The Silent, Golden Years, Genesis 17:1-3

 

The Bible speaks, with words Divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21.

However, sometimes, the Bible speaks, not by what it says, but by what it doesn’t say.

Today we’re going to look at one of those instances.

Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram…

The Lord appeared…  This appearance, is likely a Christophany; an appearance of Christ, before the birth of Christ.  

The last chapter ends, the same way this chapter begins. By God looking at the clock.  

He tells the time, and then immediately tells us again, and just like that, thirteen years had passed.

Abram was 86 years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram Genesis 16:16-17:1

In between we hear… silence. Thirteen years of silence.

Silence can be, golden.

The Bible in the original text, is perfect in content, structure and placement; every jot, every tittle.

The placement of God telling us the time, twice in a row, with no narrative between, is no accident.  

 

Okay, so what does it mean? What happened? What caused the thirteen-year silence gap?

Remember, when interpreting the Bible, the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible; and context is king.

In context, the setting, is that just prior to the thirteen-year silence, Abram and Sarai decided, instead of God’s Way, they’d do it their way.

Sarai basically said, since God’s way isn’t working, let’s make our own way. Abe, go get the maid pregnant—perhaps that’ll help our family grow and God’s plan be fulfilled. Gen. 16:2.

Since when?  When did a husband getting another woman pregnant help the marriage, or promote God’s plan for their lives?

Never.

We become stupid fools when we make our own plan, and then call it God’s.

Were they thinking the King of kings was like Burger King—have it your way? Or, like Sinatra leaving Burger King—I did it my way?

When we go our own way, we delay, God’s Divine Eternal Purpose for our lives.

They knew better. They knew the story of their first mother and father, in the Garden. They knew it didn’t end well—but they followed them anyway.

With Adam and Eve, there were two trees; one was forbidden.

The wife took the forbidden, gave to her husband, and he partook.

With Abram and Sarai, there were two women; one was forbidden.

The wife took the forbidden, gave to her husband, and he partook.

 

With both there were long term consequences to pay; that still affect us to this day.

There were also immediate consequences.

Adam and Eve, were immediately naked and ashamed.

Abram and Sarai, were immediately thrown into the throes of a dysfunctional family.

In both situations, God came seeking. However, His timing was different.

With Adam and Eve, He didn’t wait; He came in the cool of the day, before the fall of night. The verdict was announced, judgement spelled out.

With Abram and Sarai, He waited, and waited, and waited, for thirteen long years. As far as we’re told, they never heard a Word from the Lord.

Now remember, even though it was Sarai’s idea for Abe to sleep with another woman; when Abe got Hagar pregnant, Sarai got upset, and sent Hagar away. But then, Hagar returned saying, God told her to come back. (Today’s talk shows that deal with dysfunction, got nothing on the Bible).

 

Of course, God saw it all.

God loves life, all life, even life that comes from action outside His plan.

2 Peter 3:9; It’s not God’s will that any perish, but all come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11; God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their wicked ways and live.

So, God vetoed Abe and Sarai’s eviction notice. He found Hagar, encouraged her, gave her hope, and sent her and the baby Ishmael (still in her womb) back to Abram and Sarai.

Setting the precedent that men ought to take care of their kids—even kids with women they never should’ve been with.

It’s like:

Okay, Abe, listen, I know we just cut a covenant, but now you’ve got other responsibilities, so take care of your son, we’ll talk later.

How much later?

In thirteen years.

Why thirteen years?

Interestingly, thirteen years, is when Ishmael the baby, became Ishmael, the man.

It wasn’t established yet, but at 13, in Jewish circles, boys become men. At 12, girls become women. Or perhaps better said, it’s the, age of maturity, when presumably they have enough understanding, to be responsible for their actions. That’s when they have, bar/bat mitzvahs; which means: son/daughter of the commandment.

 

The silent years of seemingly nothing, can actually be a good thing.

All things work together for Good for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

Let’s zoom out for a moment to get some perspective.

Genesis 12-16. In five chapters, we walked with Abram through about eleven years of his life, (from 75-86). We covered nearly 2,000 miles, in 99 action packed verses.

And then, in a blink, in one verse, we traverse, thirteen years, and just like that, he’s 99 years old.

With nothing to show for it but… silence.

No heading south to Egypt. No family feud with the nephew. No heading north to war. No hooking with Hagars.

No stressing, pressing, striving to make things happen.

Silence can be golden.

Mundane. Routine. Walking with God, step by step.

Focused on family.

Slow dancing with the Life god’s given.

Slow and steady, like an old rocking chair, squeak, swish, squeak, swish, watching sunrise and sunset, day after day, year after year.

Planted. Peaceful. Steadfast. Stable. Like a Rock. Like an oak.

Mastering the ability to just, be, is a powerful thing.

Be.

Not do.

Be.

We’re human be-ings. Not human do-ings. God’s first word to man was, “Be…” not “Do…”

Learn to be who you’re called to be,

and doing what you’re called to do, will take care of itself.

 

…and said to him, “I am Almighty God;

Genesis 17:1; When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God

I am El Shaddai; Almighty God, All Sufficient One. First time mentioned in Scripture. 

God’s not messing around this time.

Last time (Genesis 15:1) He said to Abram, “Don’t be afraid, I’m your shield and exceedingly great reward.”

God introduced Himself in a way that put the spotlight on Abram; it was relational, beneficial, to Abram. I’m your protector, I’m your provider. Don’t be afraid.

God knew what He was doing, of course. Abe needed the encouragement. However Abe’s response… 

Abe responded in a way that on the surface, could be considered, snarcasm (snarky and sarcastic mixed together); he said: “What will You give me? …How shall I know?” Genesis 15:1-8.

This time God opens with the spotlight on Himself; an attribute to who He is; Almighty God.

He means business and keeps right on rolling…

…walk before Me and be blameless.

 

Walk (not a race) before Me, and be... (there’s that word; be).  

Blameless? That word blameless is the same word used for the requirement of the Passover lambs. Spotless, without blemish, perfect.

Abe may be thinking: Ruh-roh. Blameless? Me? Uh…. I fled in fear to Egypt; lied; gave away my wife; slept during Your covenant cutting ceremony; and slept with another woman—got her pregnant.

Are you sure you’ve got the right guy?

² And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Remember when we talked about being:

Planted. Peaceful. Steadfast. Stable. Like a Rock. Like an oak.

God is like that. He’s not fickle. He’s still saying what He said.

He hasn’t changed His mind. The Covenant still stands.  He hasn’t forgotten you.

He knew you before He chose you, and He never makes mistakes.  

³ Then Abram fell on his face…

Kind of like Willy. He’s a long, tall, Texan. One day, Willy just happened to stop by the little park on the outskirts of his little town, Three Rivers, Texas.

Under the picnic shelter there was a preacher, preaching, without uttering a word. It was a peculiar thing. The preacher was doing mimes, to music; Mimestry.

The preacher was a Yankee—which made it even more peculiar.

What in the world is some Yankee, doing in a one-horse town in south Texas…wearing white gloves and white makeup on his face?

That feller just might get himself in trouble.

The moving music told a story, the moves of the minister painted a powerful picture, but none of it could penetrate the pain in the heart of that long, tall, Texan.

His marriage was failing. His kids were suffering. His heart was breaking.

God knew that. More importantly, God knew Willy.

Willy turned to walk away, from it all.

The minister broke from his routine, made a beeline toward the Texan, and headed him off at the pass. He broke the cardinal rule of mimes and opened his mouth to speak, because a minster ought never be too busy with ministry, to minister.

Out fell, one full sermon, in four short words.

“God hasn’t forgotten you.”

That’s all it took to penetrate the pain.

Willy didn’t fall on his face, like Abram, but he doubled over as the Presence of the Lord pierced his soul; and like a needle and thread, began to mend his broken heart.

It wasn’t the words, or the minister's mastery of mimestry; but the Presence of the Lord.

Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

All you Abrams, all you Sarais, God hasn’t forgotten you. You’re not too old. It’s not too late. You haven’t made too many mistakes.

He showed up for Abram, He showed up for Willy, He’s showing up, here and now, where you are…for you.

He hasn’t forgotten.

He remembers you.

Will you remember Him?

Oh, by the way, Willy remembered. I talked to him just the other day; he's serving God and doing just great. 

 

The Lord appeared.

Abram dropped to his face.

That was the proper response, reflecting the humble integrity developed in the silent years, necessary to carry the blessing of God.

When we see Him for who He is, ALMIGHTY GOD there is no other response but to fall to our face and cry “How great thou art. Holy, holy, holy”

See, the silent years, the invisible years, can be good years, growing years, pruning years, humbling years, golden years.  

On the outside, it may look like you’re sitting still. The world may think you’re not accomplishing anything. 

But God looks on the heart. He can see progress no one else can see. He examines the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The world may see you as just riding a rocking chair to the grave. But God sees you as riding a rocket ship to heaven.

He knows when He shows, who will fall to their knees, and who will stand in snarcastic pride.

We are either drawing near or drifting far from Him – the choice is entirely our own

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you; James 4:8.

God saw the progress Abram made in the silent years. Even though we have no record of it; we see the evidence with how he fell on his face in humble silence.

Additionally, remember, the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible. So, at the risk of getting ahead of ourselves, look at this:

Genesis 18:19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.

God knew, in the end, Abraham would get up one more time than he got knocked down, he’d raise his family to know his God, and he would finish well.  

Does God see that in you?

Do you want to finish well?

Do you want your ending to be better than your beginning?

I do.

God does.

You can.

 

Let’s pray.

Lord, we’re tired of stressing, pressing, striving; we don’t want to do that anymore. We just want to… be.

To be, who You’ve called us to be.

To be, forever Yours.

We surrender to You.

From now on, it’s Your way, not ours.

Lord, help us finish well.

If You will, please make our ending better than our beginning, by using this vessel, to glorify You.

Thank You.

We love you, forever.

Amen.  

 

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