God Calls Abram

Genesis 11:28-12:9

     Long ago there was a man named Abram. He and his wife, Sarai, lived in a place called Ur and then moved to a place called Haran. They had no children.

     One day God called to Abram, "Abram, I want you to take Sarai and go to a new land that I will show you," God said. "I will bless you and make your children into a great nation."

     Abram and Sarai did what God told them and moved to the new land, even though they were not young any more. Abram invited his brother's son Lot to go with them. They took their tents and furniture and clothes, and loaded them on animals. They collected all their sheep and goats and hired men and women to help take care of them. Then they began to walk many miles to Canaan, the new country God would show them.

     When they got into Canaan, Abram and Sarai and their family and helpers went on to Shechem, to the sacred tree of Moreh. There were people already living nearby.

     God came to Abram and said, "Some day I will give this land to you and your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren." So Abram made an altar there and prayed to God. Then they all started walking toward the desert of Canaan, called Negev.