Abraham Leaves Ur for Canaan
1981 BC
📂 BIBLICAL
📖 About This Event
Abraham's departure from Ur marks the beginning of God's plan of salvation through a chosen people. God called Abram (later renamed Abraham, meaning 'father of many nations') and said: 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed' (Genesis 12:1-3).
Abraham's response was one of radical faith—he left everything he knew at the age of 75, taking his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his possessions, and journeyed to Canaan. He did not know where he was going, but he trusted God's promise. This act of faith is held up as a model throughout Scripture: 'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was to go' (Hebrews 11:8).
The Catholic Church sees Abraham as the 'father of faith'—the model of trust in God's promises. God's covenant with Abraham is the foundation of salvation history, through which all nations would be blessed in Christ. Key Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 11:8-12; Romans 4:1-25; James 2:21-23; Galatians 3:7-9; CCC 59-60
📜 Key Facts
Date
1981 BC
Category
Biblical
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