Wednesday 7 October, 2015

27 Here is the story of Terah’s family line. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28 Haran died in the city of Ur in Babylonia, the land where he was born. Haran died while his father Terah was still alive. 29 Abram and Nahor both got married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai. The name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah, the daughter of Haran. Haran was the father of Milkah and Iscah. 30 But Sarai wasn’t able to have children. 31 Terah left Ur in Babylon. He took with him his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran. Terah also took his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram. All of them left together to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they made their home there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years. And then he died in Harran.

This passage outlines Terah’s family and his ancestral line, including his son Abram. It then goes on to explain the actions Terah took in moving his family from Ur to Canaan. However he changed his plan on the journey and decided to settle his family in Haran. Haran was in Assyria, which refers to the ‘sinful world’, and was populated with Chaldeans, referring to the ‘world of idolatry’.  This was therefore a land that was distant from God, and would not have a Godly-influence on Abram and the family.

When reflecting on this passage, I think about Abram and the amazing life that was ahead of him. Despite being settled in Haran for many years with his family, he was receptive to the call of God and eventually left Haran for the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:4). God did not stop calling Abram to the land of Canaan, and Abram followed. This demonstrates the importance of listening to God and being obedient to Him, as well as not giving up on the call of God on our lives.

God, I ask that You would help me to listen to your voice daily and follow your lead in my life. Thank You for going before me, and for the plan You have to prosper me. In Jesus’ name.

Written by Laura Samperi