*This story
is based on Genesis 14,20.
One day God’s words came to Abraham.
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."
Abraham.thought, ‘Is God saying that I am going to become an emperor or something?'
He got so excited and left his country for Canaan, which would be the promised land.
But not long after, there was a famine in Canaan. Abraham.went down to Egypt for food.
Abraham.fell into deep concern. It was because of his beautiful wife, Sarah. The Egyptians might kill him to get Sarah if they found Abraham her husband.
He said to Sarah, "I'll call you my sister. If I were your husband, they would kill me."
Sarai said, “Do it, God will protect us!"
They acted like brother and sister. One day Pharaoh heard about her beauty and brought her into the palace. There was nothing Abraham could do for her. In the end, God saved Sarah.
Returning to Canaan, Abraham.trained his soldiers. They were 318 people. Abraham didn’t want to be a coward anymore who couldn’t even protect his wife.
Around that time, the international situation had changed rapidly. It was the empire of Kedorlaomer that had ruled the area for the last twelve years.
One day God’s words came to Abraham.
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."
Abraham.thought, ‘Is God saying that I am going to become an emperor or something?'
He got so excited and left his country for Canaan, which would be the promised land.
But not long after, there was a famine in Canaan. Abraham.went down to Egypt for food.
Abraham.fell into deep concern. It was because of his beautiful wife, Sarah. The Egyptians might kill him to get Sarah if they found Abraham her husband.
He said to Sarah, "I'll call you my sister. If I were your husband, they would kill me."
Sarai said, “Do it, God will protect us!"
They acted like brother and sister. One day Pharaoh heard about her beauty and brought her into the palace. There was nothing Abraham could do for her. In the end, God saved Sarah.
Returning to Canaan, Abraham.trained his soldiers. They were 318 people. Abraham didn’t want to be a coward anymore who couldn’t even protect his wife.
Around that time, the international situation had changed rapidly. It was the empire of Kedorlaomer that had ruled the area for the last twelve years.
The five kings, including Sodom and Gomorrah, brought forces
together to rebel against the empire.
But the allies were defeated. The King of Kedorlaomer took the Sodomites to their city. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, also was taken captive because he lived in Sodom.
"Call all my men!"
Abraham pursued the king’s troops. During the night, Abraham.divided his men and made a surprise attack.
But the allies were defeated. The King of Kedorlaomer took the Sodomites to their city. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, also was taken captive because he lived in Sodom.
"Call all my men!"
Abraham pursued the king’s troops. During the night, Abraham.divided his men and made a surprise attack.
He got a big victory.
He recovered all the goods and brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions,
together with the women and the other people.
Abraham became a hero. He muttered, "Oh, is it the time for God’s promise?"
He defeated the Emperor’s troops with just his men of 318. Abraham thought God was about to give him an empire. It’s just the beginning.
He defeated the Emperor’s troops with just his men of 318. Abraham thought God was about to give him an empire. It’s just the beginning.
But nothing
more happened to him after that. Time had passed. Abraham’s ambition for an
empire had faded. He only wished for a son born to Sarah.
It’s a small dream
but a much more difficult thing to achieve than being an emperor. Abraham was
already 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old too.
At
the time, a miracle happened. Abraham and Sarah had their baby! At last,
Abraham could understand God’s promise.
"I
will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name
great, and you will be a blessing."
God’s promise aimed for his kingdom, not the worldly empire. It will be fulfilled through Isaac, the son of Abraham. And we know the end. After all, Jesus the Savior will be born of the family of Abraham.
God’s promise aimed for his kingdom, not the worldly empire. It will be fulfilled through Isaac, the son of Abraham. And we know the end. After all, Jesus the Savior will be born of the family of Abraham.
In
such a way, Abraham will be a great nation and a blessing. God has accomplished
his words, as he said.
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