Abram Leaves Home - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

ABRAM LEAVES HOME!

Paul put his building blocks into the box and sighed. It had been a
long day, filled with boxes and tape. Most of his room was already
on the moving truck. All that was left was a sleeping bag and a
small suitcase that held enough clothes for the move. Looking
around his room brought back memories of all the years his things
filled this room.

"Moving all this stuff is NOT fun," he muttered as he pushed the
box down the hall.

It was moving day, the day when all of Paul's family was busy
packing. They were going to a new town, far away from all their
friends and congregation. Paul's dad had a new job waiting for him, and
they already had a new house, but it was going to be a while before
it would seem like home. The job was at an assembly, and Paul's
parents were sure this was what Yahweh wanted for their lives.

* * *

A very long time ago, Yahweh decided to have a very special talk with
Abram, one of His chosen people. All heaven stood still and
listened as Yahweh spoke these words to Abram:

"I want you to leave your country, your family,
and your father's house, and I want you to go
into a land that I will show you."

Now they didn't have big moving trucks back in those days. Besides,
Yahweh didn't even mention the NAME of the place! This would be a big
step of FAITH for Abram and his wife Sarai. Yahweh wanted them to
leave EVERYTHING, and EVERYBODY that they knew, and start over in a
NEW land.

This was no small thing, for, you see, Abram was now 75 years old.
He didn't even KNOW where he was going, because Yahweh didn't
TELL him. Yahweh said He would show him where he wanted him to go, but
only AFTER he obeyed.

Once more, Yahweh spoke to Abram. This time He told him:

"I will make you a GREAT NATION.
I will BLESS you.
I will make your NAME GREAT!
You will be a BLESSING to others as well."

What promises! But where was the great nation going to come from?
It takes PEOPLE to have a nation, and it was just Abram and Sarai
his wife. Abram and Sarai had no children, and time was running
out - at least it SEEMED like it was.

Abram must have thought to himself, "Why has Yahweh chosen ME from
among all these people around me? WOW! What an honor! But wait!
There is more!

"I will BLESS those who BLESS you.
I will CURSE him who CURSES you.
All the FAMILIES of the earth will be blessed."

The Bible doesn't say that Abram had any problems doing what Yahweh
asked. He just listened...and then he OBEYED!

***

Abram and Sarai began to make preparations for their journey. Lot,
Abram's nephew, would be traveling with them. Their servants would
be going along as well. They had to decide what to take and what to
leave behind. As Sarai was busily packing the household items,
Abram and Lot were gathering the herd of cattle and flock of sheep
from the fields.

Since there were no vehicles at the time, Abram chose his strongest
camel to carry their belongings. He packed very carefully, making
sure the tent was right on top because they would need that to
sleep in at night. They took one more look around to make sure they
hadn't left anything important. Then it was time for them to begin
their great adventure.

They walked . . .
and walked . . .
and WALKED . . .

...always following the direction of Yahweh. During the daytime,
they would travel, and at night they would set up their tent and
sleep.

Abram and those with him came to the land called "Shechem." It was
here that Yahweh spoke to Abram again, saying, "Unto your future
generations will I give this land." Abram built an altar to worship
Yahweh in that very place.

After worshiping Yahweh, Abram and his group continued on their
journey. They were walking up a mountain between the towns of
Bethel and Ai, when Abram decided to set up the tent and rest. He
built another altar and prayed to Yahweh. Then he continued to
travel south with his family.

***

A great famine came upon the land where Abram and his family were
staying, so they had to move to the land of Egypt in order to have
enough food for everyone to stay alive. They had to pack up all
their belongings, gather the herd of cattle and the flock of sheep,
load up the camel . . .

and walk . . .
and walk . . .
and WALK.

FINALLY they arrived in the land of Egypt...but all did not go
well. This is where Abram got into BIG trouble!

You see, Sarai was a VERY beautiful woman. Abram was afraid that
the men of Egypt would KILL him so one of them could have Sarai to
be his own wife. He told Sarai, "If anyone asks you if you are my
wife, tell them no, you are my sister." Of course, this was only a half truth,
but Sarai obeyed her husband.

Sure enough, the men of Egypt saw that Sarai was indeed a BEAUTIFUL
woman. The princes of Pharaoh saw Sarai and brought her before
Pharaoh, and he took her into his household. He then gave Abram
many sheep, oxen, donkeys, men-servants, maidservants, and camels
for letting him have Sarai. Abram was given cattle, silver, and
gold, and this made him a VERY rich man.

Now, Yahweh did not like what Abram and Sarai had done, so He put
a plague on Pharaoh and his household.
"WHAT IS THIS THAT YOU HAVE DONE UNTO ME?"
Pharaoh shouted at Abram.

"Why did you not tell me that this woman was your WIFE? Why did you
tell me she was your sister? I might have taken her to be my wife.

TAKE YOUR WIFE AND GO!"

Pharaoh told his men to show Abram and Sarai out. Abram, Sarai,
Lot, and all the people traveling with them had to pack up all
their belongings, gather the herds of cattle and the flocks of
sheep, load up the camel, and leave Egypt.

* * *

REMEMBER
Yahweh will guide us in the way we should go.

THINK!
1. When Abram left home, did he know where he was going?
2. Name one way Yahweh said He would bless Abram.
3. How old was Abram when he left his father's home?
4. Why did Abram go to Egypt?
5. What lie did Abram tell Pharaoh?
6. Why did Abram lie?
7. What happened because of Abram's lie?
8. Did you ever have to move to a new place and not know what to
expect?

A VERSE TO LEARN

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

LET'S PRAY

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Loving Elohim, You are so good to us. We thank You for
always being there for us and for always keeping
Your promises to us. Help us to keep the promises
that we make to You and to others. In Yah'shua's Name.
Amen.
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CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
Genesis 11:26; 12:1-20

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