A Journey to Hope: Abraham and Sarah

By Liz Gentry

That God created us to be in a relationship is fundamental to the Christian faith. The relationship that Abraham and Sarah formed with God stands out as unique for two reasons: beginning in Genesis 12, God called them to follow, and they listened; therefore, they did not just hear God, but they also followed and obeyed God. In their quest of their relationship with God, Gods very being and personality are captured. Their relationship was not one of equals, but it was a relationship of trust and care. The documentation of their own difficult yet blessed journey helps us understand that relationships are journeys that may be arduous but rewarding. We can thank Abraham and Sarah for having the faith, courage, and stamina to keep seeking God, who had plans for themand has plans for us. For too long in our Christian history, we have made God distant, unyielding, and as a result, we have not seen God as close and personal. God is not distant; instead God is involved and passionate. Through Gods relationship with Abraham and Sarah Gods desire for a closeness and involvement are evident. God also encourages and invites mutual influence. We pray to be influenced by God, to be close to God, but dont we want to also influence God? I know I do! God was as committed to Abraham and Sarah as to us. God guides us as God guided Abraham and Sarah through good times and through bad times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512799521

Liz Gentry

Liz Gentry has extensive expertise in working with the complexity of relationships. Liz has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas for over 20 years. Liz’s most passionate endeavor is helping people strengthen their relationships with each other as well as their relationship with God. Currently Liz has a private practice and serves as Senior Director, Austin Family Institute.

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Copyright © 2017 Liz Gentry, MA.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-9951-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9950-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9952-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017912482

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/11/2017

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1   The Contrast of Adam and Eve to Abraham and Sarah

Chapter 2   In the Beginning … Sovereignty and Royalty

Chapter 3   Doubt and Disconnection

Chapter 4   Pain and Resolution

Chapter 5   God’s Character

Chapter 6   Co-Creating a New Relationship: God, Abraham, and Sarah

Chapter 7   The Law of the Mountain; The Law of God

Chapter 8   Jesus

Chapter 9   Conclusion: The Counselor and Commitment

References

Introduction

Throughout history, there is no shortage of heroes and heroines who have made significant contributions to humanity. These people displayed enormous courage, energy, vision, and leadership, providing us with roadmaps and encouraging us to dream. They risked their lives to forge ahead with their dreams or visions, at times with no certainty of success. Columbus, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and, of course, Jesus himself. They are but a few who can be counted as heroes.

Many people stand behind heroes, making their success possible. Spouses, family, and friends who provide encouragement are often out of the spotlight and out of history. They are not given credit for their role in the achievements of the hero. Most kings and queens had a spouse behind them for support. Most American presidents had a wife behind them, providing support. Many of them held their office as a single person. There are a couple of kings and queens who have shared history, some for good and others not. Outside of royals, few couples share equal billing as making historical contributions together. The one pair that comes to mind is a couple from antiquity: Abraham and Sarah shared such as a position ordained by God. They are the reason I wrote this book.

The inspiration for this book developed after I reread the story of Abraham and Sarah from beginning to end, from Genesis 12 to Genesis 24. As I began to formulate in my mind the importance of looking at their shared story, which is unlike any other in the Bible, I also reread Genesis 1 and 2. I began to understand the context of God’s original design for creation. Inspiration and clarity come at surprising times and from surprising places.

Abraham and Sarah are the first couple to work with God in changing the course of the world for good. They stood in a unique position and at a pivotal place in history; God asked them to step in, after a particularly difficult time for him. They joined with God at a time when he was ready to begin again. God, apparently, had a new fresh plan. He had moved past the disappointment, pain, and anger of the fall and of the deterioration of the human existence. When approached by God, Abraham and Sarah were ready to meet him on his terms and move with him toward restoring our relationship according to God’s plan. God was ready to provide hope to a very dark world. Abraham and Sarah were ready to begin a journey with God to bring hope to the world. They are my role models and my spiritual heritage. Another important aspect of their story that is important to me is their obvious humanity. They missed the mark on a number of occasions but were able to work with God enough to change history.

I was struck with the amount of detail and attention given to the lives of Abraham and Sarah. Upon completing the reading of Abraham and Sarah, I realized Sarah’s story is Abraham’s story, and Abraham’s story is Sarah’s story. I came to view God differently as I read about Abraham and Sarah. Their relationship with God was interactive. They had conversations with God. And they challenged God and led God’s mind to be changed. Along the way, their minds were changed as well.

In fact, everything about their reality changed as their lives were transformed. Their relationship with God was inclusive; it is evidence that God seeks a personal relationship with each one of us. Their story, their journey, is intertwined. I was struck that their story is a shared story, a shared journey, a shared calling, and a shared blessing. I came to more fully understand that the covenant was made to both: It was made to all of humanity. The covenant with them reflected in part by the changing of their names. What was offered to Abraham and Sarah is also offered to us: We are their spiritual heirs. We are joint heirs of Christ.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:15–17 NIV)

Understanding context is so important; for me to understand something, I need to understand the big picture. I love to understand how parts fit together to create the whole. Reading the story over and over, as well as reading wonderful commentaries, helped me put into context God’s plan, a plan which would never be thwarted. God desired a relationship with the pinnacle of creation. God’s number one goal was to be in a relationship. It is the cornerstone of who God is: dynamic, creative, love. Nothing would get in the way of that relationship. God approached the new plan for redemption and restoration with undeterred determination.

It is as if God is saying, "You can keep trying to go around me, you can do your own thing and suffer the consequences