The call of Abraham marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, signifying the beginning of God's covenant relationship with a chosen people. Abraham, originally named Abram, is introduced in the Book of Genesis as a man of faith who responds to God's call with obedience and trust. This call is not merely a personal invitation but a divine mandate that sets the course for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Divine Encounter and Command

The narrative of Abraham's call is found in Genesis 12:1-3 : "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.'"

This passage highlights several key elements of Abraham's call:

1. Separation and Obedience: Abraham is called to leave his familiar surroundings, including his country and family, to journey to an unknown land. This act of separation underscores the necessity of faith and obedience in responding to God's call.

2. Promise of Blessing: God promises to make Abraham a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great. This promise is not only personal but also extends to all the families of the earth, indicating the universal scope of God's plan through Abraham.

3. Covenantal Relationship: The call establishes a covenantal relationship between God and Abraham, characterized by promises of land, descendants, and blessing. This covenant is later formalized in Genesis 15 and reaffirmed in Genesis 17 with the sign of circumcision.

Faith and Righteousness

Abraham's response to God's call is marked by faith, which is counted to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 states, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This verse is foundational in understanding the biblical concept of faith, emphasizing trust in God's promises despite visible circumstances.

The Apostle Paul later expounds on this theme in Romans 4:3 , using Abraham as an exemplar of faith that justifies apart from works. Abraham's faith becomes a prototype for believers, illustrating that righteousness is granted through faith in God's promises.

Testing and Fulfillment

Abraham's journey of faith is not without testing. One of the most significant tests comes in Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This test serves to demonstrate the depth of Abraham's faith and obedience. In Genesis 22:12 , the angel of the LORD says, "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me."

The call of Abraham culminates in the reaffirmation of God's promises, as seen in Genesis 22:17-18 : "I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Legacy and Significance

Abraham's call and subsequent journey of faith lay the foundation for the nation of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history. His life exemplifies the principles of faith, obedience, and covenant relationship with God. The call of Abraham is a testament to God's sovereign choice and the unfolding of His purposes through those who respond in faith.Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you:
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.
Nave's Topical Index

From Abraham to Egypt.
... 4. It was a call to be the father of a son ... Isaac has but little in it that is of
special interest ... The social religious and family life as portrayed in this book ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Meditations for Household Piety.
... 24:15.) And God himself gives a special charge to ... had good servants because they
were religious masters, such as ... his wrath upon the families that call not upon ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for household piety.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... an explicit engagement to perform the special duties of ... order of first acquiescing
in the call to vow ... swearing is obligatory in those also that are religious. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... with the season meet for every other religious act ... distress, and the pangs of
bereavement, call for the ... urge us to those exercises of special solemn Covenanting ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... first and chiefly in its contrast to the preparatory call of the ... 1724] A special
formality, that ... or join it; and it was deemed almost a religious duty to break ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... it enjoys at present: rather, there is a call on us ... former times, on account of that
increase of religious knowledge with ... too (as it was) with a special promise ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

From Egypt to Sinai.
... or needy constituted the first element of a call to enlist in ... since none of the priests
could perform their religious service so ... (1) Those of special value to ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter v from egypt to.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... a trade was regarded as almost a religious duty - but from the ... might waken the
remembrance of the Angelic call, to great ... it is this story of special favour' or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... Also fundamental to his call was the recognition of the ... to-day appeal to the moral
and religious feelings of ... within the scope of action of the special official ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... alone, in our Christian brethren, which can call forth the ... 3. There are also some
special duties growing out of ... be careful to be governed by religious principle ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

If Jesus was God, why did He call God "My God?" | GotQuestions.org

Is it biblical to call the wife of a pastor, elder, or bishop the First Lady of the church? | GotQuestions.org

Why do some people not turn to God until later in life? | GotQuestions.org

Call: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus