The Call of Abraham

(Genesis 12:1-3) This passage in Genesis 12 describes the scene when God calls Abraham. The person Abraham has a lot of symbolic meaning embedded in him. Becoming “Abraham” means becoming the one who was called first – the one who was called first in the family, in the nation. The ones who have been called by God must remember the meaning of the calling precisely.


Abraham was once called “Abram” (meaning “big father”) and God changed his name to Abraham (“father of nations”). It means he is becoming the source of blessing. There are five parts into the Abrahamic covenant: 1. Make him into nation, 2. Make him into blessing, 3. He will be a blessing, 4. Those who bless will be blessed, and 5. Those who curse will be cursed. When we are called by God, it is so that I could pass God’s blessing to all people; God will use me as the source of blessing.

When we look at his background information, we find something interesting. We know that he is the descendent of Noah, but he is also the son of Terah, an idol worshiper (Joshua 24:2), and perhaps even an idol seller. Although Abraham’s father lived an idolatrous life, Abraham did not follow the footstep of his father. He had the spiritual sense to find this out. The family background is not the most important thing in calling of God. Abraham left his position where it was full of idols and started this journey of faith.

Why did he have to leave his people, his country, and his father’s household? Sometimes, God’s calling may involve abandoning of something else. It is because those things cannot achieve one’s righteousness. As Paul talks about in Romans 3, no one is righteous on his own – faith is the only element that leads to righteousness. In the following chapter, Paul explains how Abraham was called righteous by leaving all these behind. Our faith in God and following his calling will make us righteous – not anything else.

Also, it is important to note that families in the world are not the same as the family of faith. Some Christian families in American tradition would welcome such decision of faith, but there are many families in the world who would be against such act. God wants to save the entire family and the entire nation; and in order to do this, Abraham has to first leave the family of the world.

In Mark 3:31-35, Jesus also encounters a family related problem. Jesus, who actually had a deep love and care for his physical mother, seems to dismiss them. Physical families are held together through blood relationship, but Jesus wanted an even stronger relationship to be formed that would last beyond this one generation. Now, Christians around the world are united in heart – and this was made possible through the life of Jesus.

There is a reason for God’s calling; and there is a reason for abandoning something. If we want to become a blessing for our family, city, or country - it is important to remember that when God takes away, it is for the achievement of a greater purpose.