Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Shalom,
The Faith OF Abraham – Romans, part 45
Speaking of father Abraham… Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God. Rather, he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that what God has promised, He also is able to do. 22 That is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Abraham’s interaction with God begins in Genesis 12 at the start of the chapter. God spoke promises to our father, Abraham, that are still basic to our faith, to this day. Abraham was 75 years old at the beginning of Genesis 12. There would be other interactions between them over the years, but that basic promise (of seed) was unfulfilled for 25 years. It is within that context that we read today, “…yet he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief….”
Each of us has a calling on our lives. While that calling is individual (peculiar and specific to each person), there are universal aspects to it, elements that apply to everyone. One of those is the calling to have the faith of Abraham. (Rabbi’s note: please pay close attention here. I’m choosing my words carefully.)
As children, we learn to have a faith “about” Abraham. Now that we are mature adults, we must attain the faith “OF” Abraham. This is exactly what Paul is communicating. Abraham did not waver in unbelief, even though he did not see evidence of the promised seed for twenty-five years. Genesis 12:7 Then Adonai appeared to Abram, and said, “I will give this land to your seed.” So there he built an altar to Adonai, who had appeared to him.
Abraham had no children. There was no “seed” to receive this gift of land. And, there was no land to give. Abraham was a sojourner, living as a foreigner in a strange land that was not his own. All Abraham had was a promise, yet He trusted God. Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised—but they saw them and welcomed them from afar, and they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.
We too have a promise… John 14:2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be. Yeshua promised 2,000 years ago that He will come again. What do we do? Like father Abraham, we wait for the fulfillment.
“Waiting” might connote a passive and patient cessation of work. To the contrary, our “waiting” carries an assignment of taking back what the enemy has stolen from God. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
May our faith (in promises not yet fulfilled), just like father Abraham, be credited to us as righteousness. Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 14 Mar-2023 21st of Adar, 5783
Ex 37:17-29 Isa 13 Pr 10 Ac 9 (Rev 3)