A Tree is Planted
Genesis 21
Genesis 21
Gen 21:33 Abraham
planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the
Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for
a long time.
IF you’ve read Genesis 21, you might wonder, “Why
does he use this verse about a tree?” Yes, that is a good question. With the birth
of the long-awaited Isaac, the casting out of Hagar and Ishmael, and the settling
of a dispute over a well, there are 3 topics in this chapter that are worthy of
ample discussion.
The
point of noting that Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree is to see that Abraham came
to a point where he settled down. For 25 years he’d been on a spiritual and physical
journey that brought great testing and enormous change to his life. His faith had
grown from no knowledge of God to a very real and present faith in God. As he faced
many difficulties and uncertainties, his life became more centered on the Lord.
Yes, he has one more incredible test from God yet to come, but he has come to a
point in his life to say, “I am home.”
Thus
he plants a tamarisk tree—some interpreters think this could mean a grove of trees—but
it is a tree of shade and one often planted for comfort from the sun. It is a tree
that meant to many a wanderer, “This is home.”
Now
Abraham is home. To celebrate, he calls on the name of the Lord. He worships the
Lord who has delivered to him all He has promised.
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