and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen highlights that God's call to Abraham involved leaving behind not just his geographical land, but also his deeper familial ties. This wasn't just about moving house; it was about severing connections to a familiar world, emphasizing a radical obedience that stepped into the unknown based solely on God's promise.
and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen begins his defense by recounting God's initial call to Abraham in Mesopotamia, commanding him to leave his homeland and relatives for an unknown land God would reveal. This pivotal moment highlights Abraham's obedience and faith, setting the stage for God's covenant promises, which predated the Law of Moses and the Temple that Stephen's accusers held so dear.
Imagine God asking you to pack your bags and leave everything you've ever known. No specific destination, just a promise. What would that feel like?
Stephen highlights the radical nature of God's call to Abraham.
A Complete Upheaval
God’s command wasn’t just a suggestion to relocate; it was a call to sever ties:
This wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a foundational act of faith that redefined Abraham's entire existence.
God didn't give Abraham a map, but He did offer something else entirely. What was it, and why was it enough?
The promise of the land was intentionally vague, emphasizing a different kind of knowing.
Trusting the Guide, Not the Guidebook
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God’s instruction, 'the land that I will show you,' points to a relationship-based faith:
This highlights that true faith often involves stepping forward into uncertainty, trusting that God will reveal the path as we walk it.
Stephen uses Abraham's story to challenge his accusers. What crucial point is he making about true worship?
Stephen strategically recounts Abraham's call to demonstrate that genuine service to God predates religious institutions.
The Foundation of Faith
By starting with Abraham’s call, Stephen powerfully asserts:
This concept reminds us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith and obedience, which are timeless and transcend specific religious structures.
Stephen highlights God's direct command to Abraham to leave his homeland, emphasizing that faith requires obedience to God's call even when the destination is unknown, and that this foundational event predates the Law and the Temple.
c. 2100 BC— this verse
Abraham called from Ur
God calls Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees, commanding him to leave his homeland and family. This marks the beginning of Abraham's journey of faith.
c. 2100 BC
Abraham settles in Haran
Abraham and his family move from Ur to Haran, a city in Mesopotamia. Abraham's father, Terah, dies here, and the family stays for a period.
c. 2090 BC
Abraham departs Haran for Canaan
After Terah's death, God again commands Abraham to leave Haran and go to the land God will show him. Abraham, his wife Sarah, and nephew Lot obey.
c. 2090 BC - 1800 BC
Patriarchal Period in Canaan
Abraham and his descendants, including Isaac and Jacob, live as nomadic shepherds in Canaan, navigating relationships with local peoples and awaiting God's fulfillment of His promises.
c. 1800 BC
Joseph sold into Egypt
Jacob's son Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt, eventually rising to a position of power. This event sets the stage for the Israelites' later sojourn and enslavement in Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites are miraculously delivered from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt, beginning their 40-year journey through the wilderness.
This is the original command given to Abraham, establishing the foundation of faith and obedience that Stephen is highlighting in his speech.
Hebrews 11:8This New Testament passage explicitly references Abraham's act of obedience to this command, emphasizing that he went out, not knowing where he was going, demonstrating his profound faith.
Nehemiah 9:7This passage recounts God's covenant with Abraham and His command to leave his land, framing it as a pivotal moment in God's redemptive history with Israel.
Luke 14:33Jesus uses the principle of forsaking possessions and family for the sake of the kingdom, drawing a parallel to the radical commitment required, much like Abraham's departure.
barnesActs 7:3: "And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee."
And said unto him - How long this was said before he went is not recorded. Moses simply says that God had commanded him to go, Genesis 12:1 . Thy kindred - Thy relatives, or family connections. It seems that "Terah" went with him as far as to Haran; but Abraham was apprised that he was to leave his family and to go almost alone. Into the land ... - The country was ye…
bengelActs 7:3: "And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee."
Acts 7:3 . Ἔξελθε — δείξω ) So Genesis 12:1 , LXX., except that they (the LXX.) introduce καὶ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ πατρός σου .— γῆς , from thy country ) This brought with it (caused) his departure from Chaldea.— συγγενείας , from thy kindred ) This caused subsequently his departure from Haran or Charran, to which the family of Abraham had come, Acts 7:4 . The more adult…
Stephen highlights that God's call to Abraham involved leaving behind not just his geographical land, but also his deeper familial ties. This wasn't just about moving house; it was about severing connections to a familiar world, emphasizing a radical obedience that stepped into the unknown based solely on God's promise.
Stephen begins his defense by recounting God's initial call to Abraham in Mesopotamia, commanding him to leave his homeland and relatives for an unknown land God would reveal. This pivotal moment highlights Abraham's obedience and faith, setting the stage for God's covenant promises, which predated the Law of Moses and the Temple that Stephen's accusers held so dear.
Stephen begins his defense by recounting God's initial call to Abraham in Mesopotamia, commanding him to leave his homeland and relatives for an unknown land God would reveal. This pivotal moment highlights Abraham's obedience and faith, setting the stage for God's covenant promises, which predated the Law of Moses and the Temple that Stephen's accusers held so dear.
"and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’" — Stephen highlights that God's call to Abraham involved leaving behind not just his geographical land, but also his deeper familial ties. This wasn't just about moving house; it was about severing con…
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Last reviewed October 2026