Genesis 12, 15, 18, 22 – AT THE CROSSROADS
There have probably been many times when you have been driving your car that you have come to what we call a “crossroads”. This is when two or more roads intersect. At these crossroads, you needed to decide which way to go!
There are often crossroads experiences in our lives. We come to a point where we can go in two or more directions, and need to decide which way to go. Such crossroads experiences include decisions about our careers, our marriage partners, our behavior, our church affiliation etc.
A Bible character who often found himself at the crossroads was Abraham. He didn’t always make the right Spiritual choices, but very often he did. Here are four “crossroads” where Abraham made the right decision.
THE ROAD TO GOD, OR THE ROAD TO GODLESSNESS Genesis 12:1-3
Abraham did not grow up in what we would call a Godly home. His relatives were idol worshipers. Joshua 24:2
In our text God called Abraham to follow Him, and promised him great blessings. Abraham had to chose whether he would follow the true God, or would follow the false God’s of his relatives, which was really Godlessness. He chose to follow the road to God.
THE ROAD TO FAITH OR THE ROAD TO FRET (WORRY) Genesis 15
Abraham had just rescued Lot and others in chapter 14.
In Vs. 1, he was evidently worried about possible retaliation against him. In Vss. 2-3 he is worried because he does not yet have a child.
God tells Abraham “Fear not.” He also takes him out and shows him the stars and tells him that his seed will be numerous like the stars. In Vs. 6 it says that Abraham “believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
THE ROAD TO PASSIVENESS OR THE ROAD TO PETITION Genesis 18:17-33
God showed Abraham his plan for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham could have chosen to be passive about the information, but chose to intercede in behalf of the righteous in those cities. Of course he was also praying for his nephew Lot.
THE ROAD TO OBSTINACY OR THE ROAD TO OBEDIENCE Genesis 22
God called on Abraham to sacrifice his only son.
Abraham could have balked. He could have refused.
Instead, he obeyed God, and was praised for it.