March 5, 2023 Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Dear Friends in Christ,
A man became a Christian at an older age and loved to tell others about the Lord. One day at a meeting, he gave a beautiful witness to his Savior. One person who had heard his words was disturbed by something. “The man has told us God’s part,” he said, “but he forgot to tell us his part, the part before he was converted. Tell us more.”
The aged man stood up again. With confidence he responded, “Friends, I forgot to tell you about my part. I sure did my part all right. I was running away from the Lord as fast as I could for 30 years, and the Lord just took me until he ran me down. I did the sinning. The Lord did the saving. And that was all the part I had.”
In our text we have the calling of Abraham. Another old man – 75 years old – who had worshipped other idols in his past. God called him and made a change. You still hear his name today. It all started here in chapters 11 and 12 of Genesis. Abraham was . . .
“SEEING THROUGH FAITH”
Again, Abraham’s heritage and lineage was not as a follower of the one, true God. Martin Luther writes, “If you should ask what Abraham was before he was called by a merciful God, Joshua answers that he was an idolater, that is, that he deserved eternal death and eternal damnation.”
Abraham was commanded by God to leave his country. This meant a loss of security and protection of law. We have people in our church this morning who have experienced the same thing. They left their country of origin. That takes great trust.
Abraham was commanded to leave his relatives. The ones he left were the ones worshipping the idols. This enabled him to be consecrated for service to the Lord. He got away from the bad influencers in his life. Verse 5 said he went to the land with “people that they had acquired in Haran.” Who were these people? Servants, laborers, and children and relatives of the same. Luther writes, “Not simply his household but the true and holy church, in which Abraham was the high priest.”
Abraham was to go to the land God would show him. He went “seeing through faith.” He did not know his destination.
Have you ever left home and didn’t know where you were going? Many of us in our marriages have probably done this with our spouses. Toni and I have done it for each other. Pack a bag. It can be fun. We go because we trust the other person. Maybe your mom and dad did something similar. Get in the car. You do, because you trust.
Abraham knew a few details. He didn’t know the place, but God gave him seven promises. “A great nation.” Israel has become the “holy nation” of God that spans the globe. “I will bless you.” God blessed Abraham in so many ways. His grace and favor were upon him. “I will make your name great.” His name is still revered among God’s people. Abram means “great father” – Abraham means “father of a great nation.” “You will be a blessing.” By blessing Abraham, Abraham could in turn bless others. “I will bless those who bless you.” Here Rahab the prostitute comes to mind. She is in the lineage of Abraham/Jesus and the Lord used her for good. “Who dishonors you I will curse.” Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans all experienced the fulfillment of this promise. “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The Messiah came through Abraham to bless the world.
Abraham knew these seven promises. He had no idea how they would come about. He needed to be “seeing through faith.” In our Epistle lesson for this morning Paul writes, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” From this calling forward, faith in God would be a part of Abraham. He builds altars when he reaches destinations. What was important? Worship. Worship keeps us in the faith.
This “blessing of Abraham” continues to be a part of us through God’s grace. The Messiah, Jesus Christ is, was, and will be a blessing to us. When we are “seeing through faith” we know how the Lord works in our lives. We like Abraham have God’s promises. He forgives when we don’t put Him first. He calls us to faith – in baptism, the journey began. He will hold on to us when we stumble and fall. He will guide the path. He provides us possessions as we make our way in this world. He even tells us the destination. He sent his Son on ahead to be ready for our arrival. When we get there? We too will be around the altar of the Lord. We get a glimpse of that in coming to the communion rail.
The Holy Spirit allows this “seeing through faith.” Like the spouse or the child, we trust. We will not be led to the desert when Sybaris is in sight. We leave behind what holds us back. We see in Christ our righteousness and the fulfillment of all our hopes. In receiving God’s blessing, we can in turn bless others.
“And Abram journeyed on.” (v. 9a) So do we . . . SEEING THROUGH FAITH.
Amen.