God Sends Abraham

Genesis 12:1-9 & Genesis 17

Blessing - God giving his life-producing ability to others

Part of humans’ blessing is to take care of God’s blessing of life to all of creation

Today we read about one of the most prolific figures in religious history. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, as well as other faith traditions, are even called “Abrahamic” religions, meaning that all of them can be traced back to this rather ordinary man from ancient Mesopotamia.

Abraham is obviously an important figure to many. But to those of us who follow Jesus, Abraham is just one person in the narrative of the scripture who ultimately points to humanity’s redemption through Christ. If God is a missionary God who redeems humanity through Jesus, what does Abraham’s story tell us about the missionary nature of our God?

God desires all people to receive his blessing.

Notice how often the Lord uses “all” or “many” throughout these passages. God elected Abraham not only for the sake of Abraham knowing God but so that many people throughout many generations would know Yahweh God. Israel wasn’t a special nation. Abraham wasn’t a special guy who had special access to God. They were ordinary (and oftentimes deeply flawed) people used by God so that all might know Him.

Interestingly, in God’s call of Abraham, he uses the word “blessing.” When we talk about God’s mission, this word often doesn’t come up. It can feel like a tired religious word that has lost its significance. So what does God mean when He says, “and all peoples of the Earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3)?

Let’s remember back to Genesis 1. When God ordered creation, he blessed the living things as he instructed them to multiply (Genesis 1:22). God’s blessing is connected to his gift of life. When God went on to bless the humans, he gave them responsibility over creation (Genesis 1:28).

From the beginning, God’s blessing was to give life and goodness, and humans were called to extend this blessing of life to creation.

This motif of blessing is highlighted as God blesses Abraham. Abraham will be a blessing because of all the people who will have life as a result of God calling him to “Go.” This blessing isn’t from Abraham, it isn’t material prosperity, but this blessing is to be connected to the source of life Himself. God wants all people to have the blessing of connection to Him.

Take a moment to reflect with God on the blessing of connection to Him. Ask Him what it looks like to embrace this blessing today. Ask him if anyone in your life needs to be told about or reminded of this blessing.