In the past two blogs I have been writing about all Abraham had to release in order to follow the Lord.  As someone said, “you cannot out give God.”  The blessings God promised Abraham far outweighed those things he gave up. Below is a summary of those blessings.

2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”  Genesis 12:2-3

 

1) Hope and Future ~

The provision of hope is found in the Lord’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation.”  How would God make Abraham into a great nation when Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren?  God provided by giving Abraham and Sarah a promise first. The very thing Sarah longed for was now promised by God. It took 25 years but God’s word came to pass in their lives.

 

2) Divine Favor ~

The provision of divine favor is found in the Lord’s statement, “I will bless you.”  God’s blessings are beyond what we can think or imagine.  This promise was a promise of personal blessing, a blessing that would bring about prosperity upon Abraham’s life. God would prosper Abraham in his family, in his business, and ultimately in his entire journey of faith.

 

3) Success and Character ~

This provision is found in the Lord’s statement, “and make your name great.”  Abraham could have chosen to make a great name for himself or allow the Lord to do it.

In the previous chapter (Genesis 11:4) the people of Babel said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name.” Humanity strives to make names for themselves and become successful.  True success is only found in the life of faith. It is only by trusting in the Lord and following the Lord that one can truly have a great name.

The idea of a great name goes beyond fame. In ancient times a great name was a “revelation of character.” A great name referred to one who had “superior character.” A life of faith produces a life of righteous character.  A character that can only find its source in God.

 

 

4) A Great Nation and Blessing ~

This promise is a promise of purpose and destiny. As Abraham obeys the Lord by relinquishing all, he will then be a blessing for all to see. He will become an example a life blessed of God.

The implication of this promise of purpose goes beyond just being an example. If God is going to bless all the families of the earth, then Abraham and his descendants would have to be the message bearers to the rest of the world. Thus, being blessed by God has a responsibility of letting the rest of the world know about God’s blessings.

 

5) The Promise of Protection ~

“And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.” This promise is significant when you realize that the Lord was asking Abraham to leave the security and safety of his country, culture, and clan, and go to a place of uncertainty and hostility. Those who will bless Abraham in his journey of faith will be enriched, but those who hinder and become an enemy of Abraham will be cursed. One only has to observe the life of Abraham as well as the life of Israel to see that the Lord has been faithful to fulfill this promise.

In Abraham we discover what it means to walk in faith before the Lord.  These promises are not just given to Abraham.  They are extended to his children and to all who would follow.  How about you, do you wish to walk in faith?  Just as God invited Abraham to walk in faith, we too are given that opportunity as well.  Like Abraham, we must respond to God’s call to leave the world behind and follow hard after Him.  Your journey awaits!

Blessings,

Pastor