The breezy wind randomly parts his wavy chestnut hair. It is hot and the damp salty dew is slowing cascading down his cheek. His eyes squint to see ahead on the citrine horizon as his toes move between the gritty sand in his brown leather sandals while shaking off the dust that has accumulated on his hands. Moistening his cracked lips and tasting the salt, it reminds him that so far his journey has been bitter-sweet.
Growing up as a young boy in Ur, (future generations will know it as Iraq), he was popular among his friends. His good-nature and friendliness made him a great team mate along with his brother Nahor and Haran in the local children’s games amongst the members of his village. His witty humor yet sharp intelligence made others respect and follow his decisions. As he grew older into a young man, he couldn’t understand the worship of the solid wooden gods that were celebrated in his family home. His father spent many hours instructing him in the customs and rituals of his countrymen. But somehow the worship left him shallow and he felt there was something more than just obedient worship to an immovable god.
In stories handed down for many generations , he was told as a young boy by his father, Terah, that he was descended from Noah - the skilled ship builder, who saved his ancestors in the Great Flood. Many hours he pondered what exactly it meant to know god. What did it mean to participate in worship if there was no difference in the way he felt after the ritual chanting and offerings that were never removed by the god but taken away by another?
One day praying out loud to the open sky, he knew that something existed somewhere that was bigger than him. Someone who would create something as beautiful as the magenta and violet poppies and other wild flowers scattered in the fields near his boyhood home existed somewhere. He could see that each child in his tribe was unique with his own features, traits and personality whom had to be designed by someone more complex than anyone he knew. Even the Great Flood had to be sent by someone bigger then the wood sculptures resting on the well-worn shrine. On that day as the blue sky with its various pearl and gray clouds glide above him, he hears a voice that anchors and speaks to the very center of his heart.
Falling to his knees in reference to the Voice, God began to speak to him. “Abram. I have known you from your beginning. I am the Beginning and the very Last. I created you and everything around you. I’m calling you to follow me. You will go to a new place that is unknown to you. I will show this new place to you. It is a place of foreigners in an unusual culture, peculiar customs and who speak a different language. I will tell you when you have reached the new land I am calling you too. I will bless you and your family for generations to come. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. Your children and descendents will be as numerous as the stars in the crystal skies of the heavens above you at night. All the people of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Just as soon as God finished speaking, the Holy Presence in His magnificence departed but he no longer felt alone. He asked Sarai who was his wife to go with him to this new place. He also took Lot, his ambitious nephew and son to his brother, Nahor along with him as well with Lot’s family, servants, and animals for the unexpected journey to a strange new world.
. . . that had been some time ago. God had spoken again and told him to move on . . . it was not the place to rest and settle yet. As the caravan started to regain its pace again, he could hear the familiar sounds of the metal pans, and clay pots, beating against each other in the rhythmic pattern of the camel’s dance of his hooded feet. Coins carefully hidden in a lamb-skinned sack below the woven multi-shaded saddle cloth kept counter time to the music of the journeyman.
They have finally arrived at a natural spring in the center of a desert oasis that will renew and rejuvenate the weary travelers and their livestock. The date and palm trees provide shade to keep them cool as they rest from the harsh realities of the unforgiving sun.
They have reached a place known as Shechem by the local nomadic residents. It is named after the son of Manesseh and it the future it will be the first capital in the Kingdom of Israel. But for now, it is an oasis providing a much needed place of rest and to allow Abram to seek again the will of his God.
Looking around the pastures before him, he gathers stones which are still in their natural state not yet manipulated by other hard rock or casting utensils. He stacks each chosen stone one on top of the other. He finds left over branches that have dried in the sun, and found kindling to start the fire that will send an aroma of incense to his Creator. He has set around the altar the sweet and precious spices he has brought from his homeland. The spices are created from the stacte from gum of the balsam tree, onycha from the sea shells along the shores of the Persian Gulf, galbanum from wild amber star shaped thistle flowers growing in the fields, and frankincense.
As the aroma ascends into the heavens as it purified within the fire, Abram again humbly kneels and bows in reference in an act of worship. He cries out in earnest and honesty for God to speak to him and give him guidance. He embraces God with his whole life. God in grace hears this foreigner calling out to Him. God answers.
“Abrahm I have called you by name. I have called you to a new country . . . to a new way of living. I will bless you, your children, and your descendents for generations to come. I am with you. I will not leave you. But this is not the place where you are to settle now.”
God graciously renews his covenant in a promise that He is providing the land and he will bless Abram’s family for future generations to come. He believes in great faith that God is true and will provide. He knows that his beautiful Sarai has not been able to have children for many years now, yet he doesn’t question the promise that has been given to him by Yahweh.
This altar and prayer will be offered again. The answer will remain the same. A few years pass in the land of Canaan. There is no food. The rains have not come. The seeds do not produce. The flowers do not bloom. Famine is throughout the land. God speaks again and tells him to enter the land of Egypt. Abram embraces God with his whole life. He obeys and remains faithful to the God he loves and is serving.
As the caravan moves from one place to another, Abram clearly visualizes the devastation that is throughout the foreign land. Crossing along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the dry spell has taken its toll. Sheep, camels, goats, and other creatures of the field are weak and burdened from the lack of sustenance. As the motley crew enters into Egypt, Abram cautiously glances back at his beautiful wife Sarai riding comfortably on her favorite camel. She gently smiles back at him in her familiar gaze as her bright eyes twinkle in the recognition of being loved and cherished. She turns her head to the side to admire the warm glow of the sky. His heart races for a moment as he automatically responds with a well grooved smile of pleasure that has been stirred by many years of happiness together.
However, today he feels an aching pain in his heart. His forehead is knotted in concerned. They are entering a new unknown place of treaties, violence, and fear. He is not prepared for the future that lay before him. He is a foreigner in a strange land. However, he knows that God is greater than his circumstances and that by grace and mercy God will protect and provide for his loved ones.
Sarai is uncommonly beautiful. Her skin is clear and fair. Her cheeks are like the dust of a light pink rose that have been gently kissed by the sun. As a youth many men had wanted her, but she had chosen to fall in love with him. People had often commented on the depth and glow of her deep rich eyes that seem to penetrate to the heart of anyone who had looked at her. To Abram, she was a gift from God that he had not earned but cherished throughout his life.
Out of sheer fear for his life Abram pleadingly asks Sarai, “Claim me as your brother not as your husband as I have been for many years. My life depends on this lie. They will kill me to have you. Tell them you are my sister.” Deeply loving Abram, she agrees. He is her faithful companion and soul mate.
The foreign caravan enters into the market place of the Egyptian city. Noise and laughter is everywhere. Bidders call out in loud obnoxious voices in competition for attention. Children chasing each other and weaving through the crowds push the annoying robes of strangers to the side. Animals neighing in response to the cries of each other create chaos and echo along the stone brick streets. Items for sale dangle in the sun from the edges of multi-colored tents and posts. The smell fruits, flowers, fish and meat permeate the air in a mixed blend aggravating the senses. Everyone has gathered to trade and purchase commodities that seem to be in abundance in this alien country brought up from the rivers of the Nile and Euprahates.
The sons of the royal family mingle among the commoners. It is their privilege and duty to know what the sons and daughters of Osiris and Isis are doing. The young Prince notices the exotic convoy with the elegantly veiled woman walking along the side of her devoted camel. He nudges his lazy brother curiously searching for something new to entertain his bored interest. His brother quickly agrees this mysterious woman is one of great extraordinary beauty. Both are so awestruck and enthralled with her, they feel it is necessary to let their oldest brother who is now the Pharaoh aware of her presence in the city. The brothers know that he collects beautiful women and that the Pharaoh will want to add her to his harem. Soldiers with arrow stone headed spears approach Abram and he without allowing Sarai to speak, he apologetically explains that he is just a brother. The stoic and obedient soldiers take Sarai into their custody and bring her to the Pharaoh.
The Pharaoh is captivated and mesmerized by the loveliness of Sarai. She is graceful, striking, and charming. She is swiftly taken into the household of Pharaoh and joins the other women living in the harem. The exhilarated Pharaoh immensely rewards Abram for the gift and alliance of his “sister”. He is given several servants, herds of sheep for sacrifices and cloth, goats for meat, milk and cheese, camels for trade, and oxen to manage the fields. But in spite of Abram’s doubt and lack of ability to tell the truth, God had other plans. God is bigger than Abram’s circumstances. He is bigger than Abram’s ability to save him or Sarai.
God intercedes in his ever efficient grace. He intervenes in the midst of Abram’s loss and fear. Without God’s intervention, Abram will lose the love and joy of his life. Abram has embraced God with his whole life. God answers.
A violent illness is sent on the entire royal household of the Pharaoh. In spite of the naivety and ignorance of the Pharaoh, his household is being punished for trying to interfere with God’s plan. At a moment of divine intuition and spiritual understanding, the Pharaoh realizes that he has been manipulated and tricked into believing Sarai is a sibling of Abram.
Abram is summoned to the golden engraved throne of the Pharaoh. Pearl stately columns with ornately decorated crimson and azure crowns outline the ivory and gray marbled steps below his dusty tanned sandaled feet. Vibrant depictions of the Egyptian gods designed to intimidate and terrorize in their painted gaze as he moves along the corridor.
Approaching the throne, The Pharaoh threatens shrieks, “What have you done to me? My entire family is ill and near death. Why did you not tell me that Sarai was your sister? Your God has punished me. Take her. Get out of here!”
Abraham is equipped and given more than what he arrived with in his caravan. Sarai is with him and there is peace again. Abram embraces God with his whole life. God intercedes on his behalf. Abram has nothing to do with this abundant outcome. It is an act of grace by God.
A few years later this same experience will happen a second time with Abimelech, the King of Gerar. God warns King Abimelech in a dream that Sarah is married and not a sister has he has been told. Again Abraham is rewarded and sent on his way with Sarah and all of his belongings. Abraham is acutely aware that God is faithful. He is consistent. God keeps his promises. Again it is not something Abraham was able to resolve out of his own abilities, but God acts out of grace a new reality.
Many years have past, and Sarai is gravely disappointed that she has not had a child. Disillusioned, Sarai doubts and begins to believe that perhaps Abram misinterpreted God’s plan. She is skeptically doubtful that God is able to provide her with a child even though a child has been a direct promise in Abram’s oracle.
Hagar has adequately performed as her servant for a few years since they have returned to Canaan from Egypt. Rumor has it that she was one of the daughters of Pharaoh and given as a servant to Sarai during the time she lived in the Harem.
Hagar is young and does not have any other children. Sarai longs to hold a cooing baby in her arms, while gazing eye to eye with him to have his infant hand tightly grasp her own finger in comfort. It is a day she has been longing for many years. But time has slowly stolen moments from her. She feels that the time for having children has past and left her abandoned without a baby to hold.
Sarai is friends with Hagar. She is a good companion and confidant in their years together. Looking at the Egyptian foreigner Hagar, Sarai knows that she is no competition for Abram’s affection. Abram has never been attracted or tempted by the other foreign women during the entire time they lived in Egypt. Although it is common practice among their peers for men to have many wives for alliances, dalliances, whatever – Abram by his own choice has chosen only Sarai to be his sole wife. They have lived many faithful years of love together which has brought much happiness and satisfaction to both of them. However, there is one thing that she knows that Abram has wanted his whole life that she has not been able to give him – a son of his own.
Sarai asks to speak with Hagar alone in her tent. Sarai is a wealthy and powerful woman at this point. Her husband Abram owns lands, herds, produce, servants and there are comfortable well-supplied tents in which for everyone to live. It is an honor and privilege for a servant like Hagar to be asked for a private audience with Sarai.
After speaking with Hagar, Sarai assertively informs Abram that he will be marrying Hagar so that she can give them a child of their own. Hagar quickly becomes pregnant. However, as Hagar's belly grows Sarai’s contempt and disgust for her increases as well. She is bitter that Abram’s God has not allowed her to have a child of her own. Instead a twit and menial slave-girl is given the task to carry her child.
God did not answer her prayer when she wanted him too. Because of this lack of faith in God’s timing, chaos has erupted in her own household. Her anxiety and ambition has caused more anguish and torment for her. Sarai can’t stand the sight of Hagar. Hagar is an unwanted emblem of her doubt and mistrust.
There is nothing but contempt between Sarai and Hagar. Sarai treats the pregnant Hagar harshly and without sympathy. It has not been Abram’s choice to take her as a wife and does not interfere. Abram has embraced God with his whole life and still believes that God will give him a son by Sarai. He does not love Hagar. She means nothing to him.
In sheer despondence, Hagar runs away to the desert but an Angel meets her there. He also reminds her of the promise of God to bless the children and descendents of Abram. The Angel also tells her to name the child “Ishmael”.
Hagar willingly returns to the tents of Abram and Sarai. God has led Abram to Eleven different places to settle in eleven years. Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 years old. Ishmael grows up within their household.
When Ishmael is 13, Abram is walking along the well-worn path through his fields. The servants and shepherds wave as he passes by in a friendly and welcomed greeting to their respected owner. Abram thinks to himself, it is God and God only who has blessed me. He has given me this life, this prosperity, this abundance. He knows that it has not been through efforts of his own that this wealth has been available to him. He has embraced God with his whole life. God has given in many gifts out of His grace.
As he reaches the peak of the grassy knoll of rolling hills looking over the illustrious valley in the distance, God speaks. (Genesis 17:1-2) “I am the Strong God. Live entirely before me! Live to the hilt! I’ll make a covenant between us and I’ll give you a huge family.” Overwhelmed Abrams falls flat on his face.
God speaks again, “Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham. I’ll make you the Father of many nations. . . And Sari your wife: Don’t call her Sarai any longer; call her Sarah. I’ll bless her --- Yes! I’ll give you a son by her! Oh, how I’ll bless her! Nations will come from her.”
Abraham falls flat on his face again. But his mind wanders and thinks of how ill equipped Sarah and he are to have children at their ages. There is no way this could happen. Smirking and amused thinks to himself, “How can I have a child at 100 and when Sarah is 90?” He says out loud, “Keep Ishmael alive and well before you!” God defiantly responds, “You don’t understand. Sarah will have a son and you will call him Isaac which means laughter. I’ll establish my covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever . . . Sarah will give you a son about his time next year.” Finally after many years of waiting, God fulfills his promise to Abraham.
All of us know how this story ends. Abraham not out of his ability or will has a child that God has promised and given to him by a gift of grace.
Even in his foreign status, God speaks to him. Abraham responds by embracing God with his whole life. God blesses and enriches Abraham’s life in every possible way. By God’s grace, God makes a way for Abraham. Because God wanted to, he makes a life for Abraham. Nothing Abraham does - makes him successful. His success comes from the rich mercy and grace that God provides for him.
In response to God’s love for him, Abraham embraces God with his whole life. Grace is free. Grace is an act of God. It is not something that earned or deserved. God responds. He acts according to His will. By faith, Abraham inherits all the fulfillment of the promises that God plans for him.
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