Genesis 15:1-6
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring[d] be.”
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Good morning. I love camping. This year I was fortunate enough to make four camping trips. The setting up of the tent, building of the fire, exploring trails near the campsite, and the taste of fresh percolator coffee in the morning serve to fill my spirit in ways that work and luxuries cannot. My most favorite aspect of camping comes at night when I get the chance to see a thousand more stars than I could being at home.
According the most scientists, there exist approximately 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. In the years to come I intend to seek out even greater views of the stars. Whether it be camping under the skies of the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah, or near the Nambung National Park located outside of Perth, Australia. And what a site it must be to look out over Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, where the stars hang over Mount Everest.
Throughout history, stars held many different uses in the world. Long ago mariners on their clipper ships relied on the stars to navigate themselves across the seas, while runaway slaves depended on the North Star to lead them to freedom. Though I'm not quite sure how it works, others look to the stars in hopes their horoscope might portend some good fortune.
For myself, I recently discovered yet more purposes for the stars in stumbling upon Gen 15. In the opening verses of Gen 15, we learn that God brings out the stars to greet our anxieties with assurances. By pointing to the stars in Gen 15, we find God responds to our doubts with certainties. Even when we express our denials, Gen 15 describes how the stars appear to proclaim God's promises.
While the stars appear bright and magnificent in the passage, Gen 15 draws its strength and purpose from the word of the Lord. For the word of the Lord does not keep its distance in Gen 15, but instead draws close enough for us to hear it. According to Gen 15, the word of the Lord seeks not to cause us distress or harm, but rather comes to help and protect. Gen 15 portrays the word of the Lord not bent on handing out punishments, but intent on bestowing rewards.
Like all of the Bible, I appreciate so much the honesty of Gen 15. Gen 15 does not obscure the reality of "childless" moments when all of us can feel like we are totally alone. Gen 15 does not elude the genuine frustration in times when it feels like strangers receive blessings intended for us. Gen 15 does not hide the despair that comes from instances when all seems lost.
However, it is precisely when all seems lost that Gen 15 instructs us to tilt our eyes to the stars. Gen 15 tells us that we are not destined to remain isolated. Instead, Gen 15 promises to overwhelm our loneliness with the company of blessings so plentiful that they will match the number of stars in the sky. Gen 15 teaches us that to trust such promises is not a sign of naivety. Rather, Gen 15 affirms that to put one's faith in such promises is a mark of righteousness.
On the night before he was murdered, MLK, Jr. said, "...But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars..." Well it is not hard to recognize the dark realities we face living in this chaotic world. However, may all of us this week turn to God's word for courage in the face of our uncertainty. May all of us this week seek the company of God's promises for comfort in the depths of our despondency. Even in the midst of our adversity, may all of us this week not lose sight of God's blessings and our hope that they will number like the stars.
CJE