I was reading in Genesis 14 not too long ago – a story of early tribal warfare, if you will – where a bunch of kings teamed up together, fought and plundered some other kings, and essentially took Lot and all his household and animals with them. Abram did what would have been expected of family – he went and got them back. There’s some blessing with bread and wine, a conquered king asking for his household back, and Abram giving back everything so that no one can claim they made him rich. Then the chapter ends. All is well again, even with the neighboring tribes, and Abram (and his God) are established as a force to be reckoned with.
Chapter 15 opens with something intriguing for me. As God has done before, he makes Abram a promise, only this time it is a promise of protection and reward. You might think that Abram was thrilled. I mean, come on – God just promised protection. You’re a leader of a large family tribe. Protection and reward are really, really good things!
But let’s take a minute to hear Abram’s humanity here. Sit for a minute and realize this is a man who has left home. He’s in charge of a huge household of people. He has had God talk to him before, but maybe he’s not sure how to put the pieces together. Most of his everyday is doing the normal stuff – taking care of the flocks and his family household. Maybe relating to other tribal neighbors and building good relationships with them so they can have each others back. He has dealt with some rough stuff, and come out ok. He loves his wife.
He is, in all sense of ancient life terms – living a blessed life.
You might think after God promises protection and reward, he would be encouraged, right? Listen to his reply:
“O sovereign Lord [Hebrew is actually adonai Yhova, showing he was replying in a reverent way] what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” (Gen 15:2a NLT)
You see, in ancient times, there weren’t lawyers and wills or trust accounts. Inheritance followed sons, and so to NOT have someone of your own flesh and blood to pass down all your household inheritance to was heartbreaking. He didn’t even have a daughter since his wife was barren, so its not like he could pass all his inheritance down to his daughter and buck social norms.
Can you hear Abram’s utter humanity and heartbreak in his question? This is where I think we can find ourself in the story, if we can humble ourselves and listen.
“What good are all your blessings when I have (or don’t have) _______”?
I’m not talking about filling the blank with material things mind you. This is about when we can look around and recognize we DO have what we need – more than what we need really, when we have a place to live, friends, family, work… and maybe are on the other side of hard stuff – for the moment.
I’m talking about that thing you feel God has promised, that remains un-fulfilled, or the news you just got about your health or the health of someone you love. Or the fact that you just can’t seem to find healing from some past hurt, or your job is mindless and you see no way out. Or maybe your marriage is on the rocks, or you still, after all these years of wanting a spouse you just haven’t found the right one.
Whatever it is, you know how to fill in the blank.
It’s like we can echo the cry of Abram’s heart too…. I know you have blessed me Lord. I know I have what I need. I see your goodness. It’s registering, I’m not trying to be ungrateful. But still.
God doesn’t give Abram a direct answer, but he does take action. It’s bizarre to us when we read the story, but it’s exactly how covenants would have been done in ancient times. God confirms what he promises with action, and he speaks to the future, not what Abram has asked him. He speaks to the fact he knows how time and Abram’s family line will play out hundreds of years down the road. Can you even imagine?
Instead of a direct answer, God gives Abram hope.
As humans, sometimes it’s hope we need, more than any direct answer to a question, isn’t it?
There’s something deep in our soul that can rest and trust when we have hope. It doesn’t fix the immediate, it doesn’t make everything better, but it keeps us moving forward, one day at a a time.
These ancient stories remind us that God knows, God hears you, and he sees years beyond your questions and longings.
So whatever that thing is, my prayer for you is that as you can be honest with yourself and God, and come humbly before him for just a bit to let him bring HOPE back into your soul.
He hasn’t forgotten what you are facing. Let him love you and show you his faithfulness in the midst of your questions.
Blessings, my friends!
Finding the Life 