Beware of Bad Assumptions

Gen 20:11
Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’”

A bad assumption is like a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of milk – it sours the whole drink. Gen 20 is a sour story and verse 11 is the vinegar.

Abraham took up residence in the region of the Negev and made some immediate assumptions about the people. He formed a view that the people of Gerar had no spiritual fiber and no association with his God. He assumed that because they did not fear the creator they would not act ethically and could not be trusted. And so Abraham acted in a contrived and highly questionable way lying about his marriage. (He did the same thing earlier in Gen 12:13 and his son Isaac would later imitate him in 26:7.)

I note four things about Abraham’s assumption:

1. It was dead wrong! Abimelech the King of Gerar was a spiritual man. He had the sensitivity to hear and understand God addressing him in a dream. He took the message to heart and acted decisively. And when he told his officials they showed considerable fear of how God was dealing with them (verse 8).

2. It caused the people of Gerar much grief. The whole community was stricken with bareness, the king’s life was put at risk and they lived in fear under the threat of judgment. All this because Abraham was so concerned to protect his own interests. He left the citizens of the Negev exposed and abused.

Faulty assumptions, even if they promote a well meaning program, can do much harm.

It is both wrong and dangerous to assume that God is not going ahead of me. He is already present and at work in the places of mission to which he calls me.

3. It led to a second unfounded assumption. Abraham believed he was unsafe. This caused him to take matters into his own hands and to act without the wisdom of God. This in turn led to selfish and rash behaviour. It is sobering to realize that a leader can cause so much hurt and harm by taking a selfish approach.

4. It is a mistake still made today. Where am I at risk of doing the same thing? It is too easy to suppose that others are not as “in tune” with God as I am. It is a 21st Century way of thinking to imagine that earlier generations were less wise, that distant places are less knowing and that those who don’t see it my way know less of God than I do.

Abraham’s mistake was “talking to himself” rather than to the people of Gerar or to God. His assumptions were formed in a vacuum and his actions hurt everyone.

Lord, help me to listen to you and others before I talk too much to myself! Amen.

Questions:

• How do you avoid Abraham's mistake of "talking to self" when you could be talking to others?
• What have you learned about the spirituality of people you thought had no fear of God?

Ever Receive a Welcome like this?

Luke 15:25 The older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing

Here is a great video clip. Enjoy, then read below.

(If the video fails to load visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB3NPNM4xgo)

 

If a mobile phone company can make me feel this warm and fuzzy, imagine what God’s welcome will do for my soul. The music, the smiling and hugging, the sense of community and the overwhelming surprise – I think all these things will be a part of God’s eternal welcome.

The story of the Prodigal Son hints at this (Luke 15:11-32). The younger brother's home coming has all these elements:

• Embracing and welcome 
• Forgiving and restoring
• Gifts, food, clothing
• Music and dancing
• Love!

The generous father in the story puts on an amazing celebration to welcome his undeserving son home.

I believe that God will do the same for me in eternity. John says it will be like a huge wedding (Rev 19:1-9). The invitations have gone out. The band is already rehearsing. What a welcome it will be.

The morning I step into God’s eternity I know I will be more at home than I have ever been before. Now there's a thought to carry with me everywhere!

Questions

• What is your best ever personal welcome?
• How does the idea of a "welcome home" help you to live out your faith?

Epilogue

There is an older son in this story who chooses not to join the dancing. He reminds me that a welcome is only half of the home coming. The other half is accepting it. The one being embraced must return the hug.

There is a little bit of the sour and self-righteous older brother in each of us. Take note. Beware!

PS. I do hope you can overlook the too-casual use of God’s name in one or two places on the video.

Can Abraham’s Son Still Bless Us?

Gen 22:10, 11, 18
Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham! ... Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

This is a CONFRONTING story with a BIG ending. (Gen 22:1-19)

The story. Abraham took his son to the mountain, as God instructed, and would have sacrificed him as a burnt offering had not God himself intervened and provided a ram for the altar. How shall I read this story?

• Should I be impressed with Abraham’s faith? He did not with-hold what was most precious.
• Should I be uncomfortable with God’s test? Sacrifice your son. 
• Should I react negatively to Isaac the “pawn” in a high stakes game between God and Abraham?
• Should I sit quietly and contemplate the “lamb” who was sacrificed instead of me?

The end. The outcome of this story is good. Blessing! No nation will be excluded. God’s holy, happy, hope will be made tangible in every kingdom on earth. It sounds amazing. God honours Abraham and then he reaches through this moment in history to bless me as well.

What is at Risk?
Isaac’s life was never really at risk. God did not intend that he would die. Ironically regardless of what Abraham does in this story, the boy will live. The boy is not the focus. 

Abraham’s obedience was at risk. Isaac’s status as the blessing bearer was at risk. God’s intention to bless all nations was at risk. My share in this promise was at risk.

A Key?  

All stories need a starting place (or a key) and that starting place is rarely at the beginning. Here, like a lot of stories, the starting place is found at the finish. In verse 18 I learn that Isaac is not a vulnerable kid, he is a patriarch in the making with the hand of God upon his future.

This re-calibrates the story.

If I start with “Isaac – "the abused child” the story runs thus. God is mean for asking this. Abraham is weak allowing himself to be an accomplice. I feel bad for Isaac and annoyed at the two bullies.

If I start with “Isaac – God’s mighty Bless-er of ALL NATIONS” the story runs very differently. God is mysterious to ask this of Abraham. Abraham is incredibly bold to take his trust this far. Isaac is under divine protection and I feel inspired, humbled and challenged as I read.

Isaac is no ordinary pawn in this game of cosmic chess. He is the pawn promoted to queen at the turning point of the game! There is no move that Abraham can make by which he would lose his son, his only son, the son whom he loves (vs. 2, 12, 16). But there is a move that he can make which will change the game forever. That move is to give up his son to be crowned God’s queen of blessing to all nations.

Those who protest most loudly for Isaac’s rights as a child often call for the death of God. It is ironic that in the bible story no one dies and Nations are promised blessing. But in every attempt to rewrite this story, someone must die and all people forfeit God’s favour.

Questions

• How do you exercise surrender to God?
• When and how have you experienced his blessings?

Epilogue
I note another chilling irony. Our wires are crossed in Victoria (where I live) when it comes to children. 

Any child who can carry his own wood (vs. 6) we will protect. Should God himself have a cosmic plan which puts that life at risk, public opinion will oppose God and protect the child. That child has value.

Any child who is one day short of birth and still at rest in the womb we will NOT protect. Should the adults concerned have a private intention that puts this life at risk, we will NOT oppose them but will give them the legal right to kill the fetus. This child does NOT have value.

Sad is the Nation where this is her story. Can Abraham’s son still bless us?

Does God Know How to Tell a Joke or What!

Gen 21:6, 7
Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

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The first laugh in the Bible (Gen 17:17) is attributed to Abraham. He fell on his face laughing at “the one about” the guy who is 100 years old and going to have a baby – some joke.

The second laugh in the Bible (Gen 18:2) is credited to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. She laughed when she heard the same ROTF story. Does God know how to tell a joke or what? (I note the beautiful exchange with the messenger – you laughed, no I didn’t, yes you did! I don’t think that’s a rebuke, I think it is God giving Sarah a “sign”. She laughed to herself it says – no sound? But God heard. Could it be that even my suppressed laughter is a prayer. And my tears? Is God saying, “Trust me, if I can hear your thoughts, I can fulfill your dreams.”)

The third laugh in the Bible (Gen 21:6) is an invitation for ME! Paraphrased: “God has brought Sarah laughter and when Allan hears about this he will laugh with her”. And I am laughing. Three laughs actually.

1. I’m laughing as any good natured person would at a great story with a comic twist. 
2. I’m laughing because Sarah is laughing. I always find laughter contagious
3. I’m laughing because I am genuinely happy. I know where this BIG story is going and I am a part of it, that delights me.

Question
What aspect of your faith story makes you and others laugh for joy with God?

Epilogue
Sad to notice that the laughter of verse 6 is all gone in the next paragraph when Sarah starts to hate on her maid, Abraham is “greatly distressed” and Hagar and Ishmael collapse in the desert sobbing!

Party one day, broken heart the next. Sounds like life.

Take courage. “God heard … God opened her eyes … God was with the boy!” (Gen 21:1-21)

Note Job 8:21 “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Bildad fails in the end as a counselor, but I think he has this one right!)