Why Did Abraham Leave Ur of the Chaldees?
by Sis YahChannah

Shining a Light in Darkness

We are all very familiar with the terms such as ‘come ye out from among them’, ‘Flee from Babylon’, ‘Do not be a partaker in her sins.’

What does it mean to live in the world and not be a part of it?

 I will look at myself. I was born, a daughter to my parents.. Archie and Mary.. in 1939..in Fletcher, in North Carolina...in the United States...on planet earth.. in the cosmos....could not be in the ‘world’ any more than that.

OK, if  we must be IN the world but not OF the world,  what does that mean? 

What is the distinction between the IN and the OF?

We will look first at Abram (Abraham):

Gen 12:1-3

1 Now YHWH had said unto Abram, Get yourself out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you:

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

I do not find anything concerning Abram before Genesis 11:26 and then the verse starts off telling of his lineage. If you go back in his lineage, you gain perhaps a hint as to why Abram was singled out by YHWH but very little is told in Scripture at least, as to why Abram was chosen.

The story begins for us by YHWH saying to Abram.. you must move away from your home, away from your kinfolk, away from your father’s house.

Why did Abram have to go somewhere else to serve YHWH? Why could he not just stay in his familiar territory, among his friends, his family?

Well sure, his father was an idol maker and Ur was a seat of idol worship but why could Abram not just stay, as it were, ‘in the world but not of the world’? He had friends and relatives whom he might have converted from idolatry, had he stayed in Ur.

We are a hard headed and stiff necked people according to YHWH and we have to be taught and told things over and over and often we still do not ‘get it’.

Joshua called the people together to once again go over with them the history of their fathers....First YHWH pointed out to these people what He had done for them, how many times He had delivered them, how He had pushed the enemy before them that they would see victory and then proceeded reiterate His point of view of the situation at hand:

Josh 23:5-16

5 And YHWH, your Elohim, He shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and you shall possess their land, as YHWH your Elohim has promised to you.

6 You be, therefore, very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you do not turn aside from this Law, either to the right hand or to the left;

7 That you do not come among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

8 But cling to YHWH your Elohim, as you have done up to this day.

9 For YHWH has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day.

10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for YHWH your Elohim, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you.

11 Take proper care therefore that you love YHWH, your Elohim.

12 Otherwise if you do in any wise go back, and cling unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

13 Know for a certainty that YHWH your Elohim will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim has given you.

14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which YHWH your Elohim spoke concerning you; have all come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed.

15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which YHWH your Elohim promised you; so shall YHWH bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim has given you.

16 If you have transgressed the covenant of YHWH your Elohim, which He commanded you, and you have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of YHWH be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.

YHWH by way of Joshua informed the people that they should have no intercourse with these people that He had driven out before them: "That you do not come among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:"

Then Joshua continues to recount from history.. (that supposed backward 20/20 look?)

He discourses about Abraham:

Josh 24:1-3

1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before Elohim.

2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus says YHWH Elohim of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

If we read the history of any people but here we are looking at Israel, we find that eventually what one does not abhor, one accepts. If we do not see the pagan practices as abominations but rather as somewhat interesting, maybe even fun, then if not our generation, the next will begin to adopt these practices as their own. To prove this to yourself, study the history of xmas in this country. Once it was illegal, now it is the biggest ‘holiday’ of the year, in only how many generations?

Our Father knows this and over and over He tried to open the hard heads of Israel to this truth. Please notice that the All-powerful, Almighty YHWH did not just impregnate their minds with truth even against their wills.

We have read here the call by which Abram was removed out of the land of his nativity into the land of promise, which was designed both to try his faith and obedience and also to separate him and set him apart for Elohim, and for special services and favors..

There is for all of us a ‘land of promise’ but it is not without cost, not without hardship. Not many will be given the luxury of staying right where they are, doing just what they are doing, being patted on the back by all their friends, neighbors, bosses and families.

Then there is the story of Korah

Num 16:1-17:1

1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, You take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and YHWH is among them: why then do you lift yourselves up above the congregation of YHWH?

4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

5 And he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, Tomorrow YHWH will show who are His, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto Him: even him whom He has chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.

6 Korah, and all your company: Do this; Take you censers (a pan for live coals)

7 And put fire in the pans, and put incense in them before YHWH tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom YHWH chooses, he shall be holy: you take too much upon you, you sons of Levi.

8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, you sons of Levi:

9 Does it seem but a small thing to you, that the Elohim of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the service of the tabernacle of YHWH, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

10 And He has brought you near to Him, and all your brethren the sons of Levi with you: and do you seek the priesthood also?

11 For which cause both you and all your company are gathered together against YHWH: and what is Aaron, that you murmur against him?

12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: who said, We will not come up:

13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land that flowed with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except you make yourself altogether a prince over us?

14 Moreover you have not brought us into a land that flows with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: will you put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

15 And Moses was very angry, and said unto YHWH, Do not respect their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16 And Moses said to Korah, You and all your company be before YHWH, you, and them, and Aaron, tomorrow:

17 And let every man take his censer, and put incense in them, and you bring before YHWH every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; you also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

18 And every man took his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of YHWH appeared unto all the congregation.

20 And YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O Elohim, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?

23 And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,

24 Speak to the congregation, saying, Get you up and away from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

25 And Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, away from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.

27 So they got up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

28 And Moses said, Hereby you shall know that YHWH has sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of my own mind.

29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they suffer the fate of all men; then YHWH has not sent me.

30 But if YHWH make a new thing, and the earth opens her mouth, and swallows them up, with all that pertains to them, and they go down quick into the pit; then you shall understand that these men have provoked YHWH.

31 And it happened, as he had ended speaking all these words, that the ground that was under them split open:

32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that pertained to (followers of) Korah, and all their goods.

33 They, and all that pertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

34 And all Israel that were gathered round fled at their cries: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 And there came out a fire from YHWH, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

36 And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,

37 Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, tell him to take up the censers out of the burning, and you scatter the fire far away ; for the censers are ceremonially clean.

38 These censers of these sinners are against their own souls, let them be made into broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before YHWH, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, with which they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

40 To be a memorial to the children of Israel,......

41 But on the next morning all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, you have killed the people of YHWH.

42 And it happened, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of YHWH appeared.

43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

44 And YHWH spoke unto Moses, saying,

45 Get yourselves up away from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment....

Moses gave instruction to Aaron to make sacrifice for the people that they all might not die.....

48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

50 And Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stopped

Each time there was rebellion among the people, YHWH directed the ones who were faithful to separate themselves from even the congregation that they may not also perish. Yes, Moses and Aaron prayed for them and warned them to come out from the rebellious ones and be separate but only the ones who separated themselves, each time were spared.

In Ezra we are told of the children of Israel ....when it was time to keep the Feast of YHWH...they had to have separated themselves from the heathen...again a choice.. choose to be a part of the heathen or separate yourselves to Me and My people.

Ezra 6:21-22

21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek YHWH Elohim of Israel, did eat,

22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for YHWH had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of Elohim , the Elohim of Israel.

A little later on, we read of the accepting of the heathen even to the point of marrying them:

Ezra 10:10-12

10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, You have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

11 Now therefore make confession unto YHWH Elohim of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As you have said, so must we do.

Separation...do not walk in this path of sinners...walk in the Law of YHWH

Ps 1:1-2

1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the morally wrong, nor stands in the sinners’ path, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of YHWH; and in his law he meditates day and night.

Jer 51:1-64

1 YHWH says; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them who rise in rebellion to me, a destroying wind;

2 And will send to Babylon those who cause turning away, that shall toss her about, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

3 Against him that treads down let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifts himself up in his armor: and do not spare her young men; you destroy utterly all her host.

4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldee, and they that are thrust through in her streets.

5 For Israel has not been forsaken, nor Judah of his Elohim, of YHWH of armies; although their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.

6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and every man save his life: do not be struck dumb by her iniquity; for this is the time of YHWH’s vengeance; he will render payment to her.

7 Babylon has been a golden cup in YHWH’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if perhaps she may be healed.

9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

10 YHWH has brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of YHWH our Elohim.

11 Polish the arrows; gather the shields: YHWH has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his plan is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the avengement of YHWH, the avengement of his temple.

12 Set up the flag upon the walls of Babylon, make the guard strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for YHWH has both planned and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

13 O you that dwells upon many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, and the measure of your unjust gain.

14 YHWH of armies has sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill you with men, as with the devourers; and they shall lift up a shout against you.

15 He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

16 When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens; and he causes the mists to ascend from the ends of the earth: he makes lightnings with rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasury.

17 Every man is brutish in his own knowledge; every foundry artisan is ashamed and confused by the graven image: for his molten image is a sham, and there is no breath in them.

18 They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of accounting they shall perish.

19 The ‘inheritance of Jacob’ (YHWH) is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: YHWH of hosts is his name.

20 You are my battle axe and weapons of war: for with you will I break in pieces the nations, and with you will I destroy kingdoms;

21 And with you will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with you will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;

22 With you also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with you will I break in pieces old and young; and with you will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

23 I will also break in pieces with you the shepherd and his flock; and with you will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with you will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

24 And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea (remember that this is where YHWH had Abram leave, Chaldea did not change, they continued to worship idols) all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, says YHWH......

29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of YHWH shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

30 The mighty men of Babylon have become too lazy and flabby to fight, they have remained in their hidden ambush sites: their might has failed; they became as women: they have burned her residences; her barred gates are broken.

31 One guard shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,

32 And that the ways of transit are stopped, and the stockades they have burned with fire, and the men of war are frightened.

33 YHWH the Elohim of Israel says; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

34 Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon has devoured me, Jerusalem, he has crushed me, he has made me an empty vessel, he has swallowed me up like a dragon, he has filled his belly with my delicacies, he has cast me out.

35 The violence done to me and to my flesh is upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.

36 YHWH thus says; Behold, I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, a ruin, and a derision, without an inhabitant.

38 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.

39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, says YHWH.......

45 My people, you go out of the midst of her, and you deliver every man his soul from the fierce anger of YHWH.....

I do not wish to be a part of Babylon. It seems to me He has made it clear that we do have to choose. Abraham could have stayed in Ur, the people could have decided to go ahead and compromise, after all they had already married the heathen woman, they were in business with her father and brother. And Korah made a really good argument, after all who did Moses think he was anyway? Moses is the one who told us if we left the comforts of Egypt, he would lead us to the land of milk and honey and here we are...where is this milk and honey, anyway?

We are, whether we wish to admit it or not, in the very midst of Babylon. Are we so much different or ‘better’ than Abraham. Can we be a part of their world and not be affected or influenced by them?  Perhaps we should give some very serious thought to this.

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