Difficult Things in the Bible (pt. 1)

He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Genesis 12:5

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest stars a party of adventurers led by the protagonist, Natsu Dragneel. For over a century, no adventurer has been able to seal up the Five Dragon Gods, who threaten destruction to the land. Natsu and his band of adventurers will attempt this impossible quest to save the world. You wouldn’t watch this anime if they were doing easy things.

Abraham is the second leader we meet who accepts a near-impossible task. The first person was Noah, who built a giant ark to survive the global flood. Abraham comes from a family line that worshipped pagan gods, so it was likely that Yahweh was not the central focus of his life. When God visits Abraham, he gives him an adventure that requires a ton of trust and faith. Take your family and servants to a strange land, and I will start a new legacy with your bloodline.

Abraham did not put up a fuss, which means that God was very persuasive. If Abraham wanted to argue with God, he could have said, “You’re not my central god, what right do you have?”, “All my friends and family live here,” “The neighborhood is not safe,” or “I am doing pretty well here, so this risk is unnecessary.” A highly educated and cautious person could justify ignoring this request. Honestly, how often is it a good idea to just pick up all your things and move to a different city?

Three things made this request possible for Abraham.

God presented himself as trustworthy and reliable. Abraham knew that there was validity in God’s promises even though he couldn’t see them.

God checked in on Abraham along the journey. At specific points, God made his presence known to reassure Abraham that he was doing the right thing.

Abraham yearned for God’s promises. God promised him a legacy that far exceeded an everyday life. Abraham would be the base of the tree that held the entire Judeo-Christian history. He took the risk knowing that the reward would be great.

Sooner or later, God will call you to a task that may challenge your comfort zone. However, if you can recognize the three assurances Abraham received, accomplishing the task will become doable.

Figure it Out:

Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

7 Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” Genesis 12:1-6

  1. Circle any words or phrases that are significant to you. What makes them stand out?
  2. What promises compelled Abraham to take this step of faith? What made this offer too good to pass up?
  3. How can you embrace a God-honoring risk like Abraham did?

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