What does an ancient story about an old shepherd hearing a voice in the sky have to do with your life today? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Do you ever wish God would part the clouds and tell you exactly what He wants you to do with your life? Sounds like it’d make things easier, right? But Abraham’s story shows us that it’s not enough to just know God’s will; we also need the faith to trust and follow God’s plan, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Let’s take a closer look at God’s promise to Abraham to learn more about how we can trust God, even when we can’t make sense of His plan.
Where Is the Story of God’s Promise to Abraham in the Bible?
You can find God’s promise to Abraham in the Old Testament, in Genesis 12:1-9. Certain Bible translations title this section “The Call of Abram.”
This promise is made after the creation story and the fall, and marks the beginning of Abraham’s story, back when he was called “Abram”. We’ll also talk about when God gave Abram a new name, and how the name “Abraham” relates to the larger Bible story.
A Summary of the Abraham Story
- God speaks to Abram. God calls Abram to leave his homeland, friends, and father’s household and to settle in a new land.
- God’s promises. God promises to make Abram into a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great so that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him.
- Abram’s obedience. Abram sets out for Canaan with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their possessions.
- God’s ongoing blessing. Despite being a foreigner in the land, Abram prospers, and God continues to affirm His promises.
- God gives Abram a new name. Later in the story, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations.”
Key Bible Verses
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NIV
These verses are the beginning of God’s promise to Abram, which He will begin fulfilling in the chapters to come.
A Deeper Dive Into the Abraham Story
We first read about Abram in a lineage record found at the end of Genesis 11. Following this introduction, we learn that his family had moved from Ur and settled in Harran. He lived in this area with his wife, father, and nephew before later following God’s call to Canaan.
The Call of Abram
Genesis 12 starts with God’s call to Abram. In this conversation, God declared that Abram needed to leave what was comfortable—his home and his family—and go to the land He would show him.
Abram would be blessed by God and become a great nation, and Abram would ultimately be a blessing for generations to come.
Abram’s Obedience and Journey
After receiving this call from the Lord, Abram and his family set out toward Canaan. The Canaanites had different values and beliefs from Abram’s family, which was a source of tension and fear.
The Lord appeared to Abram in Canaan and promised that the land would one day belong to his offspring. In response, Abram built an altar, in remembrance of when God appeared to him. Then he and his family continued on their journey.
God’s Covenant and Long-Term Promise
In the chapters that follow, we see God’s faithfulness to Abram, even during times when Abram tried to take control. While Abram and Sarai waited for a child, the Lord met Abram and confirmed His blessing. In Genesis 15, we read:
… “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” … He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:1-6 NIV
Abram’s trust in the Lord’s plan required faith and obedience.
Abram’s trust in the Lord’s plan required faith and obedience. He was called to travel from the land he was familiar with, face enemies, and believe that God would one day give him a child. In the middle of his encounter with God in Genesis 15, we read that Abram’s belief in God’s promises made him righteous.
In Genesis 17, God reminds Abram of His promise and renames him “Abraham.” This new name reflected God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations—and that God would remain the God of the generations to come.
Why Is the Story of God’s Promise to Abraham in the Bible?
The story of God’s promise to Abraham marks a turning point in the Bible’s larger story. In Genesis, after humanity’s repeated cycles of sin and brokenness, God chose Abraham as the starting point of a new plan to bless the world.
Through Abraham, God began building a people who would carry His promises forward. The covenant with Abraham was repeated and expanded throughout Genesis, showing that God’s plan is both intentional and enduring.
This promise reached beyond Abraham’s lifetime. His family grew into the nation of Israel, and generations later, Jesus was born from Abraham’s line. Through Jesus, the blessing God promised to Abraham extends to every nation and every person.
What Does the Story of God’s Promise to Abraham Teach Us?
1. Faith means moving before you see. God made a bold promise to Abraham—that he would be the father of many nations. But there was nothing about his present reality that guaranteed that future hope—Abraham and Sarah were growing older, and she remained childless. Still, Abraham was obedient to God’s calling.
2. Our situations don’t dictate our hope. Imagine how Abraham must have felt when he heard God. While he was likely filled with anticipation, waiting for the fulfilment of the promise would have taken immense trust and courage.
3. Sometimes obedience requires leaving comfort. Growth rarely happens when we’re comfortable. Abraham knew this truth and chose to be obedient to God, even when it didn’t make sense. He left the comfort of what he knew to boldly follow God’s call.
Why Is the Story of God’s Promise to Abraham Important Today?
When life feels uncertain or God’s promises feel like they fall flat, we can remember Abraham’s faith and trust in God. God had made a bold promise to Abraham—that he would be the father of many nations and that all people would be blessed through him. But his family remained small—just him and his wife—for many years.
Eventually, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, one of the next major biblical characters. And in the New Testament, both Matthew and Luke note how Jesus’ lineage goes all the way back to Abraham.
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12.
And through this story, we can be reminded that we can trust God’s plans, even when we don’t understand how He’s working and moving in our lives. Abraham didn’t get to see the full completion of God’s promise during his lifetime. However, God used Abraham’s faith, trust, and obedience during his life to fulfill His plan generations later.
Common Questions About Abraham
What was the call of Abram in Genesis 12?
The call of Abram happened when God promised Abram that he would be a father of many nations and receive many blessings. The promise required Abram to obediently follow God away from the comfort and familiarity of his home and go to a land of God’s choosing. Following God’s call was Abram’s first step of obedience, and we can read more examples in the chapters that follow.
What does “father Abraham” mean?
This term is often attributed to Romans 4:16-17, where Abraham is called the “father” of our faith. One of the many reasons this is attributed to Abraham is that he was the first person mentioned in the Bible to have righteousness credited to him by his faith in God.
How does this story point to Jesus?
From the very beginning of the Bible, God has been on a mission to bring full and complete redemption to His children. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and his family line eventually brought about Jesus, who would be our ultimate source of salvation and reconciliation with God.
Reflect or Discuss
- Is there an area of your life where it feels difficult to trust God’s plan? What step of faith can you take today?
- What comforts are you being asked to leave behind in order to grow?
- How can you be a blessing to others this week?