A Definite Place

Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land."
GENESIS 12:6-7
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A Definite Place
The fact that Moses adds that the Canaanites were in the land serves to remind us of the wretched exile in which the holy patriarch lived. For [Abraham] dwelt not among friends but in the midst of enemies and among men who were different in their worship and religion. By the will of Noah this region had indeed been assigned to the godly Shem, but the children of Nimrod had poured out of both Arabias and had taken possession of it by force. Thus you see that in all ages the lot of the Church is the same: it is the prey of the ungodly, and yet the Lord preserves it in a marvelous manner, even against the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18). After Abram, the exile, has been annoyed and troubled among the Canaanites long enough and in various ways, he finds great comfort in his trials, to keep him from being overcome by impatience. For it is true that no flesh would be saved (Matthew 24:22) unless at that time the days were shortened and comfort followed. He who perseveres in faith will surely experience in the end that God does not forsake His own. . .. Now at last a definite place is pointed out where the descendants of Abraham should settle.
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