Genesis 12:1

2006.Dec.23 17:59

Read Genesis 12

My apologies. This is going to one of those cheesy have-faith just because, yadda, yadda articles.

The LORD said to Abram:

Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 12:1, NASB)

Yes, this verse and it alone is going to be the subject of this entry. Here goes.

I’m a security and stability kind of guy. I know some folks (yes, I’m from Oklahoma, and I actually use the word “folks”) who at least don’t act security-and-stability. They’re out looking for changes in their lives. The thing they most don’t want to hear from God is “Stay.” I like the word stay, to an extent. That is, if I more or less like where I’m at, I’m okay with staying. Now, since I tend to stay, my feelings reagarding a bad situation are exagerrated somewhat. That is, I then have an inner struggle between my desire for stability and the present dissatisfaction.

I don’t have a real good idea for which way Abraham leans. I tend to find myself identifying with Lot more than with Abraham (and I will probably spend a good deal of time discussing Lot). That’s not meant to imply I have many good things to say about Lot. Hopefully, as I blog through Abraham’s life over the next, oh, six months if I have to guess, I’ll get a better feel for his personality, but I’m not ready to hazard a guess as to his emotional reaction to God’s saying, “Leave what you know and go.” I know my reaction:

“Please no.”

So, when I see later how Abraham is blessed, and how God uses him, and I want to be blessed and used like that, I have to confront my natural reaction. There’s two issues here, personality and faith. I must confront both. My personality doesn’t want to go, and my faith can be weakened by those emotions. The first is okay. Emotions are okay. Letting those emotions dictate my faith is another story. And this goes both ways. What if God tells me to stay? Okay, good, my emotions may be good with that–depending on the situation. But that’s not faith. That’s relief. If I only listen to my emotions response, my action of staying is without faith, and thus is not imbdued with God’s blessing and power. I can have the emotion, but then the decision must be one of God has told me to do this and I choose to have faith and follow him.

Oh, yeah, this entry was rambling to.

Some thoughts, anyway.

Genesis 20:8-10

2007.Oct.29 00:58

Frustration with Another

Read Genesis 20:8-10 Full Chapter

So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.” Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?” (Genesis 20:8-10, NKJV)

Emotions.

Are a funny thing. I know. We all know. I don’t know of any person who doesn’t think that emotions can be deceptive and fickle, can lead us into deep trouble if allowed. I do think I’ve met a few people who don’t also realize how wonderful emotions can be, when we experience them but don’t give them control. But I’m getting off track. Even though most of us understand the dangers of emotions, it’s so (somehow surprisingly) simple to let them start dictating in any of a thousand situations.

King Abimelech is understandably emotional this morning. Yahweh showed up last night and told him a woman he had enslaved (more or less) and probably intended to have sex with–regardless of her opinions–was married. To a prophet, to boot. And Yahweh wasn’t happy about this. Well, maybe “wasn’t happy” is inaccurate. The “exact” words were “You will die. The woman you took is married” (Genesis 20:3, CEV) (where “exact” means something like: orally passed down for a while, then written down, then copied several times, then translated, and then I picked a translation that I happen to think makes my point well). Hopefully his emotions include guilt. But they also include some anger with Abraham for deceiving him.

Abimelech’s handling of this situation seems to be rather wise, though. Or, at least, diplomatic. He first consults others, confessing at least his sin of taking a married woman. Again, whether he has realized that there may be other issues here is not addressed. “Through insolence”, notes Proverbs, “comes nothing but strife, \ But wisdom is with those who receive counsel” (Proverbs 13:10, NASB). So, I think talking it over was a good move. Better than going out tracking down Abraham to blame and attack him.

Next, the king goes to Abraham. Basically, he asks for an explanation. His language does indicate his frustration with Abraham’s deception, but he sticks to getting an answer. Now, I suppose he doesn’t need an explanation. Really, he ought to have preceded these first two steps with releasing Sarah. That’s one of the places emotions can get in the way. We ought to obey first, deal with the emotions later. I suppose that comes mostly from meditation of God’s words (so we know his commands by heart) and learning to control my thoughts.

Anyway, back to our fun conversation between the king and the traveler. Abimelech directly addresses the one who has offended him and offers Abraham a chance for explanation. Granted his other choice is to be struck down by God if he acts in his emotions and attacks Abraham. All in all, this is one of those situations that could have been a lot worse. But Abimelech doesn’t let his frustration or anger turn to rage. And yet, still, he is delaying obedience. Sarah is not yet released. So far, two points for effort, minus ten for execution.