In an earlier talk mention was 1 made of a man in the lineage of Abraham, named Peleg, whose name means “Division.” In our present portion the time had come for the prophetic division of that household to take place. “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 show thee.” verse 1.
It is no easy thing for one who finds his family standing in the way of faithfulness to God to give up that natural tie. Yet the Lord was later to say, “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:3737He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37). Strong though these natural ties may be, when they become a barrier to obedience to God, the first place must go to Him, even if it means a severance from loved ones. Many a child of God has had to make such a decision throughout the ages, but God is a sure rewarder of those who faithfully follow His Word.
Since Abram was born into a family that had departed from the God of their fathers, had traveled into a distant and strange land, and there had fallen into idolatry, it is not difficult to see why God instructed him to leave those surroundings. But we have already noted that he was not cast on his own resources in connection with such a separation. It was as “the God of glory” that the divine voice spoke to him and encouraged him with the promise that He would show him a better place. We can readily believe that once Abram had experienced such a glorious display to his heart and mind that his possessions at Ur and the idols of his past life lost all interest to him. Deeply stirred by this experience he set about to put into execution the instructions given him.
Evidently it was not revealed to Abram that the land of Canaan was to be his ultimate goal; he determined to travel by way of Haran. A journey of such distance being no small undertaking in that day, we can imagine the preparations required, the reviewing of the route and questioning of competent travers who were familiar with it, so that landmarks indicating helps or hazards might be recognized when encountered. God has given the present-day believer just such instructions as to the earthly path enroute to the heavenly home. They are to be found in His Word, from cover to cover. He has also provided helps for His own, through the witness of faithful men who have already trodden the path in godly fear.
The child of God need never be taken unawares by the pitfalls and dangers of the wilderness way; “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5). It can be said of the believer’s path: “There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen: the lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.” Job 28:7,87There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: 8The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. (Job 28:7‑8). Yes, such is God’s provision for us. Satan himself (a “roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”) cannot touch the child of God who remains faithfully on the path God has marked out.
ML 01/17/1965