The Old Covenants

Covenant with God: Sign Here (Genesis 12:1-4)

Written By: Laurie Klimple

Genesis 12:1-4 (Amplified Bible)

1 “Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”

2 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].”

3 “And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and [a]curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].”

4 “So Abram departed, as the Lord had directed him; and Lot [his nephew] went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.”

The Lord spoke to Abram, aka Abraham, – Go – I will show you. 

He states His will:

I will make you a great nation.

I will bless you.

I will make your name great and you shall be a blessing – a source of great good to others.

I will bless those who bless you.

 I will curse the one who curses you.

God tells Abram that in him all the families of earth will be blessed. This my friends, is a foreshadow or a sneak preview that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, as proclaimed by the gospel of Christ; to Abram/Abraham by God. (Gal. 3:8) Now that’s really good news for us and other fellow Gentiles, that we would receive salvation too! Abram then departed in faithful obedience as the Lord directed him, like He said He would. 

Father Abram (Abraham), stood in the very presence of the almighty God and He spoke directly to him. God gave him an imperative, “GO”, and He gave an assurance, “I will show you.” He gave the conditions of His covenant with him, “I will…” 

Abram departed, he went in full faithful obedience as the Lord indeed directed him. A covenant was sealed between them. 

God: Go and I will show you.

Abram: went in faithful obedience. The deal was sealed – faithful obedience was signed on the dotted line of this covenant. This journey is how Christ’s Gospel actually got started that would allow Gentiles and all the world to be saved and to be made right with God. 

May you listen and obey – follow God’s lead, and Abram’s example of obedience. Go, get into a covenant relationship with God, sign on the line – faithful obedience. Go where He leads, He will go with you and show you along the way. Do your part, He will do His. Just go and keep going.

Thank you, Lord, for the glimpse into these old testament scriptures of the presence of Christ and for our salvation. May we be prepared when you say GO, and to follow in faithful obedience. Use us, Lord, in the name of Jesus, Amen.