Genesis 12:

Main Themes: God’s Call Requires Faith, Obedience Brings Blessing, God’s Sovereign Plan, Trusting God in the Unknown, The Universal Blessing

Introduction:

Genesis 12 marks a turning point in Scripture, as God calls Abram to leave his homeland and follow Him into the unknown. This passage highlights faith, obedience, divine promise, and blessing—not just for Abram, but for all nations through him. Abram’s journey foreshadows God’s unfolding redemptive plan, inviting us to trust His leading even when the destination is unclear.

The Call of Abram

Genesis 12:1–9 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

— Genesis 12:1-9 (ESV)

Summary: God calls Abram to leave his homeland and go to a land He will show him. God promises to make him into a great nation, bless him, and bless all nations through him. Abram obeys, traveling to Canaan, where God confirms His promise. Abram builds altars to worship the Lord, marking his journey of faith and trust in God’s guidance.

Discussion Questions:

• What was God’s “call” to Abram?
• What did God promise to Abram?
• How did Abram respond to God’s call?
• What did Abram have to say about all this?
• God seems to be calling Abram out of his comfort zone. We don’t get a sense that Abram delays or questions; he is totally dependent on God. Have you ever heard God calling you from your comfort zone? If so, how do you respond?
• God calls us to be on mission with Him; we are strongest when we, in our weakness, are totally dependent on God. Have you experienced this or seen it in others?
• God tells Abram something about his descendants and the land.
  • What does God promise to Abram?
  • What two things can we infer from this?
  • Who is in the land at the time?
• What is Abram’s response to this?

Abram and Sarai in Egypt

Genesis 12:10–20 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

— Genesis 12:10-20 (ESV)

Summary: During a famine, Abram goes to Egypt, fearing for his life because of Sarai’s beauty. He tells her to say she is his sister, leading Pharaoh to take her into his house. God sends plagues on Pharaoh’s household, revealing the deception. Pharaoh confronts Abram and sends him away with Sarai and all their possessions. This passage highlights Abram’s human fear and God’s faithfulness despite his shortcomings.

Discussion Questions:

• What’s going on here?
  • Did Abram do right or wrong here? Did he sin?
  • Wait - can followers of God still stumble?
• Abram became rich - he has sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. What is the source of his wealth?
• Who is being more righteous in this passage, Abram or Pharoah?
• Why do you think that Pharaoh sent Abram away?
• Where else in our previous studies of Genesis have we seen someone expelled? Jack mentioned this (hint: Genesis 3:23).

Wrap it

• Just like Abram, God calls us to be on mission with Him. What is God calling us to do?
• God calls us in a way that allows us to increase our faith and trust in Him. What does this look like?
• If we are obedient, He assures us of success. Why do we hesitate?
• God blesses us so that we can bless others. What are some practical ways to bless others?
• As Christ followers, we can still stumble. What can we do to be more Christ-like? (hint: eyes on Christ, not culture)

Are we too comfortable to rely on God?

If God calls, do we trust enough to be obedient?

Are you going?