Many of us have heard a sermon or lesson on Genesis 12:1-4: “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’ … So Abram left, as the Lord had told him.” (Genesis 12:1, 4)
My guess is the main message went something like, “God told Abram to jump, and on the way up Abram asked, ‘How high?’ Now, go be like Abram!” On the surface, that seems to fit, but I’ve got a few lingering questions for that preacher:
- What about the fact that Abram lived in movable dwellings and worked a movable job (ranching), unlike us who (generally) live and work in fixed dwellings?
- God’s instructions to Abram were clear and unmistakable, but God hasn’t spoken to me like that. Plus, it isn’t responsible to equate God’s words to Abram as words to me.
- What does a faithful response to your sermon look like? Are you really saying, “Give more money to the church?” Or, “Go serve this or that international mission?”
And yet, when I finish this cross-examination, I have some other lingering questions:
- If I were in Abram’s shoes, would I respond from an obedient heart, or because God promised a reward: “I will bless you” (12:2)? Would I respond at all?
- Did Abram hear a clear directive from the LORD because the LORD spoke unmistakably, or because Abram was listening intentionally? Do I give the LORD space to speak into my life?
If I cut to the chase, there are only two reasons I cross-examine claims on my life (for example, “Go be like Abram!”). First, and most naturally, to examine rigorously whether their claim has any validity. Far too many people have been swindled and abused by unexamined “oughts” and “shoulds.” Second, and more subtly, it’s to avoid doing what feels uncomfortable…in an intellectually defensible and socially accepted way. To put it bluntly, sometimes I don’t want to do what I know I ought to do; I choose disobedience. When we read the Word, I think the question needs to be both, “What is this God-and-Abram story about?” and, “How does this affect the God-and-me story today?”
Hi,
I am new to Connections church and have just recently began attending the Whitehorn living room. I check in on this blog from time to time and I must say that this post has got me thinking. Especially, since I have been recently studying upon what walking with God really means. This story of Abraham, freshly reread, brings to mind an important concept that I sometimes overlook when studying scripture. As a matter of fact, this theme reiterates itself throughout the Bible from beginning to end. I think that maybe its just one of those things that we take for granted while reading scripture. I also believe that it may be a major reason why folks don’t consider the Bible for today because “God simply doesn’t speak to us that way anymore.” Really? The point I am making is that in this story of Abraham’s major turning point in life, is that he had a “conversational relationship” with God. God even called him his friend. That should ring a bell in our hearts, for Jesus called his disciples, and by extension he calls us, his friends. I think one of the main things we can take away from Abraham’s story is that he fostered a close, intimate, conversational relationship with God. Daily. If we would strive to have this sort of relationship with the One who loves us so much more dearly than anyone else ever could, I don’t think we would find it so hard to make those life changing decisions. In fact, obedience to a loving God would be something we would get excited about. Sure there will be some major obstacles, but don’t we all have some major obstacles and setbacks in life, even when we go our own way? So, I would conclude that a conversational relationship with God is what we should first and foremost strive to attain… the obedience part will be a product of that faith. In other words, it would come naturally. So, with this thought in mind… Go do as Abraham did. Foster a close, intimate, conversational relationship with God, and do it daily. Imagine the blessings! Thanks for this post and thanks for letting me put in my two cents.
God Bless.
Gordon White
The relationship part of the Abraham God picture raises thoughts in my head of what is not said in this narrative, or is there more there than I think because I am so used to reading it in a more classical sense. I really wish I could fill the gaps in the story… the days when something spooked the herd and the servants refused to cook or when it was cold for days on end in tent. How was the relationship then? Could That Abraham hear God better than this Abraham because his life was quieter and slower? Or because he obeyed when he heard? Abe