“Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house ... I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (v1-3). God’s call to Abram included the promise to make his name great, just as his ancestors had desired (Gen. 11). Yet in contrast to the Tower of Babel, God’s hand on Abram would mean blessing for others, not harm. Abram obeyed God and took his family to Canaan. He stumbled often due to fear (12:13), but he put his future in God’s hands.

“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (v3). Our obedience to God has repercussions beyond ourselves. Our “yes” to Him leads to blessing for others.