Why had the father of prophets, Abram, left his home? not only so, but for a land he even does not know! how God reacted for his great faith? and what should we learn as humans and as nations from that?
The invitation of Abram
(Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your Family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.)(Genesis 12:1)
The humanity after the floodwaters agreed in dealing with God as an Adversary not as a beloved friend.
But, God at the same time was searching for one man deserves his invitation To be a father to his people.
This father was Abram whom has been invited to make all the humanity Going run in its relation with God in a new relationship.
Saint Jerome says, “He left Ur of the Chaldeans for a land, he does not know, To know God, he was looking for, for he was ready to achieve the words of the Prophet “For I’m a stranger with you, a sojourner as all my fathers were.”(PSALM 39:12)”
He was named Abram meaning; the passenger so, he was called the Hebrew. Because he was not searching for the terrestrial matters but for the celestial Ones.Â
I guess that this Godly divine invitation is directed to every one of us not to Like the world and the things of the world rather, to make a real relationship With God as a father and a friend at the same time.
(To a new land that I will show you) refers to the new heavens that we should Enter in after leaving out our sins and timely pleasures here on Earth.
The essence of the new land and the new heavens is the enjoyment with the Presence of God’s whether here or above in heavens.
(I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.)(Genesis 12:2)
God can not be indebted to any one; yes, He asked him to leave but, He Wanted a chance to flood him with gifts.
Yes, Abram left Ur of Chaldean with no sons but, God wanted to make him a Great nation.
(I will bless those who bless you, and in you all families of the earth shall be Blessed.)(Genesis 12:3)
Not only so, but, God wanted him to be a great bless for the peoples of the World. So, that they walk behind him in the faith way.
(So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.)(Genesis12:4).
(By faith Abram obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he Would receive as inheritance.)(HEBREWS 11:8)
(For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker Is God.)(HEBREW 11:10)
Hence, from the book of Genesis and the message to Hebrews, it is clear that He left out from his own land and his own people to a place he does not Know, Cause, he followed God with a complete heart.
Also, he did not care for his old age cause simply, he was searching for the city That has the foundations.
Furthermore, he did not care for possessions or even his home that he lived in For a long time.
Abram's actionable faith
(Abram passed through the land of the place of Shechem, as far as the Terebinth tree of Moreh. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said,”To Your descendants I will give this land,” and there he built an altar to the Lord.)(Genesis 12:6’7).Â
Although, he stayed for a short time in the land of appointment, He made An Altar to the Lord thanking him.
(Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to Dwell there.)(Genesis 12:10).
Furthermore, he did not grumble when a famine happened and he lived shortly, In Canaan.
(He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male And female servants, female donkeys, and camels.)(Genesis12:16)
Although, Abram asked Sarai to say that she is his sister, God could protect her And blessed him so Much in fortune.
How great you are God!
(Now therefore, here is your wife, take her and go your way.)(Genesis12:19)
Although, he went Egypt without consulting God, God talked to him by the Tongue of Pharaoh, who asked him to leave.
Since, God can talk to us in as many ways.
Lot got separated from Abram
(And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered Every where.)(Genesis 13:10)
(Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain.)(Genesis 13:12)
It is a true that Lot accompanied Abram but, Lot, I guess; is like lots of us, Wanna live with God, but still, having love to the world.
But, Abram was different he had an open and uncovered heart towards God.
(Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width.)(Genesis13:17)
The true believers of God are always diligent in their work and in their Movements.
(They also took Lot, Abram’s brother ‘s son and his goods, and departed.)(Genesis 14:12).
Lot wanted to take every thing instead, he lost every thing.
(Now when Abram heard, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained Servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.)(Genesis 14:14)
Abram was trained well to help others and did not bear to have a rest when, he Knew that Lot and his family were taken in captivity.
Abram meets Melchizedec
(Then Melchizedec king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. and he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.) (Genesis14:18-20)Â Â
Melchizedec is the Priest of God the Most High and at the same time he was a King in a symbol for Jesus Christ, the Priest and the King.
The bread and the wine is a symbol for the Eucharist established by Jesus in The Maundy Thursday.
(And that I will not take any thing that’s yours, lest you should say,’ I had made Abram rich.)(Genesis 14:23)
Abram accepted the spiritual rewards, but refused the material ones!
Tawfik, S. (2022). Abram’s mostly attractive promise. www.orthodox-beliefs.com
Source is THE HOLY BIBLE NKJV. Arabic New Van Dyck text C. The Bible Society of Egypt. Fifth Edition Third print2019.ISBN 978-1-84364-188-9. Printed in China.
Reference: Genesis Book for Egyptian priest Father Tadros Jakob.
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