Genesis 12:8
And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
After leaving Shechem Abraham settled by Bethel and built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. Wherever he pitched his tent his first work was to build an altar close beside it for sacrifice and to worship there together with all who accompanied him. It was a place of regular morning and evening sacrifice, prayer and praise, where he gathered his household to worship and trained them to love and fear God. When his tent was removed the altar remained as a visible mark of his presence, and roving Canaanites who had learned of God from his life tarried at it, repaired it, and offered sacrifice to the living God. Those who love God are therefore to worship Him wherever they make their home, making it sacred by God's presence through father-led morning and evening prayer and praise with the whole household.
Worship Where He Pitched
After leaving Shechem, Abraham settled near Bethel and there built an altar and called on the name of the Lord, and the altar marked his worship of God wherever he pitched his tent. In obedience to the call to leave his kindred he journeyed into a strange land as a sojourner, a pilgrim and a stranger. He moved from place to place to obtain support for his household, which was not small but included more than 400 trained servants.
Wherever he pitched his tent his first and immediate work was to build an altar close beside his tent for sacrifice, where he worshiped together with those accompanying him and called on the Lord's name. His worship accompanied his tent, and the altar marked his presence and witness to the living God. The verse provides the model for taking worship into the home and honoring God wherever a family settles, the patriarchal example of worshiping God wherever one goes, with devotion brought into the home. His action showed faith and reverence for God and that God's worship came first, making prompt provision for worship the first duty in a new place, showing respect for the holiness of God and faith by works by putting God first with a house of worship.
The altar was a place of regular morning and evening sacrifice, prayer and praise, where he called every member of his household to worship. By worshiping God in every place he lived he was training his household to love and fear God, living a life of prayer and humble obedience that made him a light in the world. In a Christian household this means the father leading humble morning and evening devotion for himself and his family, with prayer and praise rising to God and worship made sacred wherever they live.
Lasting Witness and Household Pattern
When his tent was removed, the altar remained standing as a visible mark of his presence and a living testimony to who had been there. Roving Canaanites who came upon the altar knew that Abraham had camped there. When they pitched their own tent they tarried at it, repaired it, and offered sacrifice there to Jehovah, the living God. Their knowledge of God had been gained from Abraham's life, proving that teaching of God's word is made effective when faithfully reflected in the teacher's life and that such influence extends beyond the household.
The verse establishes the pattern that those who love God should worship Him wherever they make their home. Worship is to be taken into the home and the home made sacred by establishing God's presence there, with Jesus and devotion to God brought into the household. In a Christian household this means regular family prayer and praise, with morning and evening devotion offered for the whole family. The father is to lead in humble morning and evening prayer and praise for himself and his family, with petitions rising to God and love revealed in thoughtful kindness and gentle, unselfish courtesy. The altar was also a place of regular morning and evening sacrifice, teaching believers to offer morning and evening petitions to God.
Prompt provision for worship in a new place is the first duty. Wherever he pitched his tent as pilgrim and stranger his first work was to build an altar so he could worship together with those accompanying him, putting God and His worship first. This shows respect for the holiness of God and faith by works. Parents and ministers are urged to make bringing devotion into the home a deep and broad reform.