Genesis 12:1–17:27, Lech Lecha (“Get Yourself Out”), recounts Abram’s journey of faith and obedience. Called by God to leave Ur for an unknown land, Abram obeyed, taking his nephew Lot to Canaan. A famine drove them to Egypt, where Pharaoh took Abram’s wife Sarai, but the LORD intervened and restored her. Back in Canaan, Abram and Lot separated due to their vast herds. When Lot was captured, he was rescued by Abram, who then received a blessing by Melchizedek. Promising descendants as countless as the stars, God then made a covenant with Abram, and his name became Abraham, father of nations. Abraham’s faith opened the door to salvation for each of us. Here’s how.
Abram is called ha ivri, “the Hebrew,” meaning “one who crossed over” from another place. Rashi, the Jewish commentator said, it identifies this other place as Ur of the Kasdim, located east of the Euphrates river and is known as the place of idolatry: “The whole world stood on one side, but Abram crossed over to the other” (Genesis Rabbah). Abram separated himself from the world of idolatry and polytheism by worshiping the One God who is the creator of all things. Thus, “Hebrew,” is regarded as an “outsider” or “stranger” to the worldly culture. That is certainly true today more than ever, God’s chosen people are not meant to assimilate into the world, but be the light, the example of faith, like Abraham. “Abraham believed, and it was accredited to him as righteousness” (Genesis15:6).
Paul echoed this truth in Galatians 3:7: “Be assured then, that it is those who live by trusting and being faithful who are really children of Abraham.” Abraham’s legacy wasn’t built on bloodline but belief. His trust in God caused him to leave behind comfort, certainty, and culture. His willingness to offer Isaac reflected God’s own heart—the foreshadowing of Jesus (Yeshua), the Father’s only Son. Through faith in the Messiah, Jew and Gentile alike become one family, heirs of the same promise (Galatians 3:26–29). When God told Abraham, “All families of the earth will be blessed through you,” He was pointing to redemption through Yeshua. By grace through faith, we share in Abraham’s blessing—the blessing of salvation, covenant, and righteousness through belief, not works.
Lech Lecha literally means “walk for yourself,” or as Rashi explains, “go for your own benefit.” This was an invitation by God to go forth in faith, risking everything for the sake of the promise of God. Faith isn’t passive. Faith has legs and perseverance. It moves into the unknown. Only after Abraham journeyed to Canaan did ADONAI appear to him by the Oak of Moreh, saying, “To your descendants I will give this land.” Faith must be exercised before sight. Hebrews 11:13 says the patriarchs “saw the promise from afar,” yet never stopped believing. Truly, if you abide by this affirmation, then you also are a son of Abraham, “one who crosses over” from the realm of death into life! Anchor yourself in God’s Word and step out in faith. That’s when we see God more clearly. Go for yourself. Walk with purpose. See by faith.
