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God's Call of Abraham
The calling of Abraham by God holds significant importance in religious history, specifically in the Abrahamic faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This divine encounter, described in the Book of Genesis, marks the beginning of a covenantal relationship between God and Abraham, establishing him as the father of a chosen people and the ancestor of many nations.
God's call of Abraham is a testament to His faithfulness, sovereignty, and divine plan. It signals a pivotal moment in human history, as God chose Abraham and his descendants to play a crucial role in fulfilling His purposes on earth. The story demonstrates God's desire to establish a personal relationship with humanity and reveals His divine intervention in human affairs.
In Genesis 12, we read about God's initial call to Abram (later renamed Abraham). God instructed him to leave his country, his relatives, and his father's household and go to a land that He would show him. This call carried a twofold promise: the land where he would settle would become the inheritance of his descendants, and through his descendants, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
Abraham's response to God's call is an example of faith and obedience. Despite the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead, Abraham trusted in God's leading and embarked on this journey of faith. Throughout his life, Abraham encountered various trials and tests, including the need to leave his homeland, the struggles of infertility, and the near-sacrifice of his son Isaac. However, he remained steadfast, unwavering in his belief in God's promises.
The significance of God's call to Abraham extends beyond his personal life. It encompasses the establishment of the nation of Israel as God's chosen people, the fulfillment of His redemptive plan, and the eventual coming of the Messiah. Through Abraham's descendants, God intended to bring about the birth of Jesus Christ, whose message of salvation would reach all corners of the earth.
Abraham's faith and obedience serve as an inspiration for believers across generations. His willingness to trust in God's promises, even in the face of uncertainty, teaches us about the nature of faith and the importance of fully surrendering ourselves to God's will. Furthermore, the call of Abraham highlights God's faithfulness and His desire to include humanity in His redemptive plans.
God's call of Abraham is a significant event in religious history. It represents God's choice of a man, his descendants, and a specific land for His divine purposes. It symbolizes the beginning of a unique covenantal relationship between God and humanity, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation of mankind. Abraham's faith and obedience serve as an example for believers today, reminding us of the trustworthiness and sovereignty of our Creator.
Abraham’s positive Response and migration
Abraham responds positively to God’s command and call through obedience,
submission and worship (Gen 12:4-5 12:7-9, 17:3-17). He obeyed God and left for where he was commanded to go (Gen 12:4-5). He departed into the unknown, with no security apart from God’s words to follow the call he heard. He submitted totally and did not argue with Him. He arrived in Canaan and built an altar to worship God.
Abraham began his journey from the city of Ur of the Chaldees, and moved northward to Haran, the valley in Mesopotamia. He journeyed southward and entered Canaan around 18050 BC, where he was going and came to the plan of Moreb, where he felt impelled to pitch his tents.
It was here Abraham built an altar to God who appeared to him and promised that he would give the land of Shechem to him. But the Canaanites were in the land and for this reason Abraham moved to Bethel.
Covenant with Isaac
The terms of the covenant are made clear in Genesis 17 that the promises made to Abraham would be fulfilled through the line of Isaac and not Ishmael (17:18-21). Isaac received his own divine visitations (26:2-5; 26:24). On both occasions it is made clear that he is the recipient of the promise because of the faith of his father. Abraham was
ninety-nine years old when Isaac the promised child, was born by Sarah his wife who had been barren (Gen 17:21; 21:2-4). Isaac grew into boyhood and was naturally the idol of his parent. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
God’s covenant with Jacob (Gen 24-36)
In a similar way Jacob was assured that even though he received his father’s blessing by deceit (27:1-29) he would receive the promises made to Abraham by divine choice (28:13-15; 35:9-12). Following the massacre carried out by his sons at Shechem, Jacob carried out what appears to be a rededication of himself and his household to Yahweh.
By putting away all the foreign gods (cf. 31:30-35) and their earrings (cf. Exod. 33:6) they put their trust in Yahweh alone. In response to this act of faith they were protected from reprisal from the Canaanites (35:1-5). His sons became the heads of the twelve
tribes of the nation, and thus are kept continuously before the Hebrew people in their history. Jacob (supplanter), in a memorable experience during the night on the river Jabbok, as he moved back to his old homeland, became Israel (prince of God). This change in name is significant.
The Covenant with Israel
At Mount Sinai, God made covenant with Israel which gave them moral, civil, and
religious laws to live by. Then were building and furnish a place of worship for Him.
He also gave them regarding the priests and worship. The implications of this covenant were for Israel: (a) To be totally obedient to God (b) To be God’s treasured people (c) To be a Holy nation (d) To recognized God’s saving deeds (e) To worship and reverence God (f) To honor the name of God (g) To love/relate properly with others (h) To respect
human life (i) To respect the property of others and (g) To maintain the standard of faith.