Genesis 29: 1-30:24. Energized by his divine encounter, Jacob continued on to Padan Aram. As had occurred years before with Abraham’s servant, Jacob made his first contact with his extended family at the village well. One wonders if the male shepherds had been waiting for Rachel to move the heavy stone from the well before watering their flocks! In any case, Jacob greeted Rachel with great emotion and assisted her in watering her sheep.
Jacob was immediately smitten by Rachel’s beauty and negotiated with his uncle to work 7 years to win her hand in marriage. He had not factored in the family tendency to double-dealing. When the day came for his marriage to Rachel, Laban duped him and gave him Leah for a bride instead, stating that in their culture, the second-born did not precede the first in marriage. For an additional 7 years of labour, Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob as well.
One is struck by the docile reaction of Jacob to this turn of events. Perhaps his dramatic encounter with God had begun to soften his rough edges. Laban’s treachery would certainly have reminded Jacob of the behavioural patterns that had occurred in his birth family, in which he had played so dominant a role.
Jacob was confronted as well with the rights of the first-born in this incident. The rights of first-born Leah were used by God to hone the man who had so blatantly disregarded Esau’s first-born rights. Interestingly, the deception of disguise was used in both incidents, no doubt further reinforcing the lesson to Jacob.
Jacob’s marriage to two women, one whom he did not love, resulted in fierce competition between the two sisters. The wife with many sons was considered blessed in this cultural context, and God’s compassion toward Leah’s involvement in a loveless marriage is revealed in her ability to bear sons. Leah herself was aware of God’s blessing and responded to it by naming her first two sons, Reuben (He has seen my misery) and Simeon (One who hears).
Rachel, in spite of her status as the beloved wife, was barren, and consequently envious and spiteful toward her sister. After Leah bore Jacob several children (using her servant as a surrogate mother for some), Rachel finally was blessed with a son, Joseph. The line of Jacob was assured, and his children would become the great nation God had promised.
It is interesting that God allowed Jacob to suffer from the same kind of deception which he had used on others. It is encouraging to see how graciously Jacob accepted the lesson; a sign that even the most ruthless character can be changed by the power of a loving God. The rash and self-serving Jacob was becoming responsible and humble under God’s correcting and instruction. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Shepherd Takes a Wife
Ladder to Heaven
Although Esau tried to shift the blame to Jacob of the loss of his inheritance, he was also at fault. He did not take any of the blame upon himself, although in his cavalier attitude toward the inheritance, he too had been culpable in its loss.
Gen. 27: 41-28:22. In order to protect Jacob from Esau’s rage and expected revenge, Isaac and Rebekah prepared to send him to his Uncle Laban. Rebekah and Isaac had a second reason for wanting to send Jacob to Uncle Laban. They wanted to make sure that he would select a wife from his own people. Isaac and Rebekah had suffered from the intermarriages Esau had made with neighbouring tribespeople and they didn’t want Jacob, the inheritor of the Abrahamic covenant, to marry in the wrong circles. Before sending him off, Isaac again blessed Jacob, this time calling on the name of God Almighty to bestow Abraham’s blessing on Jacob.
Esau reacted to the news of Jacob’s being sent to look for a wife from the extended family by marrying a woman from Ishmael’s tribe. Was he trying to curry favour with his parents? Was he trying to improve a bad situation? Whatever his motives, he dismally failed, since a wife from Ishmael’s family would hardly have been welcomed any more warmly than his previous wives had been welcomed by his parents. I can’t help but feel sorry for Esau who seemed to flounder at every step.
Meanwhile, Jacob on his arduous journey to Laban had an amazing dream of a ladder to heaven and a visitation from God Himself. God came to Jacob with his angels—God’s servant messengers. At a time when Jacob felt particularly lonely and vulnerable, the stairway to heaven would surely have communicated to Jacob that he had access to God’s power and help. At this point in time, God initialized his covenant with Jacob, assured Jacob of his place in the Abrahamic line and also assured him that God would protect and care for him. God enumerated the blessings that Jacob would receive: (1) A relationship with “the God of your forefathers”; (2) land; (3) numerous descendants; (4) they would be a blessing to all the earth; (5) divine protection; and (6) the fulfilment of God’s will in Jacob’s life. It didn’t matter that Jacob had been duplicitous and undeserving; God showed his mercy toward Jacob and affirmed His plans for Jacob.
Jacob’s response to this dramatic incident was: “Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it.” How many times has God been present and actively working, but I have not been aware of His presence and action? Jacob may have been on the run for his life, lonely, and seemingly unprotected, but God was there all the time, actively working out His purposes in Jacob’s life.
Two lessons stand out in this riveting story. First, I am reminded of the strand of God’s mercy and grace that continues throughout Scripture. We do not deserve God’s mercy anymore than Jacob did, but He wants to shower it on us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Second, I am reminded that, although I may not immediately see the results of God’s action, He is at work in my life, bringing His purposes for me to completion. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Family Dysfunction
Genesis 27:1-29. Family dysfunction is a sad, but well-recognized, fact of western culture. There is nothing new under the sun, though, because it would be hard to compete with the dysfunction in Isaac’s Middle Eastern home of centuries ago. One can’t help but wonder what had happened to the love that at least Isaac had for Rebekah (Gen. 24:67) when the details of this story arise.
Blind Isaac prepared to bless his eldest son, Esau, and Rebekah, overhearing the plan, conspired to get the blessing for her favourite son, Jacob. A few questions leap immediately to mind: (1) Since God had already revealed to Rebekah (and presumably she had told Isaac) that Jacob was going to be the heir to the promise (“the older will serve the younger”--Gen. 25:23), was Isaac trying to circumvent God’s plan? (2) If Isaac was not willing to comply with God’s will, what had happened to his earlier close relationship with God? (3) Why would Isaac want to waste the blessing on a son who had previously sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Gen. 25:33) and actually despised his birthright (Gen. 25:35)? Scripture doesn’t reveal the answers to these questions. From my own experience, though, I realize that I do not always like God’s plan for me and my loved ones, as much as I like the plans I dream up. I too can easily walk at arm’s length from God, rather than side-by-side, and can get my eye off the goals of God. And love is not rational. Most parents will continue loving their children, even when their behaviour may not warrant that love.
As I reflect on Rebekah’s deceitfulness, it’s not too difficult to understand why Jacob was as deceitful and grasping as he was at this stage of his life. Her conspiracy against Isaac reveals how little she respected him, but is also indicative of her lack of faith. God had promised to bless Jacob above Esau, but she, like Sarah before her, apparently felt that she needed to “help God out”. There is no evidence that Rebekah had any love or compassion for her disabled and aging husband.
Rebekah thought of every detail in this act of treachery against Isaac. Jacob demurred against the plan at first, but not, one notes, because it was wrong, or out of love for his father. He feared, rather, that they would be found out. I cringe as I read this story of ill-treatment of an elderly husband and father. Isaac was totally duped and gave the blessing to his younger son. If Rebekah had trusted God to fulfil his plans for Jacob instead of trying to take things into her own hands, I wonder how God would have brought blessing to His chosen heir? The years of hardship and separation that followed this horrific event would probably not have been necessary.
The lessons in this passage are lessons that I’ve seen before (and repetition is generally the only way I learn!). I need to keep trusting what I believe God has revealed, even if fulfilment seems slow in coming. Taking matters into my own hands will result in total failure, and possibly deep and lasting grief. God will never bless relationships where I work against another to bring my own selfish plans to fruition. I need to rest in Him to bring His plans for my life to fruition.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Meek and Mighty
Genesis 26:12-33. Isaac and Rebekah stayed in Gerar, under the protection of Abimelech, and Isaac prospered. In fact, the text tells us that he planted crops in Gerar and the same year reaped a hundredfold. The secret of his success was clear: “…because the Lord blessed him.” His prosperity actually became a source of jealousy and enmity between him and the Philistines. Anxious to stem the seeming avalanche of blessing, the Philistines took to stopping up the wells that Isaac had inherited from his father.
Abimelech himself asked Isaac to move because he was threatened by the wealth and power of Isaac. In my many readings of the Genesis account, I have never viewed Isaac as powerful or threatening. He has seemed rather like a milquetoast in comparison to his father, but when I read between the lines in this account, I realize I must have missed something. Isaac complied with the request, moved and camped in the Valley of Gerar where he reopened wells from his father’s time.
The whole issue of wells must have been a crucial one for survival in this arid land. Looking at it from the perspective of someone who just has to open the tap to get water, I have to remind myself that wells were essential in this climate and culture. Isaac not only opened his father’s old wells, but his servants discovered a new one which the herdsmen in the area claimed was really theirs. Not only did they claim the new well, they stopped out the old wells. Isaac had to dig two more wells, before the herdsman stopped bullying him and let him live in peace.
God appeared to Isaac again and renewed his promise of protection and blessing. This appearance inspired worship, and the digging of yet another well!
Isaac may have moved out of Abimelech’s neighbourhood, but not far enough apparently. Abimelech came with his personal advisor and the commander of his forces and asked for a peace treaty. They declared that they saw that Isaac was blessed by God, and they wanted him to ensure that he would do them no harm—and they would treat him fairly as well. Why they perceived Isaac as a threat is puzzling since he obviously had avoided conflict with them all along. Obviously, the God behind the man Isaac was a God they feared and respected; they did not want to be on the wrong side of such a power-wielding, person-blessing God. Powerful Isaac did not take offence, but graciously agreed to the pact and welcomed them warmly with a feast. Peace finally reigned between Isaac and Abimelech.
Isaac’s response to the irritations of living in Gerar and the constant persecutions of his neighbours is really amazing. Having been promised God’s goodness, care and protection, he felt no need to defend himself or stand up for his rights. I suppose, from our cultural perspective, he looks totally spineless. The truth is much more likely that, since he could rest on God’s promises, he did not need to fight for his rights. God had prospered him already; he could trust that God would continue to care for him and meet his needs. And God did meet his needs, including supplying yet another well after Isaac drew up the treaty with Abimelech.
Donna Jeffries point out a New Testament parallel that may help us understand and respect Isaac even more. In Paul’s instructions for Christian living (Romans 12), we find a pattern which Isaac modelled. He honoured others above himself (Rom. 12:10). He was patient in affliction (Rom. 12:12). He practiced hospitality (Rom. 12:13). He lived in harmony (Rom. 12:16). He did not repay evil for evil (Rom. 12:17). He tried to live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18). He did not take revenge (Rom. 12:19). Isaac may have appeared meek, but he was a mighty man in his relations with his neighbours. Resting on the power and promises of God, he had no need to fight for himself, but could live free from the stress and anxieties of putting himself and his interests first.
Sin Repeats Itself
A busy schedule has stalled my blogging, but I also have not found the story of Isaac nor Jacob quite as compelling as that of Abraham. Abraham is the spiritual giant in the family saga, but Isaac's and Jacob's lives are instructive as well. So it's time to get back to work, and take a look at Genesis again.
Genesis. 26. Just as his father had been years earlier, Isaac and his family faced famine, and Isaac went to the Abimelech, tribal king of the Philistines. Apparently, he was thinking of travelling further afield--to Egypt, because God intervened and told him not to go to Egypt. At this time, God renewed the Abrahamic Covenant with Isaac, promising him (1) seed, (2) land, (3) a nation, and (4) blessing and protection.
Do certain sins run in families? The whole concept of generational sin is interesting, since Isaac commited the same sin as his father did in regard to his wife. When the men of Gerar took an interest in Rebekah, he said that she was his sister, in an effort to protect himself from harm and possible death.
Upon discovering that Rebekah was actually Isaac's wife, Abimelech was incensed. (Note: It's not likely this is the same Abimelech that Abraham tried to dupe, but it is a man of the same name.) Abimelech's sense of the horror of the sin that his men could have committed against Isaac and his wife was deep and real. His orders to his people were decisive: "Anyone who molests this man or his wife shall surely be put to death." In an era when lust and adultery almost seem passe, Abimelech's reaction is startling. The pagan king seemed to have a much deeper sense of the consequences of sin and the sanctity of the marital union than God's chosen man, Isaac.
Interestingly, Isaac's stumble into sin occurred after what must have been a momentous spiritual occasion for him--the covenant encounter with God. It would be easy to condemn him out of hand. How, we might ask, could someone who had just met God personally, fall prey to sin so easily? We mustn't miss the lesson though. How many times have we experienced points of spiritual apex and victory, only to fall into sin or despair merely days or hours later? Our times of spiritual high may make us more vulnerable to fatigue, temptation, sin and discouragement. At such times, we need to hold on to the fact that spiritual strength does not come from mighty experiences but from God Himself.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10. Therefore, I will boast all the more about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Isaac's Children
Genesis 25:21-34. It would seem that the story of Isaac should be chronicled immediately following his father’s death, but Moses is in a hurry to tell the more eventful, and perhaps more significant story, of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Derek Kidner comments that “The succession is so important that the story of the heirs interrupts Isaac’s story.”
Barrenness is again an issue in this family, and Isaac prays that God will give children to Rebekah. Fortunately, he and Rebekah did not have as long to wait for their prayers to be answered as his parents had waited. Rebekah became pregnant, a pregnancy that must have become quite uncomfortable, since the Scriptures describe twin babies “jostling each other within her”. In her discomfort she asked why such a thing was occurring, and God revealed to her that she actually was carrying twins. From her body, two nations would be born, nations that would not be cohesive (“two peoples from within you will be separated”), and incredibly, the younger child would have precedence over the elder.
These twins could not have been more dissimilar. The older son, Esau, was hairy and red, and no doubt, stronger. The second son made his mark on the family situation early, as he grasped his elder brother’s heel as they exited from the womb. Their different natures and interests would not have bound them naturally together. Esau was an outdoor athlete, a hunter who won the favour of his father. Jacob, was quiet and steady, preferring to live in the comfort of the tent community, and he was his mother’s favourite.
Their natures were so different, in fact, that Jacob was able to take advantage of his brother’s weakness. Returning home fatigued and hungry from a day out hunting, Esau was willing to sell his birthright to younger brother, Jacob, for a bowl of stew. The text tells us that “Esau despised his birthright.”
My modern western mind looks askance at what happened here. Jacob decidedly took advantage of his brother’s weak character, and finagled the family inheritance from him. Jacob appears to me to be devious and hateful while Esau appears to be weak and shallow, willing to give up his future to assuage his growling stomach. The birthright that Esau was so ready to relinquish indicated his status as the first-born son and meant the future headship of the family, as well as the eventual inheritance of a double share of the estate (Deut. 21:17). In Esau’s case, though, this inheritance also involved the special covenantal relationship with God that had been initially established with Abraham, and then with Isaac. The promises of God were at the heart of this birthright. Esau’s flippant contempt of God’s promises was at the heart of his willingness to trade them off for a bowl of soup. It seems that Moses regards Esau’s attitude toward the birthright as a far more serious sin than even Jacob’s conniving (Gen. 25:24).
I would like to leave the story as it stands, but of course, I cannot read this passage without thinking of the Doctrine of Election, and Paul’s reference to this story in Romans 9:10-16. Why did God chose to bless Jacob over Esau? What caused Him to exercise His sovereign will so that Jacob became a patriarch of Israel? What does he mean, when Paul writes, in reference to this story, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”? Paul asks the question for me: “Is God unjust?” Both the Genesis account and the Romans commentary clearly indicate that God has the sovereign right to do what He wills. And Paul emphatically says that we do not receive God’s favour and forgiveness on the basis of our own merit. I can live with the fact that God is sovereign and has the right to show mercy to whom He will show mercy, but does He really hate some people? Is He unjust?
This issue was poignantly expressed to me recently by a young philosopher, who said, “What if I’m an Esau?” Theologians have written reams on Romans 9, and argued over Paul’s meaning. I do not have the training nor the inclination to explain the theological intricacies of this passage, but I am thankful for John Stott’s explanation of some of these issues in his commentary on the book of Romans. He writes: “The second Scripture says: Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. This bald statement sounds shocking in Christian ears and cannot be taken literally.” Stott goes on to explain that Paul is using the Hebrew tool of antithesis to show preference. He compares it to Jesus’ statement in Luke 14:26 that we cannot be his disciples unless we hate our family members. Jesus does not mean that we are literally to hate our family, but rather, He forbids us to love them more than we love Him. So Paul is using a literary device to say, not that He hated Esau, but that He chose to give precedence to Jacob. Esau himself would receive a blessing, but his descendants would not be God’s chosen people. Professor Doug Stuart points out that the inclusion of Esau’s descendants in Genesis 36 indicates that, although Edom is not God’s chosen nation, the blessings to all nations promised to Abraham in Genesis 12 are available to Edom as well. The listing of Edomites shows, as Stuart says, that “God cares for them too.”
Actually, I find the Doctrine of Election comforting. If my standing with God were based on my merits, I would fall. When I can throw myself on His grace, knowing that He loves me in spite of myself, I can rejoice and worship. There is no way I can completely understand God’s sovereign will in election, but I can rest in the fact that God is full of grace and mercy, and He will not reject the contrite in heart.
Stott says that it is essential to remember two truths in regard to election. (1) Jesus taught the doctrine. “I know those I have chosen.” (John 13:18) (2) “Secondly, election is an indispensable foundation of Christian worship, in time and eternity. It is the essence of worship to say: ‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.’ (Ps. 115:1) If we were responsible for our own salvation, either in whole or even in part, we would be justified in singing our own praises and blowing our own trumpet in heaven. But such a thing is inconceivable…. Why? Because our salvation is due entirely to his grace, will, initiative, wisdom and power.” (Stott, Romans, p. 268)
I do not fully understand God’s ways. But God would not be God if He were not sovereign. Scripture reveals enough of His love and grace for me to trust that He will not make arbitrary choices, but will work out His will in human lives in a way that is just and merciful.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
My Dad: David Lehman Madeira
My Dad: David Lehman Madeira
December 7, 1922 – November 29, 2006
I’m back in Ireland after a month home, following the death of my amazing and wonderful Dad. Before I start back to blogging about the book of Genesis, I’d like to post some of the thoughts I wrote my mother, a week or so after Dad passed away. These thoughts were written on December 7th, 2006.
Just over a week ago, I got home from the gym to find a message from my mother saying in a broken voice that “Dad is gone.” Since my time zone is 5 hours earlier than Mom’s, she could phone me at 3 a.m. her time and not worry about waking me. Between that call and tonight, what would have been Dad’s 84th birthday, I haven’t had much time to meditate on Dad and the wonderful gift he was. Instead, I’ve been busy flying across the Atlantic and jumping right in (with the assistance of our wonderful kids) to help Mom with all the arrangements that a death brings. In Dad’s case, because he was loved by so many hundreds of people, arranging for his funeral is kind of like planning a wedding. And I suppose, in the midst of the grief, there is a similar joy, because he is finally home, and more himself than he ever was.
The grieving process has included readings lots of cards and notes, and this reading about Dad has given me the chance to process some of the memories and feelings that have been swirling around me. So Mom, it’s time for me to write about Dad and let you know just how much he meant to me.
One of my best memories of growing up is remarkably prosaic. Remember how Dad, Dave and I used to do the supper dishes together? It’s actually one of my happiest memories—just having the time with Dad before he went off to yet another meeting. Dad was really remarkable for a husband in the fifties; he did the growing shopping, washed the kitchen floor, and the dishes—plus probably a million other domestic chores I don’t remember.
The Friday “Family Nights” were happy too. We’d watch West Point Story, eat popcorn and play games, and we always knew that Fridays were our night with you and Dad. Even though you were both busy, I knew you loved us and cared about our needs and wants and emotions. You sacrificed for us—piano lessons were not in the budget, I’m sure—nor were braces!
Dad was an incredibly consistent Christian. Of course, he was not a perfect man, but he came mighty close. When I think about his life from an adult’s vantage point, I realize that he had remarkable integrity. I can’t remember what person the Bible was describing in the verse about there “being no guile in him”, but that was certainly true of Dad. I’ve been so impressed about two refrains in all the notes you’ve received: many people came to know Jesus personally because of Dad, and his life was characterized by Christlikeness.
I think Dad really spoiled me. I hated riding the bus to high school, and generally walked home, carrying not only a significant stack of books, but my rather heavy trumpet as well. But Dad took the time to drive me to school in the mornings. I’m not sure why he did that except for sheer love. Buses were provided after all. But Dad went out of his way to give me a lift to school.
It is really not at all surprising to me that I wanted to enter “full-time Christian ministry”. Obviously, I believe my calling was a divine call, and it certainly was encouraged by the missions-emphasis of Barrington Baptist Church, but it could have been shipwrecked by bad parenting. You and Dad were so committed to serving God, as well as committed to loving us, that I never had any sense of being second-tier importance in your hearts and minds. I knew you were absolutely convinced of the veracity of what you preached, so why would I not want to give my life in just the same way you and Dad had done?
There are lots of childhood memories. Poor Dad when you tricked him by pouring water down on him when he roared up the heating shaft in the bathroom to tease us! I have this hazy picture of him in pyjamas making us oatmeal when you were in the hospital having Phil. Then there were Maine vacations, lobster on the back porch, trips to Grandma Madeira’s where we could have free ice cream!
I think my adult memories are also of significance though. It was so wonderful when you and Dad came to visit us in Honduras—offering an opportunity for our young children to get to know you. I saw another Dad when he devoured my Chaim Potok novels; I never thought he might get into such “frivolous reading”.
When we moved back to Charlton, MA, God gave us the amazing and remarkable gift of living near you and being mentored by you and Dad. It was such a source of encouragement and pleasure to be able to drop the children off at school on Monday mornings and come down and visit you. We’d sit with the sunlight streaming through the dining room windows and drink coffee and eat cardamom bread. Sometimes there’d be ministry issues to discuss, but sometimes it was just enough to be together. What a luxury (little did I realize it then!) to be able to take so many walks to see the boats at Haines Park or walk on the bike path together. What a treat to take a picnic lunch to Colt Park and smell the sea and enjoy the sound of the surf and the wind.
Dad retired from Barrington Baptist and assumed the position of director of Seminary of the East—Worcester. Since I was the office administrator of the Seminary, I got to see Dad at least once a week, and often more times than that. Dad would often come to stay overnight on Thursdays, as the school day started early on Friday. We’d sit and watch Jeopardy together in the evening, and head off to work early the next day. I loved seeing Dad relate with warmth, humility and genuine caring towards the students—and they adored him. I loved having the chance to eat lunch with him, or just enjoy a cup of coffee together.
Working as closely as I did with Dad, though, meant that I saw those first uneasy twinges of the Alzheimer’s that was to entrap him so severely. Instead of mingling with students and faculty, he became withdrawn and unsure of himself. Our Monday morning visits with you did not have quite the same carefree quality they had had in earlier days. Over time, we had to assist you in caring for this lovely man, and help you move from the home where you had lived for more than 40 years. Those were painful days, but bittersweet in that we had the opportunity to show Dad the kind of care and love he had lavished on us for so many years.
I absolutely hated the effect Alzheimer’s had on Dad. At the same time, I think we experienced a “severe mercy” because Dad never lost his essence of love and gentleness. How pleased I was that he remembered Jim (“Jim who?”) for so long. And how wonderful to feel, even the last time I saw him, that he knew I was someone special, even if he couldn’t quite ascertain who that special person was.
Emmylou says that you kept Dad’s personality alive, and she is absolutely right. You have been an example of selfless care and love for over 13 years now. It awes me, that even in the midst of exhaustion, you never seemed to realize that caring for Dad and keeping him as engaged as possible, took tremendous energy. So I do not only give tribute to Dad, but I give tribute to you as well. I am so grateful to God for giving me parents like you and Dad who so beautifully exemplified what Christ did for us in laying down his life. I love you both.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Journey's End
After Sarah’s death and Isaac’s marriage, the Scriptures tell us that Abraham “took another wife, whose name was Keturah.” (Genesis 25:1) Incredibly, she bore him six more sons! The biblical account tells us that Abraham left everything to his son Isaac, but that he provided for his other sons by giving them gifts—after which he sent them far away from Isaac. Abraham did not want anyone intruding on God’s covenant with him and the heir to the promise, Isaac.
Finally, at age 175 Abraham died and was buried with Sarah. “Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:8) Moses’ eulogy is rather sparse, but the New Testament writers refer to Abraham and his example over and over again. The poignant reference that he was “gathered to his people” indicates to me that he had reached the “city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
How thankful I am for the account of Abraham’s life! His failures have been laid bare, but so has his heart—a heart that wanted to know and love God intimately. Abraham’s biography also reveals God’s character to me, and shows the depth of God’s desire to relate to me, as Friend to friend and Father to child.
And so the eulogy we find in Hebrews gives us a model for ourselves. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents…. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren, was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. … By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death…. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 11: 8-12; 17-19; 12:1-2)
God grant that I will be like Abraham: ready to obey, ready to believe even the impossible, focused on a more permanent prize than material gain, with my eyes fixed on Jesus, my Redeemer and Friend.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
God Guides
Abraham was nearing the end of his life, but two major events remained: the death of his beloved wife, Sarah, and the marriage of his beloved son, Isaac. Sarah died at age 127 and Abraham acquired his own land for the first time—a burial plot.
In haggling over the property, Ephron, the seller, charged an outrageous price and forced Abraham to buy more land than he actually wanted. This purchase of a burial ground, though, was an act of faith. Abraham was in fact laying claim to the land God had promised to give his descendants.
Abraham realized that he would not have descendants if Isaac never married, and he did not want a marriage with the Canaanite women in the region. He solemnly commissioned his servant (perhaps Eliezar mentioned to in chapter 15?) to find a wife from his own people. He clearly instructed Eliezar to find a woman who would be willing to move to Canaan; under no circumstances should Isaac move to another region. Abraham was confident that the God who had promised this land to Isaac’s children would “send his angel before [you] so that you can get a wife from my son from there.” (Gen. 24:7)
The servant, well-laden with presents carried on ten camels set out on the long and arduous journey to Nahor. Abraham had modeled a life of faith before the servant, and Eliezar now proceeded in just the way his master would have done: he prayed a specific prayer. “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” He was bold enough to pray that specific things would happen to indicate which young woman was meant to become Isaac’s wife.
How God must have appreciated his faith and daring, because He answered each request exactly as Eliezar had prayed before he had finished praying! And God went even further than Eliezar had asked: Rebekah, the young woman who fulfilled the prayer’s requirements was related to Abraham himself!
When Rebekah ran off to warn her mother to prepare for an overnight guest, Eliezar thanked God for His prompt answer. He knew that this meeting had not happened by chance, but had been orchestrated by the Almighty God “who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.” (Gen. 24:27)
An interesting character inserts himself into the story at this point, a man we will come to know well later! Moses cleverly gives us a hint of this rascal’s nature when he discloses Laban’s interest in the servant’s wealth. (Gen. 24:30,31)
Once seated around the meal in Rebekah’s home, the servant wasted no time in disclosing the reason for his trip. He testified to Abraham’s faith that God would lead him to a bride for Isaac. He indicated how God had answered his prayer for guidance when He had sent Rebekah to the well.
Laban, Rebekah’s brother, and Bethuel, her father saw God’s hand in this errand as well. They quickly agreed to the marriage, profiting greatly from Abraham’s largesse. Although they weren’t ready for Rebekah to leave the following morning, as the servant had planned, she was ready. She and her servants were on the camels and heading for Canaan by morning.
The romantic side of us can just imagine Rebekah and Isaac’s notice of each other as she reached the field near his home. When Isaac heard the account of the God-ordained meeting with Rebekah, he brought her to his mother’s tent and married her. We are gratified to read that Isaac “loved her and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” (Gen. 24:47)
I appreciate what this story teaches me about God’s guidance. Eliezar’s approach to the daunting task of finding a wife for Isaac from people he had probably never met is a good model. He prayed on the basis of God’s character, not fearing to be specific in his request, and then resting in his belief that God would lead him. Some parallel verses fit the story and add to my understanding of God’s promises in this regard:
Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Isaiah 65:24: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
My life is not a game of Russian roulette. God has a plan for me, and has promised to reveal it. My part is to seek after Him and to follow.
A Lamb Provided
Abraham and Sarah have been given their promised heir, and all is quiet in the biblical account. I presume they were happily and busily raising this boy for whom they had waited so long. Then Moses writes the portentous words: “Some time later God tested Abraham.” (Gen. 22:1) None of us likes to experience God’s testing, but this was a test to the maximum. God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” (Gen. 22:2)
If I had been in Abraham’s shoes, I might have wondered if this were some sort of cruel hoax. Children I know have been troubled by this story. What if God told their parents to sacrifice them? Would they do it? And I suppose most devout parents have wondered the same. Do we really love God more than anything else?
Abraham had learned a great deal about God’s character and actions over the years of his pilgrimage. At last he trusted God enough to respond in immediate obedience to this most difficult test of all. The next morning he and Isaac and two of his servants were on their way to Mount Moriah. And finally, on the third day of the journey, he and Isaac headed off to worship by themselves.
Isaac was old enough (possibly a teenager by now) to realize that a most important ingredient was missing from this pilgrimage: the lamb. When he questioned Abraham about this omission, Abraham responded that “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Gen. 22:8)
With what emotion must Abraham have made this trip with Isaac. I sense almost an expectancy, though, in spite of the poignancy and pain of this ordeal. I believe that Abraham expected God to do something mighty and miraculous—perhaps even raise his son from the dead.
What kind of thoughts went through Isaac’s head as he was tied to the altar? Did he struggle, or had his faith grown in tandem with his father’s faith? The biblical record gives us no inkling as to the emotions going on here. Abraham knew that Isaac was God’s promised heir. Therefore, Abraham knew that something miraculous would occur in order to fulfill the remainder of the promise—that of many descendants, a land and a nation. But what a staggering step of faith to put your son on an altar and prepare this promised heir for death!
The account is descriptive (Gen. 22:9-10). The knife is raised, Abraham is ready to put his son to death, and the voice of the angel of the Lord intervenes, “Abraham, Abraham!” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Gen. 22:12) The all-knowing God surely knew the true state of Abraham’s heart before this occasion. But Abraham had passed the ultimate test, and there in the bushes, is the ram that he had said God would provide—a lamb that would substitute his life for Isaac’s. And in this sacred spot, Abraham called God by a different name: “ Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide”.
The angel of the Lord again called to Abraham, and reaffirmed the covenant, adding that “because you have done this and not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…. (Gen. 22:16, 17) This time, though, the covenant takes on a stronger emphasis, as God swears by himself that this promise will be fulfilled.
A no doubt exhausted Abraham and Isaac returned to Beersheba where they stayed. The covenant which Abraham had recited to Isaac many times was now indelibly printed in Isaac’s mind for the future day when he would have sons.
This story is almost unbelievable, but it sets the stage for redemption and gives us the first occasion of a substitionary sacrifice recorded in Scripture. A few hundred years from this point, the death of another substitionary lamb at Passover would save the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. But the story portrays an even more significant substitution, a substitution in which we can take part. The story of Isaac is an image of the sacrifice of another beloved only Son. On what many scholars believe to be the same spot as Isaac’s near-sacrifice, God’s only Son, Jesus Christ was sacrificed on a cross. This sinless Son of God is the God-provided Lamb Who rescues us from the death that should have been ours. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things.” (Rom. 8:32) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3: 16, 17)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Promise Fulfilled
The Lord finally provided a son for Sarah and Abraham—Isaac. With great celebration he was welcomed into the family. The old animosity between Hagar and Sarah flared again, and tarnished the festivities when Sarah noticed Ishmael (by then around 14) standing around and mocking. Who knows how Ishmael felt at this point, having enjoyed the love of Abraham into his teen years? His position of favorite was now threatened, and he had no doubt been fed plenty of unkind information about Sarah from his mother to add fuel to the fire.
Sarah was determined to remove any threat to her son, a fact that greatly distressed Abraham. God comforted Abraham with promises of blessings for both sons, but indicated that it Isaac was the heir of the promise. So Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael into the desert with provisions to sustain them.
The provisions didn’t last long however, and the searing heat of the desert was strength-sapping. Leaving her son under a bush with the little remaining water, Hagar wandered away, not brave enough to witness the certain death of her son.
God again ministered to Hagar, and now to Ishmael, again promising to make Ishmael into a great nation. The text tells us “God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.” (Gen. 21:20)
It almost seems that there are too many extraneous things to the story of Isaac’s birth in this part of Genesis. We read about the fate of Ishmael, and then are given details about Abraham’s administrative dealings with Abimelech. Maybe Moses felt that Isaac's birth was almost anti-climactic at this point!
To focus back on Isaac, though, Genesis 21 has an interesting parallel in Romans 4:18-25: “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had beeen said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why it was credited to him as righteousness. The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death or our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
We’ve seen Abraham waver a bit on his journey to promise fulfillment, but God did not count those missteps against him. Instead the record is that Abraham believed God had the power and the integrity to do as He had promised. The New Testament examination of Abraham is a great promise to us as well. Our faith is the basis on which God credits righteousness to us—faith that Jesus died for our sins and was raised to life to justify us. Praise God for the illustrative example of Abraham’s life and for the hope we have, as he did, in God’s promises.
Relapse
You have to wonder, after all the spiritual progress Abraham had made, how he could fall into the same kind of sin against Abimelech that he had years earlier with Pharaoh! Here he is again pretending that Sarah is his sister in order to save his skin. (Genesis 20) He is on the brink of finally grasping the fulfilment of God’s promise, and he’s about to put that fulfilment into serious jeopardy.
The other puzzling thing to me about this passage is how a 90-year-old woman would be sexually attractive enough for a Middle Eastern potentate to want her for his harem. Obviously, there is something here that escapes me. I can more easily understand the propensity of all human beings to lapse into sin than I can understand the attractions aged Sarah held for Abimelech!
In any case, God tells Abimelech about the dire peril in which he and his people now exist, and explains how He has kept Abimelech from sin. Needless to say, Abimelech is furious with Abraham and confronts him, asking, “What was your reason for doing this?” (Gen. 20:10)
Abraham looks for a place to pass the buck, much as Adam had done in the Garden of Eden. He implies that he could not have been guaranteed of his safety from Abimelech’s people. He excuses his lie by saying that Sarah really is his half-sister. He says anything but that he had done wrong.
In spite of his lame excuses, Abimelech is generous to Abraham and Sarah, offering them livestock and the opportunity of living in his territory. Abraham prays to God and the curse of barrenness is removed from Abimelech’s people.
The story is a reminder to me that even the most faithful believer must be vigilant so as not to fall into the same kind of pattern of sin that had entrapped him or her at an earlier time. The old habits and patterns can so easily rear their ugly heads and the unsuspecting pilgrim can easily succumb. We will not be "home free" from temptation and sin until heaven, but we are assured that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Fiery Judgment
As the angels arrived at the city gateway, they met Lot sitting in the entrance. His sitting in the gate denotes that he must have achieved a level of prominence in the social structure of the city. Much as Abraham had offered hospitality to the three divine visitors, so Lot offered hospitality to the two angels. He does not seem to be offering a leisurely meal, however; one observes a sense of urgency as he suggests they will “go on [their] way early in the morning”. When they demurred against accepting his invitation, he strongly insisted that they enter his house where he prepared a meal and offered them overnight lodging.
Lot well knew his fellow citizens, it appears, because his angelic visitors were in grave danger of being raped by a crowd of men from the town. While homosexuality was apparently common in the city, mob violence was also present. Lot tried to dissuade the mob, even offering his daughters as substitutes. This illustration of the low esteem with which women were regarded in the culture of the time is startling and offensive. How could a father offer his daughters for rape? The only way for my mind to get around the concept is to realize that this was a very different culture. Thank God that Christ introduced a radically different approach to women!
The mob had no interest in his daughters and began trying to break down the door. At this point the angels acted and struck the men with blindness, thwarting their attempts to break into the house. Now their identity as divine, rather than mere mortals, became apparent as they began to warn Lot that he and his family must flee from the city. Lot tried to persuade his sons-in-law to flee with the family, but they thought Lot was merely joking with them.
As I read the account, I sense the utter urgency of the angels as they tried to speed up the tempo of the family’s departure. “Hurry! Hurry!” But even at this point they had to forcibly and physically pull Lot and his family from the city, telling them to “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back and don’t stop….”
You would think that Lot would have been sensitive enough to realize that he was in a life and death situation. But still he wanted to bargain for his life. He didn’t want to leave city living for the hills (where Abraham lived). He requested to be able to flee to a small nearby town, and the angel, amazingly, agreed. Lot and his daughters managed to reach the city, and God held back the judgment until they were safely away. Lot’s wife still longed for her old home, and her hesitation and her desire to return were her cause of annihilation.
There is so much action in this story, such a feeling of desperate haste, that the account of Abraham’s early rising is a dramatic contrast. He rose in the morning, looked over the plain and saw the devastated landscape and the smoke rising from the land. It doesn’t seem to me that Lot deserved any kind of mercy or grace from God, but the Bible explains that “when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe….” What a reminder of the importance of intercessory prayer!
Lot’s life was one debacle after another. He didn’t want to head to the hills and back to Abraham, as the angel had instructed. He wanted to control things and move to another town. Life in that town must have been somewhat threatening, though, because fear impelled him and his daughters to settle in a cave in the mountains. The sophisticated city dweller was now living in primitive circumstances in a cave. His daughters, unhappy with their situation, slept with him and bore children who would eventually influence the nation of Israel away from the God of the patriarchs and to obscene pagan practices. But even in those sad births, the hand of God will be seen as an ancestress of Jesus Christ himself will come from the Moabite people.
I read this story and feel very condemning of Lot. It is therefore very hard for me to read the description of Lot in 2 Peter 2:7 and 8: “Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)….” I can deal with the offer of Lot’s daughters to the mob on the basis of different culture standards (although not standards which I understand or approve), but I wonder how Lot could stand to stay in a city where the practices were so repulsive to him? Why did he not have more of an influence as “salt and light”? Even his sons-in-law didn’t seem to regard him with any respect.
Before I feel too smug I need to remember that perhaps I too easily accommodate cultural practices and attitudes that aren’t in tune with the holiness to which God has called me. In what ways does my life reveal an easy acceptance of the status quo? Does my behaviour toward others reveal anything of my devotion to a God of holiness, mercy and love? Before I condemn, I must do my own self-examination.
Friday, November 03, 2006
God's Friend
Several Scripture references refer to Abraham as God’s friend: 2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23. Genesis 18 seems to reveal something of the deep and intimate friendship Abraham had with God, when God and two angels stop by for a visit with Abraham on their way to bring judgment on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
When they appear during “the heat of the day”, Abraham was relaxing under the shade trees. As soon as they came into view, he hurried to greet them and to offer his hospitality to them. I suppose that it wasn’t too often that strangers would stop by, and it would have been a good opportunity to chat and hear something about the outside world.
It doesn’t appear that Abraham initially recognizes that his visitors are heavenly ones. Whatever their origin or rank, he is eager to provide them with the best meal and offer them the most comfort possible. Moses writes so descriptively that you can picture Abraham and Sarah hastily preparing a sumptuous meal and making every effort to make their visitors feel welcomed and at home.
After enjoying the carefully-prepared repast, the visitors inquire into the whereabouts of Sarah. Then we suddenly discover who the visitors are, because the Lord announces to Abraham that in about a year Sarah would have a son. At last Abraham is given a specific timetable for the long-awaited birth!
The Scriptures humorously paint the picture of Sarah eavesdropping at the door of the tent, and remind us, in no uncertain terms, that Sarah and Abraham are old – far too old to expect to have children. As Sarah listens to the male conversation on the mat outside the tent, she laughs derisively to herself. I almost sense that she thinks that the joy of childbearing would be certainly lost on a woman of her age and energy level.
God reveals that he knows exactly what Sarah is thinking, and he gently reminds her and Abraham that nothing is too hard for Him to accomplish. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14) He forcefully states, “I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”
Sarah, abashed at the public revelation of her thoughts lies and says she did not laugh. But God lets her know that He knows perfectly well what she’s thinking and she did, indeed, laugh.
Perhaps Sarah’s faith had not progressed as far as Abraham’s had at this point. Who knows if she had understood the gravity of God’s covenant with Abraham? God’s rebuke served to push her growth along, as we can see in Genesis 21:6 where she admits that “God has brought me laughter.” (Isaac means “he laughs”.)
God's relationship with Sarah and Abraham is relevatory:
1. He will fulfill His promises.
2. He will fulfill His promises in His own time.
3. He wants to use the periods of waiting as times of growth for us.
4. Above all else, He wants us to grow in our trust of Him.
God’s purpose in this visit was not only to give Sarah and Abraham a timetable for their son’s birth; He was also on His way to mete out judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah. We read God’s thoughts as He mulls over whether or not to make Abraham privy to His plans. As God reflects about this, He affirms his unique relationship with Abraham, and He informs Abraham of His plan.
God is not acting on the basis of mere complaints about Sodom and Gomorrah’s sinfulness, but He is going to judge for Himself whether they indeed deserve to be punished. We might surmise from the text that God doesn’t know what is going on in these two cities. God, the omniscient One, is fully aware of the nature of these cities, but the Scripture figuratively indicates that He, as Judge, is not acting on mere hearsay, but is determining justice on the basis of His own observation.
As the angels continue on toward Sodom, Abraham stands before the Lord, and in interesting dialogue begins to pray for the souls of Sodom. He has relatives in the city, and does not want them to suffer the distress of destruction. (This is not the first time that Abraham has intervened for Lot and the citizens of Sodom. See Genesis 14.) We glimpse Abraham’s compassion as he pleads with God for the salvation of the city. Had Abraham been calculating that there might be ten righteous people living there? For some reason, he stops asking when he has determined that God will save the city if ten righteous people can be found there. In answer to Abraham’s prayer, God agrees to save the city for the sake of ten righteous souls. God and Abraham finish their dialogue and Abraham returns home.
Abraham has come a long way in his relationship with God. He is now at the point where he can come to God very directly with his concerns, and in this case we see him interceding on behalf of others. This story parallels some of the prayers of Moses, who intercedes for the people of Israel when all they deserve is God’s anger and wrath. Both men were willing (and close enough in their relationships with God) to pour out their hearts in prayer and petition for the benefit of other needy people.
Abraham’s prayer was based on God’s mercy, not man’s merit. His prayer was based on the fact that God, the Judge of all the earth, would only do right, and never evil. “Will you really sweep it [Sodom] away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Abraham was not bargaining with God. He desired more than anything else to see God’s compassion given to his relatives and to know God’s ways more intimately. Even though he certainly knew the reputation of Sodom and Gomorrah, he was sure from what he already knew about God, that God would not measure out punishment unjustly.This passage encourages me to keep praying for others who may not even know their great spiritual need. The ministry of intercession is a worthy one and a necessary one. Just as I depend on the prayers of others on my behalf, I can go to God on behalf of people who may not have the energy, the boldness or even the awareness that they need His help.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Abram was 99 years old and God’s promise of a special son and heir through Sarai had still not been fulfilled. At this point, Ishmael was a 9-year-old boy. God came and renewed His promise (initiated in Genesis 15:8, confirmed in Genesis 17:2 and established in Genesis 17:7.) , calling Himself El Shaddai. (The name, “God Almighty”, expresses His ability to nourish us abundantly, as well as His power and His strength.) Abram had been waiting for endless years for God to use His power and provide an heir, and certainly could have felt hopeless at this point. God pointed out Abram’s responsibility: “Walk before me and be blameless” and He promised, “I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
If Abram had been wondering about God’s ability to act, he expressed no doubt, but fell facedown in worship. In this extremely moving encounter, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many.” It is interesting that God said, “I have made you a father many.” While the promise still had not been fulfilled in human terms, in God’s view it had already been accomplished.
God mercifully restated His covenant with this elderly man, indicating that He had not forgotten the covenant and the deed was already done. God had already made Abraham the father of many nations.
God explained His part of the covenant, and indicated that if Abraham was going to receive the covenantal blessings he would need to lead a blameless life. Abraham would show his commitment to a radically different lifestyle by a radical act—his own circumcision and that of all the males in his household. What seems like a strange covenantal requirement to us was actually part of a self-maledictory oath, according to the NIV. If Abraham and his descendants did not live blameless lives before God, God could cut them off from His promises.
Did God expect Abraham to live a life of perfection? Of course not—He knew Abraham better than that! But He did expect that Abraham’s thoughts and energies would be focused on pleasing Him.
In a parallel move to his renaming of Abraham, God had a new name for Sarai—Sarah, signifying that she would be the mother of kings. At this point, Abraham fell face down again, laughing to himself in disbelief. The thought of Sarah and his having children at their advanced age was too comical for belief!
If we wonder how Abraham might have felt about his 9-year-old son, Ishmael, his love was apparent when he asked God if Ishmael couldn’t be the heir to the promise. God was clear that Ishmael would indeed be blessed, but the heir to this covenant would be Isaac. God was sovereign, and the heir of His choosing had not yet been born.
Abraham’s response to God was immediate. On that very day, he and the men in his household were circumcised. In spite of the things he still could not understand, he believed God and was eager to live under God’s blessing.
It’s really amazing to see Abraham’s immediate response to God’s instructions. In spite of the years of waiting (or probably because of them), his relationship to God had grown and deepened and he demonstrated his belief in God’s promises by fulfilling his part of the covenant. As Abraham’s spiritual descendants, God expects us to commit ourselves to holy living as well. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that God chose us “to be holy and blameless in his sight.” The apostle Paul clearly describes the fact that, even for the believing child of God, sin will always be a struggle (Romans 7:21-24), but he also affirms that fact that “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1,2). I am called to be like Abraham, focusing my life on God and pleasing Him. “Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:23)
God Sees Me
Abram had just had a significant encounter with God. God had renewed his covenant in a solemn ceremony, and it seemed that Abram was comforted and content. God had hardly stopped reaffirming his promise, though, before Sarai came up with an idea to help God fulfill this divine plan. After all she was far too old to have a baby at this stage, so why shouldn’t Abram do what everyone else in that culture would do—have a child through Sarai’s maidservant, Hagar.
I would think that Abram’s faith, for which he had been commended so recently, would have been strong enough to resist this temptation. But the text tells us, “Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” Hagar, the servant, became pregnant by Abram, and she began to taunt her mistress for her barren state. Sarai, who had dreamed up this brilliant idea in the first place now blamed Abram for the hostility in family relations. (This blame game has been seen before in the story of Adam and Eve’s fall, and has been characteristic of the human race ever since!)
Admirable Abram was not very admirable in this tale. Conflict was not something that energized him, and it was much easier to wash his hands of the situation. “Do whatever you want with Hagar,” he told Sarai. Sarai put her resentment into action, making things so bad that Hagar ran away.
Hagar may have removed herself from the persecution of Sarai and the disinterest of Abram, but she had not removed herself from the presence of the Lord. We read that “the angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert”. He exhorted her to go back to her mistress, but not before he had ministered to her and comforted her with a promise concerning her son. (Genesis 16:10-12)
Somehow this promise would not comfort me—I would not want my son to live in “hostility with his brothers” nor “with everyone’s hand against him”, but in spite of the predictions of future of difficulty for her son and in spite of the exhortation to return to Sarai, Hagar was comforted. The name the angel gave her son, Ishmael—“God hears”, would be a constant reminder to her of this angelic meeting in the desert. And as the text goes on, we realize what Hagar realized. This was no mere angel who ministered to her, but the Lord himself. She was amazed to “ have now seen the One who sees me” and survived. Rather than being destroyed she had, in fact, experienced spiritual healing. So strengthened in spirit she returned home, bearing the son, Ishmael, to Abram.
The short term results of trying to fulfill God’s promise themselves caused a rift in the relationship between Sarai and Abram and a rift in the relationship of employer and employee. The long term results go on in incessant conflict in the Middle East. I wonder in what ways I may have prolonged the fulfilling of God’s will in my life by too often trying to take matters into my own hands?
This story is a sad one, but it also comforts. God was not too lofty to care about the needs and hurts of a lowly slave. He compassionately dealt with Hagar and was aware of her hurt, as well as her responsibilities. Hagar discovered the truth of Job 31:4: “Does he not see my ways and count my every step?” Knowing that God knew her through and through and having experienced his loving care, she was fortified for the future.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Reassurance
Genesis 15 is a pivotal point in the entire Bible, with God outlining his promise to Abram in a dramatic way, and with the introduction of the doctrine of Justification by Faith. Abram had just repudiated the offer of material gain from the king of Sodom and had affirmed his faith in “the Lord, God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth.” God, cognizant of Abram’s whole-hearted commitment toward Him came to Abram in a vision and promised to be his Protector and his Reward.
Abram had other things on his mind besides God’s protection and God’s reward. What about that long-ago promise that Abram would have a son? Abram reminded God that so far no son has been given, and wondered aloud if his only recourse was to declare his trusted servant as his heir.
God had intervened to comfort Abram, and He assured Abram that a son would indeed be born to Abram and his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Genesis 15:6 declares: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” The situation had not changed, but in dialogue with God, Abram was reminded that God was trustworthy and would keep His promises. Communication with God was enough to remind Abram of God's character and to restore his faith.
The Apostle Paul quotes this verse twice in his epistles (Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6) and the Apostle James cites it as well (James 2:23). This brief little sentence is of outmost importance to Christian belief. We do not (cannot) earn our way to heaven; rather, God responds to our faith in Him by crediting us with righteousness—a righteousness that we do not possess in ourselves. Derek Kidner says that “this story and the argument of Romans 4 present faith not as a crowning merit but as readiness to accept what God promises.”
How amazing that Abram was ready to accept what God had promised, even though, humanly speaking, time was irrevocably running out for the possibility of a birth to him and Sarai. God didn’t only affirm that the promise of a son would be fulfilled, He also reiterated that Abram would come to possess the land where he now lived as an alien.
Abram was not afraid to ask questions. How would he gain possession of the land? God did not only make him a promise in this instance; He actually renewed the covenant through enacting a Near Eastern royal land-grant treaty with Abram. This solemn, sombre ceremony must have had great impact on Abram. Here he was in the midst of dreadful darkness, but also in the presence of God--symbolized by the smoking firepot and blazing torch. The slain animals illustrated the self-maledictory nature of this covenant—“may it be so done to me if I do not keep my pledge.” God reassured Abram in a very tactile and dramatic way that His promises was sure and not just fluffs of Abram's imagination. Not all the news of the future was comforting, however, as God told Abram that his descendants would be aliens, strangers and then slaves in a far-away land. They would suffer for 400 years before God would rescue them. But in God’s perfect timing Abram’s descendants would indeed gain possession of the Promised Land.
Apart from the doctrinal importance of this passage of Scripture, there is also a message of personal comfort to those of us who have prayed for years for the fulfilment of what we believe are promises from God. God may take a long time answering my prayers, but the length of time it takes for Him to act does not mean that He has withdrawn His love, or forgotten me. God was aware of the questions that Abram asked before he asked them. He came to Abram to comfort and reassure him, and to reaffirm that He would bring His plans and promises to fruition. Abram’s responsibility was to continue dialoguing with God, and to believe God. My responsibility is the same. How encouraging to know that as I get to know God better and grow in my commitment to Him, He will comfort and encourage me, giving me the faith I need to believe that He can even do the impossible.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Military Man
How many times might Abram have wished that he had never included Lot on his safari to the Promised Land? Lot had chosen what looked like the best place to live—in the well-irrigated plain near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The choice turned out to be a dangerous one, as he and his family were caught in the crossfire of war and captured.
If we’ve just regarded Abram as a simple peaceful nomad, we are suddenly confronted with him as a battle commander and military strategist. He called out the trained men in his household and pursued the kidnapping army. Lot may have chosen to desert Abram for the city and selfishly chosen the better land. None of this mattered to Abram as he rushed off, not only to rescue Lot and his family, but all Lot’s possessions as well.
Upon his victorious return, Abram was met by the kings of Sodom and Salem. Melchizedek of Salem, both a priest and a king, blessed Abram, affirming Abram’s relationship with the God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Gen. 14: 19 and 20)
In contrast to Melchizedek, whose role was to give glory to God, the king of Sodom presented Abram with an intriguing offer. If Abram gave him the people, Abram could keep all the material wealth for himself. Abram, who had just given a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek was not at all tempted. He had affirmed by his tithe, his recognition of Melchizedek’s kingship in Jerusalem. He had also seen in Melchizedek’s benediction his relationship to the “Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” So with great insight, he refused the king of Sodom’s offer, boldly stating that he did not want to accept anything that would cause people to think that the king of Sodom had made Abram rich or mighty or powerful. Abram was God’s man and he wanted no alliances that might sully that relationship or God’s reputation.
Paul later wrote about what Abram had so presciently understood: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?" (2 Cor. 6:14) Our alliances may well cause compromise that is untenable for people who want to walk in communion with God. Paul, reflecting on the various covenants God had made with his people, wrote, "As God has said, 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'" (2 Cor. 6:16b) Abram wanted, above all else, to walk with God, and he chose to trust God to bless him, rather than being enticed to accept wealth offered by the king of wicked Sodom.
Test of Faith
Abram was now a very wealthy man, as was his nephew, Lot. They had so many possessions, especially in the form of livestock, that the land where they had settled could not sustain both of them. The situation became difficult enough for quarrelling to erupt between their herdsman.
Abram realized that the situation was pretty untenable at this point. His ungrasping character and his total dependence on God’s provision shine through in this little vignette, in sharp contrast to Lot’s selfishness and longing for the trappings of civilization. Abram suggested that Lot select a portion of land for himself, and Abram would take what was left. Here is the man who had been promised an inheritance of land from God offering to take second-best in order to keep peace in the family! He obviously felt no need to look out for his own interests; his desire to live in harmony with his nephew was paramount.
As Lot looked over the fertile plain of Jordan, he knew what he wanted, and he chose this prime real estate for himself. Abram stayed in the land of the Canaanites, while Lot moved toward the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses tells us in this account that Sodom and Gomorrah weren’t exactly places where a man of God would want to settle, as their inhabitants were wicked and “were sinning greatly against the Lord.”
It would be interesting to know how Abram felt at this point. Might he have felt a tinge of resentment toward his self-centered nephew? Certainly he must have felt a sense of loss and lonesomeness at losing Lot’s company to the allure of the nearby cities. The one family companion who had accompanied him and his wife on their journey was now gone.
God’s intimate knowledge of Abram’s heart and character is revealed at the close of the chapter. He knew the loneliness and the generosity of Abram’s spirit. In His mercy, God again stepped in to reassure Abram and reconfirm His promise. In an interesting parallel to Abram’s showing Lot the land, now God told Abram to look at the land that lay before him. “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land for I am giving it to you.”
What an instructive passage for me as am exposed to both the character of Abram and the character of God! Abram was confident enough in God’s care and promises that he was able to be generous to a nephew who surely did not deserve such largesse. And God, Abram’s merciful Father and Friend, responded to Abram’s generosity and implicit faith by reconfirming all He had promised. So Abram moved, not to the cities, but to the shelter of the great trees at Mamre and he again responded to God’s kindness in worship.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Detour
When Abram left Haran, God had promised that He would bless Abram, and also that He would protect Him: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” But famine came to the land, and Abram took matters into his own hands and set out for the well-watered land of Egypt. There certainly was nothing wrong in Abram’s looking out for the welfare of his family, but we get no indication that he communicated with God at all about the wisdom of this decision. Matters deteriorated still further when Abram sought to protect himself at the expense of his wife, Sarai. Sure that Sarai’s great beauty would put his own life in danger, he suggested to Sarai that she say she is his sister, so that she could legitimately join Pharaoh’s harem without putting Abram’s life in jeopardy. (Comments could be made about the state of this marriage, if Abram was willing to save his own skin at the expense of Sarai's skin!)
God was not at all pleased about this situation, and caused an epidemic in Pharaoh’s household. It was clear to the ethically-minded Egyptians that something evil was afoot, and when Pharaoh discovered the nature of Abram’s lie, he sent him and his household packing. Interestingly enough, Abram was made very wealthy during his time in Egypt; one would think that he might have had the goodness to refuse the wealth gotten in such an illegitimate way. Obviously, his ethical sense had not matured greatly at this point!
Wealthy Abram headed from Egypt to the Negev. The Bible tells us that “he went from place to place until he came to Bethel…where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.” (Gen. 13:3-4)
This little detour of Abram’s is quite instructive. How often do we allow fear to distract us from the promises of God to protect us and lead us in His ways? And how often do we try to solve problems with our own solutions? Abram saw a problem—lack of food and consequent hunger—and he solved it in his own way without consulting his divine Protector. His emotional reaction of fear was not wrong in itself, but giving into the fear rather than acting on faith, led him on a trip to Egypt and a sin against the Egyptians.
Once he left Egypt, Abram traveled from place to place, seeming to be almost embarrassed to face God again. But eventually he headed back to Bethel where he had first worshipped, and he worshipped again. The old adage says that we can never go home again, but it’s comforting that, in our relationship with God, He longs for us to go home again (see the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15). Abram got sidetracked briefly, but once he was confronted with his sin (by the pagan Pharaoh of all people) he knew where to go—back to the God who had promised to make him great and to protect him in times of trouble.
