Genesis 11:27-32

Abra(ha)m is first introduced to us as a descendent of Shem (Gen 11:10-30). His father is Terah, a worshipper of idols (Josh 24:2, 15).

In fact, Ur of the Chaldeans was a major center of moon worship in antiquity.

The names Terah, Milcah, and Sarai are all related to the worship of the moon god Sin.

Why would God choose to make an idolater the father of His people? What does that say about the way God might deal with

us?

Terah had three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot, but Haran “died before his father Terah

in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans” (v 28). As you well know, the fact that Haran begot Lot and died

before Terah plays a significant role in the Abraham “saga.”

Abram and Nahor both took wives. While Nahor’s wife had children, Sarai was barren.

Any time the author of a biblical text interrupts a genealogy there’s important information being given. We understand the importance of Sarai’s barrenness.

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, and his daughter-in-law Sarai and left Ur to go to Haran (v 31).

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot, and his daughter-in-law Sarai and left Ur to go to Haran (v 31). We’re not told why Terah decided to leave Ur and go to

Haran. Haran was about 550 miles northwest of Ur.

Haran was also an important city in the worship of the moon god Sin.

Some ideas about why Terah left Ur: His original destination was Canaan (11:31).

We know that God called Abraham before he lived in Haran (Acts 7:2-4).

It’s possible, therefore, that Abraham’s family set out from Ur in partial obedience to God and got sidetracked once they arrived in Haran. Haran was an important commercial center.

It’s possible that the family became sidetracked by something in Haran (business, Terah’s health, etc).

What are some things that sidetrack us from fulfilling God’s will?

Some ideas about why Terah left Ur: His original destination was Canaan (11:31).

We know that God called Abraham before he lived in Haran (Acts 7:2-4).

The Elamites destroyed Ur in 1950 BC. It’s possible that Terah and family left Ur simply out of a political

reality.

It seems that Abraham was unwilling to leave his family behind in obedience to the call of God. Abraham is unwilling to leave his “comfort zone.”

Why is it important to leave our “comfort zone” in order to serve God?

Why is leaving our “comfort zone” difficult?

What are some ways that we are called on to leave our “comfort zone”?

What are some other reasons Abraham may have been unwilling to leave his father’s house?

Genesis 12:1-3

As we have mentioned the call of Abraham occurred the first time in Ur, not Haran. That’s the only conclusion from Stephen’s speech to the

Sanhedrin (Act 7:2-3).

It appears, therefore, that God called Abraham on more than one occasion. For whatever reason, God in His perfect will, chose not to give

us any details on the first call of Abraham.

I believe that realization to be important--too many times we want things nicely tied up with bows on top, but God doesn’t do that. What God has revealed in Scripture is what He chose to reveal.

“The call of Abram (as he is known in the text until Gen 17) is a dramatic one in scripture, widely acknowledged as a turning point in the biblical story. It is a new beginning, a new genesis in the Epic of God. In one sense, the story that began here would not culminate for another two millennia on a Roman cross. Yet in another sense, that narrative is still unfolding in the lives of all God’s people” (Michael Whitworth, The Epic of God).

It is important to notice that God only requires Abraham to do two things but promises six divine blessings. God’s requests:

Leave your country, kindred, and father’s house and go to the land I will show you.

Be a blessing.

It is important to notice that God only requires Abraham to do two things but promises six divine blessings. God’s promises:

I will make you a great nation.

I will bless you.

I will make your name great.

I will bless those who bless you.

I will curse those who curse you.

In [By] you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

God tells Abram to get out of his country, v 1. While Abram was from Ur, Haran became his adopted

city/country (Gen 24:4, 27, 38, 40, 41, 48).

What challenges might Abram encounter by living his country?

How could leaving his country be an act of faith for Abram?

God called Abram to leave his family and his father’s house, v 1. What are some things involved in Abram’s leaving his

father’s house? In antiquity, to leave your father’s house was to forfeit your

inheritance and any claims to family property.

Abram is also being asked to leave his family’s idols and worship YHWH alone (Josh 24:2).

Does the call of Abram remind you of any words of Jesus? Luke 14:26.

What are some things that we need to leave in order to follow God? How do we go about giving some of these things up?

Abram was to go to the land that God would show him (v 1). We know from other texts that the land was Canaan.

We further know that Canaan was a good land. Ex 3:16-17.

Yet, Abram knew none of these things. What type of faith did it take for Abram to go to a place he did not

know?

Some texts:

Heb 11:8-9.

Heb 11:13-16.

Abram was to go to the land that God would show him (v 1). We know from other texts that the land was Canaan.

Why would God not tell Abram where He was sending him?

God promised to make Abram a great nation (v 2). That promise would surely seem almost laughable to

Abram and Sarai. They had been unable to conceive children, and Abram is 75

when he departed Haran (Gen 12:4). Sarai schemed and convinced Abram to conceive a child with Hagar

(Gen 16).

Abraham laughed when God promised to give him a son (Gen 17:17).

Sarah laughed when God told Abraham that Sarah would conceive (Gen 18:13).

Why did Abram and Sarai have their doubts? Why should they not have doubted?

How do we keep from doubting God’s promises?

God promises to bless Abram (v 2). What blessings would Abram receive?

What are some blessings that we receive for being obedient to God?

God will make Abram’s name great (v 2). Interestingly, God does for Abram what those at Babel

tried to do for themselves (Gen 11:4). What is the difference?

How would God make Abram’s name great?

Abram would be a blessing (v 2). Many of the English translations leave the phrasing here

ambiguous at best.

The Hebrew is an imperative. Therefore, this is a command; Abram was to be an active

blessing.

In what way(s) do you think God intended Abram to bless people?

What are some ways that you and I can bless people?

God would bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him (v 3). Why would God make such a promise?

Can you think of examples where people were cursed for cursing Abra(ha)m? Pharaoh (Gen 12:17).

Abimelech (Gen 20:3, 17).

In Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed (v 3). How?

How are we blessed through Abram?

What about those who reject the Christ--how are they blessed through Abram?

Abram left Haran as the LORD told him (but taking Lot). Abram was seventy-five years old when this took place (v 4). It amazes me that the text says “as the LORD had spoken

to him.” As we’ve said before, it is far from total obedience.

I think the point of the text is that Abram obeyed the command to leave.

If Abram had fully obeyed God, how might his journey have been different?

What happens when we fail to obey God fully?

Abram left Haran as the LORD told him (but taking Lot). Abram was seventy-five years old when this took place (v 4). There is a slight “problem” with the text at this point.

Some read Gen 11:26 to men that Terah was 70 when Abram was born. Terah dies at 205, and Abram then leaves Haran.

If that’s the case, Terah died at the age of 145, not 205.

Some scholars believe the text originally read 145, not 205, but was changed due to scribal error.

But, Gen 11:26 does not necessarily mean that Terah was 70 when Abram was born.

The LORD appeared to Abram in Canaan and promised to give him the land (vv 6-7). We’re told the Canaanites were in the land.

Why might that factoid be included?

After the LORD promised the land to Abram’s descendants, Abram builds an altar. Why might he do so after God only makes a promise?

What lessons might we learn?

www.preachinghelps.com