A Place of Worship and Relationship

Scriptures: Genesis 13:1-4

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. He went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Abram was blessed by God in such a way that he had many possessions, to the point that Abram, and Lot his relative, had to later separate because of the abundance that God had blessed them both with. However, Abram was not too busy to continue to worship and to praise God. His material possessions did not hinder his relationship with God.

He was not too busy to go back to the place where he first made an altar to the Lord as a rememberance to him who had blessed him. The altar that he built was a significant reminder to him of the promise that God had made to him, and a place of worship and relationship. Therefore, Abram had set a place just for the Lord, and his presence; to fellowship with him.

One may ask why did God bless Abram so? Could it be that God blessed Abram because Abram trusted God enough to leave everything behind, without second guessing what would happen next? Could it be that God blessed Abram just because?

One thing for sure that we know today, is that Abram was blessed beyond measure from the day that he stepped out on faith and believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Abram later became the father of many nations; in which his descendents could not be numbered. Through the course of the promise that was given to Abram, he never once forgot his love for God; in that he continually made an altar to the Lord, as a reminder of the God's goodness, and of God's promise to him.

Reflection:
Let us remember to set aside a place of worship with the Lord, so that we may also have a deeper relationship with God; through spending time with Him on a daily basis. Making an altar to the Lord based on a promise that He has made to us, will keep His promises fresh in our minds. We will also be reminded to always trust in Him to do what He says He will do. Trusting in Him, will remind Him how much we value our relationship with Him. He will also know that we will always appreciate that He has blessed us to be a blessing to others; and that no matter how much He gives us, that we will continue to remember Him, in everything.

Strong's Concordance Definitions: Genesis 13:4

To the place: 4725
1) standing place, place
a) standing place, station, post, office
b) place, place of human abode
c) city, land, region
d) place, locality, spot
e) space, room, distance
f) region, quarter, direction
g) give place to, instead of


he had made: 6213
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

a) (Qal)
1) to do, work, make, produce
a) to do
b) to work
c) to deal (with)
d) to act, act with effect, effect
2) to make
a) to make
b) to produce
c) to prepare
d) to make (an offering)
e) to attend to, put in order
f) to observe, celebrate
g) to acquire (property)
h) to appoint, ordain, institute
i) to bring about
j) to use
k) to spend, pass
b) (Niphal)
1) to be done
2) to be made
3) to be produced
4) to be offered
5) to be observed
6) to be used
c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

formerly: 7223
1) first, primary, former
a) former (of time)
1) ancestors
2) former things
b) foremost (of location)
c) first (in time)
d) first, chief (in degree)

and there: 8033
1) there, thither
a) there
b) thither (after verbs of motion)
c) from there, thence
d) then (as an adverb of time)

Abram: 87
Abram = "exalted father"
1) original name of Abraham
 
called: 7121
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
a) (Qal)
1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
3) to proclaim
4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
6) to call, name, give name to, call by
b) (Niphal)
1) to call oneself
2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

on the name: 8034
1) name
a) name
b) reputation, fame, glory
c) the Name (as designation of God)
d) memorial, monument
 
of the LORD: 3068
 Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God
a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136

References:
Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 13 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 5 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=13&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2009) A Place of Worship and Relationship. Devotions for Thought. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com