Nougat 28

After a season of upheaval, it is easy to lose focus and get bitter. But what if there’s another way? Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Quarrels broke out between Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders. (Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in that area.)”

‭‭ Go! Walk back and forth across the entire land because I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tents and went to live by the oak trees belonging to Mamre at Hebron. There he built an altar for the Lord.” Genesis‬ ‭13:7‬, 17-18 ‭GW‬‬

Now when Abram returned to Bethel, Ai was still right there at the border. From a literary perspective, it is no wonder that shortly after Abram visited the Bethel altar, trouble brews. Ironically, it is with Lot, his beloved nephew. From my ‘perfect’ vantage point of knowing the story; I would say a parting of ways was inevitable. What we may not have discerned was the ‘when’.

Bear in mind that Abram received God’s promise and directive by himself. Since a similar instruction might have been given to his father (see Genesis 11); it may be reasonable to assume he should take Lot with him. But even in plain English, God’s instruction reads, “Leave your family”. No exceptions. And later he received the promise for HIS future generations! Not Lot’s.

{I remember some years ago my sister spoke with a group and asserted that if God gives us directives, don’t always (read immediately) assume it’s a group call. Seems Abram didn’t get those instructions. It is perhaps no wonder trouble began to brew}

Moving all the animals plus staff plus self and Five family members is no easy task under any circumstance. Abram and Lot were no less difficult. With water scarcity, that became yet another point of conflict I am sure, and soon it was untenable. It soon was evident that something had to give. They had to part.

Siblings in the Faith, let’s recognize One Truth underscored in Abram’s experience: when we return to God’s House; life doesn’t automatically become rosy. And if it does, it’s likely we circumvented some thorns. Put slightly differently; it is possible that after re/committing to God, there is a falling away of sorts as not all who are with us are with and for us. Not at all.

Sometimes the season is over, and like Abram and Lot, we have to agree to part ways. That decision is NOT always easy. Whether it’s friendships, family feuds or separation from intimate relationships, it is generally hard (although some simply grow out of touch without realizing it) and sometimes a bruise to our egos. A pastor once said in an interview that with a divorce comes the recognition that one has failed at something. That is not always a healthy feeling.

The separation from Lot cost Abram. Lot chose the fertile highlands and it seems Abram was left bereft.

But

God did NOT desert Abram in the desert. Not at all. Instead, Psalm 23-style, God restored Abram’s soul and gave him yet another promise and directions. Oh yes, God did! (are we listening for God’s voice amidst our soul tearing moments of despair?) While there seems to be no transliteration of either name (some argue that Hebron refers to Abram being a Hebrew), there is a feature that is once again repeated at this Fourth Altar site – yes you noticed right – the oaks.

I would argue that Abram is monotheistic at this point, so we are left to discern what the oaks signify. My theory is that the oaks symbolized potential for fruitfulness, shade (thus rejuvenation for a hurting soul), ageless steadfastness over adversity, and God’s faithfulness. For in that place, Abram found all that.

It is also worth noting that God instructed Abram to walk the breadth of the land. Though it is about measurement, one may also determine that in walking the breadth of the property Abram staked his claim, AND he also assessed the potential of the land.

Siblings, when God chooses to bless us boldly, especially after a ‘rough’ patch; we really OUGHT to see what we have been blessed with. That is a good principle for life.

And, having survived the trauma of separation from his nephew, and receiving yet another assurance from God that all is well, Abram erected an Altar of Peace and Thanksgiving. And he settled there.

Whenever and Wherever we find our Peace, we ought also to build an altar and ‘settle there’. Have we settled in God’s presence as yet?

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May all we seek be found in Christ