Bible Basics: Genesis 11:10 through 12

Genesis 11:10–32

From Noah to Abram

Verses 10–26: At one hundred years of age (two years after the flood), Noah’s son Shem begins to have children. Another line of descendants, including only first-born males by name, is listed here.

27–30: The lineage of Shem continues with the line of Terah, who has three sons: Abram (later named “Abraham” by God), Nahor, and Haran. They live in Ur (in modern-day Iraq), where Abram’s brother Haran dies after having three children: Lot, Iscah and Milcah. Nahor marries his niece Milcah. Abram marries a woman named Sarai (his half-sister, later to become “Sarah”), but they are childless.

31–32: Terah, Abram and Sarai, and Lot decide to relocate to Canaan. However, when they reach the city of Haran (in present-day Turkey), they settle there. Terah dies at 205 years of age.

Genesis 12

God Calls Abram to Follow His Lead

1–3: God tells Abram to leave his extended family and set out from Haran, going to the place God will show him. In doing so, God offers Abram the promise of personal blessing, a great name, and protection (God says he will “bless those who bless [him] and curse those who [curse] him in verse 3). Beyond this, God says that he will make “great nation” of Abram’s descendants, and ultimately bless “all peoples” through him. Wow!

4–7: Despite such amazing promises, Abram couldn’t see their fulfillment when God called him. He didn’t even know where he was going! He truly had to trust God—trust in his goodness, honesty, and good intentions toward Abram—to pack up and leave his entire way of life behind. His faith in God was the real deal.

Abram (at seventy-five years of age), Sarai, and Lot gather all they own and head for Canaan. When they reach Shechem, they encounter the Canaanites (some of Ham’s descendants). God appears to Abram and speaks to him again, revealing that Canaan (today in Israeli and Palestinian territory) would be the place his descendants would become a great nation. Abram builds an altar to worship God and thank him for his goodness.

8–9: Next, Abram and company trek toward the hills between Bethel and Ai, which are somewhat close to modern-day Jerusalem. He builds an altar in honor of God here as well, talking (praying) to God and perhaps asking for continued guidance, protection, and help. From here they continue toward the Negev, today in the southern part of Israel and Palestine.

Famine Moves the Caravan to Egypt

10: When a severe famine hits Canaan, Abram and his fellow travelers head south toward Egypt.

11–16: Just before they enter Egypt, Abram’s faith falters a bit. He fears the Egyptians will kill him for his beautiful wife, so he devises a less-than-honest plan with Sarai to avoid this. He asks her to claim she is solely his sister, not his wife. As predicted, Pharoah’s officials notice her beauty and praise her to him. Pharoah takes Sarai as his wife, and enriches her “brother” Abram with livestock, servants, and more.

17–20: Guarding the sanctity of Abram and Sarai’s marriage, God inflicts Pharoah’s household with “serious diseases.” Discovering the truth, Pharoah confronts Abraham and returns his wife, commanding them to leave. Rather than trusting God, allowing for a positive, life-giving engagement with the Egyptians, Abraham deviates from the noble character and actions God intends him (and us all) to live out. Instead, he relies on his own plan, bringing harm and trouble to the Egyptians and his own household. We regularly face similar choices in life. A fearless trust in God, and in the ultimate good of walking in his ways, always yields the best outcome for ourselves and those around us. Bank on it!