Genesis 12

Bible Gateway Genesis 12 NIV link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=12&version=31

 

God had a plan for Abram, and as we all know, he became on of the more prominent figures in the history of religion; I say religion because all three major religions accept him as a prominent figure (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). God is not a stingy God. HE does not hold back form those that will follow him. Abram left behind his comfort, and all that he had to follow the direction of God. AS a result, God did bless him. I would imagine the magnitude of that blessing must have been a shock to Abram as it unfolded. Many look at this as God bartering with one of his people, but really that is not the case. As we so often do today, we tend to only look at the surface of the story. Yes, God told Abram that he would be blessed, but do you really think that is why he left? Of course not. Look at it from a first person perspective. If God came to you and said I need you to take your family, and move to Kalamazoo would you really need anything more than that? Of course God will take care of you, it is a given, he always takes care of those that follow him. So God reassuring Abram that he would take care of him, was really more of an afterthought, Abram lived to serve God, not to be rich, and powerful, if that was Abram’s motive, God would have never chosen him.

 

Then as the journey begins, the blessings start. As they travel God shows Abram the land that will be given to Abram’s off spring. How does Abram respond? He builds an alter, and gives thanks. HE was not instructed to, he did it because he wanted to give thanks. Now here is the interesting part, as he travels on, we see that God has not presented himself to Abram, so Abram stops and builds another alter, and calls on the Lord…..but if you notice, nothing is mentioned about God responding, or presenting himself…..here is where many people would turn. It is easy to follow God when he is on your shoulder and giving you direction personally, but when you call and do not get an answer, many will turn and go back to what they know. Not Abram, he packs up, and keeps on traveling.

 

They head in to Egypt, and Abram knows this will not go well for him, yet this is the path that the Lord has set him on, so he proceeds ahead, and gives up his wife. Let me say that again, he willingly gives up his wife to follow that path that God has set before him. AS a result God delivers Sari back to Abram. Talk about faith! Abram understood the key, trust in the Lord and he will protect, sustain, and then bless you. HE will never forsake you, or leave you.

 

So many might say that God made the promise to Abram as a deal to get him to leave his land. I say God was doing nothing more than telling a faithful servant what lay ahead, because God already knew that Abram was a man of unshakeable faith. God promised to make Abram great, all Abram wanted to do was serve his God. God gives us what we need, not what we want. When we learn not to spend so much time wanting, and more time following God….. that is when we see God give us more than we most likely deserve!

 

Peace,

Brian