Abram — Abraham
Based on Gensis 16 – 20
Years passed since they came from Haran,
still Abram had no son,
For Sarai was barren.
God promised them a son,
so Sarai thought it may not be her own.
But from another woman.
While in Egypt, then still a child,
Hagar was given her to be her maid,
Has become a young woman,
She might conceive a son from Abram.
Then she gave her handmaid Abram for his wife,
this would solve the problem in their life (?)…
As soon as Hagar knew she was with child,
she got haughty,
refusing to be Sarai’s maid,
was behaving very naughty.
To Abram Sarai said he should rebuke her,
but he said she should deal with her.
Hagar then one day did simply run away.
Not knowing where to go,
she ended at a fountain in the wilderness.
An angel did appear inquiring, what she is doing here –
Fleeing from her mistress in her distress!
The angel told her to return,
serving Sarai humbly as her maid.
And God will bless her well, she will bear a son,
she shall call him Ishmael.
He will be a quite wild man, controversial to all men.
Hagar called the name of the LORD
“Thou God seest me!”
And the well was called Beerlahairoi,
then returned with joy.
She bore Abram a son, he being 86 years old then.
……………………………….
At the age of 99, God appeared to Abram again,
Confirming and adding to His covenant with him.
Also changing there his name Abram to Abraham,
Meaning of many nations – Abraham a father,
God now made him.
How could Abraham endure God’s presence
Repeatedly to him appearing, being not consumed
By the divine majesty intense?
Abraham was humble,
walking in the fear of the LORD,
Obeying faithfully His every word.
By all his riches, wealth he got,
arrogant nor stingy he was not.
He was honest, kind and candid in his dealings,
Be it his servants, strangers, or with merchants,
Thus was regarded with respect as man of genuine authority and caring generosity.
God promised Abraham,
Canaan where he is a stranger
To give his seed this land to be its home
And to the generations that will come,
As an inheritance,
where He will be their God for ever.
As His people,
Abraham and his descendants to keep the covenant
Was given the rite of circumcision,
for every male and newborn male child
In future generations as a token
to be God’s special nation.
God also said to Sarai, Sarah now be called,
He will bless her,
Bare a son, at this time next year,
and Isaac to be called.
God will establish an everlasting covenant with him and his seed after him.
Concerning Ishmael – he will be blessed,
Be very fruitful, will be a nation very great
with 12 princes to beget.
……………………………….
Once again God appeared to Abraham –
here in disguise on this wise:
It is a very hot day, three men are on the way,
Abraham sitting at the tent door sees them coming,
At once he gets up and
running bowing to the ground,
That in favour he be found.
With heartfelt courtesy he intreats them be his guests,
Humbly offering his best,
to refresh themselves and rest;
Urging them to stay
before continuing their journey on the way.
While the guests enjoyed the meal at the shady tree,
Abraham observing, the LORD is speaking, asking:
“Where is Sarah thy wife?”
“My LORD she is in the tent.”
“I will certainly return to thee
according to the time of life,
And Sarah shall have a son.”
Hearing this behind the door of the tent
Laughing to herself, we are far too old for this event…
But nothing is too hard for the LORD to do,
Confirming the baby will be due,
according to His word…
The three men rose up,
looking toward Sodom now departing,
Abraham a distance with them walking.
And the LORD commending Abraham
becoming a great nation and a blessing,
To all his household God’s commandments, justly, faithfully addressing.
……………………………….
Therefore, the LORD does not withhold
what to Sodom and Gomorrah
He intends to do, by going there,
for the grievous sins committed there.
Abraham alarmed by hearing this, took courage, protesting vehemently,
Shall the Judge of all the earth not acting rightly?
Be it far from Him to destroy the righteous
with the wicked!
Surely the LORD had His delight in Abraham
so fiercely defending the righteous,
Tenderly assuring Him
not to do anything so distressing!
Then the LORD departed and
Abraham went back home,
Wondering what of Sodom and Gomorrah
would become.
But then seeing the smoke of burning
in the morning from Sodom and the plain,
He knew that not even ten righteous souls
were found therein.
……………………………….
O Abraham, Abraham –
what are you doing now again?
Known as just and righteous man?
Bringing danger to your wife,
thinking thus to safe your life?
Did you forget – you become a nation great –
why are you now afraid?
Making God with your unbelief now sad!
Did you not learn from Pharaoh,
and now do lie to Abimelech the king?
This thought everyone this story hears does think,
(Reader): How is it with you, are you perfect, invincible, when on a brink?
All of us are faulty, apt to fail and fall,
Sometimes we are winners,
how often unbelief affects us all…
There are consequences for the committed wrong
God knows the measure of temptation,
in mercy His grace does go along,
when sinners mournfully are seeking reconciliation…
With Abimelech God Himself was dealing,
Abraham was to pray for him for healing, opening
For Sarah’s sake the shut-up wombs
Of Abimelech’s wife and maidservants,
giving the blessing now for child bearing.
Abraham were given sheep and oxen,
men and women servants, and to dwell
There in the land
according to king Abimelech’s grant.
End of Part 2.
To be continued.
By Edda Tedford