YHVH chose Abraham to become the father of the Hebrew people because He knew his heart. Before it was ever written in Scripture, Father knew Abraham would love Him with a whole heart, and his neighbor as himself. Abraham is known throughout Scripture as a man of hospitality. Those that "show their faith by their works" are as Abraham, while the religious are puffed up in their own deceit. Yeshua had this to say of the latter through John.
“I know that you are the seed of Abraham, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard from your father'. They answered and said to Him, 'Abraham is our father'. Yeshua said to them, 'If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.'" John 8: 37-39
In the last portion, Abraham showed a lack of faith in Father regarding the birth of Ishmael. I have heard it said, "God helps those that help themselves". Many times being put forth as actual scripture, this is an outright lie we are still paying for today. In fact, our helping usually throws a "monkey wrench" in the works. Even so, Abraham "believed Elohim and it was accounted to him for righteousness".
In the very beginning of the account of Abraham, we find him obeying the directive of Adonai without hesitation in going to a new land. Toward the end of the account, he obeys Father's directive to sacrifice Isaac, even though he seriously appears to have "drug his feet" on a three day journey that should have taken only one. The question is begged. Why did he obey without question in these cases, yet appear to seriously bargain with God regarding Sodom? I see two possibilities.
In consideration of the first, Abraham appears to show yet another way to manifest a lack of faith in YHVH. After enjoying a lavish "cheeseburger" banquet with Father, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit, attention was turned to Sodom and Gommorah. In this senario, the base mistake Abraham makes is the same mistake he made with Ishmael. He assumed God didn't have what it took to bring to pass the promise of Isaac without his help. Now, he thinks God doesn't know how to properly judge Lot's people without his help.
Whether true or not of Abraham, this perceived problem would not be unique to him or even just a small group of people. It's one that infects ALL of us. We many times seem to think Father needs our input in order to affect His duties as GOD of the universe. In fact, we usually get so entangled about in our own thinking that we fail to hear what He is saying. I've heard it said that God gave us TWO ears and ONE mouth for a purpose--listen first and twice as much as we speak.
This senario suggests, Abraham was so busy with his own thinking that he assumed Father was speaking of "absolute" judgment. He thought Father was going to just obliterate the whole of these societies. He neglected to understand that Father is very adept at separating the just from the unjust. He failed to recognize the true nature of a God that is just and merciful to spare the righteous, all the while He obliterates the wicked, even if they're in the same proximity. Even so, Father doesn't appear to be angry with Abraham--maybe because He knew his heart would eventually understand. In assessing veracity, this is a curious little fact.
In regards to the second possibility, consider a man chosen out by YHVH to become known as "the friend of God". I have heard it said, "Feed a man and you are friends for a day. Share a meal together and you are friends for life". Abraham had just completed a fabulous "cheesburger" lunch with the "Unified Godhead". There is a distinct possibility the bargaining dialogue between Abraham and YHVH was divinely offered and ordained. Abraham was such a close "friend of God" he may have been afforded the opportunity to intercede on behalf of Lot and anyone that might stand with him.
This is not language that would lead one to think Abraham was showing a lack of faith or somehow missed what Father had said. It is language affirmatively filled with divine confidence in the impeccable character of Abraham and manifested only by a small number of men through the ages. For Father to afford Abraham the opportunity to intercede for his nephew and the people of Sodom and Gommorrah was a great honor.
He would be the front runner and example for men like Moses to follow. It was Moses that more than once stood between a stiff necked and rebellious people and an angry God to intercede on their behalf. After him were men like David, the prophets, and all the apostles, especially Paul. Intercession is a gift from our Holy and Righteous Father through Ruach Adonai. There have been those that interceded for myself and SueJean. On a daily basis, we also intercede for every member of our families, along with friends and others. Don't take intercession lightly. It's powerful stuff.
Many years ago, I challenged Father regarding His seeming silence. I wondered why I prayed continually only to hear silence or the echo of my voice bouncing off the walls. His response was the first time I remember hearing His voice (as a thought in my mind). He said, "I have been speaking to you; I've been speaking to you through My Word. Read it". As I was already a student of His Word, I took His Scriptures even more to heart, increasing my efforts to learn of its mysterious depths.
Which ever of the two possibilities or combination thereof chosen, there is one major truth supported in the life of Abraham, as it is will all of Scripture. Most of us grew up being taught such ideals that God would never do anything against His written Word, or even ask us to do anything contrary to His Word. As I read this portion, I realized He, in fact, can and will do just that. And, Abraham is not the only evidence of this premise. The prophet Daniel writes this of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
In the very beginning of the account of Abraham, we find him obeying the directive of Adonai without hesitation in going to a new land. Toward the end of the account, he obeys Father's directive to sacrifice Isaac, even though he seriously appears to have "drug his feet" on a three day journey that should have taken only one. The question is begged. Why did he obey without question in these cases, yet appear to seriously bargain with God regarding Sodom? I see two possibilities.
In consideration of the first, Abraham appears to show yet another way to manifest a lack of faith in YHVH. After enjoying a lavish "cheeseburger" banquet with Father, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit, attention was turned to Sodom and Gommorah. In this senario, the base mistake Abraham makes is the same mistake he made with Ishmael. He assumed God didn't have what it took to bring to pass the promise of Isaac without his help. Now, he thinks God doesn't know how to properly judge Lot's people without his help.
Whether true or not of Abraham, this perceived problem would not be unique to him or even just a small group of people. It's one that infects ALL of us. We many times seem to think Father needs our input in order to affect His duties as GOD of the universe. In fact, we usually get so entangled about in our own thinking that we fail to hear what He is saying. I've heard it said that God gave us TWO ears and ONE mouth for a purpose--listen first and twice as much as we speak.
This senario suggests, Abraham was so busy with his own thinking that he assumed Father was speaking of "absolute" judgment. He thought Father was going to just obliterate the whole of these societies. He neglected to understand that Father is very adept at separating the just from the unjust. He failed to recognize the true nature of a God that is just and merciful to spare the righteous, all the while He obliterates the wicked, even if they're in the same proximity. Even so, Father doesn't appear to be angry with Abraham--maybe because He knew his heart would eventually understand. In assessing veracity, this is a curious little fact.
In regards to the second possibility, consider a man chosen out by YHVH to become known as "the friend of God". I have heard it said, "Feed a man and you are friends for a day. Share a meal together and you are friends for life". Abraham had just completed a fabulous "cheesburger" lunch with the "Unified Godhead". There is a distinct possibility the bargaining dialogue between Abraham and YHVH was divinely offered and ordained. Abraham was such a close "friend of God" he may have been afforded the opportunity to intercede on behalf of Lot and anyone that might stand with him.
This is certainly a viable possibility, and one that rings more true in my spirit with every word I write. The text of this portion also clearly shows and supports a trust and confidence of YHVH in His friend, Abraham--a confidence I think any man would deeply treasure.
"And Elohim said, shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Elohim, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Elohim may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him."
Genesis 18: 17-19
He would be the front runner and example for men like Moses to follow. It was Moses that more than once stood between a stiff necked and rebellious people and an angry God to intercede on their behalf. After him were men like David, the prophets, and all the apostles, especially Paul. Intercession is a gift from our Holy and Righteous Father through Ruach Adonai. There have been those that interceded for myself and SueJean. On a daily basis, we also intercede for every member of our families, along with friends and others. Don't take intercession lightly. It's powerful stuff.
Many years ago, I challenged Father regarding His seeming silence. I wondered why I prayed continually only to hear silence or the echo of my voice bouncing off the walls. His response was the first time I remember hearing His voice (as a thought in my mind). He said, "I have been speaking to you; I've been speaking to you through My Word. Read it". As I was already a student of His Word, I took His Scriptures even more to heart, increasing my efforts to learn of its mysterious depths.
Which ever of the two possibilities or combination thereof chosen, there is one major truth supported in the life of Abraham, as it is will all of Scripture. Most of us grew up being taught such ideals that God would never do anything against His written Word, or even ask us to do anything contrary to His Word. As I read this portion, I realized He, in fact, can and will do just that. And, Abraham is not the only evidence of this premise. The prophet Daniel writes this of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
"And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?" Daniel 4: 34-35
YHVH certainly does do that which He wishes, of which this portion clearly shows. Of the original Ten Commandments it is written, "Thou shalt not kill (murder)". In fact, this is exactly what Father tells Abraham to do. This is not just any killing. It's premeditated, ritualistic murder. It matters not that Father knew He wouldn't let Abraham go through with it. It matters not that it is a beautiful picture of Father sending His own Son, Yeshua, to die for us on the cross. It only matters that Father is as the Babylonian king said. He does as He wishes in heaven or among men here on earth.
There are those that would say "God is not fair". They say Ishmael was Abraham's first born and should inherit the promise of Abraham. Yet, we find Father clearly choosing Isaac as heir to the promise. In regards to Isaac, Father chose second born Jacob to inherit the promise of Abraham. To this day, we find the descendants of Ishmael, and especially Esau, trying to "wipe Israel (Jacob) off the map". Very soon, the descendants of Esau will TRY to divide the land of Israel only to be themselves divided or destroyed altogether by the hand of a VERY righteous (but not fair) God.
Whether it's the socialistic ideals that think wealth should be taken from the rich and given to the poor or the christian ideals that God would never do anything to discomfort me or upset my life, the concept of fairness is an ideal that permeates the societies of men. In fact, Scripture is replete with instances to the contrary, such as Abraham in the Genesis account, Job, and even the children in the wilderness exodus with Moses. Father has the right to do what He wants to direct the lives of His righteous, or even test them to see if they would obey Him, or punish them if they refuse to do right.
One glaring account has tormented me almost from my youth. It is the account of Job. The story opens with God and satan meeting and ultimately playing a little game with Job, who, of course, has no say in the matter. With Father's approval, Job is left to endure the full force of evil effect regarding every aspect of his life except his life itself. He was tested to the point that his own wife told him to "curse God and die". Yet, the secret I have learned is that the testing wasn't for Father's benefit. He knew the outcome. It was for Job's benefit--to strengthen his faith.
Within this portion is another glaring story of Father's unfairness concerning the ideal of "arranged marriages". The thought of Abraham taking the choice of wife completely out of Isaac's hands just doesn't compute in the minds of people within our society. I was once told by a friend, "God would never choose my mate. I make the choice and then offer it to God for His blessing". In fact, it is the exact opposite. For my friend, the "chooser" became god and God became the "rubber stamper". On my own, I chose poorly the first time. Now, in allowing Father to choose, I am truly blessed just as Isaac was blessed.
The fact of the matter is this. YHVH is GOD. The wise will accept Him for what He is and submit to His righteous judgments. The foolish will continue to hold to their own personal ideals of fairness and personal judgments. The wisdom of Father is infinite--and replete with mercy and compassion. The righteous know this. Sooner or later the foolish will wake up and find their own thinking really wasn't all that good after all--finding their lives subject to the judgment of a righteous God due to actions or inactions of their own making.
I don't know if I will ever in this life feel comfortable with my perception of the story of Job. I DO know I am ever learning about my dear Messiah and Adonai. If it is any comfort to my readers, I find it sometimes extremely difficult to shed the tenets and precepts I have been taught from childhood. Yet, I am little at a time finding myself coming to grips with truth buried within His Word. I will let Father's Word close out my comments on this portion.
"According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same. By the breath of Elohim they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed."
Job 4: 8-9
"Turn again our captivity, O YHVH, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalms 126: 4-6
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek YHVH, till He come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies; for thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces with her children."
Hosea 10: 12-14
"Be not deceived; Elohim is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6: 7-9
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