And Attracts Them When They’re Not Looking
Genesis 12:1–9; Exodus 2:23–25; Deuteronomy 7:7–8
A Counter-Cultural Beginning
In this series, I present Genesis 1-11 as the story of human desire born, bent toward self, then expands into whole societies arranged against the Creator’s vision for creation’s well-being and wholeness. Now Genesis 12 surprises us; the narrative bends back toward the opposite but intended direction. Up to this point, the text traces humanity’s misalignment – away from a relational God with desire and turned toward the self (Gen 3). Before long, desire overpowers a loved one (Gen 4), and eventually, desire scales up into collective autonomy (Gen 11). Nevertheless, nothing in the story line prepares us for what comes next – God’s surprising desire.
In the beginning, ancient cultures expect the gods to bless the powerful, the accomplished, the entrenched. The gods only support empires, armies, and kings. However, Genesis 12 interrupts the world of ancient religion with a decisive counter-cultural claim: One God chooses one man who wasn’t looking for Him and nothing qualifies him for divine attention.
If you don’t skip past the family tree sections, you find Abram descends from Noah. In addition, he’s also a man steeped in a polytheistic culture. Likewise, people today create their own buffet of beliefs; a spiritual synthesis, however, Abram isn’t looking for an upgrade. Genesis gives no clue as to whether or not Abram is restless, questioning, longing for something more or if he’s just good with the gods he has. He’s living life – growing a family and accumulating property and prosperity. Then unexpectedly, Yahweh takes the initiative and steps into Abram’s world.
A Striking Shift
What happens next is more striking to me. God speaks, then radio silence. Notice how Abram obeys with incomplete information and walks many miles of uncertainty. He travels from Ur to Haran, then to a land he doesn’t know about yet. Moreover, there’s no record of God’s encouragement, no repeated assurances, no travel updates…nothing. Abram follows the last thing God said; His pledge, because that’s all he has.
Genesis doesn’t spin Abram as a spiritual hero chasing after God. Instead, this is the story of God pursuing unlikely people and waiting to see whether a properly pointed desire might awaken again.
From a Person to a People: Desire Redirected
In addition, not only does God initiate a relational move toward Abram, but also a covenant. In other words, a pact toward his descendants. What God starts with Abram eventually becomes the story of Israel, but not in the way we might expect.
Eventually, when God speaks in Exodus, He doesn’t reach out to a powerful nation; He turns toward a crushed, enslaved community with no freedom, no temple, no wealth. Furthermore, from what I can see in the text, Israel in Egypt is also a people that’s not looking for another god.
Even so, Exodus says:
“God heard, remembered, saw and knew.” (Exodus 2:23–25) Long before Israel knew God, He desired them. Deuteronomy later highlights this startling truth:
“The LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them…not because you were more numerous… but because the LORD loved you.” (Deuteronomy 7:7–8)
It’s here we see desire recalled; not human desire, but divine desire. Yahweh desires a people who aren’t looking for Him. He initiates a covenant with a community dismissed and dominated by an empire and their gods. In a move that’s counter to the surrounding culture, the Lord establishes a mutual relationship with those who still need to choose whether to respond…or not.
In an ancient world where nations fight for the attention of their gods, Genesis and Exodus tell an upside down story. Yahweh fights for the attention of a forgotten people.
Drawing Out Meaning From the Heart: God’s Strange Way of Re-Ordering Desire
a. Genesis 12:1–3 – Desire Begins with God’s Call
Notice the verbs, the action words Yahweh uses when taking the initiative to establish a redemptive relationship with Abram: go > I will show you > I will bless you > I will make you. No contractual language saying, “you do this then I’ll do that.” Abram’s role is strikingly small: go (but I can’t minimize the measure of trust involved to get up and go.)
This aligns with Hebrew understanding of what it means to be human (anthropology) – hearing precedes doing and relational allegiance shapes moral action. Abram’s obedience isn’t motivated by feelings, nor is it heroic; it’s responsive. His desire has some maturing to do yet, but God’s voice inspires him to move forward.
b. Genesis 12:4–9 — Silence and Slow Formation
What do I notice about this text? First, it’s short. Abram travels, builds altars, waits, and walks. I also find the divine silence striking. Yahweh doesn’t repeat the promise or soothe anxieties along the road. This story isn’t only about the Lord initiating a covenant with Abram, it’s also about Abram’s desire. A man steeped in a culture with a plurality of gods, moving from what seems like an open obedience, to a slow, relational trust.
In addition, I also notice, and this is remarkable; re-trained desire. Abram’s desire moves away from the security of land, wealth, success, clan, and household, toward a posture of trust on God’s word alone. Historically, scholars conservatively estimate a 2-3 month journey; on top of that, God seems silent throughout. Eventually, Yahweh moves from finding a person that wasn’t looking for Him, to finding a people who weren’t looking for him.
c. Exodus 2:23–25 — God Remembers Before Israel Remembers
Israel’s cry isn’t framed as prayer; it’s slavery’s pain groaning into the wilderness. Yet God hears and responds. In Hebrew anthropology – and this is critical truth to keep in mind; God’s remembering isn’t recalling days gone by – remembering is action. Furthermore, every time the writers of Scripture call God’s people to remember, it’s precisely the same thing – a call to act. The Divine Desire to bless Abram, remembers and now re-ignites toward his descendants.
d. Deuteronomy 7:7–8 — Desire and Divine Freedom
Furthermore, long before the Apostle Paul defines grace, God reveals it clearly. Israel’s chosenness is completely disconnected from merit, size, virtue, or achievement. Yahweh’s desire for a people is grounded entirely in His own character – enduring love, gracious initiative and covenant loyalty.
I think Walter Brueggemann would say something like:
“Election is not about privilege but purpose – being drawn into God’s healing work for the nations.” When desire points in the right direction, it gives a sense of purpose to fulfill. No trying to find or figure out God’s plan or blueprint for your life!
Pastoral Reflection: When God Finds People Who Aren’t Searching
The entire purpose of “The Story of Desire” project is to replant ancient seed. I push back against centuries of human understanding – long before the institutional church was ever a thing. I think this part of the story speaks powerfully into our modern Western context, where being religious is often framed as an individual’s spiritual quest. However, Genesis insists that the deepest movement begins with God, not us.
Many people today are hurt by institutions, disillusioned by politics, crushed by anxieties. They’re not searching for God; they’re simply trying to survive. Yet the story of Abram and the story of Israel suggest that divine desire still leans toward those who aren’t looking.
In a culture shaped by self-image and self-construction, identity becomes an ongoing project, defining one’s self through personal attributes like uniqueness and achievement – being your best self. Even so, Genesis whispers – now hear this – a counter-truth: You’re found before you seek; you’re wanted before you respond.
Desire doesn’t begin with the human heart. It begins with God’s heart – calling, waiting, forming, inviting.
Conclusion: Desire Recalled and Redirected
I see Genesis 12 as the hinge between distorted desire (Gen 3–11) and redeemed desire. God interrupts the human story not with judgment but with invitation. Not with demands but with promise. Not with power but with presence. Desire, once bent inward, is drawn outward again – toward God, toward neighbour, toward the world God longs to bless.
- The story begins with a man who wasn’t looking.
- It grows into a people who didn’t ask.
- It continues as a calling today to all who will respond to the God who desires a relationship.