The Call of Abram

Genesis 12 marks a significant turn in the Biblical narrative as it introduces Abram (later renamed Abraham), whose lineage will shape much of the subsequent Biblical story. This chapter begins with God’s call to Abram, setting the stage for the establishment of the nation of Israel and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Abram’s Departure from Haran

• Divine Command and Promise: God calls Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household to go to a land that He would show him. God makes Abram a series of profound promises: to make him into a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, and to bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. Moreover, all peoples on earth would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:1-3).
• Abram’s Obedience: At seventy-five years old, Abram obeys God’s call, departing Haran with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their possessions. They travel to Canaan, where Abram travels through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem and then to the hills east of Bethel (Genesis 12:4-8).

Altars to the Lord

• Worship and Commitment: Abram builds altars to the Lord at Shechem and later between Bethel and Ai. These altars signify his worship and dedication to God and serve as physical markers of God’s promise in the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7-8).

Abram in Egypt

• Famine and Fear: A severe famine forces Abram to go down to Egypt to live there temporarily. Anticipating trouble because of his wife Sarai’s beauty, Abram asks her to say she is his sister, fearing that the Egyptians would kill him to take her otherwise (Genesis 12:10-13).
• Pharaoh’s Household: Sarai is taken into Pharaoh’s palace, and Abram benefits materially because of her. However, the Lord inflicts serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai. Once Pharaoh realizes the reason for these plagues, he confronts Abram and expels him and his entourage from Egypt (Genesis 12:14-20).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christ as the Fulfillment of the Promise

• Blessing to All Nations: The promise that all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abram directly points to Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the descendant of Abram through whom the promise is fulfilled, bringing salvation to all nations (Galatians 3:8-9).
• Faith and Righteousness: Abram’s faith and obedience prefigure the faith required in Christ. Just as Abram believed in God’s promises and acted on them, believers in Christ are called to faith and obedience.

Divine Love and Its Implications

• Covenant Relationship: God’s call and promises to Abram demonstrate His loving initiative and commitment to forming a people who will know Him and from whom the Savior of the world will come. This relationship underscores God’s desire to bless humanity and not just a single group or nation.
• Protection and Provision: Even when Abram’s decisions bring potential disaster, such as in Egypt, God intervenes to protect and provide, demonstrating His faithfulness and mercy.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Genesis 12 Still Matters Today

• Model of Faith and Obedience: Abram’s story serves as a powerful example of stepping out in faith based on God’s promises. This resonates deeply with believers today, encouraging them to trust and follow God’s leading even when the path is not clear.
• Understanding God’s Plans: Genesis 12 helps believers understand the nature of God’s plans, which often involve calling people out of comfort zones to achieve greater purposes.
• Blessings and Responsibilities: The narrative highlights that blessings from God come with responsibilities and sometimes challenges, reminding believers that faith can require difficult choices and ethical dilemmas.

Genesis 12, therefore, is not just a historical account but a foundational chapter that shapes the theology and expectations of faith, illustrating how God’s plans are worked out through human history and individual lives. It encourages ongoing trust in God’s promises and provides a framework for understanding how personal stories are woven into the larger fabric of God’s redemptive purposes.