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promise。〃 Hebrews 11：9； R。V。
It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham； no small sacrifice
that was required of him。 There were strong ties to bind him to his country；
his kindred； and his home。 But he did not hesitate to obey the call。 He had
no question to ask concerning the land of promisewhether the soil was
fertile and the climate healthful； whether the country afforded agreeable
surroundings and would afford opportunities for amassing wealth。 God has
spoken； and His servant must obey； the happiest place on earth for him was
the place where God would have him to be。
Many are still tested as was Abraham。 They do not hear the voice of God
speaking directly from the heavens； but He calls them by the teachings of
His word and the events of His providence。 They may be required to abandon a
career that promises wealth and honor； to leave congenial and profitable
associations
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and separate from kindred； to enter upon what appears to be only a path of
self…denial； hardship； and sacrifice。 God has a work for them to do； but a
life of ease and the influence of friends and kindred would hinder the
development of the very traits essential for its accomplishment。 He calls
them away from human influences and aid； and leads them to feel the need of
His help； and to depend upon Him alone； that He may reveal Himself to them。
Who is ready at the call of Providence to renounce cherished plans and
familiar associations？ Who will accept new duties and enter untried fields；
doing God's work with firm and willing heart； for Christ's sake counting his
losses gain？ He who will do this has the faith of Abraham； and will share
with him that 〃far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory；〃 with which
〃the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared。〃
2 Corinthians 4：17； Romans 8：18。
The call from heaven first came to Abraham while he dwelt in 〃Ur of the
Chaldees〃 and in obedience to it he removed to Haran。 Thus far his father's
family accompanied him； for with their idolatry they united the worship of
the true God。 Here Abraham remained till the death of Terah。 But from his
father's grave the divine Voice bade him go forward。 His brother Nahor with
his household clung to their home and their idols。 Besides Sarah； the wife
of Abraham； only Lot； the son of Haran long since dead； chose to share the
patriarch's； pilgrim life。 Yet it was a large company that set out from
Mesopotamia。 Abraham already possessed extensive flocks and herds； the
riches of the East； and he was surrounded by a numerous body of servants and
retainers。 He was departing from the land of his fathers； never to return；
and he took with him all that he had； 〃their substance that they had
gathered； and the souls that they had gotten in Haran。〃 Among these were
many led by higher considerations than those of service and self…interest。
During their stay in Haran； both Abraham and Sarah had led others to the
worship and service of the true God。 These attached themselves to the
patriarch's household； and accompanied him to the land of promise。 〃And they
went forth to go into the land of Canaan； and into the land of Canaan they
came。〃
The place where they first tarried was Shechem。 Under the shade of the oaks
of Moreh； in a wide； grassy valley； with its olive groves and gushing
springs； between Mount Ebal on the
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one side and Mount Gerizim on the other； Abraham made his encampment。 It was
a fair and goodly country that the patriarch had entered〃a land of brooks
of water； of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills； a
land of wheat； and barley； and vines； and fig trees； and pomegranates； a
land of oil olive； and honey。〃 Deuteronomy 8：7； 8。 But to the worshiper of
Jehovah； a heavy shadow rested upon wooded hill and fruitful plain。 〃The
Canaanite was then in the land。〃 Abraham had reached the goal of his hopes
to find a country occupied by an alien race and overspread with idolatry。 In
the groves were set up the altars of false gods； and human sacrifices were
offered upon the neighboring heights。 While he clung to the divine promise；
it was not without distressful forebodings that he pitched his tent。 Then
〃the Lord appeared unto Abram； and said； Unto thy seed will I give this
land。〃 His faith was strengthened by this assurance that the divine presence
was with him； that he was not left to the mercy of the wicked。 〃And there
builded he an altar unto the Lord； who appeared unto him。〃 Still a wayfarer；
he soon removed to a spot near Bethel； and again erected an altar； and
called upon the name of the Lord。
Abraham； 〃the friend of God；〃 set us a worthy example。 His was a life of
prayer。 Wherever he pitched his tent； close beside it was set up his altar；
calling all within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice。 When
his tent was removed； the altar remained。 In following years； there were
those among the roving Canaanites who received instruction from Abraham； and
whenever one of these came to that altar； he knew who had been there before
him； and when he had pitched his tent； he repaired the altar； and there
worshiped the living God。
Abraham continued to journey southward； and again his faith was tested。 The
heavens withheld their rain； the brooks ceased to flow in the valleys； and
the grass withered on the plains。 The flocks and herds found no pasture； and
starvation threatened the whole encampment。 Did not the patriarch now
question the leadings of Providence？ Did he not look back with longing to
the plenty of the Chaldean plains？ All were eagerly watching to see what
Abraham would do； as trouble after trouble came upon him。 So long as his
confidence appeared unshaken； they felt that there was hope； they were
assured that God was his Friend； and that He was still guiding him。
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Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence； he had not realized
his expectations； but he held fast the promise； 〃I will bless thee； and make
thy name great； and thou shalt be a blessing。〃 With earnest prayer he
considered how to preserve the life of his people and his flocks； but he
would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in God's word。 To escape
the famine he went down into Egypt。 He did not forsake Canaan； or in his
extremity turn back to the Chaldean land from which he came； where there was
no scarcity of bread； but he sought a temporary refuge as near as possible
to the Land of Promise； intending shortly to return where God had placed
him。
The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him
lessons of submission； patience； and faith lessons that where to be placed
on record for the benefit of all who should afterward be called to endure
affliction。 God leads His children by a way that they know not； but He does
not forget or cast off those who put their trust in Him。 He permitted
affliction to come upon Job； but He did not forsake him。 He allowed the
beloved John to be exiled to lonely Patmos； but the Son of God met him
there； and his vision wa