From Babel to Blessing
Genesis 11:27–32 (NASB95)
27Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot. 28Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. 30Sarai was barren; she had no child. 31Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there. 32The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.
Genesis 11:27-32 introduces Terah’s family, focusing on his sons Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran’s early death in Ur of the Chaldeans is noted, setting the stage for the unfolding story of Abram. The passage marks a significant transition from the universal history of humanity to the particular story of God’s chosen people.
The narrative directly links to the Tower of Babel story, where humanity united in rebellion against God by building a city and a tower to make a name for themselves. Babel becomes Babylon, the center of defiance against God’s authority. Notice that Abram is called out of the kingdom of Babylon. God’s call to Abram is a call to leave behind a culture of pride and opposition to God and to enter into a covenant relationship with Him. Through this covenant, God will make Abraham’s name great, in contrast to what the kingdom of men does at Babel.
Other than Abraham, there are two other important people mentioned that will play a part in the upcoming chapters: Sarah and Lot.
Verse 30 emphasizes Sarai’s barrenness with strong clarity: “Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.” This detail breaks the usual pattern of fertility and multiplication that runs through Genesis. Sarai’s inability to have children creates tension and highlights the need for divine intervention. Her barrenness sets the stage for God’s miraculous work in fulfilling His promises through Abram’s descendants. It shows that God’s covenant blessings depend not on human ability but on His sovereign power. You’ll also notice that barrenness becomes a recurring theme—a problem faced by Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca. I believe the main point is clear – God’s people exist, are empowered, and succeed by God's strength alone. Without Him, they wouldn’t be.
What about us today? The church must recognize the importance of separating from worldly systems that oppose God. This theme echoes the call in Revelation to “come out of Babylon the Great” (Revelation 18:4). Just as Abram was called to separate himself from the spiritual corruption of his people, believers today are called to separate from the world’s rebellion and align themselves with God’s redemptive purposes. Sarai’s barrenness reminds us that God’s promises often require faith in His power beyond human limitations. It also reminds us that we exist solely because of and for our Lord. The church should encourage trust in God’s timing and sovereignty, embracing the call to be a holy people set apart for God’s purposes. By partnering with God, the church becomes a blessing to all nations, continuing the legacy that began with Abram.