A Journey to Hope
Abraham and Sarah
by
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There are many stories in the OT and NT that are inspirational. This is just but one of them. And yet it is different in some ways as well. Abraham and Sarah are a unique couple. Married. Called and chosen by God. Their story is documented and told for over 25 years. No other couple has the honor to be so chronicled.
From the beginning God: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit existed in perfect unity. God created man and woman in a setting that worked in perfect harmony. Adam & Eve participated in taking care of and carrying out God's plan. The plan was mutual and interactive. Humans were at peace and free from anxiety. The garden in which they lived has been compared to the Holy of Holies: a place of residence for man and ruled over by God.
Unfortunately, the man and the woman chose to make other choices for their life dissolving the harmony and protection God provided. Man and woman were now left to their own devices. A consequence that would impact the future of all.
God suffered not only through the disappointment of Adam and Eve God suffered through the choices made for generations to come. God concluded the evilness needed to end. One family proved worthy of God's protection: Noah's family.
The grief and pain experienced by God over the evil man proved to be capable of were profound. I don't think we can come close to imagining God's despondency and utter grief which he felt. As humans we know that resolving grief takes time. We know there is no way to hurry it, by-pass it, or even successfully deny it. Grief is worthy of respect.
God's grief and resolution resulted in a new plan. A reclamation was needed. God, being a jealous God, was not satisfied to leave man and woman to their own devices. God began to set in place a plan to bring men and women back to the relationship Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden, in the Holy of Holies, protected by God and free from anxiety.
A few early humans gave God hope. Men and women first worshiped God in Genesis 6. Noah found favor in God. God looked out and found a few people worthy of God's moving ahead toward reclamation.
After the flood the new plan begins to take on shape and form. Abraham and Sarah become the new first couple. The couple who live in hopelessness and yet chose to follow God. They are without land, and without an heir. They follow God to a new country. The two things that mattered. And yet they followed God, they worshiped God. Their story of becoming what God wanted them to be was not easy. They were not instantly blessed like Adam and Eve. They were not called to live an easy life. In fact, as it turns out, none of us grow authentically in easy, struggle-free lives. Hope is born out of struggle! God struggled! God felt the pain of rejection and yet, in that struggle, with integrity chose a new path for relationship.
Hope for me is being able to read about their struggle, about their bad choices and still see God's faithfulness to them, God's patience, God's vulnerability, hospitality, and God's direction. It is just as encouraging to see God's stepping in and blessing Hagar and Ishmael! They were equally without hope. God has always been inclusive. God does not give up on anyone no matter the circumstances of their birth!
God is also revealed as a God with whom we can interact and influence. Abraham pleaded with God to save the good people of Sodom. God had already been in the situation of having to decide if enough people deserved to be saved. God understood Abraham's heart. (It seems to me God is always one step ahead of us - God has already had to figure things out ahead of us!)
We not only influence God we influence each other. Adam and Eve influenced each other. Abraham and Sarah influenced each other. As we journey through life we are influenced and influence each other. Sometimes that influence is positive and inspiring. Sometimes that influence is negative and brings us down. Benjamin Franklin is said to have said “If we don't hang together we will certainly hang separately”. He was referring to literal hanging should the states not successfully fight for freedom. I don't think we will hang literally but there is something to be said for how we live our lives in connection to each other.
We have hope that God has mercifully included us in the plan. Just as Adam and Eve were like a king and queen over the garden God has also included us in the royal priesthood! It is hard for me to imagine on most days but I am one of God’s chosen. I can be free from myself! I can be free through Jesus, the Christ, and free through the power of the Holy Spirit. I have hope because I also see myself in relationship to Abraham and Sarah - taking life into my own hands all to often. I have a vantage point they did not - I know that all things works together for those that love The Lord. God did work out all things for them - kings got to witness God's work, Hagar and Ishmael were blessed. And they grew through all of their mistakes.
Upon giving birth Sarah named him Isaac: "Laughter"! After years and years of waiting Abraham and Sarah had reason to celebrate with joyous laughter. God had reason to celebrate as well.
We are connected to God and to each other. We have a mutually influenced relationship with God and with each other.
And because of Jesus, our High Priest, we have a relationship with God, again.
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About the Book
That God created us to be in a relationship is fundamental to the Christian faith. The relationship that Abraham and Sarah formed with God stands out as unique for two reasons: beginning in Genesis 12, God called them to follow, and they listened; therefore, they did not just hear God, but they also followed and obeyed God. In their quest of their relationship with God, God’s very being and personality are captured. Their relationship was not one of equals, but it was a relationship of trust and care. The documentation of their own difficult yet blessed journey helps us understand that relationships are journeys that may be arduous but rewarding. We can thank Abraham and Sarah for having the faith, courage, and stamina to keep seeking God, who had plans for them—and has plans for us. For too long in our Christian history, we have made God distant, unyielding, and as a result, we have not seen God as close and personal. God is not distant; instead God is involved and passionate. Through God’s relationship with Abraham and Sarah God’s desire for a closeness and involvement are evident. God also encourages and invites mutual influence. We pray to be influenced by God, to be close to God, but don’t we want to also influence God? I know I do! God was as committed to Abraham and Sarah as to us. God guides us as God guided Abraham and Sarah through good times and through bad times.
About the Author
Liz Gentry has extensive expertise in working with the complexity of relationships. Liz has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas for over 20 years. Liz’s most passionate endeavor is helping people strengthen their relationships with each other as well as their relationship with God. Currently Liz has a private practice and serves as Senior Director, Austin Family Institute.