us in uncomfortable situations, call out to the Lord.
3 Principles
#1) Once we begin to follow God, He is sympathetic to our human weaknesses and struggles.
#2)
Although God is patient, He still disciplines those who walk out of His perfect will.
#3)
It is never too late to start obeying God. (Romans 12:1-16)
