Genesis 12:1-7, 10-18
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, May 1

 

Change can be very difficult in our lives. However, change can provide opportunities for growth and blessings. This week's study is about a man who was called by God to undergo some major changes in his life.

He was called to leave his homeland, family, culture and religious heritage. However, God had a loving purpose in calling Abram to make such drastic changes in life. We can learn three important lessons from this episode in Abram's life that will help us move through the changes of life with confidence and see God's purpose fulfilled in our lives.

 

Look for God's purpose, vs. 12:1-3

God's purpose for Abram's life is clearly declared in these verses. It is important to realize that the fulfillment of God's purpose in Abram's life did not center in what Abram would do for God, but in what God would do for and through Abram. This is seen in God declaring, "I will" four times in Genesis 12:1-3. Abram's responsibility was to follow God in obedience and faith (Gen. 12:1).

God's purpose in Abram's life included tremendous blessings that would be realized in his lifetime and far beyond. God promised to lead Abram to a land that would be given to him and his descendants (Gen. 12:1; 15:18-21; 17:8). The nation of Israel is the fulfillment of the promise to make him a great nation (Gen. 12:2).

God promised to make Abram's name great (Gen. 12:2). This has certainly been fulfilled for millions in Christianity, Judaism and Islam who honor the name of Abram four thousand years after his death. God promised to bless Abram (Gen. 12:2). Abram was blessed and became a man of great wealth (Gen. 12:2). God also promised to protect Abram, declaring that he would bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who cursed him (Gen. 12:3).

God's purpose in Abram's life included God's intent to bless others through Abram. God told Abram, "You shall be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). God also promised, "In you all the families of the earth will be blessed." This promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ - the descendent of Abram who brought salvation to all the families of the earth (Gal. 3:8,16).

This promise clearly indicates that the salvation of God is intended for all peoples of the world. The mission mandate finds its roots in this promise.

As we move through the changes of life we should look for the purpose of God in our lives. He desires to bless us and to bless others through us. The changes we go through are positioning us to experience and share these blessings.

 

Recognize God's presence, vs. 12:4-7

We should also recognize the presence of God as we are moving through the transitions of life. Abram did this by establishing altars at significant places on his journey and worshiping at those altars. These altars were constructed at Shechem and near Bethel (Gen. 12:6-8).

The first altar was erected after God's promise of that land to Abram's descendents. The altars served as specific markers of God's activity and faithfulness in Abram's life. They also served as public declarations of that activity and faithfulness to the people of that land.

Taking time to worship, give thanks and publicly declare what God is doing in our lives is important in our spiritual journey. This helps us look backward to what God has done, upward to see his goodness and greatness, and forward to claim what he has prepared for us. We need to establish stones of Ebenezer in our spiritual journeys (1 Sam. 7:12).

 

Seek God's help, vs. 12:10-18

While we learn the first two lessons about dealing with change in our lives from the positive example of Abram, we learn the third lesson from his lack of faith and failure in a time of trial. Very often times of testing come when we follow the will of God. This test came to Abram in the form of a famine.

While there is no record of instruction from God to do so, Abram left the land that God had led him to for the land of Egypt. In Egypt we see attitudes and actions that we would not expect from such a man of faith. However, the heroes of faith were mere men with feet of clay.

Abram clearly displayed a lack of faith. His lack of faith led to fear and that fear led to selfishness. He asked Sarai to say that she was his sister instead of his wife so that the Egyptians would not harm him (Gen. 12:11-13). While she was his half-sister (Gen. 20:12), Abram's intent was to deceive others for his self-interests.

Imagine the harm that was done to their relationship through his actions. How could she trust him in the future? Abram should have looked to God for help instead of scheming.

In spite of Abram's lack of faith, God remained faithful and prevented Pharaoh from taking Sarai as his wife (Gen. 12:17-20). We can all be thankful for God's faithfulness in spite of our unbelief (2 Tim. 2:13). However, we spare our loved ones and ourselves much pain if we act in faith during the times of crisis that will certainly come in all of our lives.

 

Questions to consider:

1. What are the purposes of God in my life?

2. What are the changes he is calling me to make that I might see those purposes fulfilled?

3. How can I remember and declare the presence of God in my spiritual journey?

4. How should I look to God for help in times of crisis?