Observations on Genesis: Abram and Sarai, 2
At the beginning of what we know as Genesis 12, we have the remarkable call of Abram by God, but by the end of that chapter we have Abram being chided by the then Pharaoh of Egypt for dishonesty, which was caused by unbelief. The sad story ends this way: "And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him (Abram), and they sent him away with his wife, and all that he had" (12:20).
In chapters 13 and 14, we see Abram and his nephew Lot. God had seen to it that both men had prospered to the point that not only could the land not support both of them dwelling together, but that there was strife between their herdsmen (13:6-7a). Abram graciously and unprecedently permitted Lot to chose which part of the land he would dwell in. We observed Lot's choice in chapter 13, which seems completely understandable at first. But in chapter 14 and again in chapters 18-19, Lot's choice turned out to have farther reaching consequences than anyone could have imagined.
I've posted more thoughts about Lot on my blog http://www.stillebeth.blogspot.com/ [MyNewBlog] but I want to maintain my focus here on Abram and Sarai. After Lot had gone his way and the Lord spoken His covenant with Abram again (13:14), we learned of two wars, both of four kings against five. In the second of these, the kings of Sodom and of Gomorrah are vanquished and their cities emptied by the conquerors. 14:12ff notes: "They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. Then one who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eschol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram." Abram's character is revealed again. Not only does he overcome the kings who had taken Lot, he refused to take any of the spoil for himself. In what we read as 14:22-24 Abram explains: "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Posessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eschol, and Mamre take their share."
Again God communicated with Abram. Abram asked a very logical question and makes this observation: "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." God reassured Abram, taking him outside of his tent, pointing out the stars, and saying, "so shall your offspring be." Another significant statement follows: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Why is this so monumental? After the rest of chapter 15, which consisted of the details of God making covenant with Abram, we met Sarai again.
At the beginning of chapter 16, we were reminded of Sara's barrenness. Impatient for God to fulfill His covenant, Sarai has offered her Egyptian maid Hagar as surrogate. I wonder why Abram listened to Sarai. Perhaps he too thought this was the way to fulfill God's will. They had already been in the land ten years. Neither Abram nor Sarai was getting any younger. So the decision was made and the deed was done, and Hagar became pregnant. And who could have foreseen the consequences?
At the beginning of what we know as Genesis 12, we have the remarkable call of Abram by God, but by the end of that chapter we have Abram being chided by the then Pharaoh of Egypt for dishonesty, which was caused by unbelief. The sad story ends this way: "And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him (Abram), and they sent him away with his wife, and all that he had" (12:20).
In chapters 13 and 14, we see Abram and his nephew Lot. God had seen to it that both men had prospered to the point that not only could the land not support both of them dwelling together, but that there was strife between their herdsmen (13:6-7a). Abram graciously and unprecedently permitted Lot to chose which part of the land he would dwell in. We observed Lot's choice in chapter 13, which seems completely understandable at first. But in chapter 14 and again in chapters 18-19, Lot's choice turned out to have farther reaching consequences than anyone could have imagined.
I've posted more thoughts about Lot on my blog http://www.stillebeth.blogspot.com/ [MyNewBlog] but I want to maintain my focus here on Abram and Sarai. After Lot had gone his way and the Lord spoken His covenant with Abram again (13:14), we learned of two wars, both of four kings against five. In the second of these, the kings of Sodom and of Gomorrah are vanquished and their cities emptied by the conquerors. 14:12ff notes: "They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. Then one who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eschol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram." Abram's character is revealed again. Not only does he overcome the kings who had taken Lot, he refused to take any of the spoil for himself. In what we read as 14:22-24 Abram explains: "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Posessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eschol, and Mamre take their share."
Again God communicated with Abram. Abram asked a very logical question and makes this observation: "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." God reassured Abram, taking him outside of his tent, pointing out the stars, and saying, "so shall your offspring be." Another significant statement follows: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Why is this so monumental? After the rest of chapter 15, which consisted of the details of God making covenant with Abram, we met Sarai again.
At the beginning of chapter 16, we were reminded of Sara's barrenness. Impatient for God to fulfill His covenant, Sarai has offered her Egyptian maid Hagar as surrogate. I wonder why Abram listened to Sarai. Perhaps he too thought this was the way to fulfill God's will. They had already been in the land ten years. Neither Abram nor Sarai was getting any younger. So the decision was made and the deed was done, and Hagar became pregnant. And who could have foreseen the consequences?
posted by Ebeth | 8:53 AM
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