What could a historian tell us about Abraham's migration? He could tell us that in the age of the Patriarchs many Semitic tribes migrated west, settling across the broad dry steppe that stretched from the western...
What could a historian tell us about Abraham's migration? He could tell us that in the age of the Patriarchs many Semitic tribes migrated west, settling across the broad dry steppe that stretched from the western borders of Mesopotamia to the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. That Abraham was certainly not the first leader who led his fellow tribesmen to Palestine. That in antiquity many people heard the voices of gods and spirits, and not so rarely, and listened to these voices. That, of course, when a person is already past seventy, beginning a new life and setting out on a not very long but very dangerous journey was still rather late; one could decide on such a thing only under special circumstances.
But no historian will tell us about the most important thing, for historical sources are silent about this most important thing. This is not surprising: the main thing is hidden deep in the heart of Abraham, who, hearing the voice of a God still unknown to him, believed and went where this unknown God called him. He went, fully understanding that no one guaranteed him anything: he still had to become better acquainted with the One who had called him in order to understand with whom he was dealing. And here everything depended only on Abraham's own choice. God forces him to nothing; He only calls him to follow. Could Abraham have said "no" to God? Of course he could, for a person is free. But then, when saying "the people of God," we would have in mind another people with another history.
