Mes #: 300303
File #: The Life Of Abraham
Text: Genesis 12-25
Title: God’s Friend
The Life of Abraham
March 30, 2003
Some have called me a friend of God. God has been so important to me, and I enjoy fellowship with Him and I like to be considered God’s friend. It has been such a journey since I first met the Living God. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 100 years since I first Yahweh. I was 75 at the time – it seemed so long ago yet was just yesterday. We were living in Ur at the time and my father and I were called to leave Ur to go to a land that Yahweh He would show. Ur was such a busy place. It was the center of all that seemed important. We were a city of culture. People played instruments, wore jewels, and made statues. It was a highly sophisticated society. I wasn’t a worshipper of God at the time. In fact, we worshipped the moon god Nana. When I worshipped Nana at the central tower, it never seemed like it was much more than ritual. We all went through the motions. But when I heard the voice and the call of God for the first time, I knew that I had no choice but to listen. He spoke with such assurance. For the first time in my life I came alive inside. Although I didn’t know what or even where He was calling me, I knew that I needed to listen. I knew that His offer could not be resisted. So we left.
We came to Haran and it seemed nice enough, but I knew this was not where God had called us to go. But we settled there for a while. And, when my father died, we continued on. I could not wait to see this land that God was leading me to. God called me not only to this Promised Land, but also to a new way. He had said that my name would be great; he said that I would be blessed and that I would be a blessing to all peoples. I didn’t know what he meant at the time. He said the strangest thing. He said that He would make me into a great nation. I don’t know how that could be. After all my, wife Sarah and I could not have children. And certainly at our age, God wouldn’t give us a child. I didn’t know how this promise could be fulfilled. For 25 years I wrestled with that question.
I tried to figure this out in my own way. I wondered if God would fulfill this promise through my servant Eliezer. Sarah and I talked of this often, and it consumed my mind. Sarah finally had an idea I though might be God’s answer. Inside I knew it wasn’t right. But God wasn’t acting. Maybe God was waiting for me to make that first step. It was such folly I realize now, but at the time I was so desperate to have an heir. So Sarah thought she could build a family through her maidservant, Hagar. Hagar came to us when we were in Egypt. So I had a child with Hagar and at first there was great joy. But it was a joy that soon ended. It wasn’t long before fighting erupted between Sarah and Hagar. I knew it was wrong from the beginning, but God, He wasn’t acting fast enough. It grieved me to see young Ishmael caught in this midst of this wrong. It wasn’t his fault, yet he was suffering the consequences for my wrong actions. How I loved that boy, and yet felt hindered to show that love to him.
Even though I had doubted God and tried to do it my own way, He continued to reaffirm His commitment and covenant to me. He continued to reaffirm that promise that he had chosen me to be the father of a nation. At 100 years old, and my wife being 90, I wondered how God could do it. Yet I believed His word. When those three men came to visit, I knew something was different about them. The one spoke with such authority. Surly this was the Lord. Again I was told I would have a son through Sarah. Sarah didn’t believe them, yet we have both seen the power of God and I did believe them when they told me it would only be a year before Sarah would have a child. 25 long years I have waited, and finally it was happening.
I mentioned earlier my nephew Lot. He was the son of my brother, Haran. I loved him as my own and really did want to see him make the right choices in life. I taught him everything I know about life. I trained him to care for his animals and those under his charge. I trained him as best I could to be obedient to Yahweh. Yet he had to make his own choice whom he would serve and follow. I couldn’t choose for him. It hurt when my people and his people found themselves fighting in amongst each other. There wasn’t enough area for our herds to pasture together. It was inevitable that we should go our different directions. I left the choice to Lot. I told him to choose where he would go. If he chooses left then I would go right, if he chooses right, I would go left. I was hoping that he would not choose the plain of Jordan. There was so much wickedness there.
I watched as Lot became more used to the idea of living amongst the sinful city of Sodom. The people there were only intent on doing evil, and I knew that it would eventually affect Lot. I prayed for his safety and yet I watched him rationalize his decisions to become closely associated and eventually one of the people of Sodom. He didn’t realize the lasting consequences would have on his life and the life of his family. How easy those subtle decisions lead us in the wrong direction. I cried out for Lot and the city of Sodom, yet in the end, the city would be destroyed. I am thankful that Lot was finally able to realize the evil he was living amongst. I am glad he was able to get out with his life. Yet he lost nearly all he had, including his wife.
It is not that I am perfect however. In fact, I have made my share of mistakes. I took my family to Egypt when God did not call me to go. I also not once but twice lied about my relationship with my wife. I told the Pharaoh of Egypt and later Abimelech that Sarah was my sister. I can’t believe I did that. Yet God continued to bless me and continued to show His grace to me by forgiving me and allowing me the privilege of the covenantal relationship we had. He always seemed to find ways to get me back on track. Sometimes his reminders were gentle; sometimes they were like a gigantic wake up call to rouse me from my mistakes. I am so thankful that God loves me enough to discipline me. His discipline and correction really have showed his love for me.
I cannot begin to explain how thankful I was that day Isaac was born. I knew the time was coming close to the fulfillment of that promise God made to me 25 years earlier. It was too good to be true. And to hold that little boy was like no other moment I had ever experienced. Isaac was born to me in my old age, yet when I held him I felt like a teenager again. What joy in knowing that this son was the fulfillment of that prophecy. I loved Lot as my own, and I loved Ishmael, but this son was different. This was God’s fulfillment in His way. Even when I didn’t have the faith, God continued to lead me to that point where I was able to hold Isaac. I never knew joy like that before.
The joy turned to sorrow however. I watched as Ishmael grew to despise Isaac. He mocked him. There was so much strife between Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael. I wish I had listened and obeyed God. I fear that these two boys will grow up to despise each other. It is not right for brother to be against brother. It just isn’t right. I have always wondered what would happen to the families of these two boys after I am gone. I hope and pray that they will be reconciled, but I fear that there will be forever strife between their families. But the prayers and hopes of an old man still cling to their reconciliation. Would you pray for my boys and their families? How I long for peace between them.
Many have called me a great man of faith. I am humbled by the thought of people seeing me that way. I do have a strong faith, and it has been my desire in most of decisions to follow God in all that I do. I have longed to not only listen to God but to respond to Him in obedience. I will never forget that moment when God tested my faith as I have never known before. I strived to obey God in all things yet in this one act, I didn’t know if I could do it. He had asked me to take my son to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him there as an offering. Could this be true? God had given me this son in my old age; this was the fulfillment of the covenantal promise. Now he wanted me to kill him. I wrestled all night with what God was calling me to do. I loved Isaac more than my own life. If God had asked me to be the sacrifice I would have gladly done it in his stead. But God was clear.
I went early the next morning. I knew I needed to go early not just because of the travel time, but also because I knew that if I did not act immediately, I wouldn’t be able to go through it. After the three days of traveling I suspected the others knew something was right. I tried to put on a strong face, but I couldn’t knowing I was about to kill my one and only son. On the third day I had the servants stay at a distance and Isaac and I went further to the place of the sacrifice. The words burned in my ears as Isaac finally asked, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering.” I wept inside as I told him, “The Lord will provide.” Isaac looked so scared as I placed him on that alter. His eyes pierced through me as he watched me, the man who was to protect him, raise his knife to take his life. How could I forsake my son in this way?
And then, the words that spoke peace, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” I cried. Then those words that brought such relief “Do not do anything to him.” He told me that he now knew that I feared God because I would not even withhold my son. I embraced my son and as we noticed in a most unusual predicament, the Lord had provided a ram caught in a thicket. It was there on that mountain that I knew of Jehovah-Jira, my provider, for He provided a sacrifice for the burnt offering. I don’t understand fully why God asked me to take my son up the mountain. But through my obedience, it was like Yahweh was grieving with me. It was as if He knew what I was going through. It was that still small voice that said, “I know my child the pain you are experiencing.”
My life has had its joys and pains, triumphs and defeats. My life would have probably been a lot easier if I had stayed in my homeland. But I have had such a rich life knowing and walking with the Living God. Although I have some regrets, I wouldn’t want to change the path God called me to. My life has been rich not because of my experiences but because I have known the living God and I have known Him intimately. When I worship God my soul comes alive. Many choose to reject God in their lives, but they have no idea the strength, power and excitement that comes from knowing Yahweh. Yes, some call me God’s friend. I like that! And you, what is your relationship with God? Are you a friend of God?
