Heb. 11:8-19, Communion of God with His Friend Abraham

In this post I would like to review God’s recorded conversations with Abraham, His friend (James 2:23).  We are in Genesis, of course.

·       12:1-3: God had this conversation while Abram was in Ur.  The essence is: “get out and I will.”  Pilgrimage always requires leaving where I am now and moving in the direction of a greater knowledge of God.

·       12:7: The covenant re-stated at Shechem, after Abram had reach Canaan: “I will give this land.”

·       15:14-17: After the time in Egypt, and the separation from Lot, God speaks to Abram at Bethel, giving him good N E W S (look north, east, west and south; all that you see I will give to you and your descendants.

·       15:1-21: This is the point at which the covenant is confirmed by the LORD.  a) “I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward.” b) You will have an heir from your own body, at which point Abram believed and was justified.  c) “I am the LORD who brought you out to give you this lant to inherit.”  d) Bring Me the animals for the covenant.  e) You will be 400 years in a strange land and then will return.  f) These are the boundaries of the land I am giving you.

·       17: After the situation with Hagar and 14 years since the last conversation God comes to Abram again.  “I am Almighty God (El Shaddai); walk before Me and be blameless.”  The covenant was restated (not reinstated; it was never cancelled).  Abram became Abraham (father of many nations); Sarai became Sarah (princess).  Sign of the covenant is “circumcision.”  Sarah will give birth to the son of promise.  Abraham pleads for Ishmael, but God maintains His word.  Abraham responds by circumcising all the males in his household (he is 99 and Ishmael 13).

·       18:1-33: Abraham shows hospitality to the LORD and two angels.  a) v10-15, promise reiterated to Sarah.  b) v16-21: The LORD speaks to Himself about Abraham, and then tells him what He is about to do to Sodom.  c) v22-33: Abraham intercedes for the righteous in those condemned cities.

·       22:1-18: These conversations involve Mt. Moriah. a) v1-2: God tests Abraham’s faith, telling him to take Isaac to the land of Moriah and to be given to God as a sacrifice. b) v11-12: The Angel of the LORD is speaking: “don’t harm Isaac.  Now I know that you fear Me.” c) v15-18: The Angel of the LORD says, “Blessing I will bless you!”  The covenant is repeated.

There are many things we might note with respect to Abraham’s journey of faith.  The one I will mention is that the covenant is repeated several times.  Faith thrives on the Word of the LORD.  We need to be regularly reminded of the gospel, even long after we have put our faith in Christ, that we might walk faithfully!