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8/22 Reading Portions: 1 Samuel 14; Romans 12; Jeremiah 51; Psalm 30
Genesis 12:10
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
TESTS
Abram is well-known as the man of faith (Gal 3:9; Heb 11:8-10), as well as the friend of God (2 Chr 20:7; Jas 2:23). His faith, a grace of God (Eph 2:8-9), was tested from the very moment he was called by God to leave Ur of the Chaldees. He journeyed northward from Ur to Haran rather than going directly westward toward Canaan (Gen 11:31). Yet the journey northward was a test of Abram’s faith. By his submissive obedience to his father, Terah, Abram dwelt in Haran, living among family members of wavering faith (Jas 1:6). After the death of Terah, Abram journeyed southward toward Canaan, and his faith was tested when he lived in Shechem, surrounded by Ham’s cursed and ungodly descendants (Gen 12:6); yet he worshipped God Almighty, building an altar there, because God reminded Abram of the promise that He had made to him (Gen 12:7). Abram’s faith was tested again when he dwelt between Bethel and Ai, facing life’s struggles in a situation that lay between the presence of God and the peccable ruin of fleshly corruption (Gen 12:8). After having endured the wavering faith of family, the godlessness of worldlings, and the struggles of the flesh within, Abram’s faith was tested again to remain humble, not relying upon what his faith had already overcome, but pressing forward into the unknown for Christ’s sake (Gen 12:9; Phil 3:13-14).
Now there was a famine in the land, whereas Abram’s faith would be tested again by an external element with spiritual implications. Famines are familiar in the Old Testament Scripture. In Genesis, they caused God’s people to move where our Sovereign wanted them to be, presenting portraits and typology of Christ and His gospel in their situations and circumstances. Yet it is in the spiritual implication I would like us to consider today. Famine comes from the Hebrew word רָעָב (ra-AV), which literally means “hunger” or “famished.” It is often translated “hunger,” “dearth,” or “famine.” YHVH God also used this word to convey a dearth in the hearing of His Word:
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” Amos 8:11
When Abram was in Shechem, the LORD appeared to Abram and reiterated His promise to Him; then Abram built an altar (Gen 12:7). This time, the LORD did not appear to him nor speak to him. Abram’s journey southward into Egypt in search of temporal grain for his cattle and servants must be undertaken in the strength of the past promises and invisible presence of the God who had called him. This was a greater test of Abram’s faith.
There are times when we must remain steadfast upon what we already know of Christ: Upon His eternal deity as God, upon His righteousness as sinless Man, upon His perfect atoning sacrifice as the Lamb of God, upon His powerful resurrection as the Alpha and Omega, upon His merciful mediation as our great High Priest, and upon His ascended reign as King of kings. Receiving no new revelation from His Word; no incredible insights from our daily Bible readings; nary a still, quiet voice to comfort us in our fear and trepidations. Yet He has promised…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
When we look to Christ’s righteousness, hungering and thirsting for Him, the test of faith we endure will end with abounding blessings in Christ, satisfied because it is full of His glory. Hallelujah! What a Savior!