Wells and Altars

There are some extraordinary examples in scripture of how GOD encountered frail, desperate, and hopeful humanity. Wells and altars are places in our life of faith where we discover GOD. At these wells and altars GOD reveals us to ourselves. We in turn, present ourselves back to GOD.

At the wells we are refreshed.

At the altars we sacrifice, surrender, and worship.

Just like the sun is either about to rise, rising, or about to set, we are either at wells to be refreshed or we are at altars sacrificing, surrendering, and worshiping. This is true of the nature of following JESUS in the varied seasons and experiences of our life’s journey of faith.

Since the earliest mention of GOD’s dealing with man in scripture (Genesis 4:4) we know of Abel, a man who honored GOD with an offering on an altar. After the days of Noah the scriptures focus on a man of Ur, a Chaldean named Abram.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 11:27; 12:1-6 - Abram's Journey Begins

When Abram is called by GOD he is living with his family in Ur. Perhaps Abram spoke with his father Terah about GOD’s redirection of his life. We get an inkling of this unwritten conversation because Abram’s father Terah travelled only as far as Haran from Ur. Abraham’s detour in Haran was a time of breaking from the family until Terah was gone. In these passages we see Abram is called from his home and heritage to follow the voice of GOD.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 12:7 - Abram's 1st Altar - Covenant

Genesis 12:1-4, 7 In Haran Abram returns his focus to Canaan where the LORD told him to relocate. The LORD GOD reminds Abram of HIS covenant. Genesis 12:8 “…and Abram pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.”

At this place called Sichem GOD speaks to Abram of his seed, and their inheritance. It is amazing that although Abram and his wife Sarai are advanced in years GOD speaks of a fruitfulness they have yet to experience. Realize that this singular man would become the patriarch of the nation of Israel. Abram does not know GOD's full plan or design for his destiny. Abram, the father of the faithful, willingly follows the voice of a GOD he was beginning to know and learning to trust.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 12:8 Abram's 2nd Altar - Call on the name of the LORD

At Bethel Abram built an altar and at this place of rest, adaptation, and adjustment between Bethel and Hai Abram is learning to walk in a faith that he can hardly articulate or explain. Abram is journeying with GOD through regions unknown to a place he has never seen or imagined. 

Please know that if and when your life of faith seems murky and your steps slow because you do not know where GOD is leading GOD is leading. Faith in GOD’s integrity gives us courage to take each step even when we do not know the destination. Genesis 13:8 When Abram and Lot find that the land cannot contain their accumulated wealth, they part ways. Lot chooses the plain of Jordan. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. Genesis 13:14-18 The LORD rehearses to Abram HIS promise that the land “…from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward and westward; ‘for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.’ ‘And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.’ ‘Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.’ ‘Then Abram moved his tent and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.” 

I do not dare suggest that material wealth and a bounty that can be measured in dollars and cents will be yours as you follow the LORD. However, there is a wealth of grace, faith, joy, hope and peace that can only be given as we continue to follow the path that the LORD guides us through.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 13:4 Abram's 3rd Altar - Revisiting the place he called on the LORD

Sometimes we can be distracted. Distracted by our progress or, just as easily, distracted by the stand-still. It can be so easy to begin to believe that having financial abundance is an end in itself. It can be hard in our modern day not to grasp for just a little more. Let us look at this revisiting of this well where Abram first called upon the LORD as an invitation to renew our vows of love, trust, and dependence upon our Heavenly Father who will guide us to our destiny in HIM.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 13:18 Abram's 4th Altar - Continuing to Pursue Peace

In the plain of Mamre, in Hebron, Abram builds an altar to commemorate a treaty of peace between himself and Lot, his nephew. Abram built the altar to GOD who repeats HIS covenant of provision, 'to you I will give it, and to your seed forever. Your seed will be as the dust ... without number.' 

Our familial relationships may tax us to the point of separation but that does not mean we no longer love our family. The pursuit of peace can mean we are distanced in miles or by an awkward circumstance, but our hearts can prayerfully love, with wisdom, forgiveness, and grace.

A rescue and blessing:

• Abram and his confederate friends rescue Lot, their goods, and other captives 

• Melchizedek and Abram have communion to celebrate the victory. Abram offers tithes and receives another blessing from GOD

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 15:9-21 Abram's 5th Altar - GOD Reaffirms the Covenant

The LORD GOD pronounces a lavish, extensive, and perpetual covenant of provision to Abram and his seed before Abram has a single heir to inherit. The LORD GOD encompasses the span of Abram's life to confirm that after his demise his children will 'be afflicted, GOD will pass judgment on their oppressors, and they will depart with great substance.' As I find myself in a place of prayer sometimes it is easy to slip into a posture of worship. Other times, there is labor to break through to deep, cool refreshing waters. I see it is essential to my love-life with JESUS that I keep ‘stealing away’ and be with HIM. As I continue to follow HIM I learn, that HE is unmovable, not inactive, but stable and sure. The communion I have is with HIM as I celebrate and cherish every victory throughout my vagabond-like journey of faith.

Scripture Reference: 

Genesis 22: 3-19 Abraham's 6th Altar - Thine only son

This habit of faith and obedient surrender has found Abraham at another altar. At this altar Isaac, Abraham’s son of promise, is bound and about to be killed with his father Abraham’s knife. Abraham has no idea of the type and shadow he is of our Heavenly Fathers’ gift of HIS only and beloved Son JESUS, many hundreds of years later.

Abraham’s arm is raised high, and poised to strike. Abraham is committed to complete obedience. Abraham’s heart is determined to sacrifice Isaac, his son of hope and promise. Abraham is relentless in his belief in the integrity of GOD. We cannot hear the pounding of Abraham’s heart but we gasp as we read on, waiting to know what GOD will do next.

Abraham is mid-swing when GOD speaks, ‘Abraham! Abraham! Now I know you fear GOD because you did not withhold your son, your only son. See the ram caught in the bush, sacrifice the ram.’ 

There is a collective sigh as we learn GOD has provided a ram to substitute for Isaac. We wipe our sweating brow, glad with grateful Abraham, that Isaac will live another day. At this altar GOD has granted Abraham the faith to believe that if Isaac’s life is offered to GOD, GOD will restore Isaac to health and back to life. Abraham’s unspoken hope was that GOD would miraculously restore the pierced and burnt body of Isaac to fulfill the promise given, the promise restated, the promise reverberated, and the promise believed in. Abraham knows that GOD cannot lie. At this place of sacrifice GOD intervenes to provide a substitutionary ram. This is a clear foreshadow of JESUS the precious Lamb of GOD who one day will be slain to cover the sin of all men.

Prayer: LORD JESUS, may there be no part of me that is not completely yours so that I am no longer mine, but wholly, holy and thine. 

Build your altars of sacrifice and worship.

Drink deeply from the wells and be renewed to follow HIM.

Feel free to shine,

OneLight

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