Was Terah or Abraham Called to the Promised Land?

That’s the question I had after reading Genesis 11. Now I’m no biblical scholar, but my thoughts are gleaned from the various sources I found. I share my thoughts as a starting point to encourage you to do your own study on the subject.

“Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there” (Gen. 11: 31 NIV)

Some scholars say it was Terah who was first called by God to the promised land though he might have thought it was one of the pagan gods he served. Others say that Abraham was been called to Cannan. Though we will never know for sure, it is more likely that Abraham heard the call of God, and convinced his father and nephew to travel with him. Though leaving Chaldea, where both Terah and Abraham were very wealthy with thriving businesses, would have taken some convincing. Romano-Jewish Historian Josephus adds some insight as to why Terah was willing to make the trip. According to Josephus’ Antiques of the Jews says ,“Now Terah hating Chaldea, on account of his mourning for Haran (his son), they all removed to Haran.” So Terah might have had two reasons to leave the city of Ur of the Chaldees when Abraham asked to leave. But why didn’t Abraham go alone?

Some people question that it was a mistake for Abraham to take Terah and Lot with him since Abraham was the only one called. I’m no biblical scholar, however, there could have been many reasons, including that Abraham may have wanted to get his family away from the pagan influences. In Genesis Rabba 38:13, there is an account that Abraham smashed Terah’s idols. So we know Abraham was not pleased with his father’s pagan practice prevalent at that time.

Honestly, I’m not too concerned with who was called first. Although I find the scholarly thoughts on why they stopped in Haran fascinating, I’m drawn to the question as to why they settled in Haran when it was clear they were called to go further. Some say that Terah was from Haran and that’s where Abraham was born. It could make sense why Terah wanted to settle there if he had kin and was grieving the death of his son Haran, whom he’d possibly named after his hometown. Others surmise that when Terah got to Haran there was everything he needed for his flocks and to rebuild his business, so why move forward, especially when he wasn’t called in the first place?

But what about Abraham? Why did he stop? Once again, there could have been lots of reasons. And honestly, right now I’m projecting from my own life and what I know about human nature onto my thoughts.

He could have been weary for the long journey.
He could have been doubting God called him at all.
He could have had pressure from Terah and Lot, and from what we know about Abram’s character from how he dealt with his wife Sarai and other oppositions he faced, he often chose the easy way out and didn’t fully put his trust in what God. Hmmm, am I the only one guilty of this?
He could have just settled in Haran because he was settling for less than what God had for him.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

How many times are we weary from our own long journey?
How many times do we doubt that God called us to more or that we even heard Him correctly?
How many times do we let family and other voices distract us from our future and our hope which God clearly promised us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Where are you in your journey?

Are you just starting out? Are you nervous and scared about the unknown, but excited about the adventure and to where God has called you? Write down your vision, so you can remember what God has called you to.
Are you weary and needing a rest? It’s okay to rest, but keep moving forward and rest in God’s promises along the way.
Are you doubting God’s voice and plan for your life? It might be time to renew your mind by reading his promises, and hold Him to them! Whenever I doubt God will supply all my needs, I remind God of his promises, the worry goes away, and his provision shows up! (Matthew 6:28)

Whether or not Terah or Abraham was called to the promised land, one thing is certain, they both stopped in Haran. Terah settled and never made it to the promised land, and I believe Abraham’s blessing was delayed and he suffered more hardship and pain than he needed to because he stopped when he was supposed to keep going.

I have been both Terah and Abraham in my life. I’ve also been a Moses and Saul trying to do things my own way without God. I’m ready to be a David who knew without a doubt he could sley the giant with God on his side, and a Joshua who believed God would hand over the giants in the land because it was their destiny (Numbers 13:30), the fulfillment of the promise that God first gave to Abraham.

Who are you now and who do you want to be?
I pray you go forth with passion and faith into your destiny towards your future. And if you ever doubt or grow weary and weak, I pray you find rest in those promises and continue on to your promised land.