Genesis 15:1
Genesis 15 tells of a pivotal point in Abraham’s faith journey. He has obeyed “the voice” that called him to leave his home country to a destination yet to be disclosed (Genesis 12). This is the start of a faith journey of a man who was not Jewish, Christian, or Islamic but who would become the father of three faith traditions. God called him to journey in faith and he stepped out. He took his nephew Lot with him and his wife. Lot chose the lush valley to pasture and Abraham was left with the mountain terrain. After Lot was captured and Abraham had to rescue him, again the Lord appeared to Abraham in a vision and this time says my favorite words “Do not be afraid.”
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision,
‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ (Genesis 15:1)”
Abram points-out to God that he has no son and so his servant shall inherit this “reward.” God promises Abram a son from his own bloodline. Abram, who becomes known as Abraham, believes God and it is counted to him as righteousness. We would call this a defining moment. The religious word is “covenant.”
The promise did not come before the journey started. Abraham’s journey was a journey of faith with a God he was growing in relationship with. God promises to be Abraham’s shield. I do not think that was just a promise to be a coat of arms. It implies protection from the arrows of any enemy. It implies something to hide behind in the midst of a battle.
We have each been called out in someway to leave that which is comfortable and known to enter a journey of faith, learning to trust God. Jesus incarnate shows us the nature of that shield that is ours. Jesus cast out demons, healed, gave sight, raised the dead and much more. God as shield brings to mind a warrior holding up a protection separating him from evil. If you were to draw symbols on your shield to say what God means to you, what would you draw? I think I might draw a teardrop to represent the refreshment when my soul is parched with grief and the teardrop of tears that he wipes away when I cry. What would you draw?God
On the Way to Wonder 