By Pastor Antonee Aguilar
In the Bible, God used many men and women to execute His plan to bless all people on earth. After Noah, Abraham is the second person called by God to serve Him. What lessons can we learn from Abraham's life?
Abraham was 75 when God called him, reminding us that age is no barrier to faith. He trusted God for 100 years (Genesis 25:7), and through his journey, we learn how to walk by faith and live to please the Lord.
God instructed Abram, “Get going out [Lech-Lecha] from your land, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1 TLV). Abram was born into idol worship; his father, Terah, was an idol maker (Joshua 24:2). Despite his background, God called Abram not for his qualifications but to qualify him for His purpose.
In our lives today, we struggle with our own “Terahs”—the internal and external
struggles that hinder our spiritual journey. For us to enter our promised land, we must shed our worldly attachments and walk in obedience, reflecting God's character. This call to transformation is a universal invitation to be born again, just as God desired for Abram.
Before knowing Christ, we too cling to our worldly attachments, often prioritizing them over worship and service. We see empty pews in our church(es) as a testament to this struggle. We must pray against Satan’s tactics of fear and discouragement and, like Abram, hold onto our faith, trusting God in every moment. As we await Christ’s return, we are reminded to “be strong and very courageous” (Joshua 1:7-9).
“Lech L'cha” signifies the ultimate journey of humanity—a quest for meaning that is deeply spiritual. When God asked Abram to leave everything familiar, his response was remarkable. Unlike most of us, who might resist such a daunting request, Abram demonstrated a unique ability to hear God's voice.
The Rabbis sought to explain this through a story about Abraham as a young boy of three. In an ancient commentary (Midrash), it is told that Abraham went out to observe the world, wondering in his heart who created it and all that it contains. During the day, he prayed to the sun, but when the sun set, he decided that the moon was more powerful. However, when the moon sank in the west and the sun rose once more in the east, he realized that neither celestial body could be the Creator. Abraham came to understand that there was a higher God to whom he should pray.
In heeding God's words, Abram set off on a journey. But it was more than just a
geographic journey in which he traveled from one place to another; it was a spiritual journey in which he would find his life and his beliefs challenged and changed forever. This journey required that Abraham break from his father Terah's teachings. It tells a story of Abraham as a little boy left in charge of Terah's idol-making shop. While his father was away, Abraham destroyed the idols with a hammer. When Terah returned, Abraham told him that the idols fought among themselves. When his father challenged him, saying, "That's ridiculous, idols cannot move!" Abraham replied, "Then why do you worship them?"
Our Mission
The mission of Israel was to be a blessing to the nations, and as spiritual descendants of Abraham, we share this calling. God’s plan remains unchanged: to bless all nations through us (Genesis 12:3).
God’s blessings are not for self-aggrandizement but designed for us to be blessings to others. This includes the promises: “I will make you a great nation,” “I will bless you,” and “I will make your name great.” Each promise is followed by the purpose of being a blessing to others.
As believers, we are part of Abraham’s lineage (Galatians 3:29). The ultimate focal point of God’s blessings is Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. We are called to be light to the nations, reflecting the love and truth of God.
As we reflect on Abram's transformation to Abraham, we find a profound lesson in the power of identity. In Genesis 17:5, the Torah recounts, "And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham..." Likewise, in Genesis 17:15, his wife Sarai, who accompanied him on his journey, also changed her name from Sarai to Sarah. Like Jacob's name change to Israel, which takes place later in Genesis, Abram's and Sarai's name changes indicate spiritual transformation.
This serves as a reminder that when we truly encounter God, our lives, our very beings, and our sense of self are transformed in ways we could never have imagined. While our names may remain the same, our spiritual journey—built on trust in God, patience, and surrender—will lead to changes in our character, helping us become mature Christians.
A Call to Spiritual Introspection
“Lech-Lecha” invites us to embark on a spiritual journey—to depart from comfort and discover our true selves and God’s purpose for our lives. This journey leads to blessings not just for ourselves but for generations to come. As we heed God’s voice, we must ask ourselves:
• What motivates our service to God? Is it love for God and humanity or a desire to populate His kingdom?
• What direction is our spiritual journey taking? Is it only about acquiring
knowledge, or is it also about being a blessing?
Lech-Lecha (Go to yourself) is an invitation on a spiritual journey. The expression "Lech-Lecha" translates to "lech," meaning "go," and "lecha," meaning "to you." It is a command given to everyone at some point in their lives—a call to consider entering a new, spiritual path to find God. It is only by uncovering the true purpose of your life that you can fulfill your mission on Earth.
As we reflect on these powerful truths, let us remember WE are on this journey
together, heading to the promised land God has prepared for us. Together, may we embrace the call of “Lech L'cha” and step boldly into the transformative journey of Revival and Reformation.