Abraham, Altars and the Walk of Faith- part 3 Listen to Audio

                                May 6, 2009-05-05

 

  One quickly learns that words are never wasted in Genesis, however seemingly disconnected some verses appear.  In vs.5, we are told that accompanying Abram are “the people whom they had acquired in Haran”.  This group may refer to slaves or indentured servants bought by Abram who assist in caring for his flocks; or it may refer to those who have joined him in his pilgrimage.

One writer has mentioned that the call of Abram follows the judgment of language-disruption in ch.11 and may indicate divine mercy in the midst of divine judgment.

   The geography mentioned in Abram’s travels has special significance.  There appears to be parallels in Abram’s journey into the promised land and that of Jacob and that of Israel (post-Exodus), although the order may change.

  

   1) Shechem (vs.6) is also where Jacob first visits on his return to Canaan—

see ch.33:18-20 (note the altar).  Also when Joshua leads Israel into the land,

Shechem is prominent—see Joshua 8:30; Ebal is next to Shechem (note altar).

   2) Bethel and Ai (vs.8) where Abram builds and altar.  Jacob goes to

Bethel and requires removal of gods (35:2) and builds another altar (35:14-15).

Israel is well-known for its battles at Ai (Josh. 7:4, 8:1, 28-30) and again,

an altar is mentioned.

   3) the south (vs.9, 13:1,3)—NIV has “Negev” [dry]- refers to region between Canaan and Sinai, below Judah.   Jacob travels to that region—

35:27, which includes Mamre and Hebron.  This region is also where Joshua

would conquer—Joshua 10:36,37—note Debir (10:39) and Gaza (10:41).

  “The key points on the journeys of Abraham, then, parallel those of Jacob

and……the key points in the conquest of the land…in book of Joshua.  These

parallels show clearly the method of demonstrating that the deeds of the fathers…prefigure those of the descendants….It is to show the conquest of the land had already been accomplished in a symbolic way..”  Encyclop. Biblica

 

   Abram is said to have built an altar in response to the LORD’s appearance to him (vs.7).  This appearance is called a “theophany”; it expresses divine presence in a unique manner to communicate some vital truth.  Here, the LORD designates this ancient land of Canaan as the selected property for Abram and

his descendants.  It is the only title deed of property ownership from Almighty

God to a human.  It is based entirely upon the LORD’s prerogative- Psa.89:11,

105:5-15 and Deut. 7:6-9, 12.

   It would seem that the altar is built in  response to this magnificent assurance

given to Abram by the LORD’s appearance.  We may call it an altar of thanksgiving or appreciation for God’s goodness to him.  This affirming word from the LORD encourages Abram and allows him to move from a general

calling to a specific calling to that land.

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  We might also suppose that this altar allows Abram to understand his

identity as a pilgrim (Heb.11:13), but also a citizen of a country yet to be

established.

  Our circumstance as believers is common with Abram: 

 

1)  We are identified as the chosen of God (Eph.1:4) and citizens (Phil.3:20)

of a yet-to-appear country (Heb.11:16) with full rights and privileges (Rom.8:15-16), including full security (Rom.8:38-39).

 

2)  Yet, we remain as pilgrims (I Pet.2:11), who walk by faith (II Cor.5:7), a nation of royal priests (I Peter 2:5), who are to shine as lights (Phil.2:15).

[note how Canaanites were in the land- Gen.12:6] Our lives (like Abram’s) will be characterized by testing- (I Pet.1:6-7) and suffering for righteousness’ sake (I Pet.2:21, 3:14, 17).