Nougat 25

So Abram and his team left home with full obedience, no maps, no GPS, no human navigation system. But they had God, and God was more than enough. We heard yesterday that God came through; by showing up and confirming some of the promises made at the onset. Today’s Holy Nougat reminds us that the relationship is two-sided.

“Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I’m going to give this land to your descendants.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” Genesis‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭GW‬‬

Having had that meeting with, and revelation from God, Abram promptly set up an altar. The altar was perhaps not the most beautiful or permanent structure, but spoke to his understanding of the significance of the moment. And it was significant.

Abram’s journey may have been started by his father, but never finished (see Genesis 11:31). Abram knew the value of finishing what we have started; especially with God.

God’s appearance was confirmation that he (Abram) was hearing from God – it wasn’t a fool’s errand; even if he had been questioning his obedience. Meeting with God was confirmation of his decision and validation of his obedience.

God’s message to him offered Hope – the altar was built before Jeremiah’s time, but easily affirmed the truth of God’s plans for the exiled Children of Israel: build homes, establish yourselves because God’s Got Plans (Jeremiah 29:11). What is notable about the promise is that it didn’t actually say Abram was done journeying with God, it affirmed that there would be children to inherit the land.

God’s meeting with him was significant in and of itself. That was the Creator Elohim opting to meet with Abram, on what would eventually be Abram’s turf. God. Was. Meeting. With. Abram. Where. He. Was. On. His. Journey! Siblings – there is a reward for obedience and Abram’s life is proof.

God’s meeting with him, in Abram’s eyes, was going to be ongoing. For Abram, this was to be the ‘first of many’. He was not leaving that to happenstance, perhaps or maybe – Abram built that altar. In Genesis 8:20, were told that the first altar was erected by Abram’s great … grandfather Noah. He might have heard about altars from him, or patterned worship from those around him.

An altar was a wooden or stone structure on which sacrifices were offered to a deity in worship, thanksgiving or supplication. It was a place of individual or collective ritual and also a meeting place between us humans and our god. For Abram, the God was the Creator, the Self-existent One.

If Abram’s altar was marking the significant moment, how do we mark our milestones? And what moments do we highlight? Are we maintaining the practice of establishing altars before God? When we step out in utter obedience and in Faith, and Faith becomes sight (or the promise of even greater things), do we pause to establish an altar of praise? It is my prayer that we offer ourselves as the sacrifice on the altar of God’s praise.

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May all we seek be found in Christ