In these verses we find a turning point in a history. Until now the history of the whole human race has been told in the Bible, but from now on we will hear of one man and later on of one nation. This nation, known as Israel, was chosen by the Lord; His Word would be entrusted to them. Out of this nation the Messiah would be born who, according to God's counsel, will fulfill the work of salvation. On the day of Pentecost we see that Israel was called not only to be concerned about their own welfare, but the welfare of the world. Christ is the Savior of the world.

The Lord works out His counsel in a wonderful way as our history tells us. In the chapter we will discuss we read of Terah and his three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Abram married Sarai, his half sister (Gen. 20:12). She was the daughter of Terah, but not of Abram's mother. Nahor married his niece Milcah, the daughter of Haran. She begat eight sons of whom the youngest was Bethuel; he became the father of Laban and Rebecca. Also another sister was mentioned, Iscah. We do not know why her name was mentioned, but some suppose she became the wife of Lot, but there is no certainty about this.

Nahor stayed in Haran when Terah died and thus he became head of the family. The city Haran is also called the city of Nahor (Gen. 24:10). In this family a remnant was still left who had a knowledge of the living God, but later on they sank into heathendom. Still, this family was important for the history of Israel because out of it were born Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel who became ancestresses of Israel whereof much is written in the Bible.

The third son of Terah died when he was yet young. He died before the face of his father, which means that Terah saw that his child was taken away in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldeans. The name of the son of Haran, Lot, is well-known to us. Lot was very important in the history of Abram. He was the ancestor of Moab and Ammon, of whom much is written in God's Word, but then as enemies of God's chosen people.

What is remarkable about all these marriages is that these people were so closely related to each other. In later times these kinds of marriages were forbidden by the Lord in the law of Moses. We do not know exactly what the motives were in regard to this custom. Most likely it was out of fear to mix with strangers, as they wanted to be separated from other religions and to keep possessions in their own tribes. For us it is sinful to marry within such close family bonds. In some parts of the world it also has been practiced, but it has had a degenerating effect on the people, resulting in many diseases and sicknesses.

Was it also sin for Abram and the patriarchs? In the beginning of world history there was no other choice than to marry a brother or a sister. We would call it incest, but in God's Word we do not find one word of condemnation. Later on it was forbidden by the Lord, but we may not say that at that time it was a sin in the eyes of the Lord. It was not a trespassing against one of the ten commandments, especially the seventh: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Still there is a warn­ing in the behavior of the patriarchs.

We should not seek a wife or husband in the world. For Isaac, Abram wanted a wife who knew the living God. We should keep this in mind also. Three essentials to a happy marriage are: first, the presence of the Lord at our wedding (John 2:2); second, the presence of the Lord in our home (Mark 2:1); and third, the presence of the Lord all along our life's journey (Luke 24:15).

In Genesis 11:31 we read that Terah left Ur with Abram and Lot. There is no reason given why they departed, but it is most likely because the Lord had spoken to Abram to leave his country. The name of Nahor is not mentioned, but most likely he went also or followed, because in Genesis 24 his descendants were living in Haran. In this city Terah died at the age of 205 years. Now the question can be: Did Terah die before or after Abram left from Haran? Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran (Gen. 12:4). But we read in Genesis 11:26: "And Terah lived seventy years and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran." This would mean that Terah was 145 years old and lived yet sixty years after they left Haran, but in Acts 7:4 we read that Abram left after the death of his father. This seems to be a con­tradiction in the Bible, because then Abram must have been 135 years old before he left Haran. Did Stephen make a mistake in Acts 7? No, God's Word does not contradict itself, as we will see.

What is the problem? In Genesis 11:26 Abram is mentioned first of the three sons of Terah. Normally, the first mentioned in the list is also the eldest, but this rule has its exceptions. Abram must not have been the oldest, although he was mentioned first. Most likely Abram was mentioned first because he was by far the most important of the three brothers. Terah was 130 years old when Abram was born, so probably he was the youngest, but the most prominent of them all.

Another question which comes up regularly is: Where was Abram called? In Ur, or later on in Haran? Genesis 12:1 tells us that the Lord called Abram in Haran after he had left Ur. In other places we read that he was called in Ur (Gen. 15:7; Neh. 9:7; Acts 7:2). In the last text Stephen quotes the Sep­tuagint, which is a translation of the Bible (Hebrew) into the Greek. It is slightly different from the parent lan­guage. This is not in the main things, because the Lord Jesus used it also and quoted it. Abram did not leave Haran before his father died. Herein we may see also the guidance of the Lord, because then it became easier for Abram to leave. We may conclude that the Lord spoke more than one time to Abram. The first time in Ur and later on in Haran again.

We read, "Now the Lord had said unto Abram: Get thee out of thy country." This indicates a previous calling of Abram. We should also give attention to the word thee. This call was personal for Abram. The external call comes to everyone who lives under the truth. The outward calling is a great privilege. The heathen do not have this blessing and cannot be converted except if they come in contact with God's Word. This makes the calling for us to do mission work more urgent. In the external call the Lord knocks at the door of our heart to turn unto Him. Every time we may hear God's Word, the Lord is calling us to hasten for our life's sake.

The outward call comes to all who hear the Word. Such an outward call must become a personal call in our life under the operation of the Holy Spirit. This goes deeper than the ear; it penetrates the heart and our whole life is influenced. It is called a hammer which breaks the rock of our heart in pieces. Abram would never have left Haran if the Lord had not commanded him to go: "Get thee out of thy country." This Word came with such a power that all resistance was broken, although nothing is written about how he had experienced this. The Lord has a willing people in the day of His power. They begin to ask: "Lord, what wilt Thou that I shall do?" The prodigal son in the parable of the Lord Jesus was also so inclined after he came to himself.

The Lord calls us also and it becomes necessary that we leave every­thing behind. We have to leave the world and former friends as we read in Psalm 45:10: "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him." It can be difficult for us, but when the Lord goes with us then we may do as Abram experienced.

Abram was called to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house, but the Lord also gave a promise. God's command comes first and then the promise follows. We should not make the misinterpretation that grace is preceded by our works. No, God is the first and the last in the life of man. What did the Lord require of Abram? He must leave his country, which was Mesopotamia, wherein Haran was situated. Humanly speaking, he felt at home there. This country was very at­tractive for nomads and therefore it was not a small thing for Abram. Secondly, the Lord required that he leave his kindred which are his relatives. The last was the most difficult: to leave his father's house which were the closest family members.

It is clear that the Lord would set Abram apart and gave him the power to obey. This departure was necessary for Abram because he lived in an idolatrous country with relatives who were also affected by that environment. The Lord Jesus clearly states that the same is necessary for us: "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:37). God does not demand a part of our heart, but our whole heart for His service.

Really it was a difficult commandment which Abram received, because now he would stand all alone, with no protection anymore. In those days there was no protection by the government as today – only their family and tribe to which they belonged. Abram would stand alone in the world, but God was with him.

The Lord had not yet promised him a certain country, but He would show him where to go. This was the fruit of the divine, powerful, and internal call of the Lord that Abram could obey. The apostle Paul calls it an act of faith of Abram to leave everything behind. He saw only God's commandment; he could not see into the future. He could give himself unconditionally over to the leading of the Lord. He knew that the Lord would not make a mistake, even when God's ways are incomprehensible. The Lord strengthened Abram with His promise: "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing."

The Lord does not try us above our ability. God promised Abram that he would become a great nation. Abram had to believe this even though Sarai was barren. The blessing of the Lord would come upon him and so he would become a blessing for others. Abram would be well-known among the people and whoever would bless him would be blessed by God. Abram would be a blessing for other nations because the promised Seed of the woman was to come forth out of him. But whoever would curse Abram, would be cursed by the Lord.

By faith Abram obeyed the Lord and left Haran with Sarai and Lot, but also with many slaves and his cattle. This journey must have taken a long time with all the cattle that needed special attention. Finally he arrived in the land of Canaan.

Questions for Bible Study⤒🔗

1. Make the family tree from Terah through the sons of Jacob with their wives.
2. What marriages are forbidden according to the law of Moses?
3. Discuss the difference between the outward and inward calling.
4. Mention the sacrifices Abram had to make when he was called. Explain what they mean.
5. Mention the promises the Lord has given to Abram. Give a short explanation of each.
6. The Lord has spoken to Abram. What were other means of communication between God and man under the Old Testament? Under the New Testament?