What is the significance of God's call to Abram in Genesis 12?

The call of Abram in Genesis 12 is one of the most pivotal moments in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of God's redemptive plan for humanity through a chosen people. This passage not only sets the stage for the unfolding story of Israel but also lays the foundation for understanding God's covenantal relationship with humanity. To grasp the full significance of this call, we must explore its context, its content, and its implications for both the immediate and broader biblical narrative.

Genesis 12:1-3 reads:

"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.'"

Context of the Call

Abram, later known as Abraham, lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, a sophisticated and polytheistic society. His background was not one of monotheistic faith; rather, it was steeped in the worship of multiple gods. This context makes God's call to Abram even more remarkable. God chose Abram not because of his righteousness or his faith but as an act of divine grace. This selection underscores a recurring biblical theme: God's initiative in forming a relationship with humanity.

Content of the Call

God's call to Abram consists of several key components:

1. A Command to Leave: "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you." This command required Abram to leave behind everything familiar—his homeland, his relatives, and his father's house. This act of obedience would demonstrate Abram's faith and trust in God. It echoes the later call of Jesus to His disciples to leave everything and follow Him (Matthew 4:19-20).

2. A Promise of Blessing: God promises to make Abram into a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, and to make him a blessing to others. This promise is multifaceted:

3. Nationhood: Abram would become the father of a great nation, Israel. This promise is fulfilled through his descendants, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel.
4. Personal Blessing: Abram would experience God's favor and protection.
5. Renown: Abram's name would be great, which is evidenced by the fact that he is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

6. Universal Blessing: Through Abram, all the families of the earth would be blessed. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abram, through whom salvation is offered to all humanity (Galatians 3:8).

7. A Promise of Protection: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." This protective promise assures Abram of God's ongoing presence and favor, reinforcing the covenant relationship.

Implications of the Call

Abram's call has profound implications for the biblical narrative and for our understanding of God's redemptive work:

1. Foundation of the Covenant: The call of Abram marks the beginning of the Abrahamic Covenant, a foundational element in the Bible. This covenant, later ratified in Genesis 15 and 17, establishes a special relationship between God and Abram's descendants. It includes promises of land, descendants, and blessing, which are central to the story of Israel and the unfolding of God's plan.

2. A Model of Faith: Abram's response to God's call is a model of faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:8-10 highlights Abram's faith: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Abram's willingness to leave everything and trust in God's promises serves as an example for all believers.

3. Universal Scope of God's Plan: The promise that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" reveals the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. While God chose Abram and his descendants as a special people, His ultimate intention was to bring blessing to all nations. This theme is reiterated throughout the Old Testament and finds its fullest expression in the New Testament, particularly in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the vision of a redeemed humanity from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).

4. Typology of Christ: Abram's call and the promises associated with it foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ. Just as Abram was called to leave his homeland and become a blessing to all nations, Jesus left His heavenly home to bring salvation to the world. The covenant with Abram points forward to the New Covenant established through Christ's death and resurrection.

5. Land and Identity: The promise of land to Abram and his descendants is a recurring theme in the Bible. The land of Canaan becomes the physical space where God's people would live out their identity and mission. This promise of land is not just about geography; it is about identity and purpose. For Israel, the land was a place to live under God's rule and to be a light to the nations.

Abram's Journey of Faith

Abram's journey from Ur to Canaan is a physical manifestation of his spiritual journey. His life is marked by moments of faith and doubt, obedience and failure. Yet, through it all, God's faithfulness remains constant. Abram's story is a testament to God's grace and the transformative power of faith.

In Genesis 15, God reaffirms His covenant with Abram through a dramatic ceremony. Abram's belief in God's promise is counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), a key verse that Paul later cites in Romans 4:3 to explain justification by faith. This covenantal moment underscores that righteousness comes not through human effort but through faith in God's promises.

In Genesis 17, God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," and introduces the sign of circumcision as a mark of the covenant. This name change signifies a new identity and mission for Abraham and his descendants.

The Broader Biblical Narrative

The call of Abram is a turning point in the biblical narrative, setting in motion the story of Israel and God's plan of redemption. It connects to the broader themes of creation, fall, and redemption:

1. Creation: God's call to Abram is a step toward restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity that resulted from the fall. Through Abram, God begins to form a people who will reflect His character and purposes.

2. Fall: The call of Abram comes after the scattering of nations at Babel (Genesis 11). While Babel represents humanity's attempt to make a name for themselves apart from God, Abram's call represents God's initiative to make a name for Abram and to bless the nations through him.

3. Redemption: The promise to Abram sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah, through whom the ultimate redemption of humanity is accomplished. Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham, fulfills the promise of blessing to all nations.

Conclusion

The significance of God's call to Abram in Genesis 12 cannot be overstated. It is a foundational moment in the biblical narrative, revealing God's initiative in forming a covenantal relationship with humanity. Abram's call sets the stage for the unfolding story of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate redemption of humanity. It challenges us to respond in faith and obedience to God's call in our own lives, trusting in His promises and participating in His redemptive work in the world.