Our Scripture for today is Genesis 12: 1-3, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’" This section of Scripture is our first real look into Abram; we’ve met him and his brothers in the verses before, but that was all family history whereas this is the beginning of really learning who Abram was and how he would be shaped and used by God. So, what can we learn from these few verses?
1) Abram listened to God. The very first time in Genesis that Abram is mentioned once the family history is completed, The Lord is saying something directly to him. God is giving specific instructions to Abram about moving away to a new land.
2) He was trusted by God. The Lord knew Abram was a trustworthy man who would follow God’s lead into the new land.
3) He trusted God. He trusted God to lead him and his family safely to the land set aside for them to further God’s kingdom.
4) Abram was to be a blessed man. In verses 2 and 3, a version of the word “blessed” is used 5 times! God promised to make Abram into a great nation and BLESS him, make his name great and that Abram would be a BLESSING, that God would BLESS whoever BLESSED Abram, and that all the peoples of the earth would be BLESSED through Abram.
Wouldn’t you love to be remembered the way we remember Abram? His life wasn’t a cake walk, for sure, but when we look to Scripture for “spiritual giants” he’s definitely up at the top of the list! All the blessings that God promised in the first 3 verses of Genesis 12 were delivered on and we have the whole story recorded for us to share with every generation. In chapter 25 (the end of Abram's story), his death is recorded this way: “Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years.”
How have you seen God’s blessings promised, then manifested, in your life? Please share your stories!
Father God, thank You so much for showing us grace and mercy. You bless us deeply and in ways we can’t even imagine, until You show us. Lord, may we bless Your Name with our every breath and become like Abram – listeners, trusting You to lead, and blessed by You in Your good time! We love you, Lord! In Jesus Name, AMEN!
Jennifer