I have just recently finished reading through the book of Numbers (great book by the way with some great stories!) and was commenting about the book with my wife over dinner. She was the in the other room as I was slowly finishing my plate so our conversation was one where we had to speak loud so we could hear each other. I commented to her, "What do you think the significance was for God using a donkey to speak to Balaam?" (Num. 22:22-35) She responded with, "I don't know but I wish that God spoke to me through a donkey!"
Ahh so true. As I sat and pondered her response I was struck with the thought that sometimes, when in a place of frustration or desperation, we just want to hear from God, be it anything or anyway.
On a lighter note, I wonder if the writer's of Shrek were inspired by this text!
I tend to resonate with the idea of being clay in the Potter's Hand (Jer.18:6) as well as living life set on pilgrimage (Ps.84:5 niv). Hence the title for my blog, Clay Pilgrim. I strive to live my life simply, authentically, intentionally, and missionally. My desire is to live life proclaiming the One who gave LIFE. I write about things that come to my mind at any given time. My posts may be thought provoking, spiritually edifying, or just plain musings about sports. Either way: Engage!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
I am Abraham's servant
In the class that I am taking (Covenant Story) we had a creative assignment where we were to pick an Old Testament character and an incident in their life that we could write about as though we were them. I found this a very interesting paper. Here is what I came up with:
I am Abraham’s servant who was commissioned to find a wife for his son, Isaac (Gen. 24:1-27). This is my story. My journey….
When I rose that morning, it felt like every other morning that I have spent serving in the household of Abraham. Abraham left me in charge of all his possessions some time ago, which in and of itself is an amazing task, but what he asked me to do on that day far surpasses anything that I have done for him before. Time is of the essence right now for Abraham. He has buried his beloved Sarah, and is himself growing well advanced in years. Abraham’s God, YHWH, has blessed him in all things and I get chills every time I hear the retelling of the event when Abraham took his son, his beloved Isaac, to the mountaintop for sacrifice. I cannot believe the faith of my master, Abraham. He is wholly devoted to YHWH. He is an amazing man with an amazing blessing and promise on his life. So when Abraham called me into his quarters that morning, and commissioned me to go and find a wife for his son Isaac, I was quite literally speechless and shell-shocked. What a task!
The way that he commissioned me was special just by itself. In our tradition and culture, placing a hand under the thigh of someone else is of supreme importance and sacredness. (It’s similar to placing your hand on the Bible to swear an oath in court). He asked me to place my hand under his thigh and swear by YHWH, his God that I would not take a wife from the Canaanites but from his own clan. I didn’t really understand this and asked what initially came to my mind, “What if she doesn’t want to come?” Abraham assured me with full confidence that YHWH would guide me, that He would send His angel to direct me along the way and that I would find a wife for Isaac in that land. He spoke then again of the promise that YHWH gave him years ago. This promise has been a big thing in all of our lives. Abraham left his family and homeland and followed His God into a land that he did not know. YHWH blessed him there and said that He would make Abraham a great nation and that he would be a blessing and through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. It was with this reminder of the promise YHWH gave Abraham that he commissioned me to go and find a wife for Isaac. I was hesitant but still swore my oath to my master, and I guess, to his God.
Abraham sent me along with ten of his camels and an assortment of other treasures and gifts to Mesopotamia, the land of his family. Along this journey I had a lot of time to think. I thought about my home, my family, and my place in this world. I thought about how Abraham, the father of nations, sent me to find a wife for his son. Who am I that I should go? Why in the world did he choose me? What qualities do I have? Most of my thoughts, however, were fixed on Abraham and his God, YHWH. He spoke of YHWH so much back home. He revered and honored YHWH every chance that he got, and YHWH seemed to truly bless him.
Once I arrived outside my destination I stopped at a well for a drink and a rest. As the camels knelt in the heat of the sun, I felt an overwhelming sense of wanting to pray to YHWH. There must be something to this prayer thing that my master does. So I muttered to myself, “O YHWH, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today. Make it clear as to which girl you want for Isaac. When I ask for water, let her also give water to the camels”. It seemed simple enough, and I wanted it to be completely clear. As soon as I finished this prayer a beautiful young lady came to draw water from the well. Could this be her? The girl that is to become Isaac’s wife? Already? I mean, I just finished my prayer. I had to do something though before she left so I just ran to her and asked if I could have a drink from her jar. She willingly allowed and then insisted on caring for my camels also. Wait a minute! Did she hear my prayer? Because she has answered it to the ‘T’. There’s no way that she could have heard it though. I didn’t even say it out loud. I stood in silence and marveled. This must be an answer straight from YHWH. He must have truly guided this whole process just as my master said he would. This beautiful girl. This Rebekah, as she mentioned her name, is going to be the wife that YHWH has appointed for my master’s son.
I was filled with praise. It was a feeling like I’ve never felt before. I was overcome with joy and adoration for YHWH. This same God who blessed my master in all things, has chosen to bless me and guide me for His purposes. YHWH has given me success in finding a wife for Isaac. It is just as my master has said it would be. All the criteria has been met.
Blessed be YHWH, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness toward my master. As for me, YHWH has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen!
I am Abraham’s servant who was commissioned to find a wife for his son, Isaac (Gen. 24:1-27). This is my story. My journey….
When I rose that morning, it felt like every other morning that I have spent serving in the household of Abraham. Abraham left me in charge of all his possessions some time ago, which in and of itself is an amazing task, but what he asked me to do on that day far surpasses anything that I have done for him before. Time is of the essence right now for Abraham. He has buried his beloved Sarah, and is himself growing well advanced in years. Abraham’s God, YHWH, has blessed him in all things and I get chills every time I hear the retelling of the event when Abraham took his son, his beloved Isaac, to the mountaintop for sacrifice. I cannot believe the faith of my master, Abraham. He is wholly devoted to YHWH. He is an amazing man with an amazing blessing and promise on his life. So when Abraham called me into his quarters that morning, and commissioned me to go and find a wife for his son Isaac, I was quite literally speechless and shell-shocked. What a task!
The way that he commissioned me was special just by itself. In our tradition and culture, placing a hand under the thigh of someone else is of supreme importance and sacredness. (It’s similar to placing your hand on the Bible to swear an oath in court). He asked me to place my hand under his thigh and swear by YHWH, his God that I would not take a wife from the Canaanites but from his own clan. I didn’t really understand this and asked what initially came to my mind, “What if she doesn’t want to come?” Abraham assured me with full confidence that YHWH would guide me, that He would send His angel to direct me along the way and that I would find a wife for Isaac in that land. He spoke then again of the promise that YHWH gave him years ago. This promise has been a big thing in all of our lives. Abraham left his family and homeland and followed His God into a land that he did not know. YHWH blessed him there and said that He would make Abraham a great nation and that he would be a blessing and through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. It was with this reminder of the promise YHWH gave Abraham that he commissioned me to go and find a wife for Isaac. I was hesitant but still swore my oath to my master, and I guess, to his God.
Abraham sent me along with ten of his camels and an assortment of other treasures and gifts to Mesopotamia, the land of his family. Along this journey I had a lot of time to think. I thought about my home, my family, and my place in this world. I thought about how Abraham, the father of nations, sent me to find a wife for his son. Who am I that I should go? Why in the world did he choose me? What qualities do I have? Most of my thoughts, however, were fixed on Abraham and his God, YHWH. He spoke of YHWH so much back home. He revered and honored YHWH every chance that he got, and YHWH seemed to truly bless him.
Once I arrived outside my destination I stopped at a well for a drink and a rest. As the camels knelt in the heat of the sun, I felt an overwhelming sense of wanting to pray to YHWH. There must be something to this prayer thing that my master does. So I muttered to myself, “O YHWH, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today. Make it clear as to which girl you want for Isaac. When I ask for water, let her also give water to the camels”. It seemed simple enough, and I wanted it to be completely clear. As soon as I finished this prayer a beautiful young lady came to draw water from the well. Could this be her? The girl that is to become Isaac’s wife? Already? I mean, I just finished my prayer. I had to do something though before she left so I just ran to her and asked if I could have a drink from her jar. She willingly allowed and then insisted on caring for my camels also. Wait a minute! Did she hear my prayer? Because she has answered it to the ‘T’. There’s no way that she could have heard it though. I didn’t even say it out loud. I stood in silence and marveled. This must be an answer straight from YHWH. He must have truly guided this whole process just as my master said he would. This beautiful girl. This Rebekah, as she mentioned her name, is going to be the wife that YHWH has appointed for my master’s son.
I was filled with praise. It was a feeling like I’ve never felt before. I was overcome with joy and adoration for YHWH. This same God who blessed my master in all things, has chosen to bless me and guide me for His purposes. YHWH has given me success in finding a wife for Isaac. It is just as my master has said it would be. All the criteria has been met.
Blessed be YHWH, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness toward my master. As for me, YHWH has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen!
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