Weekly Bible Study - Genesis 12:1-4

16 March 2014

2nd Sunday of Lent

The first eleven books of the Bible describe, among other things, the turmoil caused by humanity's attempt to "take matters into their own hands" at the beginning of the human story (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, The Great Flood, the Tower of Babel). Today's reading marks a fresh start for the world, the beginning of a new age. God will renew his relationship with humankind starting with one person and one family: the family of Abram. The history of God's People begins here with the story of Abram's call.

By ancient standards, Abram is an old man, 75 years in age. His hope of progeny has all but dried up as his wife, Sarai, is also advanced in years. Into this scenario steps the Lord God with a deceptively simple request. God asks Abram to leave his homeland, his father, and his livelihood (essentially his security) for a place unknown. The promise of greatness and blessing is given to him and his descendants.

Descendants? Abram must surely have wondered, “How will that happen?” Furthermore, it is likely Abram would have wondered, “Who is this God among so many gods? Who is this One, that I should trust him?” Or “Why should I uproot my life for a God I do not even know?” In future accounts of God’s dealing with Abraham, he acts freely to challenge and question God. 
But our text tells us nothing of any inward struggle. Abram's simple, complete turning in the direction God sends him is uncanny. Genesis simply tells us, "Abram went." Though uncertainty may have found a place in Abram’s heart, on a deeper level within that heart Abram must have known that the One making the promise was trustworthy.

As Lent moves forward in earnest, let all of us look deeper within our own hearts for that same One who calls us to greater levels of trust as we walk with Him daily to places unknown. Let us allow this One to direct us especially when we feel uprooted. We know that the One who walks with us is trustworthy and that the destination will be just where the Lord wants us to be.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.