”By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
For the most part, people want to be safe and secure - a place to call home. What is important for safety and security is a plot of land (shelter), family and countrymen. These things ‘lock’ you into a community and give you a sense of stability. Abraham had all of these in Ur. But what was also true about Abraham’s place of birth was hedonism and polytheism (many gods). Somehow, Abraham found the one true God and his life was going to drastically change. Abraham learned that what is most important is not…
THE WHERE OR THE WHAT…
”The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
God told Abraham to ‘Go from’ three very distinct things: his country; his people, and his father’s house. Leaving these were important for Abraham to start a new life and a new relationship with this ‘new’ God. His country stood for his surroundings (what he knew). His people represented his safety (who he was with). His father’s house symbolized his support system (how he would make it). Everything that Abraham relied on was going to have to change in the future for him to serve God. But what good would it have done Abraham to have a country, a people and the name of his father (his inheritance), if he did not have the Lord?
…BUT THE WHO AND WHY.
”So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” Genesis 12:4
For Abraham, God was the who to his future. And why was that? Because God told him. He must have figured that if God was with him what was there to fear in following His word. Even though Abraham did not know the where, in faith, he went. So, in Genesis 12:2-3, God promised him a better version of what he would leave. God said, ‘I will make you into a great nation (better than the one you left), I will bless you (better than people can), and I will make your name great’ (more than your father). God also gave Abraham purpose when He said he’d be a blessing to all the peoples on earth. Just as God desires to do for us.
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