Genesis11:26 briefly
introduced Abram to us. In these follow-up verses from 27-32 some insights into
the complicated family situation of Abram are provided. His father Terah, like Noah
had three sons, namely: Abram, Haran, and Nahor. Having named the three sons,
we are told almost immediately of the death of Haran, one of his three sons. He
actually died before the eyes of his father in the Ur of the Chaldeans. But he was
survived by a son and two daughters: Lot and his two sisters, Milcah and Iscah.
And Milcah got married to her uncle Nahor, her father’s brother. Though the
name of Abram’s wife, Sarai was revealed we are not told how she and Abram were
related till later. So we will not discuss it here till we come to the passage.
Genesis did
not give us any information about Ur of the Chaldeans but research reveals that
it was the leading centre for the worship of the moon. Hence we can conclude that
Terah and family were more or less moon worshippers. In verse 31 we read of Terah
initiating a move to leave Ur of the Chaldeans. Whether it was inspired by God or
not we are not told. Looking from where we are now, we know that God was
preparing the ground to launch Abram into the task He wanted him to do. Hence
it would not be a surprise to learn that Terah took Abram with him on the journey.
The entourage of Terah that left Ur of Chaldeans comprised himself, Lot his
grandson, and Abram his son and Sarai, Abram’s wife. They were all headed for
Canaan but when they came as far as Haran, they settled there. In other words
Terah’s plan was unfulfilled. He did not manage to reach Canaan, his original destination.
Verse 32 tells us that he settled in Haran and died there.
This account
depict the death of a dream. It’s sad to see one’s dream dies on the way. Why
did Terah not continue with his journey to Canaan? We don’t really have the answer.
But the sentence, “…they went so far as Haran and settled there,” tells a lot. Maybe it was the comfort of Haran that make
him discard his dream. Like him, many start life with a grand vision and great dream,
but their plan was waylaid by the comfort on the way, and the dream and vision
soon vanished. Our journey that started with Christ, must not be halted by the
enticement of comfort in this world. We must stay focused, and continue to
focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Let’s be inspired by Paul
in his words in 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought the
good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith…” He kept his
course and finished the race. Will we keep ours?
Another thing
that can halt our progress in God is procrastination. Could Terah’s dream be
halted by his procrastination? It is possible for a person to keep focusing on the
magnitude of a task and keeps postponing his effort. If we don’t make up our
mind and work at it we will have the tendency to push it to tomorrow. But
sadly, tomorrow for many never seems to come. There are many things that could retard
our progress with God. Whatever it may be, don’t let them highjack God’s dream
for our life.
Thinking deeper,
we know that God is telling us something from the background of Abram. His
family situation was truly complicated. He hailed from a family and a culture
deep in pagan worship. In fact he made some questionable decisions with regards
to his wife just to save his own skin. Be sure that God is fully aware that since
the fall, He does not always have perfect vessel to start with, but He is
looking for willing vessels. Abram was a willing vessel. He obeyed God
unquestioningly. That made him a candidate for greatness. God knows our
imperfection, but can He see our willingness to obey His call without
hesitation? What’s our response today? God and us know best!
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