Feb 23 – Abraham Did Not Know Where He Was Going
Hebrews 11; Romans 4; Joshua 24
It is fitting that Abraham is given a bright spotlight in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, because Romans describes him as “the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11). He is also held up as a hero of faith in Romans 4 where we have the foundational verse of Abraham’s faith: “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Rom. 4:3; Gn. 15:6; Gal. 3:6) These verses explain why Abraham is the father of faith – he believed, and that was his righteousness as well as his road. “Without faith [in Christ] it is impossible to please God.…” (Heb. 11:6a)
But it is helpful to recall that, for a time, Abram (his name before circumcision) was not a believer! As Joshua is departing his leadership to enter his rest, he spends the last chapter of the book that bears his name recounting the many acts of God’s faithful deliverance and sustenance. He writes about the earliest days of calling Abraham, up to the time Joshua had completed his portion of the conquest of the promised land. The beginning of that history lesson is this verse: “Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods.’ ” (Josh. 24:2)
Sometime between the flood (when all 8 people living in the world were believers), up to Abraham’s call from God (only about 300 years – Abraham and Noah’s lives overlapped) … many descendants of Noah, including Abraham and his father and grandfather, had drifted from the faith. (It makes me realize that many children I have baptized and youth I have confirmed have also drifted from the faith – in about 1/10th of that time!) Joshua reminds the Israelites that their history was not untarnished. And he warns them many times in Joshua 24 that they need to “put away their idols.” Fascinating! In 40 years of miracles, isolation, and chastisement, the people of Israel continued to be influenced by the peoples and belief systems around them! So much for manna and miracles.
The writer of Hebrews says this about Abraham: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) Stephen’s final sermon before he died for his witness gives us one more detail. Abraham was called twice (Acts 7:2 and Genesis 12:1,4). Furthermore, Abraham was called by God in a most vague way which is like Jesus’ call to us, “Follow Me….” (Mt. 16:24… and 23 other places in the New Testament)
God did not tell me ahead of time that I would vicar in the farming country in California, serve my first church in blue-collar Braddock, PA, and my second in intellectual Ithaca. He just said, “Follow Me…” Oh, and don’t forget to pick up that cross!
Jesus calls us to faith – but He does not tell us where that faith will lead penultimately. But He does say that traveling by faith, we will never travel alone (Mt. 28:20), and He does tell us where we will end up. But traveling with Him is key. Jesus is “The Way,” and saints are to “keep in step with the Holy Spirit.” Abraham apparently got bogged down ½ way through his journey, but God called him again, and he ended up in the promised land. Remember this: Christ is the Way, no matter what road you are on.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I know not where I am going. Be my way wherever I am. Amen.
