April 20, 2024 -- Genesis 12:6-7 -- The Oak of Moreh, Oak of Teaching

Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:6-7 ESV

Abram, who most of you know as Abraham because his name was changed by God a little bit later in his life, was taken from Ur of the Chaldeans, where he used to worship idols, and commanded to go to the place where God showed him. God called him. In obedience he traveled without train or plane or car; he traveled over 1600 kilometers from Ur to Shechem. Where did he end up? At the oak of Moreh. So what?! Ah, but Moreh means teacher or teaching. The pagans in the land worshiped at this oak tree. When Abram built this altar he claimed this land for the LORD in effect was saying it is the LORD alone Who is the Teacher.

Our world today worships trees and promotes the welfare of animals above people. We live in a culture that aborts its children and protests the cutting down of trees. People are disposable while trees and animals are considered far more valuable. Whenever the people of the LORD worship Him, their priorities are set right. It is the LORD of heaven and earth Who alone is to be worshiped and praised. The people of God are sent to their workplaces, their coffee-shops, their neighbourhoods so that they will be a people who have been taken from the world, shown how empty its values are, and then filled with the knowledge of the glory of God must teach this world of the glory of God. Like Abram who traveled from Ur to Shechem, our journey from being sinful people to becoming a new creation in Christ is a huge, long journey. However, it is purposeful. We too are called out this world of sin that we may declare the praises of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Shine for Jesus. Wherever He has placed you, let your light shine.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How rich and wonderful and humbling is Your salvation given in Jesus Christ. How amazing that You take sinners and so transform them that they truly are a new creation, temples for Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Forgive us Father, for the lingering wickedness we have entertained in our hearts. Forgive us for the times we have toyed with sin rather than pressed onwards, ever deeper, into the new life that is ours in Christ. By Your Spirit's presence in us enable use to brightly shine the light of Christ in our homes, in our workplaces, in our retirement activities so that You glory, triune God, will cover this earth as the waters cover the sea. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4oGuGzCFEWI?si=xGXelctx0bs2M_B9 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

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