Summary of Genesis 12:1-3:
The Lord called Abram to leave his country and his people to journey to a new land with this promise:
“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.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 8, Day 3: Genesis 12:1-3
6a) The Lord called Abram to leave his country and his people to journey to a new land with this promise:
“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.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
b) God appeared to Abram while he was still in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran and called him. This shows that Abram only made it half-way, and he took his father as well.
7) Isaiah 41:8-10 says we are chosen by God, He is with us, He will strengthen us. Matthew 4:18-22 says Jesus calls Peter and Andrew and he will make them fishers of men. Matthew 19:28-30 says that at the Second Coming those who followed him will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes. Anyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, or chidlren for his way will receive 100 times as much and will inherit eternal life. Mark 8:34-36 says you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus and you will gain eternal life. John 14:15-20 says if you obey Jesus’ commands, you will receive the Holy Spirit to guide and protect you.
8a) Personal Question. My answer: We just moved as well for a better life and pivots in our careers. I plan on many things, including growing closer to God and doing His will in my life.
b) Personal Question. My answer: God’s call never seems to get any easier in life. It’s just a matter of surrender. Knowing that God is behind it all gives me the strength and courage to persevere.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 8, Day 3: Genesis 12:1-3
To us, this is no big deal; people move all the time. However, in ancient times, it was extremely rare for people to travel more than a mile or so outside of their towns and villages. They relied on their family to help them survive. After all, tilling the land is no easy way to live. Thus, when God called Abram to leave both his family and his land for some distant, unknown place, this was a big deal.
his explains why Abram disobeyed God and took family members and why he made it only half way. Perhaps his father could not travel any more. Like I said yesterday, while this is not full obedience, it is better than none at all.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 8, Day 3: Genesis 12:1-3
I typed out the verses because they are so famous and they are good to memorize for us. This promise is repeated here from when God first called Abram.
When God says “I will,” it will be done.
We see Abram growing in faith; this is what we should do as well. We will never be perfect. The point is you journey towards God, one step at a time.
Abram was promised a land, a nation, and fame. All of the major religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) honor him.
Note God’s promise to bless those who blesses His people, and to curse those who curse them. This promise is made to the Jews who are and always will be God’s chosen people. Gentiles were adopted later. God always protects the Jews as history shows, from the Greeks and the Romans to Hitler’s Germany. The moral of the story is: don’t mess with God’s people. The nation of Israel, as tiny as it is, has all of the power in the world because God will never abandon them.
God also promises to make Abram a blessing. If you are a Christian today, no matter your denomimation, you can thank Abram and God. Galatians 3:8-9). (Revelation 5:9)
God’s plan always prevails; aren’t we glad?
Abram had strong genuine faith and trusted God more than 100% because he could have asked the Lord how he was going to be a great nation when his wife Sarai was barren and also leaving his kith and kin and going to some strange land where he could have faced enemies. It was only through faith and complete trust in the Lord for Abram to just obey without question
I pray that I could have this kind of faith, because I despair when facing challenges stresses and failures. I ask the Holy Spirit to continue giving me guidance, wisdom and love of Christ who faced worse situations on earth compared to my minor issues.
Thank you! God bless
Question 4: I found it interesting that Abram could have worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2) “Long ago your forefathers, including Tehran the father of Abram and Nahor lived beyond the River and worshipped other gods.” At least he probably was exposed to idol worship since it was prevalent in Ur.