Abraham and the Altar

"There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.”  Genesis 12:8

God said to Abraham, “It’s time for a trip.  You and the wife pack the Winnebago and travel to where I tell you.”  So Abraham pulled out and headed south taking his possessions and a promise.  “You will become a great nation.  You will have a great name.  I will bless you, and everybody else will be blessed through you”(Gen. 12:2).

Abraham traveled to Shechem—and built an altar.  He moved between Ai and Bethel— and built an altar.  He moved to Egypt—(not so good but God was.)  He moved back from Egypt to the altar between Ai and Bethel.  He moved to Hebron—and built an altar.

His nephew Lot, whom he should have left at home, moved to Sodom and was soon a spoil of war.  Abraham and 318 personal soldiers ran to the rescue, routed the four raiding rulers, and returned with Lot, a lot of others, and all the loot.  The grateful king of Sodom said, “Keep what you’ve collected,” but Abraham took no pay and no prize. “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  ‘Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward’”(Gen 15:1).  He had refused the goods of men, and his reward was God.

Abraham didn’t need stuff.  He needed a son.  So he asked, “O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless…My servant will be my heir”(Gen. 15:2).  But God said, “No, not your servant.  Your own son.”  He took Abraham outside and ordered, “Look up. Tally the stars and you’ll be totaling your descendants”(Gen. 15:5).

“Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”(Gen. 15:6).

And Abraham built an altar.

God’s blessings are beyond what we can figure.

Look around and count—and offer your thanks on the altar of faith.