Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house… The birthplace of Abraham was Ur of the Chaldees, away to the Northeast of Palestine, beyond the river Euphrates. It is plain that the family of Abraham, like almost all the rest of the world at that time, was idolatrous, Joshua speaks of it: "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods." A legend comes down to us of the story of Abraham's conversion which is very beautiful, and certainly may be true that as he lay upon the mountain height amidst his flock at night, there rose a star so brilliant and beautiful in the great arch of heaven that Abraham was filled with the glory of it, and said: "This is my god; this will I worship." But, lo! as the still hours of the night passed by, the star sank down and was gone. And he said: "Of what avail is it that I worship my god if it die out in the darkness and I see it no more?" Then above the hills there rose the moon and flooded all the earth with silvery light, and quenched the stars. And Abraham hailed it, saying: "Thou art fairer and greater than the star, thou art my god, for thou art worthier." But lo, it too hastened away and sank in darkness. And Abraham cried: "If my gods forsake me, then am I as others that do err!" Soon rose the sun, in radiant splendour. It scattered the darkness and his doubts. And he said: "Thou, thou art my god, greater than moon and star. I will worship thee." But at even the sun sank, and like the moon and star, it too was gone. Then was Abraham alone; but as he gazed into heaven there came the thought of One behind the star, the moon, the sun — the Maker of them all. And Abraham cried: "O my people, I am clear of these things, I turn my face to Him who hath made the heavens and the earth; He only is my God. (Mark Guy Pearse.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: |
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