Genesis 12:20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions
Famine is the first test/challenge faced by Abraham after he reached Canaan. He was what we call “new believer” today. He was still called Abram. I am going to refer him as Abraham for rest of the post though, as we know him well by that name. Abraham was so strong in faith when he was called out of Ur to Canaan. It took tremendous faith to believe in what he heard from One Creator. Abraham obeyed and followed God’s path. But he shows very little faith when faced with a challenge. But God’s ways are always greater and higher. The Lord steps in to straighten out things, by His pure mercy. I am not going to get into many details on the event itself. It is a well-known story for everyone.
We read so much in NT that the tests and trials will share out faith and develop endurance (James 1:3, Romans 5:4). Our responses to such trials and tests shape our spiritual walk. At the same time, we should also remember that our responses shape our life in this earth as well. Here we see Abraham walking out of Egypt with his wife and all his possessions. After a few chapters we see that he also walked out with Egyptian servants. To specifically name a person – Hagar. Now we all know how things turned out.
Lord called Abraham out of Ur and asked him to leave his family and all possessions. Though Abraham obeyed, it was a little partial. He carried along his father, Lot and all his possessions. He has not gotten rid of them yet. We see Abraham’s lack of dependency on God during famine is only increasing the baggage. Abraham relies on his ability to speak a lie (or twisted truth) to save Sarah from Pharaoh’s hands. And Abraham leaving Canaan and going to Egypt itself showed his lack of dependency on God. Finally we see Lord stepping in and rescuing Abraham and Sarah out of Pharaoh’s hands and Egypt. Lord puts Abraham back on track. Back according to His plan. However, we see Abraham leaving along with Hagar. His baggage has increased. His failed to depend on God and is now rescued by God. But he is getting out of the situation along with Hagar. Something that God never planned for Abraham’s life. Something never part of His covenant promise.
We should remember that our failures are not reversed. Our sins are thrown in to the sea of forgiveness. There is no doubt about that. Lord does not remember our failures. At the same time, it is not that Lord is going to put a rewind button to take things back in time. What we have done is done. Even the secret sins of ours lives could have consequences. God is always greater and loving. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will always step in to help us in our failures. Every time we look up to Him, He will answer and deliver us. In spite of our failures, He will never leave us.
Reminds of a recent message from Ravi Zacharias. Are we allowing paper cuts to happen in our souls? Though it could be so small and negligible, it could turn our hunger to wordly things and separate us from Lord. This passage in Genesis is a good reminder on where our faith should be in times of tests and trials. A good reminder on our personal responsibility.
God never creates problems in our lives. He uses those to shape us more in His image. He is sovereign and knows beginning and the end. His will is never for us to fail. Lord does use everything for His purpose. Ishamael was never planned to be part of covenant with Abraham. Abraham’s failure never changed the covenant promise. But it did change plenty of other things.
Once lost and now saved 