THE LONG VIEW

The story of Abram, whose name was changed by God to Abraham, plays out over a dozen or so chapters in the midst of the book of Genesis.

From his initial call and blessing to his death and the descendants who came after, we see his victories and his losses, his courage and his failures.

We read about the times when he followed and talked directly with God and even when he argued with God. We also see the times when he lost patience with God, tried to fulfill God’s promises in his own way, and lied to protect himself, even at the risk of his wife, Sarah. It is not a straight line of faithfulness but a meandering journey with many highs and lows.

Consider this moment when God came to Abram. It was some time after the military victory he had won, rescuing his nephew Lot and demonstrating humility in response to this victory by returning tithe on the spoils and seeking nothing for himself.

But Abram was troubled by the burning absence of a son to carry on his name and to whom the promises of God were to be fulfilled. Abram was keenly aware that it would take more than a single generation for God’s promises to be fulfilled, and he was considering what other options might be available. In response, God spoke with him again, urging him not to allow his fears to become greater than the promises God had already made, which He then renewed. Abram’s response? “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). There were still many ups and downs and twists in the story, but God’s promises would be worked out on a larger scale than Abram could have imagined.