A Call to Radical Obedience
Genesis 12:1-4
By Mike Cooper
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him.
Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
The passage starts with the Lord speaking to Abram and telling him to get up and leave everything that brought him security and comfort and to go somewhere unknown. God tells Abram to go to the land that he will show him. As Hebrews 11:8 points out, Abram did not know what his destination would be but he went by faith regardless. Abram left his home and his people and all he had because he believed the promises of God.
Fortunately, our God is the God who makes and keeps his promises. The call of Abram is a story full of promises from God. This passage contains seven different promises that have to do with what God will do. Notice how frequently God says “I will” in these verses. He will show Abram the land. He will make a great nation of Abram. He will make Abram’s name great. He will bless Abram. He will bless all the families of the earth through Abram. Ultimately this blessing is found through Jesus who became flesh to live a perfect life, and died on our behalf.
Sometimes God asks us to trust him and act on faith without having all the answers or details. When he does this we must act like Abram in verse 4 who “went, as the LORD had told him.” We can do this because we know that all of God’s promises find their “yes” in Jesus. Often God’s will for our lives is not revealed all at once, and the most difficult part of obedience can be the waiting. But obedience while we wait can be the best preparation for serving him when we arrive at our destination.
Father, thank you for being faithful to keep your promises. Help us to act in obedience even when we don’t have all the answers and as we wait to see what you will do. In Jesus’ name,