Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered… There can be no impropriety in applying the passage before us to Christian pilgrims going forth from the city of destruction, through the wilderness, to the heavenly Canaan. It gives us a short and comprehensive view of it, which will be interesting, and I trust profitable, for us to consider. I. IN ITS COMMENCEMENT. "And they went forth." This is descriptive of the period when the sinner, having felt in some measure the importance of Divine things, is resolved to give himself up to God, and, acting under His guidance and direction, leave the broad road of destruction, and enter into the way of life eternal. 1. The scenes they have to abandon. From what do they go forth? (1) From the world to God. They are to be separated from it. In it, but not of it. (2) They go forth from a state of nature to a state of grace — from that spiritual darkness in which the mind of every unconverted man is enveloped, to that heavenly light which is imparted by the Spirit — from all that is degrading, and that tends to debase the soul, to the highest honours and dignities that can ennoble our nature. (3) They go forth from all vulgar prejudices against religion, and mistaken notions which in ignorance they have formed, and rejoice to come to the true light, that their deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God. (4) They go forth from the practice of sin to the pursuit of holiness. (5) They go forth from self to Christ, renouncing all human merit, and pleading the all-sufficient atonement of Him who is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, and bled on Calvary. 2. The principles on which they act. Abram went not of his own accord, but as he was directed by the Almighty. It is so here. Believers are influenced by a Divine power, in going forth and seeking a better country. If left to themselves, they would still remain satisfied while at a distance from God. But He influences them by His Spirit; He shows them the vileness of sin, the deceitfulness of the human heart, and gives them another spirit, by which they are enabled to follow Him fully and serve Him joyfully. They go forth in God's strength — they go forth relying on His power. They now act from conviction: they are assured that nothing can supply the place of religion. They go forth as the result of deliberation: they have weighed both worlds, and the future preponderates. They are led to form their estimate by faith, and not by feeble sense. This was the principle on which Moses acted (Hebrews 11:24-26). 3. The opposition they have to overcome. It is not an easy thing to break forth from the world, and pursue the Christian course. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Our course must be marked by firmness and decision, so that we shall neither be laughed nor threatened out of our religion. II. IN ITS PROGRESS. "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan." When the pilgrim leaves the Egypt of a natural state, he enters on a journey, and his way lies through a wilderness. His course is of a most peculiar nature, and is diametrically opposed to the course of this world. The way in which he goes is divine — marked out by God; it is the right way — the way of truth, and peace, and pleasure. But there are three things in particular we may mention about it: — 1. It is identified with all that is important. For what do they go forth? Oh! it is not to secure the fleeting, transitory pleasures of a vain world — it is not to obtain worldly aggrandizement. They go forth for an object infinitely superior to every other pursued by mankind. 2. It is connected with much that is trying. We have alluded to the opposition the heavenly pilgrim meets with at She commencement of his journey. Let it be remembered that his way runs through a desert, filled with thorns and briars, and not a garden of roses. There is no going to Canaan but through the wilderness — "a dangerous and tiresome place." The way to the kingdom is by the cross, and it is through much tribulation we must enter into the joy of our Lord. There are privations to be endured, trials to be encountered, sorrows to disturb us in our Christian course; but still we must go forth. 3. It is associated with pleasures that are divine. God has not left us without provision in the wilderness. "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." There remaineth a rest — yes, and it is not only future, but present. "We which have believed do enter into rest." You rest in His grace, His love, His righteousness, His bosom, His Spirit, His promises. III. IN ITS TERMINATION. "And into the land of Canaan they came." The end crowns all. And what a consummation is here! He who delivers His people from the world, and leads them through the wilderness, will land them safe on Canaan's shore. This termination is a joyful one — it is an honourable one — it is a peaceful one. Let us here — 1. Draw a comparison between the land of Canaan and heaven. There are many points of resemblance. (1) It was a promised country. So is heaven. (2) It was a land of plenty — "a land flowing with milk and honey." In heaven there is everything that can possibly contribute to the joy and happiness of His people. (3) It was a land of peace. So is heaven. There is nothing to annoy and disturb there. (4) Jordan must be crossed before Canaan could be entered. So it is here — "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." We must die to live with God above. We must die to go home. We fall to rise — we die to live again. 2. Show the superiority of the one to the other. The earthly Canaan was only a temporary possession; but the heavenly Canaan is to be enjoyed forever. The one excels the other, inasmuch as the antitype surpasses the type. (E. Temple.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. |
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