Bitterness or Trust? Part I

Abraham asks: “Was I crazy?!?”

Genesis 12:1-9 and Genesis 15:1-8. are two snapshots in Abraham’s life representing two core moments that I think are relatable for anyone seeking a greater understanding of God: a first encounter when God was real to Abraham, and a later encounter when Abraham was asking “am I crazy? Did I really experience that?”

Shai Azoulay, Living as a Pilgrim, The Culturium: https://www.theculturium.com/

Here is the heart of a recent conversation at dinner church about Abraham. After dinner, a grounding exercise, and a short video oriented towards youth, we began our deeper dive into the story of Abraham. Our practice is for the facilitator to offer an outline or larger summary of the story, share his or her own thoughts, and invite the group to contribute to the discussion and ask questions. At some point we consider three questions: Where is Jesus in the story? Who or what did I identify with? and What will stick with me spiritually this week?

Genesis 12:1-9: God meets Abram in an arresting way

The Bible introduces Abram to its reader at the end of a genealogy. Perhaps this is not the most compelling narrative device for modern readers, but for the author’s first audience, it conveys an important piece of information: Abram’s family is encountering adversity. We hear that Abram’s brother dies leaving an orphaned son, while Abram and his wife Sarai struggle to conceive. We do not know why Terah led Abram from their homeland, but not unlike today, a family does not emigrate from their indigenous support system without reason. While both hardship and opportunity would be understood as modern motivations for migration, hardship is by and large the foremost reason for ancient migration. We don’t know what kind of hardship compelled Terah to leave — maybe famine? political unrest? — but as the authority responsible for his family’s well-being, Terah decided it was necessary to go.

I wonder what Abram was thinking. To ignore his father’s choice would have been out of the question according to the norms of a patriarchal culture. Did Abram leave with anticipation or fear? Like-mindedness with his father’s concernn or grief for those left behind? What would be the generational repercussions? As someone who has moved many times, I am aware of the aches beyond the obvious griefs of losing friends and a culture. Shallow roots in a community can lead to insecurities that resist new relationships, bitterness towards those who took away a hometown, and anger stemming from a lack of control. But it isn’t all bad. Shallow roots can also shape an adventurous and opportunistic spirit, and confidence in navigating new places and experiences.

It very well may have been the latter that made Abram receptive to his God moment. Not to mention the testimony of so many of God’s people that God was uniquely present at their greatest time of need. At Abram’s crisis moment God instructs him to leave his father and go to an unknown land. How did God tell him? We don’t know. Maybe it was audible or maybe it was a deep spiritual impression that he couldn’t shake. But the instruction is so arresting with authority that he says yes, not unlike a couple of fishermen who encounter the authority of Jesus two millenia later! (Matthew 4)

In Abram’s culture, this is an unthinkable act. As the oldest son it was Abram’s foremost duty to care for his father until taking his place as the steward of his father’s family. Terah, having lost one son, had left his only other living son in Ur, so Abram’s choice to listen to God could have caused deep disappointment for his father. But we don’t know. Perhaps, having heard his hopes that this God would provide descendants, Terah would have blessed Abram, wanting him and Sarai to be freed from the pain of infertility. Abram counted the cost then set out with his nephew towards what will become the nation of Israel. And along the way God’s promise expands to include not only descendants but land as well.

Genesis 15:1-8: “Was I crazy?!??”

Fast forward an unknown number of years and we find Abram questioning what he heard. Abram brings to God’s attention that his heir is not a biological child and he has had no convincing proof that he would possess any land. I don’t think Abram is complaining or accusing God of disloyalty. Rather, I think he has experienced God as someone with whom he can be frank, so he takes his questions directly to the source. But before God even hears Abram’s questions, he has already offered his answer: “I am your great reward.” Why would Abram need to hear this? I don’t think it is only the rewards of a son and land that are in view here, and the author asks us to read closely. Abram’s disappointment in being reward-less happens “after these things.” What things?

Genesis 12-14: That one time you really need to read a story with the name Chedorlaomer in it!

Whatever “these things” are, they contribute to Abram’s questioning God about his reward. But let’s back up…God’s promise wasn’t only that he would have the reward of a son and land, God also said he would be a blessing. These chapters are full of Abram blessing everyone around him. Abram’s actions expose him as a very good-hearted man. For example:

• When Abram leaves Haran he brings Lot with him. While Lot’s choices might lead us to wonder if he was supposed to come along in the first place, Abram never abandons Lot or fails to uphold his duty to protect him and put his nephew’s needs before his own. When Lot and Abram can no longer share land, Abram lets Lot choose first, who logically chooses the more fertile land. Abram blesses Lot’s leaving to lead his own family, his only blood relative who could have been his heir. Abram is a family man.
• In a time of famine Abram ensures the survival of his family by going to Egypt. I don’t know if we are supposed to question Abram’s concern for his own well-being over Sarai or admire him for his clever negotiation with Egypt, but he leaves better off than he came. Abram is a prosperous man.
• When God speaks to him, Abram builds altars.  Why? Does this reflect that his descendants would return to these places? Is it an expression of his love for God that he cannot simply move on, he must do something to root his experience more deeply? Both of these are likely true. But I’m led to wonder…what did the Canaanites think as they encountered these altars? Did Abram also act on behalf of another nation before he had a nation of his own? Did Abram leave evidence that the true God’s heart for the world, both Israelite and Canaanite, was in him? Abram is a godly man.

And then we come to the story of Chederlaomer. The first nine verses are enough to scare the bravest readers among us! But bear with it. It is worth it (see if you can follow the story on your own before you read on). Long story short, there is a king in every city, and as one can imagine a “pecking order” of sorts develops among these kings as they try to secure resources for the families in their cities. There is no democracy that determines authority for one king over another, so they do it the old-fashioned way: sticks and carrots. Chedorlaomer had either bribed or terrorized his way to the top (probably the latter), but for reasons unknown, an alliance of lesser kings thought they could take his place. Chedorlaomer does not sweet-talk these kings back into submission; he and his allies make war with the rebels and their allies in a valley near Sodom and Gomorroah, where Abram’s nephew Lot lives.

Lot becomes “collateral damage.” While pursuing the rebels, Chedorlaomer and his allies ransacked Sodom and Gomorroah, taking all the goods and provisions and Lot as captive. An escapee from the battle brings the message to Abram that Lot was captured. Immediately, Abram gathers every capable man and tracks the route of Chedorlaomer to rescue his nephew. Abram had no choice. As the closest male relative Abram would have felt deep cultural obligation to rescue Lot, not unlike the warrior ethos to “leave no one behind.” Abram is a family man.

But upon Abram’s return we find out that he did not rescue Lot alone. He brought back all the women and the people that had been taken captive. There is no evidence that they are enemies, but cultural honor would not have obliged Abram to risk his own life and resources to rescue the people of Sodom and Gomorroah, who to Abram are outsiders. The response of the kings of Sodom and Salem who had feared the worst for the grandmothers and grandchildren left in their cities are so grateful they invite Abram to keep all the non-human goods. No one would have faulted Abram for saying yes, but he says no. He returns his reward to the kings. Abram is a good man.

I am your great reward

And that’s what gets us to God’s word to Abram: I am your great reward.

But you will have to wait for part two…please check back!

Part II (link coming soon)