(Life of Abram) When God Calls! Part 1

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Today we will begin a series taking our journey into the Book of Genesis chapter 12.  We will start with Genesis 12:1-5.  For this post we will review the “call” of Abram (name later changed to Abraham).  His life as recorded by Holy Spirit is truly one of faith. Let’s begin! Genesis 12:1 opens with Abrams “call.”   “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:”  When God called Abram into His Kingdom, He gave him four (4) specific instructions:

1.  Get out of your country.
2.  Leave your kindred.
3.  Leave your father’s house.
4.  I will guide you (Abram) into the land of My choosing.

These four instructions were very important for Abram and very important for today’s Believers as follows:

Get out of your country, this is an instruction for Believers to separate themselves from the world.  From within our hearts, we are to detach ourselves from the things of this world.

Leave your kindred, this is separation from relatives, such as culture and habits.  We are not to isolate ourselves from family.  True Believers belong to Christ and He wants us to learn His Kingdom culture.  He wants first place in our hearts.

Leave your father’s house, this is separation from family traditions and family plans.  Once again this is not isolation from others!  We belong to God and He has a plan for each of our lives to change us from the old man (kingdom of darkness) into a new man in Christ Jesus.

I will guide you (Abram) into the land of My choosing.  God would supernaturally guide Abram to his new place of abode. God wants Believers to trust and depend on Him, not on self for life on earth.

Abram’s first step of faith began when he made the decision to answer God’s call.  After listening to God’s four instructions, this had to be a difficult decision on Abram’s part for three reasons:  1) in Biblical days family ties were very important because families stayed together in close community, they even travelled together; 2) Abram’s family of origin practiced idol worship of their native country; and 3) Abram resided in a thriving industrious country.  What about you?  Would you leave your native land?  Separate yourself from family and friends you grew up with?  Give up comforts you have come accustom to?  How about your culture and traditions?  Now imagine the difficulty Abram had in answering God’s call.

God knowing Abram’s heart, understood that this would be a difficult decision for him, so as we read in Genesis 12:2-3, God tells Abram the future plans He has for him.  “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  All Believers must understand this, God looks at the heart!  When God looked at Abram’s heart, He saw one of obedience and faith.  What does He see in your heart? If God calls you to leave all your creature comforts and family to follow Him, will you go?

Notice what God tells Abram He will do for him in verses 2 and 3 once he accepts His call!
1.  He will make of Abram a great nation.
2.  He will bless Abram.
3.  He will make Abram’s name great.
4.  Abram will be a blessing.
5.  God will bless them that bless Abram.
6.  God will curse those that curse Abram.
7.  In Abram all families of the earth be blessed.

All seven (7) points of this prophetic message, from God to Abram, came about and is still active today.  As we journey through God’s Word, we will learn this message was meant for the nation of Israel (Old Testament) and the Church (New Testament), which is made up of born-again Believers.  So, both Jews and Gentiles that believe in Jesus as their Savior receive these blessings, per the 7th point of the message in verse 3.

In verse 4 we read that Abram was 75 years old when he received his “call” from the Lord God. “So, Abram departed as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.”   Abram was obedient to the “calling,” he did as God asked.  Leaving his father’s house, he took with him Sarai, his wife, and his nephew Lot.  Many theologians question why Abram took Lot, when God said “leave your kindred,” especially since Lot was father to the Moabites and Ammonites, Israel’s enemies! (To be discussed more in a later series)

So, taking all that he owned, Abram began his journey with the Lord God as his Guide.  Verse 5 reads, “And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.”  The Lord lead Abram to, what we will learn in Part 2, the Promised Land – Canaan!

What can we learn from these 5 verses:
1.  The Lord God does the calling.  We have to wait on the Lord for Him to reveal His plans for our lives.  Everyone has a calling to be fruitful in the Kingdom of God.  Don’t get ahead of Him, be patient.

2.  God does talk with His children!  We have to listen for His still small voice.

3.  You have a choice! will you answer the call.  God forces no one!

4.  All Believers are to separate themselves from the culture of this world. Our culture is Heavenly!  Our home is located in Heaven.

5.  Whom the Lord calls He equips, provides and guides.  God never abandons us.

Are you ready for a journey of a life with the Lord?  When God calls be quick to answer, and be obedient to His calling, He will be with you every step of the way.  God may reveal His instructions all at once or in steps, either way be patient trusting Father to bring about His plan through you. Remember, faith and obedience are keys for a fruitful blessing!

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