The promise (covenant) from God to Abram cannot be overstated. As the biblical narrative has already revealed, the fact that God would move toward this particular man is remarkable to say the least. This was not your Melchizedek or your Job, but rather a man who was chosen specifically for a purpose known only to God until the right time. His being chosen was not because of his righteousness (whereas, along with his father, he previously served other gods), but simply because he was God’s choice and God’s man through whom He will build a family, provide land, and be a blessing to all nations. And so it is with the foreknowledge of God toward all His people–they bring not a thing as a defense for their life before God, but rather–being poor in spirit–they believe in faith (as the Syrophoenician woman did) that what God says to be true is in fact true. And in the mysterious timing of the Lord He brings His lost sheep to Himself. Oh, the glorious, wondrous, and effectual call of God that falls upon the ears of His chosen. His arrow pierces the most hardened and evil heart, and its impact is final and devastatingly effective. His aim will not err, and His mark will not relent. This is our God, our sovereign God. Glory to God in the highest!
Very well, Abram then, is given a profound promise that warrants specific reference, because this is the man (and subsequently his family) through whom God will accomplish His rescue mission for all of humanity. In effect, God promises to Abram that he will have descendants that will grow into a nation who will inherit land of Canaan, and somehow (through his family) God will restore his original blessing of fellowship to all humanity. In summary, Abram is promised:
- Land–Canaan (modern day Israel & Palestine)
- Seed–Descendants (nation of Israel)
- Blessing to Nations–Forgiveness of sins for all (accomplished through Messiah)
But, Houston, we have a problem, and Abram knows exactly what it is–how can a man who is nearly 80 years old (with no children and a wife of similar age) have descendants? The answer? God will provide. But, the question is, will Abram believe God? Will he trust that God can through his old age bring about the seed (descendants)? The answer is simply, no–at least not initially. At the age of 86, He and Sarai move forward with a man-plan to help God with the dilemma of Sarai’s barren womb, and Hagar finds herself inserted into the storyline of the Bible. It is from Hagar that Ishmael is born, who will one day become a great nation. Will this be acceptable to God? Will this be the seed through which God will build a nation and restore a rebellious humanity to Himself? Unfortunately, this is another black and white barren scene on the canvas. God does not accept this first-born son–born to Abram–but He will nevertheless care for him and his mother, Hagar. God says to this maidservant after she is banished from the protection and provision of Abram and his camp…
“I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” The angel of the Lord said to her further, behold, you are with child, and you will bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has given heed to your affliction. “He will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”
Genesis 16:10-12
Nevertheless, this is not God’s chosen seed. No, the man-plan was not acceptable to God, and so Abram and Sarai must trust and wait on God’s timing. It is here that one of God’s most glorious characteristics is on display: despite Abram’s sin, God’s mercy and choice for him still does not falter. No, no, God is the immutable God, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. God’s mark is set, and He will accomplish His purposes despite man’s sin. And so, 13 years after Ishmael is born, God appears again to Abram, and this time to reestablish His covenant and grant to him a new name…
“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. “No longer shall your name be called Abram (exalted father), but your name shall be Abraham (father of a multitude); for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.”
Genesis 17:4-6
The promise of nations and of kings, and all the while his wife, Sarai, is barren. Are there times when God simply must be trusted in the face of the unexplained? Abram was 75 when God first made His promise to him, and now at age 99 (24 years later), he remains without a child of the promise. God’s timing remains God’s time, and Abram–>Abraham simply must trust God. Will he? How will he manage in the time of waiting? Not well…deceit once again is his choice of protection, and so his wife becomes his shield–with no regard to her dignity and personhood.
“Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar. Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.”
Genesis 20:1-2
Some things never change–the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure! Abraham simply reveals the condition once again of the heart of humanity. Despite his faith in God unto righteousness, he deals with the incorrigible problem that remains–the evil heart.
God will one day deal with this evil heart, but until then, consider how susceptible you are to so-called innocently inserting your plans despite God’s promises. There is a sense in which presumption and its root of pride can riddle a man or woman until their entire life is mitigated with man-plans. Oh God, help us! Help us to remember that your promise is for another world–the eternal state. Keep us longing for your appearing! Yes, Lord, hungry for You in the midst of the everyday mundane!
— August 12, 2016