Abraham's Sojourn

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. Hebrews 11:8-12

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED. Hebrews 11:17-18

When he was called, Abraham was Abram, living in Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11: 28). Ur was a wealthy, prosperous pagan center. The name Abram means “exalted father.” He was perhaps a prominent leader in the area. We know God made contact with Abram in Ur and instructed him to leave that country and “go to the land which I will show you;” Genesis 12:1-4:

And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

God chooses His people. He chose Abram, who must have been positive to the reality of God, but showed no indication of familiarity with God at the time he was called (appointed). This seventy-five-year old, however, was about to become the progenitor of God’s chosen people. There was about to be a new dispensation, introducing a new race of humanity; the Hebrews. They would be a people who identified with God, and He had major plans for that race. The Savior would come through them.

We have no evidence of any “good works” Abram had to his credit, but God had a purpose in mind for this man, and Abram responded in faith, by going forth “as the LORD had spoken to him.” This was not a two-week relocation event. Abram and his family and entourage lived in tents, as aliens in a foreign land, for generations, not settling in convenient surroundings, but seeking that place where God wanted him to be. Sarai, whose name means “contentious,” was barren, and they were getting old, yet God promised them not only a son, but a great nation of offspring.

Before they arrived at “the land,” before there was a son, before they had really even learned how to properly relate to God, He had made those promises to His chosen: great nation, personal blessing, good reputation, divine protection, divine retribution on those who revile you, blessings will flow from you, even to all the families of the earth. This to a man who had done nothing but hear, believe and obey.

Abraham would go through many trials and adjustments as he followed God’s plan for his life. He didn’t always do the right thing. Sometimes he reverted to human viewpoint, in his frustration and confusion about just how God would fulfill those promises to him and Sarah. They had a couple of incidents in Egypt, when Abe lied about Sarah to protect himself. Then there was that unfortunate “help God” project, when they took advantage of Hagar and Ishmael was produced. Not good.

Those things did not change the fact of Abraham’s righteousness. His righteousness did not ever depend on what he did or didn’t do. He was righteous because he believed God, and he demonstrated his belief by following God’s directions, even though he had no idea where it would lead. He continued to believe God and obey the best he knew, and he grew in grace. At about one hundred years old, God confirmed the promise of a son, to “him who was as good as dead (sexually).” Sarah had become “Princess” and Isaac (“Laughter”) was born.

After fifty years of real spiritual progress interspersed with manipulative muddlings, we find Abraham in Genesis 22 as a magnificent, noble, obedient FRIEND OF GOD (James 2:23). Such faith as Abraham had developed by the time he reached old age needed to be tested, proved, demonstrated; to Abraham…to Isaac…to you and me.

God’s personal sacrifice for us, the degree of His love for us needed a foreshadowing to give us an everlasting example of how far His grace would go to redeem mankind. We are an emotional race. We are also generally ungrateful. Any parent reading Genesis 22 has to be stunned and horrified by Abraham’s willingness to follow through on this command. How could he do this?
Answer: Abraham KNEW God.

God’s will is perfect. His way is perfect. Whatever He has in mind for me and my son has a holy purpose and will result in our blessing. Nothing is too great for El Shaddai. Thy will be done.

Genesis 22:5 ”…I and the lad will go yonder; and WE WILL WORSHIP AND RETURN TO YOU.”

Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (of Christ)

Genesis 22:14 “Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.”

We call it Calvary.