Um...What?
Read Genesis 12:1-9.
I've tried to imagine the conversation that took place between Abram and Sarai, just as he announced they were leaving Haran. Remember they had just moved to Haran from Ur with their whole clan, and now Abram is planning to uproot his part of the clan and head out to...somewhere. So, come with me, thousands of years ago, as Abram enters the tent to inform his beloved wife of his new plan.
(Abram enters the tent.)
Sarai: Abram? Is that you? Come look! I just got the last thing unpacked from our trip. It's so good to be home, finally settled.
(Abram doesn't respond.)
Sarai: Abram? What's the matter?
Abram: We need to start packing.
Sarai: Um, what? What did you say?
Abram: We need to start packing.
Sarai: Are you kidding me? Did you not hear me? I just got everything unpacked!
Abram: Well, you see, I was outside, talking to God...
Sarai: Which god? All of our gods are here (gesturing toward one side of the tent), neatly lined up on their shelf. Which one have been talking to?
Abram: Oh, none of those.
Sarai: None of those? A new god?
Abram: That's God, with a capital G.
Sarai: Okay. God. With a capital G. (pausing to collect herself) What did this God say?
Abram: That we need to leave here and move to a new place.
Sarai (composing herself): A new place. On orders from God. Well, what makes this God so special? Why are you bothering to listen to this one? Heaven knows you haven't really listened to any of the other ones.
Abram: That's because none of them really spoke to me. This one did. And he made promises. Sarai, God is going to take our family and make a great nation out of it. The whole earth will be blessed if we do this. God promised.
Sarai: Oooookay. And you know you can believe this promise because...?
Abram: I just do. I just know. Unlike all the other gods we've worshipped, this God has the power to back up his promises. I just know. Or at least I will, once we head out on the journey. I believe I can trust this God.
Sarai (smiling): Abram, I've known you a long time, and I can tell you're in the mindset that you're going to do this, no matter what I say. A long time ago, I promised I would go wherever you went, so I'll go with you. (pause) By the way, where is it you said we're going?
Abram: Wherever God leads.
Sarai: In other words, you didn't ask for a map, did you? You didn't ask for a location. Typical Abram! So help me if we get lost and wander in the desert...
Abram: We won't. This God can be trusted. He'll lead us to the right place.
Sarai (sighing): Okay. Let's get the boxes packed. Again. You'd better be right, Abram. You'd better be right.
I've tried to imagine the conversation that took place between Abram and Sarai, just as he announced they were leaving Haran. Remember they had just moved to Haran from Ur with their whole clan, and now Abram is planning to uproot his part of the clan and head out to...somewhere. So, come with me, thousands of years ago, as Abram enters the tent to inform his beloved wife of his new plan.
(Abram enters the tent.)
Sarai: Abram? Is that you? Come look! I just got the last thing unpacked from our trip. It's so good to be home, finally settled.
(Abram doesn't respond.)
Sarai: Abram? What's the matter?
Abram: We need to start packing.
Sarai: Um, what? What did you say?
Abram: We need to start packing.
Sarai: Are you kidding me? Did you not hear me? I just got everything unpacked!
Abram: Well, you see, I was outside, talking to God...
Sarai: Which god? All of our gods are here (gesturing toward one side of the tent), neatly lined up on their shelf. Which one have been talking to?
Abram: Oh, none of those.
Sarai: None of those? A new god?
Abram: That's God, with a capital G.
Sarai: Okay. God. With a capital G. (pausing to collect herself) What did this God say?
Abram: That we need to leave here and move to a new place.
Sarai (composing herself): A new place. On orders from God. Well, what makes this God so special? Why are you bothering to listen to this one? Heaven knows you haven't really listened to any of the other ones.
Abram: That's because none of them really spoke to me. This one did. And he made promises. Sarai, God is going to take our family and make a great nation out of it. The whole earth will be blessed if we do this. God promised.
Sarai: Oooookay. And you know you can believe this promise because...?
Abram: I just do. I just know. Unlike all the other gods we've worshipped, this God has the power to back up his promises. I just know. Or at least I will, once we head out on the journey. I believe I can trust this God.
Sarai (smiling): Abram, I've known you a long time, and I can tell you're in the mindset that you're going to do this, no matter what I say. A long time ago, I promised I would go wherever you went, so I'll go with you. (pause) By the way, where is it you said we're going?
Abram: Wherever God leads.
Sarai: In other words, you didn't ask for a map, did you? You didn't ask for a location. Typical Abram! So help me if we get lost and wander in the desert...
Abram: We won't. This God can be trusted. He'll lead us to the right place.
Sarai (sighing): Okay. Let's get the boxes packed. Again. You'd better be right, Abram. You'd better be right.
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