QT 8/18/2025 Gen 11:27–32, Don't get ahead of God, do the right thing

 

Genesis 11:27–32 (ESV) —

27 Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29 And Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah. 30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.

 

NOTE: The passage is an illustration of God's sovereignty. We are told in Acts (by Stephen) that God called Abram out of Ur to go to the promised land. Here we see Terah taking Abram and others up to Haran. God uses Terah to move Abram half the distance, although Haran was a little farther north than necessary, it is where Terah chose to live. It could be that Abram persisted with his father because of his health. Once his father died, he continues to the promise land. As we will see in the next verse, God renews his call to Abram after the death of Terah.

 

Abram was faithful to the responsibility as the oldest son to his family. He stayed with his father, and buried him. Later, the land of Haran would provide multiple wives (Rebeccah, Leah, and Rachel) to his sons and grandsons.

 

Sometimes we wonder if we are moving in the right direction. But one principle that helps, is to do the right thing. Don't try to speed God up. Rather ask God, what is the right thing now? Abram's story is a story of obstacles, the biggest one being Sarai's barrenness. But there are actually twelve (Constable, 2003):

 

1. Sarai was barren and incapable of producing an heir (11:30).
2. Abram had to leave the Promised Land, which God had told him he would inherit (12:10).
3. Abram’s life was in danger in Egypt (12:11–20).
4. Abram’s nephew (heir?) Lot separated from Abram over a land  dispute (ch. 13).
5. Abram entered a war and could have died (14:1–16).
6. Abram’s life was in danger from retaliation in the Promised Land (15:1).
7. God ruled Eliezer out as Abram’s heir (15:2–3).
8. Hagar, pregnant with Abram’s son (heir?), departed (16:6).
9. Abimelech threatened Sarai’s reputation and child (heir?) in Gerar (ch. 20).
10. Abram had two heirs (21:8–11).
11. God commanded Abram to slay his heir (ch. 22).
12. Abram could not find a proper wife for his heir (24:5).

 

What are we to do when faced with obstacles? We need to do the right thing and we need to trust God for the rest. Don't get ahead of God.

 

PONDER:

1. What is the right thing, right now, in my life?
2. Where do I need to trust God and stop worrying?
3. What do I need to stop doing?

 

PRAYER: Father, I retired from work early to do ministry. But, instead I am doing daycare for two grandchildren. My initial thoughts have been that I am wasting good years where I still have a lot of energy and health. But, you have a different plan. I need to trust in what you are doing. In my very old age, I would probably regret missing these years with the babies, as I hear many people say. And who knows what will happen in 3-4 years when I am no longer doing day care. I just need to trust you. Thank you for where I am and what you have me doing.