What other biblical figures demonstrated faith by following God's commands like Abram? Walking the Land in Faith: Genesis 13:17 Revisited “Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you.” (Genesis 13:17) God’s call to Abram was clear, literal, and demanding. Abram’s response—immediate obedience—sets the pattern for countless believers who trusted God enough to act on His word. Old Testament Trailblazers of Obedience • Noah – “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22; 7:5) • Moses – “Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.” (Exodus 40:16) • Joshua – “Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:15) • Gideon – “So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him.” (Judges 6:27) • Samuel – He replied, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) and lived that posture out for a lifetime. • David – “So David did as the LORD had commanded him.” (2 Samuel 5:25) • Elijah – “So Elijah did what the LORD had told him.” (1 Kings 17:5) • Elisha – Immediately left his oxen, sacrificed them, and followed Elijah (1 Kings 19:19-21). • Isaiah – “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) • Jeremiah – “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth,’… wherever I send you, you must go.” (Jeremiah 1:7) New Testament Echoes of the Same Faith • Mary – “I am the Lord’s servant… May it happen to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) • Joseph (earthly father of Jesus) – “When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” (Matthew 1:24) • The early disciples – “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:20) • Peter – Stepped out of the boat at Jesus’ command (Matthew 14:29). • Ananias of Damascus – Went to pray for Saul despite fear (Acts 9:17). • Paul – “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” (Acts 26:19) Common Threads We Can Trace • A clear word from God—whether by direct speech, angelic encounter, prophetic message, or Christ’s call. • Immediate or intentional action that aligns with that word. • Results that advance God’s redemptive plan, demonstrating His reliability. Key Takeaways for Today • When God speaks, His instructions are never abstract; they are meant to be lived out just as literally as Abram walked the land. • The consistent testimony of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—shows that God honors obedient faith. • Each figure, though different in personality and circumstance, shared one trait: confidence that God’s promise outweighs present uncertainty. |
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