Purpose Of Election Of Abraham Series

Theme: Purpose of Election of Abraham

Text: Genesis 12:1--3

Introduction: I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Lord is good, and His love endures forever.

Bible is the holy scripture. It does not give us sequences of what we want from it. But God has revealed at various seasons and at several times for the benefit of all. The careful reading and observing the Word of God unfold the revelation of God to all of us.

Today, we will meditate on the purpose of the election of Abraham. We can say it as a selection or an election. These words are synonymous to explain the work of Yahweh in the lives of the people. This passage had three great things: Great nation, great name and great honour.

1. Great Nation - One man to a Nation (Genesis 12:1-2)

I have plans to make great people from your descendants (Voice). I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation (GNT).

When this promise came to Abram, he was 75 years old, and his wife Sarai was barren. He had no circumstantial evidence to believe in it. But he believed in the promise to become a nation. By that time, there were several nations on the earth. The world has already thickly populated, and many countries have established their names for them.

Though Abram was an ordinary person born in Ur of Mesopotamia and died in Hebron of Canaan, he married Sarah, Hagar and Keturah. He lived for 175 years (Genesis 25:7), Terah, the father of Abram, lived 205 years. He had three sons Abram, Nahor and Haran (Genesis 11:25-26,32). Abram might have the influence of his forefather Enosh (Genesis 4:26) in worshipping YHWH and could have desired to be righteous like Abel (Matthew 23:35) and Noah (Genesis 6:9).

However, we miss the conversation of Abram with his parents and relatives regarding the religious faith. We cannot deny the truth that there were few godly people during his era. But he was exclusively chosen by YHWH. There was a priest known as Melchizedek during the time of Abram who also worshipped (Genesis 14:18-20).

Romans 4:18-21 describes this unwavering faith of Abraham and Sara) and his hope against hopelessness and belief that he would become the father of many nations. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead.

The conversion of Abram with God became the seed of a new nation called the spiritual nation of chosen people. His conversion had unquestionable obedience, faith and commitment (Romans 4:3, Hebrews 11:8,17, James 2:21). He was a mighty man of prayer. His prayer had saved Lot, the estranged cousin, selfish brother and ungrateful relative (Genesis 18:23-33).

Those who leave their sins, and turn to God, will be unspeakable gainers by the change. The natural affection must give way to Divine grace. Sin and all the occasions of it must be forsaken and particularly bad company. Abram believed that the blessing of the Almighty would make up for all he could lose or leave behind, supply all his wants, and answer and exceed all his desires, and knew that nothing but misery would follow disobedience. (Matthew Henry).

Though Noah was the founder of the new people group, Abraham was the first Jew or a Hebrew and founder of the spiritual nation. We understand through Acts 7:2-4, God promised Abraham to bless him and make him great while he was in Mesopotamia.

Abram became a giant of faith and the father of the believing community (Galatians 3:7). Yet, he did not start as a hero of faith but he grew in faith and obedience.’(Enduring Word). Today, Abraham has been compared to a lofty mountain peak down the several sides which flow three great rivers of earth's populations: Jews, Arabians, and the entire Christian world. Muslims, Christians and Jews alike hail Abraham as a sacred ancestor of their religions (Ref:studylight.org/Coffman).

Today, you are called to lead a nation, form a nation create a nation of faith, the nation of love, the notion of obedience. One obedient person becomes the sources of blessings to the nations. Always obedience of one man brought a community of believers. The obedience of the Apostles established churches all over the world. The obedience of missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries took the gospel to all over the world, especially in African Eastern Countries including India.

One small fire stick can cause vital changes. It can either dispel the darkness or can destroy the forest grandeurs.

2. Great Name - Abram to Abraham (Genesis 12:2)

‘I shall magnify thy name’ (Wycliff), ‘make your name famous and distinguished’ (AMPC), cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others (voice). Abram means father of elevation. He is called Ibrahim in Islam, and Avaram in Hebrew.