Nougat 27

Hello

In all honesty I had not intended to reflect on all the Abrahamic altars of Genesis. As my reading and reflection progressed, I was drawn by mention of Four Altars (occasionally Five). With two having already caught my attention; we will also reflect on the other Three. In the meantime, here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Abram kept moving toward the Negev. There was a famine in the land. Abram went to Egypt to stay awhile because the famine was severe … Abram left Egypt with his wife and everything he had and went to the Negev. Lot was with him. He traveled from place to place. He went from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the area between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been originally, where he had first made an altar. There Abram worshiped the Lord.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:9-10‬;‬ ‭13:1, 3-4‬ ‭GW‬‬

I know; I know … that was more than a bite. However, context is important. And since the third altar takes Abram back to the original altar, I suspect that you, like me would be curious. What is even more curious is the ‘fact’ of Abram’s first altar. For Abram’s First altar was built at Moreh of Shechem; it IS the Second altar that was built at Bethel. Why/How the confusion?

I have noted that in some instances, the mention of place names carry spiritual or metaphorical significance to the ‘greater’ plot. With that in mind, I actually revisited the locations and their meanings and the unfolding of events.

You may recall that when the First Altar was constructed; Abram was expressing Praise and Hope. Praise because his obedience already showed signs of God’s mercy; and Hope for the future blessings for his generations yet unborn. Moreh often transliterates to Teaching, and with God meeting him (Abram) by the great trees, Abram was giving praise for the things he learned. He did not stay in Moreh at Shechem however; instead he continued through the Negev (desert) to the Bethel-Ai region.

Some scholars argue that the mention of the great trees of Moreh (not included in all translations), suggests that Abram had not yet fully converted to monotheism, as ‘tree-worship’ was quite normal in the Ancient Near Eastern customs. Whether that is the case or not (some also argue that the trees were a great landmark in his time); we know that the next place to which Abram relocated was the Altar a) where his public worship began and also b) situated between the House of God and Ruins (strife).

When read in light of the ensuing events – famine; which forced relocation to Egypt; resulting in Abram lying about Sarai’s status to save his neck (despite God’s promise at Moreh); and his subsequent banishment from Egypt – it is not very surprising that Abram sought the familiar; he returned to Bethel.

Why Bethel and not Ai? We are not specifically told that Abram actually set up residence at Moreh, just that God met him there and he memorialized the moment with an altar. On the other hand, after his own moral/spiritual failure, when his spirit was tattered, Abram went BACK to where he First believed. He CHOSE to Worship!!!! And that for me is what makes this Third Altar significant. It isn’t a new altar in the literal sense, hence some overlook it; but it was critical to Abram’s spiritual growth from our perspective.

We realize that he had a choice between the ruins of bitterness or worship in God’s House. He chose the latter. And that’s the lesson for each of us. When we mess up – and we will – isn’t it a relief to know that God’s House offers the opportunity for restoration, renewal, rest and relationship revival?!

Are we needing to build and Altar of repentance and renewal today? Or do we simply cry out “take me back?”

https://youtu.be/AkQ2VX2I3L4 Abram was humble enough to find his way back to the place he first worshipped. Will we?

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May all we seek be found in Christ