Theme: THE REWARD OF FAITH
Text: “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” – Genesis 12:1, 4.
Comment: When God instructed Abraham to migrate from his own land to a strange place, Abraham faithfully obeyed trusting that God was able to protect him wherever he went. Saint Paul writes: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Hebrews 11:8.
The extraordinary conditions of the land notwithstanding, Abraham dwelt there peacefully with his family. We should emulate the example of Abraham. “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.” (Hebrew 11:10,14,15) It was when he was in the tent in the plains of Mamre that angels appeared to him and one of them said: “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.” – Genesis 18:10.
When God instructed His worshippers to “Look unto Abraham your father”, it was to the end that his exemplary faith brought blessings to him, by implication, therefore, belief in the LORD would attract blessings and salvation. The coming of Christ into the world was a fulfilment of God’s age-long promise to make his seed great. See Galatians 3:16.