Nougat 23

While chatting with a friend yesterday, I was reminded of today’s Holy Nougat It is a promise that is sure throughout the generations:

“Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me. He told me, “I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you. I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.”’” ‭‭ Exodus‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Had you noticed that it was God Who began the trend, ’God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’? I didn’t. You see embedded in that descriptive are a few promises: of capacity, covenant, community, and continuity.

Capacity

After a season of persons not serving as expected, God self-introduced to Abram, which included a promise. Unlike many others we see recorded, that promise included sovereignty, fame and what sounds like economic prosperity. At the time of the meeting with Moses, two had been fully satisfied and the other was on the cusp of becoming. The mention of God’s name in connection with the three patriarchs was an assurance that the very same God Who made Abram renowned and provided wealth to last throughout generations, had the capacity (ie was able) to do what God has promised. And God’s still got the capacity to do so for us if God chooses.

Covenant

Rather than using contracts, God made covenants with humans, which were as binding as contracts. Like contracts, covenants required action by both parties. Although the covenant feels like a repeat of the previous promises; it included the protection clause and was ratified by sacrificial action. On Abraham’s part, it included the act of circumcision. The symbolic shedding of blood suggested the consequences for s/he who broke the covenant. This was to be done by every male in Abraham’s house, not only his relatives, signifying that they too were included in the covenant with God.

Community

And operatively, community involves persons within a location who share somewhat similar circumstances. Even a covenant with God. These days, some may say our ‘tribe’, to refer to our close friends and family. Whether we say tribe or community, God’s covenant promises are often for a group; thus like Abraham, we are blessed to bless. The Children of Israel (ie Jacob) was a distinct community in Egypt and despite their enslavement situation, God wanted them to know that God’s protection detail was still in effect. Sometimes it may not feel like a blessing, but even in the disaster God’s presence is with us.

Continuity

One might argue that continuity came first, since God’s promises were to Abram and his progeny (the children of Abram), then the rest of his household. I agree, but wanted us to recognize that our blessing is in community before looking at continuity. Because in one sense, continuity in Abram’s line proves the other promises. For at both 75 and 90 when Abram received the promise and ratified the covenant; Isaac, the heir to the promises had not yet been born. We recall that Sarai was barren and at 65 or 80, she would also have been beyond the age (or capacity) to have children naturally.

We can also see continuity in the multi-generational nature of the promises. For what God promised and covenanted for Abraham was also instituted for the next two generations; even to the extent of opening empty wombs of Rebekah and Rachel. Thus, barren waste could flourish and lost hopes could be restored. That was all embedded within the descriptor ‘God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In fact, the Children of Israel and later the nation of Israel through the continuation of Jacob’s line.

Let’s not forget that Ishmael was also the forebear of another nation, as were some of Abraham’s other children. God’s promises of continuity is in community, proving God’s capacity to keep covenant and promise always.

And that’s our takeaway. Whether we are barren of Hope, of children, or of other things, whether material physical or spiritual, God is capable of restoring life and establishing continuity. When we feel alone, lost and forsaken, God’s protection and provision is ours. God provides us with community, both the formal and informal, even when we least feel like it’s the case. Above all, God still covenants with each of us through the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

What a promise! What a reminder.

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May all we seek be found in Christ