Part 2 of the Lessons Learned from Abraham’s Story
Dear readers, welcome back to part two of my blog on Abraham’s journey of faith according to the book of Genesis, chapters 12 to 13. In the previous reflection on these lessons learned, I pointed out that wherever Abraham stayed, he raised an altar for God. I advised that we must reflect on this to consider its importance. This is because it is a form of inviting God into our homes and hearts to support us in building our relationship with Him and to feel His presence. For this reflection, I would like to continue with Abraham's story and the lessons learned by once again inviting you to pause and take into account what each storyline may be teaching us.
Famine in the Land of Canaan
When working on God’s purpose, you must do the work yourself or at least participate in it. Famine came upon the land of Canaan, and based on what is written, Abraham didn’t ask for manna from heaven but took a practical step to move with his wife and nephew to Egypt for greener pastures in search of food. He was strategic in his thinking, and he knew that as a married family man, he might not be accepted in the land of Egypt because of their present leader and his character. Egypt is a very important nation in Bible storytelling. It has been a place of support, safety/refuge, blessing, and provision, especially in times of hardship like famine, and also a place of pain and slavery.
Personally, in my human thinking, I do not support this strategy, but as I reflect upon the various immigration stories and their reasons for using whatever strategy they use to find a place of safety or refuge, I can empathize with Abraham's story. Fear can drive even those who wish to claim innocence or condemn him to act in the same manner that he did, if not in a similar way. On another note, I feel it gives us an insight into the couple team that was Abraham and Sarah. But also, something in me tells me that God wasn’t happy with Abraham for this choice. Thus, He intervened in the situation. All I can say is that it all worked for the benefit of Abraham as this began his journey to wealth.
The Church is a Building: Don’t Confuse Ministry with Congregation
Abraham's return to Bethel is significant and important to note. It is important because this city, town, or district is close to the land of Canaan, ‘The promise land’. Remember that this was where God appeared to Abraham for the first time he embarked on his journey and to confirm that this was the land He was speaking about. Therefore, Abraham didn’t settle or pitch his tent in this place out of seeking a place of rest but out of the Word from God, which is that his descendants were to inherit the land.
God spoke of his descendants as if he already had offspring at this time, but he didn’t. What this part is teaching is that we must not lose sight of the promise. Though adversities, trials, and tribulations may lead us in various paths, we should always strive to keep His promise or at least be close enough to it. Why, you may ask? Perhaps to observe and wait for it to come to fulfillment; or perhaps to familiarize ourselves with what it looks like. Besides that is the best way to capture any opportunity given to you.
Another important observation is the building of another altar for God by Abraham. This is significant as it shows the importance of honoring God in such a physical manner. It shows that the church itself is also a building, a place of worship because you have to go there to feel the presence of God, invite the presence of God as this is where you have made a space or an opportunity to connect with your God. While many people would say that your relationship with God is personal and many people like to believe in mental worship, physical worship is very important as well. I have heard many say that the church is not a building, but based on this story, Abraham, already having such a spiritual relationship with God, found it important to raise a physical altar for Him, thus showing the importance of hosting God in a set place for faith development and relationship. This once again teaches us that the church itself is a place—a building that people go to worship.
Defining what an Altar is
So, I looked up the definition of altar. It means the same for all but is seen in different ways based on what you practice and believe. Generally, from a Christian perspective, it is a religious space where we choose to make sacrifices and offerings to God through Jesus Christ. A place you choose to encounter God, a place of prayer, etc., but all carrying spiritual purpose.
Here are two scriptures that show and tell us that God wants us to build a physical space—a house dedicated to Him.
But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” (2 Samuel 7:4-7).
Ezra 3:2-3. Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices.
Where is Your Greener Pasture Leading You?
Abraham arrived in Bethel near Canaan after being asked to leave Egypt, but it was still occupied. God came and confirmed that this was the promise land. Abraham tented on this land. We are not told if the famine had stopped at this point, but I am led to believe that it didn’t matter since he now had animals and other things acquired from Pharaoh’s hand following what took place in Egypt. There is a lot to unpack here, but I’ll keep it simple. I begin by first asking you to wonder why God would take him to other people’s land who are still living there and inform him that it will be his. Why not other free lands?
What I personally learned from it is not to give up or have doubts about God’s promise and instruction even though it may not make sense. Even if it doesn't appear as it should, or your Canaan land seems occupied with no space for you.
Let’s take a moment to relate this to today’s real life experience of job search. Have you ever searched for a job and there are positions you want to apply for but feel unqualified or think are out of reach? Let's take a moment to reflect on this. Sometimes, the opportunities that seem beyond our grasp are the ones that can lead to the most growth. Remember, someone already occupying that space was perhaps like you, and someday that person may need to move or leave, creating a vacancy. A possible position may be created for the job you want out of expansion or newness.
Similarly, the house you are praying to buy or occupy may seem unavailable because someone else is living there. But one day, you might find out that it has become vacant, they are now selling, and that house, just like the promised land, will become yours. Therefore, if you are waiting on God’s promise and working according to His will and purpose, He will fulfill it for you. In Abraham's case, it wasn’t for him to occupy the land but for his descendants. When and how were not important; what mattered was the fulfillment of the promise.
After Abraham, Sarah, along with Lot, were released from Egypt with the possessions acquired at departure, they parted ways when they returned to where their journey began. Abraham shared his possessions with Lot (what an uncle). But due to the lack of land, they had to part ways because there was not enough space for their herds, etc. What I found interesting in this part of the story is that Lot went towards Sodom and Gomorrah whilst Abraham went back to the area of Canaan which shows that Abraham, despite what happened, never lost sight of what God had said. Additionally, it shows the significance of residency as future events would have it. Why? Sodom, where Lot went, was a city indulging in sin, and was soon to be destroyed though their land looked quite like a greener pasture than the side Abraham chose to stay. The Bible even said it looked as green as what they had seen in Egypt, hence, Lot thought he had found a good place to settle. Thus, we must always consider where our greener pasture is leading us to so that we do not go astray as all that glitters, as they say, is not gold or diamonds to be precise.
Building Alliances
The storytelling of Sodom and Gomorrah became one of a war-torn country and Lot, Abraham’s nephew, was seized along with others when the city was defeated and its people and possessions captured. A man who was able to escape went and told Abraham what had happened. As an uncle, he charged against those who captured his nephew. But he did not go on his own, rather he built alliances with the people where he was living and took the men of the land, who were trained for such war, against those who took his nephew. When I think of how Abraham must have done this, it appears to me he must have been a people’s person who was able to build positive practical relationships—useful relationships with others. For him to be able to use these types of men, he must have integrated well in the city, and they must have liked him, but yet he never lost sight of his mission. Though he parted ways with his nephew, he still loved him.
For this heroic act, he was rewarded and blessed. But he made sure that he did not offend his God because he promised God he would not take any reward from them. However, he was considerate and strategic in receiving the gift not for himself but for the men who fought with him because he understood that the covenant he made with God and the promise was between him and God, and didn’t affect the men that fought with him. He didn’t take the word for himself but asked for the men of war to be rewarded accordingly.
Here is the blessing that Abraham received from Melchizedek for what he did from Genesis 14:18-20:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
From these lessons, you can say Abraham bother character and personality perspective is a family man, a man of extraordinary effective strategy, a man of integrity, ethics, focus, obedience, selflessness, caring, loving, tactful, peaceful, of great intelligence, wisdom, smartness, strength, courageous, etc. He is also a blessed man by both man and God. If you pay close attention, you will recognise that he made his wealth and was able to survive using his personal, spiritual, intellectual, and other attributes which are in themselves gifts.
So dear blog post readers of mine, this brings to a conclusion part two of a three-part reflection on the story of Abraham and the lessons learned. The next and final part of part one of Father Abraham's story will be coming to you soon. But in the meantime, if you liked this blog, don’t forget to love it here, leave a comment, share on your social media pages, and like as well as it will help spread the gospel.
Until the next blog, take care.
With love, Talkinsen (reflecting on a Bible story)
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