“Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”
Genesis 12:7
Like we have learned already, the Old Testament serves as a picture of New Testament truth. Throughout the chapters to come we get to see the chronology of Abram’s personal relationship with the Lord through the people, places, and events in his life. Abram’s life is an awesome reference for us as we pursue the Lord personally and intimately.
Here in Chapter 12 we see Abram has set out from Haran to Canaan, as initially planned while his father was still alive. What seemed to be a road of loss and grief becomes a road of renewal and hope. Abram originally set out for the Land of Canaan not knowing what was in store (Heb. 11:8); en route however he came face to face with the Lord. God chose to bless him abundantly making promise upon promise about his future, what follows is interesting…Abram builds an altar.
Why?
This Altar was most likely a pile of stones. Often in the Ancient Middle East when a promise or covenant was made between two parties they would erect a memorial, or altar, as a reminder to both parties of what was said in that particular agreement. Abram built an altar or “reminder” of all that God had promised.
The wisdom in this is amazing. God never said when the promise would come to be, so Abram “not knowing ” (Heb.11:8-10) made himself a reminder of God’s promise, so as the following days would continue, and he would be tempted to doubt, his faith and hope would be reinforced as he would see that Altar, causing him to remember God’s goodness and grace. Sometimes we receive promises from the Lord, and they are a long time in coming. I suggest we take to Abram’s example, build an Altar, renew your heart and mind (Romans 12:1-2) in the Lord so that your faith doesn’t shrivel and grow weary in the days between now and the arrival of your promise. One way I’ve found extremely helpful is by journaling my thoughts and prayers. So as time goes by and I return to look at my written reminders, my heart is warmed and I move forward in hope during my times of prayer, praise, and practical parts of my everyday ordinary life.
It’s so important that we continue to look deeply into the promises of God’s word and remind ourselves personally of His goodness and grace, and as we look upon those Altars we’ll see our faith, our hope, and our love altered into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
