The LORD called Abraham (at that time Abram) to come out of the land of Haran which was the place that he had dwelt with his father, Terah. Prior to that, while he yet dwelt in the pagan land of Ur of the Chaldees (i.e. Mesopotamia, or Babylon) the LORD had called unto him to leave that place of darkness. (see Acts 7:3,4) We don’t know how old he was when the LORD had first called him out of Mesopotamia, but according to the purpose of GOD, he dwelt in Haran for a season with his father, before the LORD directed him to come out of that country into the land (i.e.; Canaan) which the LORD gave him. He was 75 years old when he left Haran, headed for Canaan.
During his circuitous journey from Haran to the land of Canaan, he passed through Egypt because of a famine in the region. This foreshadows the same journey which his later generations would take in leaving the land of Canaan and going into Egypt as Joseph was sold into slavery, only to become the deliverer of his family, even the brothers that sold him. Once again famine came upon the land and because of Joseph’s wisdom (by the grace of GOD) there was an abundance of food in Egypt, which sustained Jacob (Israel) and his offspring.
So, the LORD made promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation and through his descendants to bless all of the nations of the Earth. “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”(see Gen.12:2,3) In time this surely came to pass as the LORD prospered the journey of Abraham as well as his dwelling in the land of Canaan; causing him to attain great wealth, power, and fame. In many ways his carnal descendants have been a blessing in the Earth, though they have been often despised by those who also have inhabited this same place.
Yet the LORD gave to Abraham an even greater promise than simply giving him a carnal habitation in the land of Canaan. For we see a glorious covenant which the LORD designed and bestowed upon the Earth through him. We read about it here in Genesis 12:7; “And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.” Many would simply equate this promise with that which the LORD had made in v.2,3. It is only as the gospel is unfolded that we are made aware of exactly what that promise entailed and the ONE to whom it was actually made, even before Abraham drew his first breath.
The Apostle Paul was given the key to this promise as he wrote to the Galatians. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Gal 3:16) This is the full explanation of that which the LORD spoke to Abraham, and which was hidden in a mystery from the beginning. “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” (Gen 22:18) Now this mystery is unfolded in the revelation of CHRIST as the triumphant REDEEMER of that people, which were given to HIM before the foundation of the world, out of every kindred, tribe and tongue. Now is made clear what the Psalmist wrote saying, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psa 2:6-9)
All the world dwelt in darkness until the dawning of the LIGHT and it is now gloriously declared in the Gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD. We can now see that this was HIS purpose from the beginning and is now brought to fruition as JESUS CHRIST came into the world walking among men and dying for sinners. We see it displayed in HIS prayer in Gethsemane, “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:1-4) HE made it quite plain that HE would lose none for whom HE came as a DELIVERER. “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; --- I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:6-10)
Thus, we see the Prophet Isaiah speaking of HIM coming from Edom (i.e.; red) with dyed garments from Bozra (i.e.; the principle city of the Edomites). These Edomites were the enemies of the people of GOD as we read of their desire to destroy Jerusalem, in the Psalms. “Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.” (Psa 137:7) He pictures the LORD returning from the slaughter of HIS people’s enemies with garments dyed red in the blood of those who would dare harm those whom HE loves. “Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” (Isa 63:2-4)
It is in this Redemptive work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST that deliverance is brought to those who sat in darkness. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Heb 2:14-17)
Even though HIS people were and are a rebellious and stiff-necked people, yet because of the great love which HE has had for them from the beginning HE gladly gave HIMSELF up to death, even the death of the cross that HE might save them and destroy all who would seek their harm. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:6-8)
While HIS love for HIS people knows no bounds and is unfettered in any way, yet we must never lose sight that HE has done all things in order to magnify the glory of HIS grace and to declare HIS fame through out the universe. Those who love HIM rejoice that HE is exalted and gladly join in the song which shall echo throughout the ages to come, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:11-13)
Thus, we see HIM now, even as in the days when HE brought the children of Israel out of Egypt’s bondage by the hand of Moses, HE has redeemed HIS people to “make HIMSELF an EVERLASTING NAME.” HIS NAME is above every NAME. “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph 1:20-23) Do you rejoice in HIS “EVERLASTING NAME?” There is SALVATION in no other NAME.
mam