“The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1 NIV)
It’s amazing to me how God can speak out of a textbook. We spent yesterday driving, working our way toward whatever is next for our family. In the hours where Rob was behind the wheel, I sat with what feels to be seven pounds of Old Testament Survey spilled over my lap. The coursework is infinitely easier after our trip to Israel, especially the geography portion I was pouring over at the end of the day.
“Abraham migrated from Ur in Mesopotamia, northward toward Haran, and finally to Canaan as he followed the revelation and promise of Yahweh.”
(A Survey of the Old Testament, A. Hill & J. Walton)
I had to read it aloud to Rob, I was so stunned to find such a gem in the midst of biblical geography. See, our next move is probably not going to make sense to a lot of people, but Abraham reminded me that making sense isn’t what matters; following God in obedience is the matter of most importance.
My thick textbook had a map that condensed Abraham’s journey into a neat little arch from Mesopotamia to Canaan but of course I wasn’t content with the limited information found in it’s pages. A quick google search brought me to bible-history.com where I found a much more detailed series of maps chronicling our forefather’s travels.
Find a complete list at https://www.bible-history.com/maps/6-abrahams-journeys.html
First, it struck me how Abram/Abraham moved SEVENTEEN times. Let that sink it for a bit. This isn’t modern day moving. He didn’t utilize U-haul or Two Men and a Truck. He didn’t have a capsule wardrobe or google maps to make the journey less difficult. He did have his father’s household and an obedient heart. Abraham’s ability to respond to God’s instruction pricks my heart toward obedience in my own story.
Secondly, I noted how Abraham’s journey didn’t make sense. He started in Ur but eventually made it all the way back down to Egypt and then back through Canaan a second time before he died in Hebron. Why did God keep moving him on? Could it be that the Lord allowed Abraham to lay his eyes on the whole of the land that his family would inherit? Trying to make earthly sense of heavenly plans in real time will make us crazy. God’s instructions typically only add up in the rear-view mirror and often we have to go a good long way before we get the full picture.
Thirdly, I realized that Abraham traversed the full Fertile Crescent; from Ur to Egypt. I wondered, was it fertile before Abraham’s long walk of obedience? Could it be that the very land was marked by Abraham’s diligence? That his descendants enjoyed the fruits of his faithfulness? Here’s what I know for sure: obedience begets blessing.
Lastly, some quick math reveals that Abraham traveled over 1600 miles in his lifetime. With tents and wives and flocks and family. ON FOOT. We drove half that distance yesterday, but it’s a completely different journey in a zippy station wagon with air-conditioning and an icebox. I’m reminded once again that obedience is a long, drawn out journey. It’s about taking a few steps today in the right direction, and then tomorrow, being ready and willing to do it all over again.
Yesterday’s Restoration Year devotion plugs in right here: John Eldredge writes about how God doesn’t give us the whole plan all at once. If He did, we’d seek the plan, not the Planner. He asks us to trust Him for turn-by-turn directions, rather than hearing the destination and plotting our own course.
Ultimately, Abraham’s map encourages me in my own obedience. There will surely be readers that scratch their heads when we reveal the next page of our story, but again, I point to Abraham and his faithfulness unfolding. That’s where Rob and I want to live, hard on the heels of God – following the revelation and promise of Yahweh.
“I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me find Me.”
(Proverbs 8:17 NIV)
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)
Dear Lord, we love You. And more than a life that makes sense, we long to live in a way that pleases You. We trust You to order our steps as we listen for Your leading. We believe You’ll bless as we obey, and maybe not only us, but also the generations to come. May our life map resemble Abraham’s – geographical evidence of obedience. Amen.