What direction are you headed?

What direction are you headed? A quick survey of the Old Testament will teach us that traveling east is not wise. When Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, it seems they went east because of the positioning of the Cherubim (Gen. 3.24). After murdering his brother, Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the East (Gen. 4.16). After the flood, the sons of Noah were told to spread out and repopulate the earth. Instead, they journeyed east and built a tower (Gen. 11.2). During the time of Gideon, enemy sons of the East encamped in the land with hopes of fighting Israel (Jud. 6.33). Isaiah tells how God has abandoned his people because they have fallen prey to eastern influences (Isa. 2.6). Even an east wind brings famine, drought, and locusts (Gen. 41.6, 23; Ex. 10.13). It seems from these passages that the east came to represent separation from God, evil influence, and despair. What direction are you headed in your spiritual journey? Might I suggest that you try to avoid traveling east!

Learning to Trust God: the finale

We can learn a lot from studying Abram’s association with Lot. Abram became the source of blessing to the world. People who associated with Abram would in turn be blessed. Abram had become wealthy. He had received livestock and possessions from Pharaoh, probably as a dowry for Sarai (Gen. 12.16). Lot was traveling with Abram and had also acquired many possessions.

A problem surfaced when the land could not support the livestock of both Lot and Abram (13.6-7). If Abram is the seat of blessings and Lot has been blessed in his association with Abram, what would be the wisest choice for Lot? Yet Lot lifted his eyes and saw the Jordan valley. The verb translated “saw” is the also used in Genesis 3.6 when Eve was saw tempted. Lot is being tempted at the sight of the Jordan plain. There is a random reference to the garden in 13.10, probably another indication that Lot is being tempted. Lot separated himself from Abram and dwelled near Sodom.

Biblical Hebrew has its own narrative verbal system. Sometimes what is known as a disjunctive waw interrupts the narrative giving necessary information for the understanding of the text. Such is the case in Gen. 13.13 when the narrative pauses to describe the sinful condition of the city of Sodom. As the plot thickens, the author's placement of disjunctive waw's give us plenty to reflect upon. In Genesis 14.12, we learn that Lot has moved into the city of Sodom. Another disjunctive waw appears in 14.13 to tell us that Abram is living under an oak tree in Mamre.

What can we learn from comparing Abram and Lot? First of all, Appearances really are deceiving. Abram is the seat of blessings (as Christ is now). If Lot were wise, he would have realized that his future would be blessed by staying with Abram. The plain of Jordan was beautiful to the eye but wicked to the soul. Second, staying with Abram would have necessitated Lot leaving behind all of his possessions. Rather than relinquishing his possessions he distances himself from Abram and inches closer to wickedness. Lot needed Abram's example of how to trust God. Finally, Lot sought security behind the walls of Sodom while Abram is living in the open under an oak tree. Lot sought security and prosperity behind city walls, but Abram lived under a tree. Peace and prosperity come not from city walls, but a right relationship with God!

Learning to Trust God: part 2

There is second aspect of Abram’s call that has intrigued me. God commands Abram to Leave his country, kinsmen, and family, Go to an unfamiliar land, and Be a blessing. First, it is worth noting that Abram is originally from Ur and has moved to Haran. Both of these cities worshipped the moon god Sin. Some even think Abram’s name (Abram = “exalted father”) was a nickname of the moon god Sin. This is probably why his name is later changed to Abraham (“father of nations”). For Abram to be a blessing, he must leave the influences of his country, family, and friends. Abram can’t be a blessing if he is like everyone else. God is calling him to leave the past and embark on a new lifestyle of faith.

Second, Abram’s faith is proven when he departs his country. This is Abram’s first recorded encounter with YHWH. We have no information that Abram knows the Lord or has ever had any knowledge of him. Yet, the Lord calls Abram and tells him to go to an unknown land. Abram packs up and goes. We can conclude from the text that Abram has an immediate trust in the Lord. God’s promises to Abram are persuasive but they do require changes. Obviously, if Abram does not leave his country he will not receive the blessings God has promised. God’s promises are conditional. Abram believes the promises to be worth the cost and his faith is seen in his action. He goes to Canaan.

Next, Abram continues to trust the Lord’s plan even though it may have initially looked like a bad idea. The Canaanites possess the land and could be seen as a potential threat. The land is also stricken with a severe famine. Imagine that the Lord calls you and tells you to leave everything you have been accustomed to and go to some unknown land. Shortly after you go to the land, you find that it is already possessed and afflicted with famine.

God promised Abram great blessings if he would leave his past behind and take on the task of being a blessing. Like Abram, we cannot help the world if we are just like the world. Abram’s call is much like Christ’s call. He has called his followers to practice a lifestyle of holiness, reformation of character, and service. Some new Christians quickly find their new walk of life to be difficult (as Abram found Canaan). We must follow in the footsteps of Abram and continue to trust God.

Pictures of the Ice Storm damage and the shelter set up for those displaced.

Learning to Trust God

One of the hardest areas of discipleship is learning to trust God. The story of Abram has often been a tremendous source of encouragement for me. There are many different lessons that we can learn from his initial call in Genesis 12. This will be the first of three that I will address on my blog. In Genesis 12, God calls Abram with three commands: Leave your country, kinsmen, and family, Go to a land I will show you, and Be a blessing! For Abram to be a blessing, he must leave his current situation. God gives Abram several incentives to leave. He will have a great nation, blessings, and a great name. God promises Abram that anyone who curses him will be cursed and anyone who blesses him will be blessed (12.3).

Abram was new to faith and his new faith was immediately put to the test. Shortly after he arrives in Canaan, a severe famine forces Abram and his family to go to Egypt. Abram decides to lie to the Egyptians in hopes that his life will not come into jeopardy. Abram is new to faith and has not yet put his full trust in the promises of God. Can anything really happen to Abram? No! God has promised (12.3). God proves his promise by punishing Pharaoh with plagues. Abram is released and goes to Negev (the wilderness).

Israel could have learned a valuable lesson from their father Abram while they were in the wilderness. The Israelites had been in no unique situation. Abram also left Canaan for Egypt because of a famine. God also sent plagues on Pharaoh (12.17). Abram exited Egypt and went into the wilderness (Negev) just as Israel, but he had remained faithful. Abram obeyed the call of God and his trust in God deepened over time. Will Israel be like their great ancestor?

Abram’s trust was rooted in the promises of God. If Abram would have put his complete trust in God’s promises, he would have never feared the Egyptians. God also made an opportunity out of the event by proving to Abram that he is good to his promises. Abram’s journey of faith did not happen over night. It reminds me of the old question, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer: Practice! Learning to trust God requires the same thing!

Direction of Jonah

The story of Jonah is an amazing and thought provoking narrative. God called him to preach to the wicked people of Nineveh. God comanded him to "Get up" (must be sitting), "Go" (has not been going), and "Cry out". Jonah must have been an able proclaimer for the result of his preaching was the conversion of Nineveh (3.5-10). He was qualified for God would not have sent him. His encounter with the fish will give him a new appreciation for God's love and mercy.

Rather than go to Nineveh, Jonah begins a downward spiral. He goes down to Joppa to catch a boat in the opposite direction. He goes down into the boat to sleep as calamity strikes the boat. He is thrown overboard by the crew and goes down into the water. As he prays to God, he talks of going down under the mountains to the bars of Sheol. (Sheol was thought to be the third level of the earth where the foundations of the earth were. It was thought to be the destination of the dead). Jonah's descent stems from his rejection of God's call.

After his time in the fish, one would think that his experience with God's mercy would give him a new outlook concerning the lost. He preached to Nineveh with great results, but was displeased that God extended mercy to them (much like the older brother of the prodigal in Luke 15). He returns to his position of sitting (4.5) and prayed that he might die. The story concludes open-endedly. Perhaps we are to insert ourselves into the narrative. Am I Jonah (self-interest) or am I like the Lord (love and mercy)?

Jonah's refusal to answer God's call led him on downward spiral. It is ironic considering that his name means "Dove." Rather than soar high, he descends low. The spiritual experience we seek with God comes not from running away from the world, but by joining God in trying to save it.

FHU Lectures

This is my first blog as I learn to distribute my thoughts on the world-wide web. I am excited and cannot wait until next week. I will be giving my first lecture at the Freed-Hardeman University lectureship February 5th, at 2:30 p.m. Aud C. It is an honor to participate. I have often thought the FHU lectureship to be the "all-star" game for preachers. I look to post my presentation on this blog sometime in the next week.