A Test of Allegiance

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’”

Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV)

For the better part of Abram’s earthly pilgrimage the privilege of enjoying a paternal experience had eluded him. Therefore, God’s promise in Genesis 12:7 to usher Abram into the fatherhood fraternity was a most welcomed report. But the Lord’s pledge that Abram would have an offspring was not immediately satisfied. Abram and his wife Sarai would have to wait some twenty-five years before God’s vow of a child would come to fruition. Those intermediary years proved to be challenging, especially for Sarai. For many women, barren wombs leads to broken hearts, broken by the realization that their lives cannot personally facilitate the reproductive process their bodies were designed by God to carry out. Sarai was understandably discouraged that she had been unable to become pregnant as she entered her senior years. At one point, she recommended Abram sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, in order to conceive a child. If Sarai could not have a baby in her womb then she would seek the use of a surrogate womb, so-to-speak. As well-intentioned as this plan was, we do not read that it was sanctioned or authorized by God. In fact, the subsequent fallout from this arrangement would indicate that it was not one God would have endorsed had it been presented to Him for consideration or blessing.

Eventually, Hagar did become pregnant from Abram, but Sarai began to despise Hagar. The plan that was once so sensible was now repulsive to Sarai. When we look through a comparative lens at our fellow man it is remarkable how inpatient, jealous, and intolerant we can become. We begin to covet that which others have and are unable to find satisfaction without it. In Sarai’s case, she yearned for what Hagar had: the ability to have a child from Abram’s seed. As mistrust gave way to mistreatment, Sarai acted vindictively towards her maidservant. Hagar was subsequently compelled to flee her master. But an angel met Hagar in mid-flight and reasoned with her to honor her relationship as a servant to Sarai and return to home. Hagar complied with the holy request and submitted to Sarai’s authority (until Sarai eventually asked Abram to remove Hagar and Hagar’s son, Ishmael, permanently from the family camp in Genesis 21).            

Fast forward to the long-awaited day when Sarai bore a son, Isaac, to Abram. The moment which seemed impossible was made possible by the infinitely powerful God. Because of the supernatural manner in which God brought Isaac’s delivery about (conceiving and bearing a child in old age through the once barren body of Sarai), Isaac’s birth was nothing short of a miracle, both incredible and amazing. Abram and Sarai understood, perhaps better than most, what a sacred honor it is to be entrusted with the responsibility of raising a child. To guide, train, instruct, and tend to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of another life is an endeavor that requires the utmost humility and accountability, especially if the gift of parenthood has been slow or delayed in coming.

It is with the aforementioned musings that we consider God’s demand of Abram in Genesis 22:1-2. Abram was given a heavenly edict to take Isaac, his only son with Sarai, the fulfillment of a God-issued promise to be the father of a great nation, and journey to the region of Moriah where Isaac was to be sacrificed. On the surface, the ultimatum appears to be cruel. The notion that the very blessing which had escaped Abram for so many years (a child with Sarai) could suddenly be snatched away is puzzling, at least from a human standpoint. But when we view this situation from God’s perspective we find the significance of God’s request. God tested Abram’s allegiance. If Abram balked at God’s command, or refused to allow any harm to come to Isaac, then Abram would have confirmed his loyalty and trust were in his genealogy, not God. But if Abram was willing to let Isaac die then there was no shadow of a doubt that Abram’s spiritual fidelity and belief were firmly entrenched in his relationship with God. 

Idolatry comes in many forms, but at its root is a propensity to place other people, pursuits, or possessions before God. God’s test of Abram was a test of idolatry. Was Isaac more important to Abram than God? The answer, which was “no”, was dramatically revealed as Abram raised a knife to slay his son. Seconds before Isaac’s premature death at his father’s hand, God knew Isaac was not an idol in Abram’s life. The Lord could see that He was the penultimate source of joy and hope in Abram’s life, not Sarai or Isaac. Serving God was Abram’s life’s mission, not enlarging his fame, fortune, or family.

This account is very convicting and it spurs some relevant questions regarding our spiritual allegiance to the Lord. Is there anyone or anything that is impeding our whole, complete allegiance to God? If so, what is it that we need to lay on the altar of sacrifice and relinquish in order to have zero obstructions or distractions in our worship of the One, True God? Furthermore, what are we willing to lose so that we might gain a stronger fellowship with the Lord? The answers to these questions might surprise us. Either way, this biblical passage highlighting Abrams’s fierce dedication to God beckons us to discover that the tests of allegiance are part of God’s loving, disciplinary process to redeem our hearts and steel our spirits. May our lives be ready should God call us to journey to the altar of allegiance and demonstrate our devotion to Him.

The Great and Glorious Call of God

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’”

Genesis 12:1 (NIV)

Genesis 12 captures a majestic moment, a moment when heaven collided with earth. In an instant, the greatness of the immortal God was revealed to a mortal man. The Lord spoke to Abram through a straightforward and short message, charging Abram to leave his homeland, along with his extended family, and journey to an undisclosed location. Abram was beseeched to relinquish all the personal plans he had for commerce and prosperity in Haran, the land his father, Terah, had brought him to many years prior. God’s call demanded much of Abram: sacrifice, trust, and obedience. It required Abram to physically and spiritually step outside his realm of personal comfort and become an earthly wanderer, dependent solely upon God for direction and provision. In essence, Abram’s move necessitated letting go of the reigns of his life and consigning them to God.

Abram did everything God told him to do, thus confirming his confidence in God’s ability to guide, protect, and help care for his family’s needs. Based upon a non-descriptive promise of God Abram abandoned land and loved ones in Haran. Clearly, he was a man of giant-like faith. His temperament, fully accepting of God’s decree, was postured to allow God’s influence and inspiration to overwhelm him. Abram understood that if the Maker of heaven and earth had pledged to honor his legacy then the seemingly unusual command to evacuate Haran would be sanctified through submission. Because Abram cherished the great and glorious call of God he gathered his belongings and set out into the vast unknown.   

This passage identifies two critical conditions of receiving God’s call: an attentive spirit and an accepting heart. Abram not only heard God’s call but he appropriately responded to it. He did more than just mentally absorb information from God; he acknowledged God’s communication and allowed it to propel him into action. Abram recognized the tremendous blessing it was to be given a mission by God. Sadly, there are some who choose to apply closed ears and calloused spirits. Such people refuse to marvel at God’s message or follow His leadership. They allow stubbornness to justify a stationary state. When people are spiritually insensitive to God’s word they are immobile to His will. The spiritually calloused live stagnate, unproductive lives (by God’s standards) and stay in a perpetual cycle of self-serving pursuits and ambitions.  But this was not the case with Abram. He yielded himself to God, even though it meant leaving behind that which was familiar.

God’s calls are often unannounced and unexpected, but this should not negate the fact that believers should always be ready to do whatever the Lord asks. God’s directive may seem strange and unorthodox, as it was with Abram in Genesis 12, but it is noble because it comes directly from the holy, righteous God. Abram’s example validates that serving the Lord and surrendering to Him is not easy. But Abram’s example also validates that it is extremely edifying to be in the center of God’s purpose and spiritually rewarding to let Him steer us through this world.

A God Who Is Attentive and Near

“But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.”

Genesis 11:5 (NIV)

A few short chapters after the powerfully moving narrative of the flood, which chronicles Noah’s abundant faith along with God’s amazing grace, we are presented with an account that highlights mankind’s abominable nature. Consequently, humanity’s propensity to engage in evil behavior is a theme repeated throughout Scripture. As people began to repopulate the earth post-flood some determined to form manmade kingdoms. One of Noah’s great grandsons, a man named Nimrod, was one of the forefathers of self-glorification through empire-building efforts. According to Genesis 10, Nimrod settled in many different locations and helped oversee the expansion of villages throughout Babylonia and Assyria. Evidently, Nimrod was not one to be content with his lot. He wanted more and chased after more, so-much-so that he constantly moved and developed new territories in an attempt to advance his name and legacy.

One of the communities Nimrod established was called Shinar. Located in southern Mesopotamia, Shinar would later become the site for the ancient Babylon. At some point after Nimrod’s passing, the people living in Shinar followed in the prideful path that Nimrod had blazed for them. Per Genesis 11:4, the Shinar community determined to build a city unlike any other with a tower as its centerpiece, a tower that would presumably reach to heaven. The people of Shinar were an industrious bunch, utilizing bricks and mortar to fashion sturdy walls and structures. But their ingenuity gave way to something very sinister. By seeking to assemble a tower that ascended to heaven, the people of Shinar were effectively touting their worthiness of being in heaven. Their frightful pursuit dishonored the position and authority of God. Shinar’s residents sought to force their way into heaven rather than worship God on earth and await the Lord’s invitation to eternally dwell with Him. In essence, Nimrod’s descendants were attempting to enjoy the benefit of heaven’s glory without recognizing the One Who makes it glorious: God. They hoped to insert themselves on the throne of heaven and earth by constructing a portal between the two realms.      

The tower of Babel story signifies a most disdainful tendency within the heart of man: the tendency to consume our thoughts with ourselves and this world. If we allow ourselves to get engulfed with the temporal things then we will surely miss out on treasuring a relationship with God. The people of Shinar wanted a memorial, a memorial that would forever etch their heritage in the annals of earth’s history. It’s one thing to attempt to leave a noble heritage through propriety; it’s quite another to attempt to instill a heritage through plunder and property.

Clearly, the privilege of dwelling on earth was not enough for Shinar’s inhabitants. They hungered for more than what they had. And thus God decided to observe the labor of Shinar’s people firsthand. There is something profoundly stirring about this truth. God is not passive or detached from our daily work. He is near and up-close. Before God responded to the atrocities in Shinar He studied it intently. He patiently measured His recourse by examining Shinar in direct proximity, which confirmed His love for the people of Shinar (and all of humanity for that matter). God knew the wickedly-focused hearts of Shinar’s inhabitants, but rather than deal with it from a distance or pull away the Lord drew in. May we not overlook this pearl of inspiration in the tower of Babel incident. Even in mankind’s moments of weakness and shame God proves Himself attentive and near.

The Blessing of Faith (in God)

“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded…So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives…Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it…Then God blessed Noah and his sons…”

Genesis 8:1, 8:18, 8:20, and 9:1 (NIV)

As Genesis unfolds, the astonishment of God’s creative work and the promotion of mankind over every creature that dwells on the earth were quickly overshadowed by Adam and Eve’s betrayal of the Lord’s expressed command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In a fateful moment, humanity deviated from the boundaries that God had set forth. Similar to what took place with Satan and his angelic companions for their rebellion, Adam and Eve were subsequently cast out of God’s presence. And thus a world fraught with adversity, pain, and exasperating labor was ushered in. As time went on, some people chose to call out to God in a spirit of prayer and praise (Genesis 4:26). Others chose to ignore God’s holy character and exercised wanton, wicked hearts. There was a clear distinction between the two lifestyles for a while, but eventually the worshippers of God adopted the rampant evil practices and pursuits.

Eventually, the entire world was plagued with immorality and ungodliness. Hurt and appalled at the atrocities that were occurring without hesitation or shame, God determined to wipe out mankind altogether. It would seem that a world without mankind was a less painful notion than a world harassed by a sinful, disobedient mankind. We sometimes assume that God is somehow shielded from the disappointment or discouragement that humanity brings about. But this is a misconception. If anything, God’s all-knowing (omniscient) knowledge and rich love make Him ultra-sensitive to the mistakes we daily make. In other words, mankind’s mutiny grieves God on a severity scale like no other.

In Genesis 6, the human race was steeped in self-glory and continually neglecting its Maker, which was practically unbearable for God. So-much-so that God set out to eradicate the legacy of mankind. But Scripture records that one man saved humanity from extinction: Noah. Noah had not surrendered to the negative and horrid influences surrounding him. He was blameless in his behavior and diligently served God. Noah did not compromise God’s standards or bow to the pressure of self-indulgent conduct. His steadfast walk with God prepared Him to receive a divine word from God. According to Genesis 6:14, God told Noah to build an ark because the Lord was going to flood the earth. The demand to build an ark is unusual even in today’s maritime-infused culture, where both commercial and recreational water vessels abound. Modern-era boats are not viewed as an ideal vehicle to retreat to in times of emergency. But Noah did not balk at God’s message. Noah did everything God had commanded him to do, highlighting Noah’s abundant faith in God (Genesis 6:22).

Noah listened to God’s instruction and followed it exactly, teaching us that faith does not take shortcuts or side-roads. It chooses to journey God’s path, a path that is often arduous and perplexing. It does not ignore the hindrances or pitfalls in its way; it believes that God will help break them, or bypass them. The entire passage surrounding Noah and the flood speaks to the evidence of Noah’s great faith. By faith, Noah erected the ark. By faith, he entered the ark. And by faith, he exited the ark. Noah placed his life, as well as the life of his cherished ones, in God’s protective care. God fulfilled His promise and kept Noah and his family safe. Clearly, faith in God is a source of hope and encouragement. It is not wishful thinking; it is worshipful trust. It is not naïve; it is noble. In short, faith in God is a blessing to the person who chooses to exercise it, as Noah did.

A Powerful, Passionate God

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said…”

Genesis 1:1-3a (NIV)

Man’s origin opens with a glimpse of a spherical vacuum. God surveyed a dim, barren earthly canvas and determined to give it light and life. It is both curious and captivating to realize that God took a formless space and gave it form. He took a colorless void and arrayed it with color. God’s ability to take the hollowness and fill it with majestic beauty highlights two characteristics of God: His immense power and His immense passion for mankind. 

Let us ponder God’s immense power for a moment. Thousands of years have passed since God spoke the earth into existence and scientists are still recording new insights into the intricacy of this planet, along with its marine and land-dwelling creatures. Centuries have elapsed and astronomers are still looking to the expansive skies overhead and documenting previously unknown stars and peering further with amazement into the seemingly endless galaxies. Man’s collective age and wisdom have been enlarged and yet biologists are still discovering details about the human frame’s underlying composition and its complex internal interactions. All of these reflections point to a God Who is immensely powerful. The Lord whispers and raging storms cease. He bids and the mighty angelic hosts obey. He speaks and a vibrant, elaborate planet appears out of utter nothingness. Truly, God is a powerful God. He is unmatched in His supremacy and His splendor. No one can withstand His glory or His strength. He is eternal, awesome, and great. The sophistication of this world’s structure, which was once formless and empty, underscores the power of mankind’s masterful Maker. 

But also consider God’s immense passion for mankind. Humanity was the final product of God’s creative work. Adam was fashioned by God in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This is an intriguing thought. If God is Spirit, which means God does not have a distinct physical profile (John 4:24), then how is it that Adam, the original man, resembled the figureless God? The answer is best found in the latter part of Genesis 1:26. God created man to govern the earth through labor and leadership. Therefore, humanity’s likeness to God is a positional parallel, not a physical one. The Lord gave us charge over the earthly domain, the domain that He effectively and dynamically brought about. The God Who has no beginning or end, the God of power and the God of passion, made us and He sustains us. We were created so that we could be immersed in the rain of righteousness that flows from the Lord’s heavenly throne. Clearly, life is a precious gift from God. We were placed here to know the Lord and delight in Him. He earnestly desires for us to experience and appreciate His holy love. May this knowledge produce in us a heart of wonder and a heart of worship.