Genesis 13:14-18
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I a m giving it to you.”So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.
I promise that this isn’t going to be a whole series on Abraham. That would be interesting, but it’s not heading that way. We are going to spend the next week or so with his story, though. There are some mile markers, if you will, in his life… in their life… that relate in universal ways to a faith journey. We all take different paths, but there are some places where many paths seem to cross.
Feel free to read from where we left off yesterday through these verses today. It’s not long. To summarize, Abram’s done quite well for himself in a relatively quick chapter. By 13, he’s a wealthy nomad. So much so that he has to part ways with his nephew so their herds don’t compete for the same resources. That alone is its own lesson in self-awareness, sharing, and care for creation.
Sure, there have been some rough patches and there will be more. Such is the case with the finite following the infinite, the perfect leading the imperfect. It’s not about those, though. It’s about the whole story. It’s about where the story is going and where it began. So it is when we get to these verses. A reminder of a promise made miles before. A glimpse ahead to what is to come, but also a look back to where the journey started. The words of that promise return. “It’s not about you, it’s about all those who will come after you.”
It will take the rest of Abram’s life, and then some, and then a lot more, to realize the fullness of this promise, but here and now, with half the herds plodding off to the east, God says “This is the place I told you about.” He says, “This is what I had…have… in mind.” He says, “This is why I called you.”
As you close your time today, take a moment to “walk the length and breadth of the land” you’ve journeyed so far. Measure in years rather than miles. Remember the whispers and the promises made to you. Remember your call.
Reflect:
On the verses. On the first encounter you had with God, the first time you felt His pull or heard His voice.
Journal:
About your path thus far. Take note of the mile markers that come to mind. What promises has God made to you? Have you made with Him?
Pray:
For those around you. For those who went before and who will come after. Pray for those with whom you share the land, the resources, the herds, the life of this world. Listen for His whisper. Listen for a reminder of His call.