Genesis 12:1-9 signals a watershed moment so significant in world history that the remaining context of the entire Bible is dedicated to the record of fulfillment and implications of God's covenant promises first revealed to the significant son – Abraham. Abraham himself was the first to recognize the importance of these events in his life and family line and his acknowledgment of the grace and greatness of God moved him to set up altars of commemoration. The first of these literal milestones of remembrance was built in Canaan upon the revelation that his feet were now standing in the promised land. This was made known to him by 'theophany' – an appearance of God Himself in tangible form (Gen 9:7-8). Thus at the 'oak of Moreh', he set up his first altar in the record of Genesis. Shortly after, verse 8 follows him south between Bethel and Ai where he builds a second altar calling upon the name of the Lord. This act of submission and worship was modeled for him by Noah, centuries before, who responded in similar manner upon receiving salvation of the Lord through the great flood. Altars come to be associated with several things through the course of scripture, among them: sacrifice, worship, priestly mediation, thanksgiving, offerings, atonement, special revelation, memorial and proclamation... It is these last two purposes which move Isaiah to visit the altar of Abram in his declarations to Israel. He recalls and proclaims the signal events in Abram's life beginning in Genesis 12 and prophesies their meaning to his own generation. His is one example in scripture of the value of sanctified memory and the purpose of Abram's altar in the first place...