Bible Study with Gene: Another Look At a Familiar Text

Genesis 12:1-3

The Lord said to Abram:

Leave your land, your family, and your father’s home,

For a land I will show you.

I will make you a great people,

I will bless you.

I will make your name respected,

You will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you.

And curse those who curse you.

All the families of the earth will receive a blessing,

Through you.

And it was so!

This familiar passage became a foundational text for the early twentieth-century missionary movement. It remains valuable as we talk with others about a divine call to Christian ministry.

(I’ll use the names Abram and Sarai. God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17.)

However, Abram’s story doesn’t begin in chapter 12. If we start where Abram’s story begins, I find it highlights another important issue. Let’s start with the annotated genealogy of Abram’s family of origin (11:27ff). I say "annotated" because this genealogy includes comments alongside the genealogical entries.

The family originated in Ur, a city near where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers converge before flowing into the Persian Gulf. Terah was the father of three sons, including Abram. In Ur, Abram married Sarai.

Terah took his sons, including their wives, to migrate to Canaan. The text pauses for an important note: Sarai was unable to have children (11:30). For unknown reasons, these migrants didn’t reach Canaan. They settled in Haran, about halfway between Ur and Canaan.

Once, I was telling the story to a group of youngsters. I paused to ask: “I wonder why they stopped in Haran.” One boy answered: A camel got a flat foot! The text left out that information. Whatever the reason, they remained in Haran. Terah died there.

Notice: At this point in the story, Abram’s branch of the family had no promising future. They didn’t make it to Canaan. The migrant's father died. Sarai couldn’t conceive.

God’s address to Abram promised the family a great and respected future. They were to complete their migration to Canaan. Their life had a divine purpose: Through you, all the families of the earth will receive God’s blessing.

There are several times in our life journey when we pause. The purpose that has guided our lives has ended. What is next? When we finish school. When the children leave home. When we lose our job. When our partner dies. When we retire. When we lose our mobility, hearing, sight, or memory. Does my life have any purpose?

Abram and Sarai’s life seemed to lack a meaningful future. God gave them a purpose-filled life. Can we help each other listen for and watch for a divine gift of purpose in our lives? Can we ask for help when despair crowds out hope?

Abram and Sarai’s life made a difference, after it looked like it couldn’t. So will yours!