What other biblical figures were called to leave their homeland for God's purpose? Genesis 12:1 – The First Recorded Call to Leave “Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s household to the land that I will show you.’” Echoes of Abram’s Journey – Others God Sent Away from Home • Jacob – Twice uprooted – Leaving Beersheba for Haran: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” (Genesis 28:15) – Leaving Haran to return: “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” (Genesis 31:3) • Joseph – Relocated for preservation – Though sold by his brothers, he later told them, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:7) • Moses – From Midian back to Egypt – “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people… out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10) • Israel as a nation – The Exodus – “The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand… to bring us in and give us the land.” (Deuteronomy 6:21-23) • Ruth – From Moab to Bethlehem – “Where you go I will go… your people will be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16-17) • Elijah – Directed from homeland to Zarephath – “Arise, go to Zarephath… I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17:9) • Jonah – From Israel to pagan Nineveh – “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it.” (Jonah 1:2; 3:2) • Nehemiah – From Persian palace to ruined Jerusalem – “Send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:5) • Mary and Joseph – To Egypt, then back – “Get up, take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt… until I tell you.” (Matthew 2:13) • Jesus – The ultimate leaving – “Though He was in the form of God… He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:6-7) • Philip the evangelist – From Samaria to a desert road – “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26) • Paul and Barnabas – First missionaries – “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2-3) What We Learn from These Journeys • God often advances His redemptive plan by relocating His people. • Each departure came with a promise of presence: “I will be with you.” • Obedience opened the door for blessing—whether preserving a nation (Joseph), birthing a lineage (Ruth), or spreading the gospel (Paul). • Leaving is seldom comfortable, but always purposeful when God directs it. |
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