The Call of Abraham
Answering God's Call: Lessons from Abraham's Journey
Abraham's story begins in Genesis 12, where God calls him to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown destination. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of God's relationship with the man who would become known as the father of faith.
What was God's call to Abraham?
God's call to Abraham was direct and life-changing: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). This wasn't a small request—God was asking Abraham to leave everything familiar behind and step into the unknown.
The call came with promises:
• "I will make you a great nation"
• "I will bless you and make your name great"
• "You shall be a blessing"
• "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you"
• "In you all families of the earth shall be blessed"
These promises weren't just for Abraham's benefit. The final promise points to the coming of Jesus Christ through Abraham's lineage, bringing salvation to all people.
How did Abraham respond to God's call?
Abraham's response was simple but profound: "So Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken to him" (Genesis 12:4). At 75 years old, Abraham packed up his household, including his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot, and began his journey to Canaan.
This wasn't just physical obedience—it was an act of faith. Abraham hadn't seen God yet; he had only heard His voice. Yet he trusted enough to leave everything behind.
What happened when Abraham reached Canaan?
When Abraham arrived in Canaan, something remarkable happened: "The Lord appeared to Abraham" (Genesis 12:7). This marks a progression in their relationship. First, Abraham heard God's voice and obeyed. Then, he experienced God's presence. In response, Abraham built an altar to the Lord. This was an act of worship and recognition of God's
faithfulness. He continued this pattern as he journeyed through the land, building altars and "calling on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 12:8).
What does Abraham's call teach us about our relationship with God?
Abraham's journey illustrates three types of calls that God extends to us:
1. The Call to Salvation - God calls everyone to salvation. Just as Abraham had to leave his father's house (representing our sinful nature), we must leave our old life behind to follow Christ. Joel 2:12 says, "Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
2. The Call to Sanctification - For believers, God calls us to be set apart. This isn't about physical separation from the world but separation from worldly values and fleshly desires. God wants us to experience the "Promised Land" of abundant Christian life—characterized by love, joy, and peace.
3. The Call to Service - God calls some to specific forms of service. Not everyone is called to be a pastor or missionary, but everyone has a role in God's kingdom. God uses people from diverse backgrounds and professions to accomplish His purposes.
How do we answer God's call in our lives?
Abraham's example shows us three key principles for answering God's call:
1. Recognize that God is calling - God is always calling people to Himself. He called Abraham, and He's calling you. The question is whether we're listening.
2. Answer the call - Joel 2:32 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." When we see God for who He truly is, we recognize our desperate need for Him. Answering His call means acknowledging our sin and turning to Him in faith.
3. Obey in faith - Galatians 3:6-9 tells us that Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." True faith leads to obedience. When we trust God enough to follow His leading, we experience His blessing.
Why is it sometimes difficult to answer God's call?
The greatest obstacle to obeying God isn't external circumstances—it's our own will. We often resist God's call because we're comfortable where we are or afraid of the unknown. Abraham had to leave his father's house, his comfort zone, to experience God's blessing.
Cultural and family expectations can also make it difficult to follow God's call. Abraham's father Terah started the journey to Canaan but stopped halfway. Sometimes we need to make difficult choices to fully follow God's plan for our lives.
Life Application
God is calling you today. Whether it's a call to salvation, sanctification, or service, He wants you to experience the blessing that comes from following Him in faith.
Ask yourself these questions:
• What is God calling me to leave behind to follow Him more fully?
• Am I resisting God's call because of comfort, fear, or other people's expectations?
• What step of faith do I need to take this week to move toward God's promised blessing?
Remember that God's call is motivated by His love. He doesn't call us away from something good to something worse—He calls us from our limited human perspective to His divine perspective, from temporary pleasure to eternal joy.
This week, commit to taking one step of obedience in response to God's call. It might be letting go of a sinful habit, forgiving someone who hurt you, or stepping out in service to others. Whatever it is, trust that God's promises are true and that His blessing follows obedience.
Abraham's story begins in Genesis 12, where God calls him to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown destination. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of God's relationship with the man who would become known as the father of faith.
What was God's call to Abraham?
God's call to Abraham was direct and life-changing: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). This wasn't a small request—God was asking Abraham to leave everything familiar behind and step into the unknown.
The call came with promises:
• "I will make you a great nation"
• "I will bless you and make your name great"
• "You shall be a blessing"
• "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you"
• "In you all families of the earth shall be blessed"
These promises weren't just for Abraham's benefit. The final promise points to the coming of Jesus Christ through Abraham's lineage, bringing salvation to all people.
How did Abraham respond to God's call?
Abraham's response was simple but profound: "So Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken to him" (Genesis 12:4). At 75 years old, Abraham packed up his household, including his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot, and began his journey to Canaan.
This wasn't just physical obedience—it was an act of faith. Abraham hadn't seen God yet; he had only heard His voice. Yet he trusted enough to leave everything behind.
What happened when Abraham reached Canaan?
When Abraham arrived in Canaan, something remarkable happened: "The Lord appeared to Abraham" (Genesis 12:7). This marks a progression in their relationship. First, Abraham heard God's voice and obeyed. Then, he experienced God's presence. In response, Abraham built an altar to the Lord. This was an act of worship and recognition of God's
faithfulness. He continued this pattern as he journeyed through the land, building altars and "calling on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 12:8).
What does Abraham's call teach us about our relationship with God?
Abraham's journey illustrates three types of calls that God extends to us:
1. The Call to Salvation - God calls everyone to salvation. Just as Abraham had to leave his father's house (representing our sinful nature), we must leave our old life behind to follow Christ. Joel 2:12 says, "Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."
2. The Call to Sanctification - For believers, God calls us to be set apart. This isn't about physical separation from the world but separation from worldly values and fleshly desires. God wants us to experience the "Promised Land" of abundant Christian life—characterized by love, joy, and peace.
3. The Call to Service - God calls some to specific forms of service. Not everyone is called to be a pastor or missionary, but everyone has a role in God's kingdom. God uses people from diverse backgrounds and professions to accomplish His purposes.
How do we answer God's call in our lives?
Abraham's example shows us three key principles for answering God's call:
1. Recognize that God is calling - God is always calling people to Himself. He called Abraham, and He's calling you. The question is whether we're listening.
2. Answer the call - Joel 2:32 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." When we see God for who He truly is, we recognize our desperate need for Him. Answering His call means acknowledging our sin and turning to Him in faith.
3. Obey in faith - Galatians 3:6-9 tells us that Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." True faith leads to obedience. When we trust God enough to follow His leading, we experience His blessing.
Why is it sometimes difficult to answer God's call?
The greatest obstacle to obeying God isn't external circumstances—it's our own will. We often resist God's call because we're comfortable where we are or afraid of the unknown. Abraham had to leave his father's house, his comfort zone, to experience God's blessing.
Cultural and family expectations can also make it difficult to follow God's call. Abraham's father Terah started the journey to Canaan but stopped halfway. Sometimes we need to make difficult choices to fully follow God's plan for our lives.
Life Application
God is calling you today. Whether it's a call to salvation, sanctification, or service, He wants you to experience the blessing that comes from following Him in faith.
Ask yourself these questions:
• What is God calling me to leave behind to follow Him more fully?
• Am I resisting God's call because of comfort, fear, or other people's expectations?
• What step of faith do I need to take this week to move toward God's promised blessing?
Remember that God's call is motivated by His love. He doesn't call us away from something good to something worse—He calls us from our limited human perspective to His divine perspective, from temporary pleasure to eternal joy.
This week, commit to taking one step of obedience in response to God's call. It might be letting go of a sinful habit, forgiving someone who hurt you, or stepping out in service to others. Whatever it is, trust that God's promises are true and that His blessing follows obedience.
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