Bold Steps of Faith

One-Year Bible: 01/05/2023

Genesis 11:1-13:4

Bold Steps of Faith

“Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you. So, let’s just praise the Lord.”

(Father Abraham by Cedarmont Kids)

As a child in Sunday School, I remember singing and doing the actions to this song. His story was probably on flannelgraph, too. But he didn’t start out as a father or with many sons. In fact, it was quite the opposite!

Before the Lord speaks to Abraham, we read this introduction about his family, “But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children.”

Why did God choose and “call” Abraham to be the father of many nations?

Abraham grew up an unbeliever in an idolatrous society. The prophet Isaiah refers to Abraham as “the rock from which you were hewn” and “the quarry from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51:1-2)

We are not told why Abraham was “called” by God, but we do know that he was “seen by God.” His wife was unable to conceive a child.

So, he was the perfect candidate to be used by God, as only God could do what man could not accomplish.

I marvel at how this principle is true throughout the Bible.

Abraham was referred to as a Hebrew but was not a Jew nor an Israelite. That day would come through his lineage. Abraham was the blank slate on which God would write.

Genesis 11 begins with “The Tower of Babel.” God did not like their pride or arrogance. The word “Babel” means confusion, which God brought to them to confound their arrogant plans.

God is looking for humility and obedience, and He sees the plight of “a fatherless man” and calls him to become “The father of a great nation.”

“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

We should note that God’s plan for Abraham is only partially revealed here. Abraham did not grow up knowing “about God” or as a follower of God. But, when God made himself known to him, Abraham followed.

He left his country, his relatives, his father’s house, and his way of life.

He left all that he “KNEW” to follow an “UNKNOWN” God.

But, God KNEW him and would continue to make himself KNOWN to Abraham.

“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.” (Hebrews 11:8)

God looked and saw the “Broken area” of Abraham’s life, and He chose to intervene in his life. He asked Abraham to leave all of that behind and follow HIM. God would do the rest…

A Big God. A Bold Step of Faith.