How did God call Abram out of the pagan world?
God singled out Abram from a pagan, idolatrous world by appearing to him and speaking face to face. He commanded Abram to leave his country, kindred, and father’s house, make a clean break from idolatry, and go to a land God would show him.
Les explains that God’s call came in Genesis 12, after the Lord had already spoken to Abram in chapter 11. Abram’s family were idolaters, idol worshipers, and pagans who had no knowledge of the one true God. Out of the whole then-known world saturated with pagan worship, God put His finger on one man, appeared to him, and spoke to him face to face. The instruction was to leave his country, kindred, and father’s house—to break from idolatry and go to a land God would show him. Les also notes Abram was not totally obedient; he places the blame on Abram’s father, who insisted on going along. Because Abram could not stop him, the journey stalled, and God stopped him halfway between Ur and Canaan until his father died.