August 2, 2026:

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“So, the Lord said to him, ‘Bring Me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.’ Abram brought all these to Him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.” (Genesis 15.9-11)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

When reading God’s Word we must be cautious not to considering the images by assumption. A true biblical study seeks out the words of the original text (as much of it as is discernable) and understands them in that original context. God does not truly speak beyond the measure of human understanding. Perhaps the words and images presented may seem unbelievable and impossible, however, as we know from an oft quoted scripture the words of Jesus, “What is impossible for man, is possible with God.” Of course, I will always remind us that the context of that teaching did not embrace the works of any human for their ability to accomplish a want or desire. The true context of that teaching is all about “salvation.” We must not assume it was meant to be applied to any other endeavor on earth nor in Heaven. This does not mean, of course, that God can bring about some good work in a person to accomplish some good for others where that person had no concept of being able to do so on his or her own. Still, I would refrain from such a globalization of “God can make anything I want happen even when I cannot.” Even though God CAN do all things, it certainly does not mean that God WILL do all things. This is especially true when it comes to the things we WANT, unless it is the want and desire to be saved, reconciled, redeemed and made holy in the sight of a Holy God! God has already proven that work can be done and it has be done in Jesus the Christ, God’s only begotten Son who gave His life on the cross not only for the forgiveness of our sins but that we might have life and have it abundantly in terms of God’s eternal Kingdom. So, what assumption in the reading of God’s Word today am I alluding to in this particular reflection? It is HOW the sacrifice was made by Abram with the animals God directed him to gather: heifer, goat, ram (all three years old); as well as a dove and a pigeon.

First, it is important to consider what was being sacrificed. There is the symbolism of strength, fertility and maturity. These parallel in practice to highlight redemption, reconciliation and covenant relationship. It is interesting to note that this gathering of animals was not exclusive to Abram. The use of these animals sacrificially occurred in most, if not all, of the cultures and civilizations of what is now designated as the Near and Middle East. It is clear that these cultures existed before Israel. The nomenclature of “Israel” is not present until we come to the changing of Abraham’s grandson Jacob. It would be upon his return to the land promised to his grandfather after getting married (to both Leah and Rachel from Haran, the daughters of Laban). At the Jabbok River, Jacob was engaged by an angel of the Lord during the night until morning. Jacob’s strength was made evident and in the agreement of concluding the wrestling match, the angel of the Lord blessed him. It was in that blessing Jacob was called Israel. I remind us of that event because while God fully intended for there to be a people and a nation of people who had chosen to believe and serve only Him, it had not happened yet. They were not a nation and “a people.” So, the animals chosen for sacrifice would coincide with those used by other nations and other peoples. What would be different is in the how and why they were sacrificed. So what of these animals:

1. Heifer/Bull: strength of life; such a sacrifice was offered to overcome the defilement of touching a corpse (Why would this be important? In order to enter into a covenant with God, one had to be holy and blameless. Abram took lives in his decision to save Lot from imprisonment, slavery and death at the hands of a foreign king. While it was necessary to Abram to do so because he was given an accountability for the land and his family who would possess it, the shedding of blood was still a moral offense regardless of the defense of that decision. (God… His Son not sparing…)
2. Goat: antithesis of the bull, not that it represented the opposite of life which is death but a weakness of life which leads to death and that is immorality (we would call sin); A cursory reading of this list would lead the reader to assume all the animals were male, but this would not be the case. In Hebrew, the word used for goat was feminine. Some theologians, historians and blind guides would point out the representation sadly reflects upon the blame of Eve for the fall of Adam. Theologically, nothing could have been further from the truth. It was, of course, Adam who was truly to blame for not being the head of the family. Remember, Eve was taken from Adam’s rib which guarded his heart. She was not created from his skull plate to guard his mind. So, what could the feminine aspect be? It more likely represents the “incarnation” of the Holy Spirit which would convict humans of their sin. The blasphemy of such would thus deny forgiveness and the power of God to redeem, reconcile and restore.
3. Ram: substitutionary sacrifice for the life of the first born; we see it more completely in the life of Abraham when God provides a ram to take the place of Isaac whom God required of Abraham; this was far more than a test of faith and obedience, it was a deliberate testimony of God’s love for Abraham and Isaac to set aside a life for a life (in this case, a life for the legacy of lives who by faith would be the people of God); further we see it in God’s own sacrifice from the Garden to cover the sin of Adam and Eve and then on Golgotha to cover the sins of the world. He provided the Ram, the firstborn of all the lambs of God so that all those who would believe should not perish but have everlasting life.
4. Dove/Pigeon: substitutionary offerings on behalf of the poor; God’s righteousness is not limited to the affluent, all are welcome but all must come with the understanding of sacrificing a life for a life to receive the blessing of God’s redeeming love, mercy and grace.

As I said, these were not unusual offerings and sacrifices. At some point we might argue “Which came first, the chicken or the egg” as we consider the validity and priority of a sacrificial system. Did others offer such sacrifices and ignore the one who gave the instruction to do so? Would it thus mean that while the sacrifice is truly important, it is the condition of the heart, mind and soul which brings the greatest effect and understanding? This is a subject we recently reflected upon as God had declared that he no longer desired the sacrifices of Israel because they had come to ignore the meaning and purpose of them. I want to reflect upon one such important comparison and contrast on this line of thinking tomorrow as it pertains to the conducting of the sacrifice which God commanded Abram to offer and thus validate how he would possess the land and the legacy which God had promised.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.