Gen 12:1-3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 12:1-9: 12:1-9 Through Abram’s faith and family, God began restoring the blessing. God called Abram from a pagan world to begin a new nation; his promises to Abram later became a covenant (ch 15 ). • God’s call to Abram later helped convince the Israelites to leave Egypt and go to the land God promised to Abram. It also reminded the Babylonian exiles of their need to return to their own land (e.g., Isa 51 ). Summary for Gen 12:1-3: 12:1-3 These verses are structured around two commands to Abram: Leave and be a blessing (see study note on 12:2). Each directive is followed by three promises conditioned upon obedience. 12:1 Abram knew that he should leave, but he did not know where he was going. Obedience required faith.

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‏ Genesis 12:1-3

Summary for Gen 12:1-9: 12:1-9 ^a Through Abram’s faith and family, God began restoring the blessing. God called Abram from a pagan world to begin a new nation; his promises to Abram later became a covenant (ch 15 ^b).

• God’s call to Abram later helped convince the Israelites to leave Egypt and go to the land God promised to Abram. It also reminded the Babylonian exiles of their need to return to their own land (e.g., Isa 51 ^c).
Summary for Gen 12:1-3: 12:1-3 ^d These verses are structured around two commands to Abram: Leave and be a blessing (see study note on 12:2). Each directive is followed by three promises conditioned upon obedience. 12:1 ^e Abram knew that he should leave, but he did not know where he was going. Obedience required faith.
12:2 ^f make you famous (literally make your name great): Abram received the fame sought by the builders of Babel (see 11:4 ^g and study note).

• and you will be a blessing (or so that you will be a blessing): This clause is a command in Hebrew, but it is also a promise conditioned upon Abram’s obedience to God’s command (12:1 ^h): “Go ... so that you will be a blessing. Be a blessing, so that I can bless and curse others.”
12:3 ⁱ Based on Abram’s obedience to the command to be a blessing (12:2 ^j), God gave him three more promises.

• those who treat you with contempt: People who disregarded Abram and his covenant were rejecting God’s choice and plan.

• All the families on earth will be blessed: By faith, they could participate in the covenant God was making with Abram. The blessing spread to the whole world through Abraham, Israel, the covenants, the prophets, Scripture, and the Messiah (Gal 3:8 ^k, 16 ^l; cp. Rom 9:4-5 ^m).