Genesis 24:1-67
Do you remember singing “Father Abraham” when you were a kid? “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham …“ I remember accompanying the children’s choir at my home church many years ago. They loved to sing that song and do the actions, and so we would sing it over and over! (In case you need an earworm, listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEOjs4Pj2hs)
When the Lord blessed Abraham, He promised our father in faith, “All the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 NRSVUE). The great story of the Old Testament narrates the history of the Lord’s work to keep this promise, beginning with Abraham and Sarah and moving through the lives of our ancestors. St. Paul, the apostle, turns to this promise to assure Gentiles, who join God’s family through adoption in baptism, that they—that we!—inherit the blessing the Lord promised Abram. St. Paul writes,
“… so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would reckon as righteous the gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the gentiles shall be blessed in you.” For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed. Galatians 3:7–9 (NRSVUE)
This summer, we have been following the family narratives of Abraham through the Old Testament. These stories are filled with drama and disappointment. This is especially true of our story today of the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. In each of these stories, we see a God who keeps showing up, persistently, creatively, and lovingly fulfilling the promises made to Abraham.
God made a promise to Abraham that binds us all together as brothers and sisters in the same covenant. With great joy, God has made this covenant with us all and proclaimed it broadly with a vow of love from the cross. We celebrate and sing together, "I am one of them, and so are you." (last line from the song “Father Abraham”)
Listen:
The God of Abraham Praise (sung by the Southwood Community Men’s Chorus) https://vimeo.com/1089818253
Question for Reflection:
- Just like Isaac and Rebekah, we experience drama and disappointments in our lives. How have you felt God consistently, creatively and lovingly showing up in these times?
Prayer:
Thank you for your promise to adopt us into your family as your baptized children and bless us with your covenant of love. Amen.
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