9 God said, "Bring me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, and a dove and a young pigeon."
10-12 He brought all these animals to him, split them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. But he didn't split the birds. Vultures swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram scared them off. As the sun went down a deep sleep overcame Abram and then a sense of dread, dark and heavy. (The Message)
I once heard a talk that Richard Foster gave in which he told the story of being given this passage as a "Word from God." It is a strange passage to receive if you stop to think about it. Abram's action after getting the animals for the sacrifice is one of waiting and scaring off the birds and that is all. It isn't what most of us would like to receive as a scriptural guidance. But there is wisdom to be found here for us as it was for Foster. It could be that our roll in a particular time is to simply get things ready by doing what God has directed and then keep things away from it that might steel it away from God. The truth is that we can't make God show up. Sometimes we simply need to stay focused and keep things (ourselves) ready for what God will choose to do. The key is to recognize those things that might take away what we have offered to God before God chooses to use that offering.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What do you think Abram did to chase away the vultures?
- Do you think Abram got tired of waiting for God to show up?
- What gifts do you have that God has encouraged you to prepare for his use?
- What do you need to chase away from your gifts so that you are ready when God shows up to use them?
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