Going Without Knowing


By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Heb 11:8)


The call to Abraham is the same as the call of Jesus for us to leave our ‘self-controlled environment’ in which we have the necessary experience and understanding to shape our own destiny. Leaving that past behind and being led by Another brings instability to our life and following as sheep in the pilgrimage He will show us, not as a complete blueprint but unfurling a little at a time (Gen 12:1, Luke 9:23). The taking up of the cross and deny self (not self denial, http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2008/12/denying-self-vs.html) is liken to leaving one’s country, kindred and father’s house (Gen 12:1) taking upon ourselves something that outside of us, the cross divinely given by Christ. Denying self is contrary to an unconverted life where another ‘lord’ reigns supreme.


To God, Abram was already Abraham when the first step of leaving was taken. ‘Faith can lay hold of blessings at a great distance; can make them present; can love them and rejoice in them’ (Matthew Henry). Living as a stranger and pilgrims (Heb 11:13) in tents (Heb 11:9) is one that is without any inward attachments to what can be grasp with human hands. Do we live with the same reality of a greater heavenly promise than earthly attainment before our descendents (dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise)? Could this account for some subsequent generations not able to living to the same promise and hope of their fathers but falter away further and some to the point of rejecting the God of their parents. Could this be the reason why revivals in our Christian history could not sustain because we desire permanency than ‘living in tents’?


After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: (Act 15:16)


Jesus said He will build His church (Matt 16:18), which is the tabernacle of David. Art Katz pointed out that this verse has been wrong interpreted as charismatic worship when truly it means the rule and reign of the Greater David over His church and that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord (Acts 15:17). Here again tabernacle or tent is used. Perhaps the Lord desires us to see that the first earth must pass away and make way for the new (Rev 12:1). The creation itself groans and labors with birth pangs for the final redemption of His church not to beheld by human perspective but through the eyes of faith (Rom 8:22-24).


Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1Th 4:18)


We have to examine ourselves if we truly look forward to His coming or we, like the Jewish nation rejected His first, disqualifying ourselves from inheriting His Kingdom. What words do we comfort one another? Is it about the possibility of economic turn around, 'things is going to get better' or Jesus is coming….. soon! The call to Abraham and the call of Jesus is really about the cross, because those who seek after the restoration of the kingdoms to Israel (Acts 1:6) will be misunderstood and in extreme situations be counted as those ‘of whom the world is not worthy’ (Heb 11:38) thus possible heeding the call to martyrdom.