12:1–22:19 God’s division of the world into nations (11:1–9) provided a backdrop against which Moses now begins to display God’s distinguishing grace in election. With Abram commences the story of God’s creation of Israel, a story in which He will reveal His freedom in being merciful to Israel, His holiness in judging them, His faithfulness in restoring them, and His absolute sovereignty over human history. Abram’s story begins with his departure from a city of man (Ur) in search of the city “whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).