The Call of Abraham
The Father of Faith Leaves Everything to Follow God
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Call of Abraham is found in Genesis 12:1-9 of the King James Bible (Genesis).
Books: Genesis
Historical & Cultural Context
Abram (later Abraham) was called by God from Ur of the Chaldees — one of the most advanced cities of the ancient world, located in modern-day southern Iraq. Ur had sophisticated architecture, a thriving economy, a written legal code, and elaborate polytheistic worship centered on the moon god Nanna. Abram's father Terah had already begun moving the family toward Canaan but stopped in Haran (northern Mesopotamia). God's call to Abram around 2091 BC initiated the covenant that would define the rest of Scripture — from Abraham came Israel, and from Israel came Christ.
Key Characters
Key Verses
Genesis 12:1
"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee."Read in context
Genesis 12:2-3
"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."Read in context
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 whither he went."Read in context
A Voice from Heaven
In the ancient city of Ur in Mesopotamia, and later in Haran, a man named Abram received a call that would change the course of human history. The LORD spoke to him: 'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.' God did not reveal the destination — only the command to go and a series of extraordinary promises.
The Sevenfold Promise
God's call came with seven promises that formed the foundation of the Abrahamic covenant: I will make of thee a great nation; I will bless thee; I will make thy name great; thou shalt be a blessing; I will bless them that bless thee; I will curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. These promises encompassed land, descendants, and a universal blessing that would eventually be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Abram's Obedience
Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had gathered, and the souls they had acquired, and they set out for the land of Canaan. He left behind the security of his homeland, his extended family, and everything familiar — all on the strength of a promise from a God he could not see.
Arrival in the Promised Land
When Abram arrived in Canaan, the LORD appeared to him at Shechem and said, 'Unto thy seed will I give this land.' Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. He moved on toward Bethel and pitched his tent, building another altar and calling upon the name of the LORD. These altars marked the beginning of worship in the Promised Land — the first footsteps of a faith that would produce a nation, a covenant, and ultimately a Savior.
Symbolism & Typology
Leaving Ur
God called Abram to leave everything familiar — country, kindred, father's house. Faith begins with departure. You cannot follow God to a new destination while clinging to the old one. Abraham's departure was geographical, relational, and spiritual simultaneously.
The Unknown Destination
'He went out, not knowing whither he went' (Hebrews 11:8). God gave the command ('Go') before revealing the destination. Faith is obedience in the absence of complete information. God reveals the next step, not the entire journey.
The Covenant Promise
'I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.' The Abrahamic covenant has three dimensions: land, descendants, and blessing to all nations. It is the foundation upon which all subsequent biblical covenants are built.
The Altar Building
At each stop — Shechem, Bethel, Hebron — Abraham built an altar and called on God's name. Altars marked the journey with worship. They were stakes in the ground declaring 'God met me here.' Faith maps its journey with acts of worship, not just milestones of achievement.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
Faith Requires Leaving the Familiar
Abram could not receive God's promise while clinging to his old life. True faith often requires leaving behind comfort, security, and the familiar to follow God into the unknown.
God's Promises Are Greater Than Our Understanding
Abram did not know where he was going, how he would become a great nation, or how all families of the earth would be blessed through him. He trusted the character of the One who promised.
Obedience Precedes Blessing
God did not show Abram the land before calling him. The promise was confirmed after he obeyed. Often God's greatest blessings are unlocked by our willingness to step out in faith.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of The Call of Abraham teach us about faith requires leaving the familiar? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
God's Promises Are Greater Than Our Understanding: How does this lesson from The Call of Abraham challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in abraham's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "Faith and Covenant." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this Old Testament story point forward to Jesus and the gospel? What connections can you see?
If you could share one truth from The Call of Abraham with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize Genesis 12:1 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from The Call of Abraham. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12🎨 Trust Fall & Trust Map
Do a trust fall exercise together, then create a "Trust Map" — draw or write times when God proved faithful in your family's life. Add to it throughout the month as you see God working.
Ages 6+🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read Genesis 12:2-3 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of The Call of Abraham that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Call of Abraham in the Bible?
The story of Call of Abraham is found in Genesis 12:1-9 of the King James Bible (Genesis).
Where in the Bible is the story of Call of Abraham?
You can find the story of Call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-9 (KJV).
Where does the story of Call of Abraham start in the Bible?
The story of Call of Abraham begins in Genesis 12:1-9. God calls Abram to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation. Abram obeys by faith, beginning the covenant story that shapes all of Scripture.
Where was Ur of the Chaldees?
Ur was an ancient Sumerian city in southern Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Iraq. It was a prosperous and sophisticated city with temples, libraries, and commerce. Abram's family later moved from Ur to Haran before God called him to Canaan.
Why did God change Abram's name to Abraham?
In Genesis 17:5, God changed Abram ('exalted father') to Abraham ('father of many nations') as a sign of the covenant. The name change reflected God's promise that Abraham would become the father of not just one nation but many.
How is the Abrahamic covenant fulfilled in Christ?
Galatians 3:16 explains that the promise 'in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed' finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, Abraham's descendant. Through Christ, the blessing of salvation is offered to all nations.
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