Reading: Genesis 15, 16, 18, and 20, 22
God came to Abram, but Abram was not the only one who knew God. There was still knowledge about God, and there were others who still walked with God. We can read for instance about the King-Priest Melchizedek (Gen. 14: 18 – 20), and also Job may have lived in the same time.
Yet, there probably were relatively few people who had personally experienced God or communicated with Him. Therefore, Abram had to be trained so that he might truly know Him. The book Genesis shows us how Abram goes through a life-long training program to know God. And the more he comes to know God, the more he trusts in God, even against all odds. Having left his land, his people, and (most of) his family, Abram must also learn to leave their ways of doing things. As the father of God’s people, he must grow in godliness so that he can become the model, the picture of the man who trusts in and obeys God.
This training program is a rigorous one, and we see Abram being tested many times; sometimes he shines, but many times he falters and fails. Already in chapter 12 we read (v. 4, 5) that Abram obeys God; he leaves Haran to travel to the land of Canaan. He promises Abram that his offspring will settle the land (v. 7), but Abram then must continue his journey, because there is a severe famine in the land (v. 10). We don’t read about Abram’s response, but I can imagine him thinking, “What kind of land are you promising me? Who needs a desert wilderness?”
In the same chapter we read about Abram’s plan to protect their safety (vss. 10 – 20). Now, we must realize that Abram is familiar with the customs of the day and of the hazards for travelers in foreign lands. Abram realizes that Sarai, even in old age, is an attractive woman, and he knows that this can be a liability that can easily lead to his death. So, he suggests to Sarai that they pretend she is his sister. This may sound like a blatant lie, but Abram and Sarai actually were children of one father, Terah. We know this, because later they use the same scheme again, and then Abram explains the situation (Gen. 20: 12).
Yet, such creative solutions of Abram do not reveal a mature reliance on God. He must realize that God has set them apart to build His Kingdom, and God will ensure in all circumstances that this plan will be fulfilled. Even if Abram figured he helped to protect God’s plan by saving his own skin, he actually threatened his role as “man of trust and obedience” as well as the special purpose that God has for his wife.
In the introduction we already mentioned Melchizedek. This refers to another story where Abram acted as a man of God. Abram had to fight quite a battle with his men to save his foolish nephew Lot. The town leaders (kings) of the region are delighted that this newcomer has helped them to secure their power and restore their possessions. In Genesis 14: 17 – 24 we read how two of these kings come to Abram after his victory.
The king of Salem comes with gifts (bread and wine) and the blessing of God. He also praises God for
blessing Abram in the victory. Abram shares the plunder with him, giving him ten percent.
The king of Sodom comes with a proposition, telling him what to give and what to keep. Yet, Abram
refuses to accept any gift from this godless king. He wants to make sure that all glory for his material
success will go to God alone.
Yet, soon after this wonderful testimony of Abram to the king of Sodom, we read about another plan that Abram and Sarai make, seemingly to help God realize his promise. Yet, again, their foolish actions are the result of unbelief and the cause of much grief. In chapter 16 we read how Sarai suggests to Abram that he should use Hagar (Sarai’s servant) as surrogate mother to produce the God-promised offspring. Abram agrees, and Hagar gets pregnant. The result is ‘hostility’, first between the women (Hagar and Sarai) and later between their sons (Ishmael and Isaac). In fact, the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East today, especially between Jews and Arabs, can be traced back to this story in the book of Genesis!
After an embarrassing show of Sarah’s unbelief, Abraham pleads with God for the rescue of Sodom.
Sodom had been “saved” to some extent earlier, when Abraham intervened on behalf of his nephew Lot.
So, now Abraham tries to convince God to save the city, because there must still be a small number of
righteous people remaining within its walls. Abraham takes the role of mediator, who pleads without
self-interest for the salvation of those who deserve punishment. It is a powerful picture when we look
ahead to “Abraham’s son”, who later sacrifices Himself to save his enemies! (Romans 5: 8)
Yet, a few chapters later we read how Abraham once more carelessly loses his wife to a ruler, having
introduced her as his sister. God powerfully interferes and in the end Abraham is even blessed while
Sarah’s honor is preserved. Yet, for Abraham it is one more failure on his record.
So, Abraham is introduced as the man of faith, who was exemplary in his trust and obedience. Yet, on
the other hand it is clear that it was a long process of learning, and it involved many failures. Abraham
cannot be the perfect picture of “Trust and Obey”. For that we have to wait six times seven generations, according to Matthew 1.
The training course for Abraham took many years. He was one hundred years old when he and Sarah became parents with the birth of Isaac. It had seemed so impossible for God to make it happen. Yet, God made it happen; he kept his promises! And so, Abraham’s tent became a place of laughter; no longer a laugh of unbelief, but the joy of parenthood and blessing. Yet, Abraham had to pass one final test!
In chapter 22 we read about Abraham’s final exam. It is a hard lesson. How can God, who hates the detestable Moloch religion with its child sacrifices (Lev. 18: 21; Lev. 20: 1-5), demand that his friend Abraham sacrifice his own beloved son? For those who reject God, this proves that there is no God, or that the Bible does not know who God is. For those who have experienced the love of God, this story reveals his extreme love. Abraham loved God so much that he was willing to give him back his most beloved son. Yet, at the critical moment God stopped him, and He promised that He himself would provide a sacrifice. So, many years later, the true Son of Abraham (Jesus Christ) died on the same mountain, for God so loved the world that He refused to have it destroyed by sin and Satan. So, he sent his own Son as sacrifice, so that everyone who would follow him should not be destroyed but find everlasting life! (John 3: 16)
Food for Thought:
1 Jeremiah 5: 1 suggests that Jerusalem has become worse than Sodom.
1RUN TO and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and take notice! Seek in her broad squares to see if you can find a man [as Abraham sought in Sodom], one who does justice, who seeks truth, sincerity, and faithfulness; and I will pardon [Jerusalem--for one uncompromisingly righteous person].
Try to explain in your own words what the passage of Jeremiah is saying.
2 Read Galatians 4: 21- 31. Here we find Paul describing the contrast by focusing on slavery under the law compared to the freedom that comes from the Spirit of Jesus. See how he uses Sarah and Hagar as pictures of the two ways of life. Don’t put yourself under a burden of laws, but follow Christ and experience the freedom, for He said, “My burden is light!” Matthew 11: 30.
Title: 'Sarah Presenting Hagar to Abraham'
Painter: Adriaen van der Werff (1659-1722)
Year: 1699
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