Terah

Genesis 11 marks the end of one section of Genesis with a transition to a new section.  In Genesis 12, we will begin the story of Abraham and of the ultimate birth of the nation of Israel.  Genesis 10 prepares us for that transition by telling us how the sons of Noah multiplied into many nations.  Yet, none of those nations would have the relationship with God that would be had by the descendants of Shem through Abraham.  Israel would stand alone as God's chosen nation. 

What interests me as Genesis 11 closes is the story of Terah, Abraham's father.  Verse 31 makes it clear that Terah left his homeland for the very long and dangerous journey to Canaan, the place that would ultimately become the Promised Land.  Why did Terah go?  We don't know.  Was it related to the death of his brother Haran?  Did he perhaps have some directive from God like Abram would?  We don't know.  All we know is that Terah never made it to Canaan.  Along the way he became comfortable in the Ur of the Chaldeans and stopped there short of his final destination.

Does the same thing often happen with us?  Does God call us but we fall short of his best because we get comfortable in situations other than the one to which God has called us?  Do our service and obedience stop because a half way commitment seems easier than finishing the journey?  Terah is a reminder not to get too comfortable in our walk with God.  Instead, we need to keep pressing for the blessings that God has for us in Jesus.