"Genesis and Other Things"
Lesson Ten - Abram - An Example Worth Following
Moderated by Bob Huddlestun
Read Genesis 12
Man had developed a fatal flaw. Having opted to be wise like God (Genesis 3:4-5) he had become a fool (Romans
1:21-23). Not only did he ignore the only true God, he denied his existence, choosing to worship the creation rather
than the creator. What was God to do? He could destroy mankind as he nearly had done earlier, but he had promised
Noah that he would not (Genesis 8:21-22). He could turn his back on them and let them destroy themselves, as they surely
would. But he loved these shortsighted, irrational creatures too much for that. What could he do?
He would create a family, a people, to teach the world about him and to demonstrate the wisdom of serving him.
Through this family God would bring about a people that would love and serve him. He chose a man called Abram to
initiate his plan. Who was this man Abram?
We know very little. His name means exalted father though he had no children. H. A. Whittaker, in his book
Abraham, Father of the Faithful, points out that this name could be interpreted father of a high place, suggesting that
he might have been a priest serving in a ziggurat. Ziggurats, as I mentioned in the last lesson, were large towers built for
the purpose of worshiping the gods of the land. The ruins of such a tower were discovered near what is believed to be the
remains of Ur, Abram's home town.
Ur was located about 150 miles south of Babylon near the juncture of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It was a highly
civilized city, complete with libraries and schools. Evidence has been uncovered showing that cuneiform writing and
higher forms of mathematics were taught. It also appears to have been a large commercial city based upon the number of
tablets unearthed showing business transactions. Leaving this area could have been quite a sacrifice for Abram and his
family (see Genesis 11:31). It was here he first received the call from God (Acts 7:2; Genesis 15:7 and Nehemiah 9:7).
Could Abram have been a priest? Possibly. We know that his father and other ancestors "worshiped other gods" while
in Chaldea (Joshua 24:2). The patron god of Ur was the moon god, Sin. Considering his response to God's call,
however, Abram must have known and possibly worshiped Yahweh, the Most High God. This could also explain his
response to Melchizedek in a later chapter (14:18f).
As we consider Abram's reaction to God's call we realize that he is a great example of a maturing faith. While he
was to become "God's friend" (James 2:23), and the "father of all who have faith" (Romans 4:11,
N.E.B.), he did not immediately obey all of God's instruction.
You'll notice that these directions consisted of four distinct steps (Genesis 12:1):
Leave your country; leave your people (your associates and friends);
leave your family; and finally, go to another land unknown to Abram.
Abram took that first step of faith. He left Ur. Traveling
up the Euphrates River he settled in Haran. At first glance this might seem out of the way for a trip to Canaan, but, this
was, in fact, the normal caravan route to that land and on into Egypt. The difficulty wasn't the route, it was that he
settled in Haran. Eventually, following the death of his father, he left Haran and continued toward Canaan. This
second step separated him from his people, including most of his family, but not quite all. Lot, his nephew, traveled with
him (Genesis 12:4). At every step we are left without explanation for the action. Why did he take Lot with him?
Did he have some sense of responsibility toward his dead brother's son? Did he feel a need for the added protection
Lot and his servants could provide? We don't know the answers to those questions, but we do know that God did not
covenant with him until he was settled in the land God intended for him and he was separated from Lot (Genesis
13:14f), the last family member.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's look again into chapter twelve. After Abram entered the land the LORD
appeared to him (verse 7). He remained there a while, but because of famine in the land, he left, going into Egypt. This
hardly seems an act of faith. While there, fearing for his own life, he asked Sarai to lie for him, putting her in jeopardy.
Some insist it really wasn't a lie. After all, Sarai was his half sister (Genesis 20:11-13). But, without question, his intent
was to deceive. His fear was understandable. Some Pharaohs had been known to kill men in order to add their wives to
their harem. Fortunately for them both God was watching out for them. The Pharaoh discovered the ruse and ordered
them out of his land. Abram returned to the place God wanted him to inhabit, a wiser and wealthier man.
Something to think about:
1. The Bible is very honest. The weaknesses and mistakes of even the greatest men are never
glossed over, but described in detail. Why do you suppose this is so?
2. Abram is a good example of a man growing in faith. As you read further into his life you'll see
his faith continue to grow and be severely tested. Having heard the call of God he was
willing to take that first step. Consider your life. What is God calling you to do? What would be
the first step toward accomplishing it? Can you imagine what subsequent steps might be
necessary? Take the time right now to write out that goal and the steps you see as necessary to
achieve it.
3. In God's call to Abram there were four distinct requirements; leave home, leave friends and
associates, leave family, and go. In the Jewish commentary of The Pentateuch and
Haftorahs, edited by J. H. Hertz, the writer states, "A similar 'call' comes to Abraham's
descendants in every age and clime, to separate themselves from all associations and
influences that are inimical to their faith and destiny" (p. 40). Do you agree with this
statement? If so, why is it necessary? If not, consider Luke 14:25-35.
4. As I think about those four steps I can't help but wonder about a possible connection to the steps
of salvation.
Is that too much of a stretch?
5. Abram, after nearly completing the requirements God had laid out for him, goofed. He walked
away from the land God had led him to and sinned against his neighbor, lying about his wife.
God allowed him, maybe even helped him, to get turned back around. What does this tell you
about God's patience and love? Read 1 John 1:9.
Next time we'll look at the promises God made to Abram and their connection to us.
Bob Huddlestun
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