Wednesday: Abraham the Wanderer
A study of Abraham’s life reveals that his faith included difficult struggles against doubt and disbelief in God’s power. Abraham’s ancestors were idolaters (Josh. 24:2), and perhaps this background explains why he did not always have full confidence in God’s power. Twice he showed cowardice and told Sarah to tell only a half-truth (Gen. 12:11-13; Gen. 20:2).
He laughed (Gen. 17:17) when he was told that he would have a son with Sarah. Despite his faults, Abraham was still used by the Lord because Abraham wanted to be used by Him; and thus, the Lord was able to mold His character.
One means God used to shape Abraham into a reformer and missionary was his many wanderings. Traveling is an education in itself. It opens a person to new ideas and the possibilities of change. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem were an important and required part of Israelite worship. The changes the pilgrims experienced when they had to walk distances, sleep in other places, eat different food, encounter another climate, and meet other people enhanced their faith by their vulnerability. Their worship, with its sacrifices and offerings, sacred dances, and reciting of psalms, helped God’s people to confirm their identity and traditions.
In his travels from his birthplace in Ur to his burial site in Hebron, Abraham visited at least 15 different geographical areas. Most of the important reforming and missionary episodes in his life are connected with his journeys.
What were some of the spiritual lessons that Abraham experienced in the following places?
Moreh at Shechem (Gen. 12:6-7)
Hebron (Gen. 13:18, Gen. 14:20)
Mamre (Gen. 18:1, , Gen. 18:20-23)
Mt. Moriah (Gen. 22:1-14)
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That Jehovah uses the imperfect to accomplish His purpose is fairly clear, and equally distinct is God has little tolerance for ungodly methods (Genesis 12:17-19). Abraham meant well and slipped in a moment of weakness trying to preserve his life.
Some believers today might have no problem with the patriarch’s act, thinking it is justifiable to go even further in the interest of self-preservation, and if necessary ask forgiveness later. This is not just mistaken, but risky.
However noble the saints may think their agenda to employ deception and scheming or concealed questionable maneuvers to achieve same is frowned on by God and isolates the effort from His support. Such projects may seem to flourish for a season, but soon withers and falls.
Good news is when the believers turn from their evil way the Lord picks up from where He stepped back. Abraham confessed his failing to the one he offended (Genesis 20:9-13). King Abimelek of Gerar had to go to the one who had deceived him earlier and caused him pain to get healing (Genesis 20:17, 18).
The king did not know God well enough for himself and Jehovah had promised blessing or curse would flow through the patriarch and prophet (Genesis 12:2, 3). God was faithful to His anointed patriarch and priest. He remains faithful today.
There is a growing concern of mine on the Abraham motif and we should look into the primary nature of his call, to be separated from his people/kinsfolk.
1). It is a type to the call of the church, that is similar to the Adam motif, Noah motif, Enoch motif, Jesus motif and Apostolic church motif. There is a danger of articulating it to a personal call for if we do that then we would take into consideration every minute detail of his call such as he took with a stock in the current market of US$2 million dollars and when he at his life's end journey had doubled, you can do the math on online, so in this case it defeats the call of individual by the local church overseas or conference or even independent ministry loyal to the church worldwide. There are many grey areas if we go on a personal call but it is safe to compare Abraham's call to the church motif both OT church and the NT church.
2). Abraham's call was a type of the call of the OT church or Jacob's sons or tribes as the Church in Exodus.
3). As the Israelite were furnished by the promise of Yahweh's word that the Egyptians would furnish gold et al for their journey to a new land Canaan, see Exodus 12:35; so was Abraham when accepted the call to relocate to a place to worship Yahweh freely and holier by Pharaoh, see Genesis 12:16.
4). Abraham's call was a type of Priesthood (Gen.12:8 built an alter and call on the name of the LORD)as it is the call of the NT church as a priesthood of all believers, see 1 Peter 2:9 (But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;". Abraham was a priest to his family, extended family and tribe so is the NT church
5). He is the founding father of the Church both the OT church and the NT as we find in Galatians 3:29. Therefore the call to reflect Yahweh and Elohim character in his new home of sphere of influence and as a witness to his neighbors and nations afar as news are broadcast. We are equal in the eyes of God there is no Jews and Gentile and no man or women, so the call to experience the Eden motif, the blueprint of God call of Adam and Even full of Yahweh's character and the motif of The Unity in the Trinity in diversity of different persons, role and responsibility and accountability.
In conclusion the Abram motif or call is the foundation of Yahweh's and Elohim's restoration of The Eden call which will eventually be accomplished when Christ and the Saints return to Earth the 3rd time after the Millennium. However, having said that we can draw some journal lessons from his individual call in some respect but do not go overboard for remember as I stated above Abraham's Call is the type of both the OT & NT churches of restoring the fallen Adam and Eve to its original intent of Yahweh and Elohim.
I've always wanted to be a blameless man before I give myself to the servicies of God, at last I now understand God needs my willing heart and unto Him I surrender.
Abraham was truly imperfect in nature and his background was fairly ungodly, however, I like the fact that he was always open to Gods bidding and was ready to take up any task as long as it was dictated by God. His open mind, an obeying spirit and patience earned a lot of what we hear and know about him today! We, too can be the Abrahams of today! We need to consciously choose to follow God and do as He wills and we will get it better with obeying God.
Abraham "consciously chose to serve God"?? Wasn't it God who chose Abraham? Neh 9:7. Is it also true that could use Abraham only because Abraham wanted to be used by God? Is it really God that we are talking about?
This lesson I very good, it teaches us to have faith in God. Trust God and He will supply our needs
God keeps His promises. It is always best to trust God. God uses imperfect men with many faults. It is good to worship the true and living God,
Looking from outside, Abraham's episode with his son Isaac at the mountain was totaly insane! Who, in the right state of mind, would listen to A Voice that tells you to kill your only son? But Abraham knew That Voice! God had been so graciously to Him before... He would be just testing him... Crazy as it seems, he even rose the knife to kill... At that time, his mind would be probably eager to listen... Silence till the last minute... Crazy! What kind of faith is that? The father of faith...
In our daily life we have a lot of obstacles. Challenges in the life, it shows that how we grow day after days, but we learn that God must gve us different tests to improve our faithfulness, or for how we trust him. In hard times which will come to all servants of God, is the right time to know those who are walking together with Jesus Christ
It is the wandering character that makes the world circulate with knowledge and education. It is part of the reason why knowledge increases
Im totally convinced that God can use anyone to his glory as long as he abides. I See the love that God Has for all mainly about Abraham wanderings.
We will always need the holy spirit to convict us when we sin and accept earnestly to be used by Jehovha out of love and not expecting any form of reward. Even the heavenly reward is out of his love and not because we have done any service for it
Traveling, whether by walking or using other means of transportation, give us time to reflect, rest, and plan. We can travel to work, but we can not work and travel at the same time, unless you're in the transportation industries. Even in my short 30 minutes of daily travel to work, I often use that time to worship God, and ask him to direct my plan for today. I try very hard to give my plans over to be molded into His plan.
Moreh at Shechem (Gen. 12:6-7) - Abraham was God fearing and bold in his worship and praise in the presence of the Canaanites who were, as the Bible described them, wicked people. Their behaviour and religion were both wicked. Genesis 18:16-19:29 tells the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities in Canaan where gangs and swarms attacked people for fun. Yet Abraham lived among these people in the land that God said He would give Abraham and Abraham remained a faithful friend of God. Abram found the country peopled by Canaanites, who were bad neighbours. He journeyed, going on still. Sometimes it is the lot of good men to be unsettled, and often to remove into various states. Believers must look on themselves as strangers and sojourners in this world, Heb 11:8,13,14. But observe how much comfort Abram had in God. When he could have little satisfaction in converse with the Canaanites whom he found there, he had abundance of pleasure in communion with that God, who brought him thither, and did not leave him. Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. God reveals himself and his favours to his people by degrees; before, he had promised to show Abram this land, now, to give it to him: as grace is growing, so is comfort. It should seem, Abram understood it also as a grant of a better land, of which this was a type; for he looked for a heavenly country, Heb 11:16. As soon as Abram was got to Canaan, though he was but a stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the worship of God in his family. He not only minded the ceremonial part of religion, the offering of sacrifice; but he made conscience of seeking his God, and calling on his name; that spiritual sacrifice with which God is well pleased. He preached concerning the name of the Lord; he taught his family and neighbours the knowledge of the true God, and his holy religion. The way of family worship is a good old way, no new thing, but the ancient usage of the saints. Abram was rich, and had a numerous family, was now unsettled, and in the midst of enemies; yet, wherever he pitched his tent, he built an altar: wherever we go, let us not fail to take our religion along with us.
Hebron (Gen. 13:18, Gen. 14:20) - If our spirits are calm and we are less likely to be ruffled by passionate arguments based on emotions, we will be poised for visits of divine grace (Matthew Henry). When everything around us becomes noisy and filled with angst, God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace, what we lose for preserving neighbourly peace. When we are far away from family and alliances, God is ever present. We should never be afraid to move when he tells us to do so. As we look at the promises that God made to Abraham - a good land that would be his. The prospects seen by faith are more rich and beautiful than those we see around us. God bade him walk through the land, not to think of fixing in it, but expect to be always unsettled, and walking through it to a better Canaan. He built an altar, in token of his thankfulness to God. When God meets us with gracious promises, he expects that we should always be humble but to praise and worship Him (Abraham’s altars). In outward difficulties, it is very profitable for the true believer to mediate on the glorious inheritance which the Lord has for us.
Mamre (Gen. 18:1, , Gen. 18:20-23) - Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Hebrews 7:3, state that the history has said nothing of his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for mercies toward others as toward us. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, Hebrews 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him (Matthew Henry commentary - paraphrased).
Mt. Moriah (Gen. 22:1-14) - We are never secure from trials. Every trial is indeed a temptation, and tends to show the dispositions of the heart, whether holy or unholy. But God proved Abraham, not to draw him to sin, as Satan tempts. Strong faith is often exercised with strong trials, and put upon hard services. The command to offer up his son, is given in such language as makes the trial more grievous; every word here is a sword. Observe,
1. The person to be offered: Take your son; not your bullocks or your lambs. How willingly would Abraham have parted with them all to redeem Isaac! Your son; not your servant. Your only son; your only son by Sarah. Take Isaac, that son who you love so much.
2. The place: three days' journey off; so that Abraham might have time to consider, and might deliberately obey.
3. The manner: Offer him for a burnt-offering; not only kill his son, his Isaac, but kill him as a sacrifice; kill him with all that solemn pomp and ceremony, with which he used to offer his burnt-offerings. Abraham built an altar to God everywhere he went.
I can only image what was going through his mind as he built the altar to sacrifice his only son. Yet, Abraham remained faithful and obedient. We should be prepared to do the very same thing, sacrifice ourselves, our lives to the Lord and remain faithful and obedient.
I thank God for Abraham's moments of weakness, if not I would doubt the story or I would think I need to be perfect to be used by God, instead I learn that God only need my willingness and he is able to do the rest. Abraham was human like me, he wasn't perfect and God doesn't require perfection in order to use man.