Readings for today: Genesis 14-16
Among the many privileges of my life is the opportunity each year to travel to the Horn of Africa. We go to places where the name of Jesus has never been heard. We often find ourselves in places where conflict or violence or even wars have been fought. We love going to the places where the need is greatest because it’s where we believe we can make the greatest impact. For example, several years ago, we went to a region that had just experienced several days of unrest. Conflict. Protests that often grew violent. Our indigenous partners were visibly uncomfortable taking us to the city where we were to conduct our church planter training and medical clinic. They wanted to make sure we stayed safe. We eventually loaded up the Land Rovers and headed out on our four hour plus trip. As we traveled, we passed right through areas where the riots had been just a day or two before. Large rocks littered the road. Burned out vehicles had yet to be cleared. A large semi-truck had been set on fire and flipped over. And while we were never in any real danger, we were reminded of the political realities on the ground in this particular country we love so much.
The conflict in the Horn of Africa is tribal just like the conflict in Abram’s day was tribal. All these different kings led different tribes and they often fought as they sought to expand their power and influence. If one lived in those days, one might have been tempted to believe this is where the real action was taking place. The kings of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim making war with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela. One might be tempted to think something significant rested on the outcome of their battle. But the Bible almost treats their conflict as an afterthought. Reading the passage for today, one gets the sense that the only reason this story is included at all is because Lot got caught up in it, forcing Abram into action. You see, the real action in these chapters has nothing to do with kings (even Melchizedek) and tribes and nations and their power struggles. No, the real action. The real drama. The real conflict involves an old man and his barren wife and their struggle to have children. It has to do with God and His promise to Abram and Sarai that they would have a son to carry on their family name.
And what is Abram’s response? Faith. He believes. Even crazier than taking 318 men and defeating four kings as they returned victorious from battle is old, childless Abram looking up into the night sky and believing God’s promise that his descendants will outnumber the stars in the sky. That’s why God declares him righteous. Because of his faith. And how does the Bible define Abram’s faith? The Apostle Paul will later say Abram was “was fully convinced that what God promised He was also able to do.” (Romans 4:21 NET) That’s the definition of true faith.
But God’s not done. He not only gives Abram this promise, He seals it by making a covenant with him. In the ancient near east, these ceremonies were common. Vassals would approach their kings and promise on their life to fulfill the terms of the covenant they were making. The crazy thing about Genesis 15 is it flips the whole ceremony on its head! Instead of Abram approaching God, it is God who puts Abram to sleep and approaches him. God is the one who makes His way through the halves of the animals, essentially declaring to Abram that He will fulfill the conditions of this covenant or cease to exist. It never ceases to shock me every time I read it.
Furthermore, as we have already seen, God’s faithfulness is unconditional. Even when Abram and Sarai take matters into their own hands - as in the case of Hagar and Ishmael - God is there to turn it for His good purpose. Because God has committed Himself to Abram and his family, He will never let go. No matter what they say. No matter what they do. God will remain faithful to the end. He must because He has pledged His own life to this covenant. Now fast forward a few thousand years to the Cross. God sacrificing His own life for the sake of Abram and his descendants. God sealing a new covenant by giving His body and shedding His blood. Can you see the fulfillment of Genesis 15? It’s amazing to consider the lengths to which God is willing to go for the sake of those He loves.
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 17-19
