Sunday, August 8, 2010

the retreat - day 6 - Jan. 13, 2008 - Abram's call

From journal:  up at 8:00 a.m., ate in my room, am more quiet, within myself today

fascinated, delighted with work for today - God's call - reflect on 5 calls in the OT and ponder my own call - it's so interesting to see how God worked with these men, how they lived with it

Gen. 12:1-9 - call of Abram
Who he was before the call:  wealthy, married, living among family, settled, had lived 75 of his 175 years, no children, apparently close enough to God to hear and obey without hesitation

Nature of the call:  a command to leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you - "will show," future tense, Abram has to leave before he sees what he's leaving for - he was able to take his possessions

God's promises/his part in the covenant:
- will show you, give you land
- will make you into great nation
- will bless you
- will make your name great
- you will be a blessing
- will bless those who bless you
- will curse those who curse you
- all peoples on earth will be blessed through you

Abram's response:  "So Abram left, as the Lord had told him."

God's response:  reappeared to Abram at the land he had promised and reaffirmed his promise to give the land to Abram's offspring

Abram built an altar to the Lord there, moved on and built another altar to the Lord and called on his name

Gen. 14...After Abram rescues Lot and defeats the king of K. and others, he gives one-tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek and God and refuses to be given anything except food and repayment for others involved in the battle.  God appears to Abram afterward and says:

Do not fear.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.

God promises Abram heirs but also tells of their enslavement and release and other events.  Covenant with fire and sacrifices is made.

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