Advent Journey: December 9th
© Michael Livesay-Wright
Questions and Reflections
QUESTION: Why did God choose Abram (Abraham)?
We don't know exactly why God chose Abraham rather than anyone else. Abram wasn't perfect. He didn't have super powers. The Bible doesn't say that He was incredibly smart or good looking. But we do know that Abram was an important part of God's big plan. In Genesis 12:1-2, God says to Abraham (who is still called Abram at this point), "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (ESV). So Abram went. And that's it. God chose Abram for an important part in His story and Abram obeyed. It's not all that different from you and I. God sets His love on you not because of what you have done or because of how incredible you are. He just loves you. You can't earn your place in God's story. And neither could Abram.
QUESTION: Why do you think God changed Abram's name to Abraham?
God changes names only a few times in the Bible. But Abram's transition to Abraham marks a significant milestone in God's story. You see, for God to redeem the whole earth -- all humans, all of creation, the whole planet -- he had determined to set in place a people that would belong to Him in a special way. True, all of creation belonged to Him. But these people would have a special job. While they wouldn't be a perfect people, they would as one nation carry a blessing to the whole world! We're getting to that part, so I won't jump ahead. God comes to Abram several times making a similar promise -- to make him the father of many nations. But it is in Genesis 17 that he changes Abram's name: "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations" (Genesis 17:4-5, ESV). The change and name here may have many purposes, but one I believe to be more literal. "Abraham" means "the father of multitudes." And that is exactly what God promised to do for Abraham - to make him the father of many people. But the fact that God changed Abram's name also symbolized a significant turning point or a threshold. Abraham had entered into a covenantal relationship with God and he and all those who come after him -- the entire world -- would be changed. So a change in his name is only the beginning!
QUESTION: What made God's promise to Abraham so hard to believe?
Abraham and his wife Sarai (who also received a name change and became Sarah) had no children. And they were quite old. They should have been grandparents but ... no children or grandchildren. But as you will soon see, little things like "impossible" never get in God's way. He made the whole earth and He can set and change the rules. So God says to Abraham, '"your very own son shall be your heir.” And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be”' (Genesis 15:4-5, ESV). And even though this seemed crazy -- How were an old man and his old wife going to have a baby? -- Abraham believed God!
QUESTION: Are there times when you struggle to believe what God says is true?
Sometimes like Abraham and Sarah we find ourselves in impossible situations and it seems like God's promises simply can't come true for us. But, hold fast and cry out to God. He never forgets His promises and He is always faithful. His plans and His means may be unclear right now, but He is moving and He never forgets you!