Under a Tamarisk Tree

Genesis 21:22 - Genesis 22:24"Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines." (21:33-34)

In God's Word this morning, I was challenged by these thoughts from the Living Word.

Abraham was not in the promised land when he planted this tree. He was in the land of the Philistines. We are not in the "promised land" yet, we are not "home" yet, we are not yet living free from the curse of sin because we are still living on this planet. Not only does Abraham plant the tamarisk tree, but he worships the LORD, the Everlasting God, at this tree and calls upon the Name of this Mighty God who had protected him and his family despite their sin and deception, and redeemed the situation to His own glory.

Abraham and King Abimelech (the king of the land where Abraham lived in Beersheba) had come to a covenant agreement. Abraham had tried to deceive Abimelech by having his wife, Sarah, say that she was his sister, so he could save his own hide. She was indeed beautiful, even in her older years, and Abraham feared that the king may take her into his harem and kill him to do so. (see Genesis 20) As a result, God mightily protected Sarah and demonstrated His power to Abimelech in doing so. Abraham was duly chastised by Abimelech for his deception. Regarding Abraham's residence at Beersheba, Abimelech had said he could stay and but Abimelech wanted some kind of assurance from Abraham that he would live in the land with integrity and not call down the wrath of this powerful God on him again. Abraham likewise wanted a covenant with Abimelech that a certain well that he dug in the land was truly his. They swore an oath to each other and Abraham continued to live in the land. Often when covenants are made, a visible "sign" is planted or built to memorialize the agreement. Thus, Abraham plants his tree.

After a period of time of worshipping and calling on the Name of the Everlasting God at Beersheba, Abraham is challenged by the Everlasting God to show his love for Him by sacrificing his "only son Isaac, whom you love". Abraham obeys, leaves Beersheba and goes to Moriah, later known as the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The parallels are not perfect, but I am reminded of how God gave His One and Only Son, whom He loved, and sent him to the Holy Land and to the world, because He so loved the world (you and me and those yet to hear) that He gave his One and Only Son.

Abraham's act of obedience in love to this Everlasting God, who called him to this mountain top, is rewarded by the surprise gift of a ram to take the place of his son on that altar. The Angel of the Lord, oftentimes thought to be the pre-incarnate Christ, appears and renews and expands the covenant with Abraham and his offspring. ( a marvelous study for later )

The last few verses of Genesis 22 are an amazing testimony to God's covenant to Abraham. The chapter closes with an odd reference to the children and grandchildren of his brother Nahor back in Mesopotamia. (see Gen.24:10) It is here that we find the covenant line of promise renewed when Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac.

The Everlasting God also planted a tree of covenant with us, the Cross set on a hill outside of Jerusalem where God gave his One and Only Son for us to bring us into an eternal covenant.

Abraham then returned to Beersheba, to live in the land of the Philistines until God moved him otherwise, and to continue to worship at the tamarisk tree, calling on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.

"O LORD, the Everlasting God, keep me near the cross and remind me of the covenant today. May I hear your voice, and when I do, help me to obey."