Abraham, and Who We Will Be
Abraham, and Who We Will Be
There are but a few people in the Bible that had a specific encounter with God or His angels, and each time signifies a dramatic shift in the narrative of the story. Looking at the story of Abraham, from the age of 75 he encountered God and His Angels numerous times, each time painting a greater picture of what God was doing in Abraham, in his life and through it.
God had a plan for Abraham, and He intervened in his life in dramatic ways to see it come about. You can see how God takes a childless foreigner and invites him on an adventure – leaving family behind and stepping into so much more that becomes the entire Jewish people.
Each encounter Abraham has with God is important, but the specific conversation that Abraham had in Genesis 18 with three men shows something unique. Before Isaac was even conceived — God treated Abraham with the reputation and reward he, Isaac, Jacob (Israel) and his sons had not yet earned.
‘Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”’
(Gen 18:17-20)
There are two things I want to note on this, each worthy of its own sermon.
Firstly – Abraham’s interaction with God was not just the fruit of who he was, but who he will be. The notion of “knowing” in the old testament was not just of understanding but of deep relationship. There was a requirement on Abraham to follow the way of the Lord, and his children needed to do the same – and God made a statement of certainty that they would.
In the same breath we too interact with God. We are redeemed, but we are still running the race set before us. (Heb 12:1-3). Our own interactions with God are entirely based on who we are as redeemed persons, based on the finished product that we are in God’s eyes. Even though we are still becoming that person in the natural. (I am drawing a distinction between forgiven sin and unfinished character because Paul often does in his scriptures)
Secondly – God had plans to intervene in Abraham’s life. I do believe this, that God was not just speaking about foreknowledge of what was already set in place, but also what He was doing and going to do in Abraham’s life. God said to Abraham in Gen 15:1, ‘I am your shield and great reward.‘ This translates to many things, but in the context of this concept is this truth: In the very person of God was the protection and blessing that Abraham would receive all that he was promised. Protections and blessings are not passive, but active. God was actively moving in Abraham’s life to see these things come to pass. There was reciprocation, from Abraham, of course – Faith. This too is not passive.
You have been called and paid for with a very large price. He calls us all to cast off every burden that holds us back and treats us with the dignity and respect of one who has finished their race. Let that forever encourage you to cast off every hindrance and run to Him with all that you are. There is no accusation that the enemy can hold to you if your trajectory is fixed on God and the hope of His calling in your life.
I hope that encourages you.