Read Genesis 12:6-9
Verse 6-9 -
Abram found the country peopled by Canaanites, who were bad
neighbours. He journeyed, going on still. Sometimes it is the lot of
good men to be unsettled, and often to remove into various states.
Believers must look on themselves as strangers and sojourners in
this world, Hebrews 11:8,13,14. But observe how much comfort Abram
had in God. When he could have little satisfaction in converse with
the Canaanites whom he found there, he had abundance of pleasure in
communion with that God, who brought him thither, and did not leave
him. Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. God
reveals himself and his favours to his people by degrees; before, he
had promised to show Abram this land, now, to give it to him: as
grace is growing, so is comfort. It should seem, Abram understood it
also as a grant of a better land, of which this was a type; for he
looked for a heavenly country, Hebrews
11:16. As soon as Abram was got to Canaan, though he was but a
stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the
worship of God in his family. He not only minded the ceremonial part
of religion, the offering of sacrifice; but he made conscience of
seeking his God, and calling on his name; that spiritual sacrifice
with which God is well pleased. He preached concerning the name of
the Lord; he taught his family and neighbours the knowledge of the
true God, and his holy religion. The way of family worship is a good
old way, no new thing, but the ancient usage of the saints. Abram
was rich, and had a numerous family, was now unsettled, and in the
midst of enemies; yet, wherever he pitched his tent, he built an
altar: wherever we go, let us not fail to take our religion along
with us.
Return to Outline
