Genesis 13:3-4 "And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; (4) Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD."
The life of Abraham deserves more attention than just one time of study.
Yesterday, we stopped with the words that Abram "... as the LORD had
spoken unto him..." As in my life, it would have been much better for
Abraham if all the actions of his life were under that directive. Sometimes we
think of Biblical characters as being somewhat superhuman, when in reality they
were totally human just as you and me. We all make mistakes. We all sin and
fall short of the glory of God. We all have to stop at some point in most, if
not all, days to say, "Lord, I'm sorry. Please forgive me." You might
be asking what all this has to do with today's verses. I'm glad you asked.
We are all going through this time of journeying through life. And we all must
at times stop to go back and start all over. I'm so thankful that our Heavenly
Father gives us those opportunities. Aren't you? Today's verses tell us that
Abram "went on his journeys.... where his tent had been at the beginning.
He went back "... unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at
the first..." And when he arrived back to that place, it was "...
there Abram called on the name of the LORD." Why did he go back to the
place where he had first been? If you read the end of Genesis chapter 12:30,
you see that "... there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into
Egypt to sojourn there" He was intimated and afraid of the king of Egypt,
so Abram told Sarai to say that she was his sister. Pharaoh took Sarai into his
house and gave many gifts to Abram. But we find that the LORD "... plagued
Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife." He
then sent them away. It was then that Abram "went back" to the place
" where his tent had been at the beginning." It was then that Abram
"called on the name of the LORD." You see, just like you and me,
Abram had times when he had to repent and ask forgiveness because his actions
did not portray his trust in the Lord. I'm not happy that this happened to
Abram, but I am thankful that the Lord included this incident (and others) for
us to see that there is mercy and grace with our Lord. I have had to turn and
go back on many occasions. How about you?
1 God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy pow'r;
crown Thine ancient church's story, bring her bud to glorious flow'r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us, free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
3 Set our feet on lofty places; gird our lives, that they may be
armored with all Christ-like graces in the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, that we fail not man nor Thee!
That we fail not man nor Thee!