ABRAHAM, ALTARS AND THE WALK OF FAITH- PART 4 Listen to Audio

                                        May 13,2009

 

  Following the building of the altar in 12:7, we read that Abram leaves Shechem and travels south between Bethel and Ai.  The purpose of this move is not explained, but may indicate Abram’s “survey” of the land granted in vs.7.

  Verse 8 then says “there he built an altar to the LORD”—we are not told of any additional revelation or appearance of the LORD (like vs.7).  What is the significance of this altar?  [Commentaries offer little or no help.]

   Specific locations are often mentioned due to their association with other events, either retrospective or prospective.  In this case, it may prospective:

Bethel would play a significant role in Jacob’s life.  In 28:13-19, it is a place

of revelation and promise to Jacob (it means ‘house of God’) and Ai also has

importance in Joshua’s possession of the Land—see Josh.7:4-7---as a place

of early defeat, later one of victory- 8:1, 14, 29.

   Thus, by analogy, this location of Abram’s second altar may express the

ground or experience between victory, or Divine Approval and defeat, or

Divine chastisement.  Therefore, it may be suggested that this second altar

is testimonial as the location speaks of the believer’s challenge of life to choose

between obedience to the Spirit [Bethel] or disobedience of the flesh [Ai].

   For the NT believer, there is the flesh with its relentless pull of sin as seen in

wicked works- Gal. 5:19-21.  This “old man” is the result of our natural birth

in Adam—Eph.4:22.  Some writers distinguish between “flesh” and “old man”

by suggesting that the “flesh” is the manifestation of the “old man”.  In Gal.5:17,

Paul focuses on this challenge or conflict between the flesh and the indwelling

Holy Spirit.  Victory is thru our submission to the Spirit (Gal.5:16, Eph.5:18)

in our daily walk –John 15:4-5.

  It should be noted that Gen.12:8 closes with “and called upon the name of the LORD”—an expression synonymous with a life of submission or active

obedience.  It underscores a relationship of dependency on the LORD.

 

Three challenges to Abraham’s promised blessing

   From 12:10 through 14:17, we encounter 3 incidents of difficulty that Abram

faces-    1) Threat to Abram’s physical life (due to Sarai) -12:10-20

           2) Threat to Abram’s moral life (Sodom)- 13:1-18

           3) Threat to Abram’s physical life (due to confederacy of Kings)- 14:1-17

   While Abram fails in the first incident (lying to maintain self-preservation),

the other two clearly show his growth in his walk with the Lord.  All 3 incidents

evidence God’s undeserved favor (grace) with blessing toward Abram.

    Some notes on the first challenge:

1)  After giving Abram the land (12:7), the land fails to sustain him –note

“famine” becomes “severe famine” in vs.10.  It may have caused Abram to

ask “What kind of land did God give me?”

 

 

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2) Sarai is considered beautiful at about 65 yr of age, causing Abram to think

that he will be killed so she can be Pharaoh’s wife.  This fear is great enough

that he uses half-truths to explain his relationship with her.  His fear works against his faith in God.

3) Due to her coming to Pharaoh, gifts and riches come to Abraham; while

Pharaoh’s house is “plagued”.  Even Pharaoh’s potential for harming Abram

brought a curse on his household—fulfilling 12:3.

4) At some point, Pharaoh is conscious of why the plagues are occurring

and rebukes Abram, dismissing him.  This results in Abram leaving Egypt

and returning to the Promised Land- 13:1-3.

 

It should be noted that a similar (though not identical) incident occurs

in ch.20, causing some Biblical critics to conclude it was a duplication by error.

However, in both chapters, although the patriarch fails, the God of the patriarch does not fail in His faithfulness to provide for and protect the Agent of blessing =

Abraham.  Abram may jeopardize the agenda with disobedience, but God will

nevertheless work to preserve His chosen and fulfill divine destiny.  The lesson is clear, although amazing—God will work around and past our mistakes to achieve

His purposes