Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him… Abraham obeyed. The obedience of faith (Hebrews 11:8). Consider how his faith operated. I. IT SUPPLIED NEEDFUL ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER. 1. Courage. Men were gregarious. Dwelt together for mutual aid and protection. He became bold to go forth alone. 2. Disinterestedness. Might have grown rich on the verdant plains of Mesopotamia. Gave up all at God's bidding. 3. Great activity. At seventy-five years of age he gave up a life of comparative ease, and at a time when men are usually thinking of rest, he went out to found a nation, in a country that he knew not of. II. IT OVERCAME SURROUNDING ATTRACTIONS. 1. The love of country. This, strong in all men, specially so in an Oriental. The memories of the past and sepulchres of his people endeared the place. 2. The ties of kindred. Though he tool: Sarai and Lot with him, many were left behind, to be seen no more. He went out, "not knowing whither he went," and to dwell among a strange people speaking an unknown tongue. When Englishmen emigrate, they know the land, the people, and the language. III. IT ROSE SUPERIOR TO PROSPECTIVE DANGERS. 1. An unprecedented journey. Ancient migrations were usually made along the shores of rivers. Pasturage and water for the flocks required this. Abram's path lay across a desert. 2. An unknown destination. To an inhabited land where opposition might be expected. IV. IT LEANED CONSTANTLY ON GOD. His halting places were marked by the altars he reared. He walked not by sight; or the desert, the famine, and the Canaanite, might have hindered and discouraged him; but by faith. Learn — I. The obedience of faith is the most perfect and acceptable obedience. II. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (J. C. Gray.) Parallel Verses KJV: So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. |
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