Christian Living

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HE SET HIS FACE



From the closing words of Genesis 11, it would appear that Terah had begun a journey, a journey intended to take him to Canaan. He took with him, Abram, Sarai, Lot, and possible others. However, for some reason not stated in this scriptural account, Terah halted his journey in Haran, and there he eventually died.

I don’t know what, if anything, can be made of the following. But a warning seems tucked neatly away between the conclusion of Genesis 11 and the opening of Genesis 12. A warning borne in Hebrew, though hidden to English eyes.

Was Terah, himself, called to Canaan? In the Hebrew language Canaan is rendered humiliation, mortification. It whispers of the truth that as long as self is alive and well, man sees no need for salvation. Pride stands as a wall, laid brick by brick, between Righteousness and man. How unlike the Righteous One Himself.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ( Philippians 2:5-11)

But Terah ceased his journey. I find that interesting, considering Terah can be better recognized as delay. It goes against our human nature to choose humiliation, mortification. Yet it is the urging of God’s Spirit, His calling to our soul, to leave the land of ‘self,’ to pick up our “cross” and die, that we might abide with Him.

Jesus leaves us in no doubt. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

The apostle Paul in Galatians sheds further light into God’s way. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me … And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Terah resisted the process, cut short the journey, and died before knowing the joy of walking in grace. And where did delay tarry and ultimately know death? In Haran, parched in soul.

Scripture doesn’t shed light on what precipitated Terah’s intended journey to Canaan (mortification; humiliation), only that he stopped in Haran (parched). But it leaves us in no doubt of Abram’s. God spoke, Abram heard, and listening, began a walk of obedience … growing daily into a faith that in the end withstood the test, withholding not his own son.

With his first step into obedience, Abram’s wasn’t a perfected faith. He stumbled. He followed sight into sin’s terrain. Like me. And in his journey I find hope for mine. The same God Who is the Author and Finisher of Abram’s faith, is also the Author and Finisher of mine. Abram’s faithfulness at journeying in humiliation changed his name, made him a friend of God, and blessed all mankind as the Seed of Promise bore my humiliation upon a tree, bringing me abundant life in Himself.

He was called to walk. I love the way scripture reveals Abram’s heart.

Abram departed as the LORD had spoken unto him … they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

There’s a promise of Another … who set His face towards Jerusalem.

Isn’t that the essence of faith? Of obedience? An internal decision, determination, to follow God’s call. A determination not to delay … but simply to go. Yes, Abram took side trips by leaning on his own understanding … by allowing sight’s fear to direct his steps. But every time God clarified His call, redefined the way, Abram showed that determination of heart to align his always with his God’s.

May my own steps come into the fullness of the Father of Faith. May I set my face towards obedience, buoyed by a determination to walk with God through the enabling of His Spirit, never failing to look for that city with a firm foundation whose maker and builder is God.




(Reflections of Gen 11-12)



© 17 January 2006
DeAnna L. Brooks

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