THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
What does it signify to be “moved from thence”? It indicates that when the location was already set apart and dedicated to the Lord, Abraham chose to leave and journey to another area—specifically “to a mountain” located to the east of Bethel—where he quickly established his dwelling. Observe how he was detached from all things superfluous, displaying a readiness to depart with his wife and servants without delay! Let husbands take heed of this, and likewise, let wives be aware. Quite often, when we need to travel to a nearby town, we become preoccupied with countless arrangements, fretting over many trivial matters. In packing, we often bring along an abundance of items that are not just unnecessary, but also excessive and irrelevant, all for the sake of a single occasion.
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However, this righteous man demonstrates a different approach. How so? He had the capacity to communicate with God, sanctifying the site by building an altar, and subsequently moved on swiftly to another location. “And he pitched his tent so that Bethel lay to the west of him, while Ai was to the east; and there he built an altar unto the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.” Observe how he reveals a pious character in every aspect of his life. There, motivated by the divine promise bestowed upon him, he constructed an altar, sanctified the space, and then departed. At this new location, having established a tent, it is noted that he again, “made there an altar unto the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.” Are you able to recognize the spirit of any individual? Do you discern how the blessed Paul, the remarkable teacher of the nations, later wrote and encouraged, stating, “in every place, lifting up clean hands” (1 Tim. 2:8)? The patriarch had already exemplified this, “in every place,” by building an altar and offering gratitude to the Lord. He understood, and he understood profoundly, that God desires nothing more from humankind in response to His countless and indescribable blessings than a heart that is grateful and appreciative for those gifts received.