INTRODUCTION: Every observant reader must notice how the focus of Genesis begins to narrow at this point; more space is given to Abraham than was given to the creation of the world. Genesis 1-11, is in many respects the introduction to the rest of the Bible. In Genesis 12, we then see a great forward step in the history of redemption as God chooses and calls Abraham.
There are several things to remember about this man:
A. He is the Father of the Jewish nation as well as some others.B. He is the Father of all the faithful [Galatians 3:6-9]. The word "Father" has the meaning here of one who is the first example in a particular area [Genesis 4:20-21; John 8:44]. Abraham is the first man of whom it is recorded that he was saved by faith. All who therefore trust Christ for salvation are children of Abraham. Men were saved by faith before Abraham, but he is the first one whom God uses as an example of this [Genesis 15:3; Romans 4:3].
C. Abraham is the first clearly specified ancestor of the Savior.
I. GOD'S CALL - verse 1.
We can only guess how Genesis 12:1 correlates with Genesis 11:31-32. In Acts 7:2-4, we learn that the call came to Abraham when he was yet in Ur of the Chaldees. Terah's move was probably caused by the call that Abraham received. They stopped in Haran, however, before entering Canaan. This delay was probably caused by Abraham's disobedience. He was told to leave his kindred and the failure to leave his father only resulted in his first stopping short of God's destination for him.The Lord desired to raise up a separate nation through which to carry out His redemptive plan. Even Abraham's family had lived among idolaters [Joshua 24:2]. The darkness of sin seemed universal, yet in Abraham's call we see God's predestinated plan coming to pass. Who in the world at that time could have guessed what God would do through Abraham. For Abraham to obey God required great faith [Hebrews 11:8]. There were many seeming difficulties to his believing God's promises.
A. He did not know where God was leading him.
B. His wife was barren.
C. He was forced to break family ties.
D. Canaan was filled with idolaters and ungodly people who would provide no fellowship for Abraham.
E. Many trials came upon Abraham as he obeyed God.II. GOD'S COVENANT - verses 2-3.
These promises relate to Abraham as the father of the Jewish nation and also as the one whose seed would be the Messiah. God has and is keeping every one of these promises. Even today there are people in every part of the world who are saved and blessed by faith in Christ, who are the seed of Abraham [Galatians 3:13-14].III. ABRAHAM'S OBEDIENCE - verses 4-5.
Abraham came into Canaan knowing only that God had called him there. He believed, though he could not have fully grasped God's plan. Faith often leads us down a path only familiar to the Lord.IV. FURTHER REVELATIONS - verses 6-9.
As we obey God more light is cast on our path. While traveling in Canaan, God adds to the promises made to Abraham. Here he learned that he was brought to Canaan because his seed was to possess it. This land grant to the Jews is known in theology as the Palestinian Covenant. Notice that Abraham was a man who knew and worshipped God. His sacrifices revealed his faith in God's mercy. His calling upon the "name of the Lord" revealed that he knew who the true God was.V. TRIALS - verses 10-20.
As the story is plain, let us simply consider some of the lessons to be noted in these Scriptures:A. Trials come even to those who obey God. What must Abraham have thought of a famine in the promised land. They are all the more difficult because we do not expect famines in Canaan (a type of the Christian life, not of heaven) I Peter 4:12.
B. The greatest saint may fall. Past victories are no guarantee of future victories. Each trial requires fresh faith.
C. One sin leads to another. Had Abraham stayed in Canaan where God sent him, he would not have been tempted in Egypt.
D. In trials our faith is to be in God's power, not in the world's provisions (Egypt is a type of the world).
E. Our sin can be a stumbling block to others. Note that Abraham led his wife and his future son into sin [Genesis 26:6- 7]. There is also no knowing what damage was done to Lot through this. Many feel that he married a woman in Egypt who later became an example of God's judgment upon sin.
F. Our sin destroys our testimony. Pharoah seems to have had no love for Abraham or Abraham's God.
G. God is sovereign and can protect His people wherever they go.
H. God can chasten and restore His erring children [Hebrews 12:6-8].
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