The camera shifts from high overhead to just above the ground, as we zoom in on the story of Abram and his family. The rest of Genesis will follow Abram, his children, and grandchildren.

It begins with a set of promises – a covenant that the LORD makes with Abram – and this raises some monumental questions for the reader. Will the LORD be true to His promises? Is the LORD powerful enough to fulfill them? In a world where gods were notoriously fickle and finite, these were no small considerations.

Furthermore, remember that the subject of the Bible is God, so these questions are in the always in the background as the story of Abram and his descendants unfolds.

In today’s reading you’ll encounter a few additional characters: Abram and his wife Sarai escape the Pharaoh of Egypt – despite Abram’s ill-conceived deception. We get our first battle scene in chapter 14, as Abram comes to Lot’s rescue when Mesopotamian raiders take him captive. And Melchizedek, king of Salem and Priest of El Elyon – God Most High, blesses him upon his return.

But in the stillness of one late night, Abram nervously contemplates his lack of an heir. How can the promise ever mean anything if there’s no one to pass it on to? There is powerful emotion in this dialogue, as well as in the vision that follows.

All of this reflects back on those first three verses of today’s reading: “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country…to the land that I will show you, and I will make of you are great nation…’” This covenant is the framework for the whole rest of the Old Testament – and in some ways, for the whole rest of the Bible. Let this command and these promises sink into your bones.

Our verse for this week is John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Genesis 12 through 15. Now let’s read it!

Day 4 Guided Podcast