UNBROKEN COVENANT

Abraham, born as "Abram" sometime between 2215 and 2055 BC, grew up in Ur, a city that was south of Babylon (now in present-day Iraq).  Archaeological excavations of Ur reveal homes (dated 2047 to 1750 BC) with 10-20 rooms, including a lower floor for servants, an upper floor for the family, a guest chamber with a lavatory, and a private chapel for idol worship.  Ur boasted a school with clay tablets for reading, writing, and arithmetic.

God first called Abraham in Ur (Acts 7:2-4).  In response to that call, Abraham's father, Terah, left their home and land, took his family and a large entourage, along with provisions, and set out walking on a journey of around 850 miles to Haran (Genesis 11:31-32).  After Terah died in Haran, God again called Abraham to "Go for yourself away from your country, from your relatives and your father's house, to the land I will show you" (Hebrews12:1, Amp.).  God accompanied the request with a Covenant Promise of land, a name, blessings, and many descendants who would turn into a great nation.  He also promised Abraham, "In you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3, Amp.).

The Word of God tells us that "And he [Abram] believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6, Amp.).

So Abraham, at 75 years old, took off again on a long, hard journey - until, about 750 miles later, God told him to "STOP" (Hebrews 11:8).

However, it wasn't long until "righteous" Abraham blew it.  Fear of a famine caused him to flee to Egypt with his wife Sarah (Sarai), where he REALLY blew it - encouraging a situation where Pharaoh took Sarah as his wife.  The Lord, in mercy, scourged Pharaoh's household, so Pharaoh returned Sarah to Abraham (Genesis 12:10-20). 

Abraham continued to mess up...

·         his faith grew weak, and he complained to God (Look... no child! Genesis 15:3, Amp.);

·         he tried to fulfill the Promise himself, by creating a child through sex with a servant (Genesis 16:1-4);

·         both he and Sarah laughed when God (for the 4th and 5th time) again reminded them of the Covenant Promise (Genesis 17:17; 18:15);

·         he repeated the same atrocity that he had fallen into with Pharaoh, only this time with Sarah and King Abimalech (Genesis 20:2-18).

Yet God continued to have patience and mercy and grace.  And, in spite of Abraham's many sins,
GOD NEVER BROKE COVENANT.  When Abraham was 100 years old, Sarah gave birth to their "promised child" - Isaac, whose name means "laughter" (Genesis 21:1-7).  Around 400+ years later, the nation of Israel left Egypt for their Promised Land.

God is the same with us as He was with Abraham.  The Ancient of Days has made a "new" Covenant with us.  By the atoning blood of God Himself, He has (like with Abraham) "declared us righteous".  And even though we sin, every day, HE NEVER BREAKS COVENANT with us.  He is still our Abba Father (Galatians 3:13-4:6)! 

Halleluiah.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus!!