Genesis 12:1-4
Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
For most of us reading this passage, we are part of Abraham's blessing, but the Lord is not going to make a great nation from us. Right now I'm working on my cousin's Estate, there were 12 children in the early 1900s and it comes to 34 descendants, not a nation. Perhaps one of us will have children and progeny that will become a nation. It's vital to look at the Scriptures and be fed from them, not to just remember the good old days of Biblical history.
How will we apply this Scripture to our lives? We are called to grow up, in maturity to the LORD.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
People who aren't listening to the Lord themselves, would look at this passage and say Abram was ready to move away from Haran. Spiritually, Abraham was being called to be the soul God intended him to be. God didn't send a pack of people with him, cheering him on. God moved him out of polytheism and into obedience to the Lord.
God's blessings are always of interest to us, let's look at them: children, children's children, honorable reputation and greatness come from God. And very importantly - Gratitude. And:
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Genesis 48:15-16
15 And he [Jacob/Israel] blessed Joseph and said,
“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
and in them let my name be carried on,
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
It is important to remember Jacob/Israel is a blessings thief. Wrestling even God for a blessing.
Jacob had real tragedy in being outcast from his family at his dad's death (his own behavior), being cheated by his employer and family, the death of Rachel & in the years (learning how it feels to be the one cheated) they were not married. Jacob's married life created a lot of unhappiness (for all the people involved!!), his children developed poorly leading up to the disappearance of Joseph - a lie carried out by all of his sons. Reuben slept with his concubine/wife. Jacob ends up leaving the promised lands from severe famine - the Promised Land, being settled in Gishon where the Egyptians as a nation hate shepherds.
Yet Jacob says, not tragedy, he sees the blessings of God. Jacob didn't live life on the Good Ship Lolly-pop, but wrestled with God to see the blessings.
Isn't it great - a blessing - how in the die-young, ancient world - God uses the flawed heroes of the Bible to point out they didn't get right and didn't get it right, yet opportunity is ahead with repentance, hope and faith. These are the patriarchs, because they always see God as part of the path, refusing to feel abandoned to trouble- the events of life.
So how do our Biblical patriarchs do with God's blessing? Abraham lied to a Pharaoh and later a king about his marital status and then allowed his wife to enter their harem. Abram separated from Lot over material needs. Abraham's faith wavered for God to complete His promise. He had a child out of wedlock and failed to care for the child's mother. Abraham failed to treat his second wife kindly. Scriptures are vague on how well he treated the children from that union. Jacob had similar issues - still both men were counted as righteous - for their faith in the Lord. God isn't looking for perfect people, but repentance and affirmation of lack of self-righteousness. Admission of sin and a trust in God to help.
God's blessing was not just material, but for the Lord to save them from their sins. Their flaws. Misfortune happened to both men, but both considered themselves blessed.
Psalm 146:8
The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
Praise be to You God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and our God of all comfort. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary. Praise be to You, O Lord God.
As a mother comforts her child, so You comfort me, Father God. You are the comfort of Israel. Please Father God, give endurance, encouragement and a spirit of unity among the body of Christ.
In Your great mercy You have given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Thank You for Your listening with compassion and empathy to my prayers.
Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Thank You God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
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