The reason Abraham built an altar in Genesis 12:7 was because YHWH “appeared to him.” In what form he appeared it doesn’t say, but the result of YHWH’s appearance was dramatic.
Abraham’s mind was suddenly opened to the reality and greatness of YHWH. And it struck him so amazingly and clearly that he dropped all immediate practical needs, like setting up the family tent, to seal that moment in the most permanent way he could. He constructed a pile of rocks that would serve as a visual marker and reminder that the YHWH who had suddenly become so real and great to him had also, for some incredible reason, chosen him and his offspring for what he had in mind for the whole world.
So that’s what happened to Abraham, but how does it play out in our lives today? Well, according to Paul in Galatians 3:7, we are now Abraham’s children, so at one point YHWH must have appeared to us in such a way that it opened our minds as well to how real and great he is, and to the amazing realization that God has chosen us for some incredible reason, just like he chose Abraham.
And we see exactly that being played out in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit also appeared in dramatic fashion, which had the immediate effect of opening people’s minds to “the wonders of God,” verse 11, the same thing that happened to Abraham, that God was real and he was great.
And then they were told in verses 38-39 that the Holy Spirit would do the same thing – not only for them and their children – but for anyone else “whom the Lord our God will call.” So they got to hear the same message Abraham heard, that this very real and mighty God was calling and choosing people – the immediate result in verse 41 being thousands of people making God’s calling their life’s permanent purpose, just like Abraham did – and just like we do too.
Because “the blessing given to Abraham,” Galatians 3:14, was that we Gentiles “might receive the promise of the Spirit” who will do exactly the same thing for us, therefore, that he did for Abraham.
Which is the amazing realization dawning on us that God has called and chosen us too. But that raises the question: “Why did God choose Abraham?”….(next blog)
Buck To Basics 