Why did Abraham have to stay in Haran before going to the Promised Land?
God halted Abraham’s caravan at Haran, north of Damascus, and kept the entourage there until his father Terah died. Only after Terah’s death did God bring Abraham down into the Promised Land. This delay fits the timeline where Abraham likely left Haran at age 75.
Les explains that as the caravan reached the upper Euphrates at Haran, God stopped the little entourage and kept them there until Terah, Abraham’s father, died. After Terah’s death, God brought Abraham down into the Promised Land. Les notes this did not happen in a year or two; years go by, probably as much as twenty-five. He points out that every segment of Abraham’s life is divisible by five: likely called at 50, leaving Haran at 75, Isaac born at 100, and dying at 175. God told Abraham to leave his father’s house and homeland for a land God would show him. Abraham did not argue but simply took it. Archaeology confirms Abraham was a great man, and the Jew is thrilled to be a son of Abraham.