Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered… Compare this singular expression with Genesis 11:31, where we have Terah's emigration from Ur described in the same terms, with the all-important difference in the end, "they came" not into Canaan, but "unto Haran, and dwelt there." Many begin the course; one finishes it. Terah's journeying was only in search of pasture and an abode. So he dropped his wider scheme when the narrower served his purpose. It was an easy matter to go from Ur to Haran. Both were on the same bank of the Euphrates. But to cross the broad, deep, rapid river was a different thing, and meant an irrevocable cutting loose from the past life. Only the man of faith did that. There are plenty of half-and-half Christians, who go along merrily from Ur to Haran; but when they see the wide stream in front, and realize how completely the other side is separated from all that is familiar, they take another thought, and conclude they have come far enough, and Haran will serve their turn. Again, the phrase teaches us the certain issue of patient pilgrimage and persistent purpose. There is no mystery in getting to the journey's end. "One foot up, and the other foot down," continued long enough, will bring to the goal of the longest march. It looks a very weary journey, and we wonder if we shall ever get thither. But the magic of "one step at a time" does it. The Guide is also the upholder of our way. (H. C. Trumbull.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. |
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