The Patriarchs, Kings and Prophets of Israel: Expository Notes

Lesson 1. ABRAHAM’S MIGRATION TO CANAAN. The Beginning of the Hebrew People. Genesis 11:27–12:20;15:1–17:27

Abraham’s Unquestioning Obedience

“Terah went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.” (Gen. 11:31) “And Abram took Sarai his wife, and…. went forth to go into the land of Canaan; they came.”
(Gen. 12:5).

In this short record of the movements of Terah and his son Abraham we recognize the Divine force which had entered into the life of the latter. He had heard the voice of Jehovah, and forsaking kindred and land had followed its counsel. Terah started with the same purpose, but failed to realize it. Abraham started for Canaan, and into the land of Canaan he came.

It is probable that this movement of Terah was one of spiritual discontent. Ur of the Chaldees was full of idols. Was the soul of this man hungering for the spiritual uplifting which it was impossible to find in his surroundings, and was it the wish to get away from the atmosphere of idolatry which led to his migration? Many a man with similar experiences has turned his back upon old associations with the hope of being better able to find the solace which seemed denied in the old environment.

Terah, however, did not go far enough. When he came to Haran he “dwelt there.” What led to this change of purpose, we are not told. It may be that tempted by prospects of earthly gains, the spiritual voice was silenced. The experience is not unusual. Too frequently the “silver mines” of Bunyan’s dream cut short the journey of many. They turn aside and are heard of no more in the quest of life. After the death of Terah the distinct call came to his son Abraham, and he obeyed, going all the way.

Abraham’s Loyalty to God

In Gen. 12:1-3 -- God’s command and promise to Abraham – we have revealed God’s principle and purpose, -- His selection of a man absolutely loyal to His commands, to whom the will of Jehovah would be the final test of life and character. Such is always the Divine principle of selection. The purpose of God in this choice was twofold: the creation of a nation through such a man; the blessing of all nations through such a nation. “I will make of thee a great nation…. be thou a blessing:…. in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

Abraham reveals the true ideal of life loyal to God. His immediate response to the call of Jehovah was indicative of the absolute submission of his will, without questioning, to the will of heaven. “Not knowing whither he went,” he obeyed. The symbols of his life were the tent and the altar; the first indicating his readiness to be disturbed by Divine commands, the second his perpetual loyalty to God. Many an altar on which falls no heavenly flame is a monument of disobedience, instead of being the symbol of loyalty to Him who calleth. We might, if we were quick to hear, catch the cry, “This is not your resting place.” The altar and the tent are the symbols of the consecrated life, waiting for the King’s command.

Abraham’s Frailties

There are evidences, however, of the frailty even of so great a man as Abraham. Take his deceit about his wife in Egypt (Gen. 12:10-20). How disappointing is the record of this man chosen of God for the blessing of all nations of the earth! The faith which triumphed in Haran and Canaan failed in Egyptian atmosphere. In the light of today Abraham’s conduct is inexcusable. God saved what Abraham in his fearfulness nearly lost. This was an occasion when for the moment, under circumstances of extreme difficulty, he trusted rather to his diplomacy, than to God. Then again, his fear lest Eliezer of Damascus should be his heir. (Gen. 15:2-3). It was a right fear in that such an event would have prevented the realization of the national idea. It was a wrong fear in that he did not wholly trust God. Again the whole story of the birth of Ishmael (Gen. 16) is a revelation of faltering faith.

Against all these let the faithfulness of God be set in contrast. He brought him out of Egypt notwithstanding his folly. He gave him a great vision to silence his fears. And finally, He miraculously provided the seed for the fulfillment of His promise. In the failures of others, faith has demonstrated in its growth through the centuries, that nothing is impossible with God.