Between the Tent and the Covenant

One of the specifically unique works of God in the old testament has to be the walls of Jericho coming down. The walls fell after the Israelites marched around the city once a day for six days, seven times on the seventh day, with the priests blowing their horns daily and the people shouting on the last day. Boom they came down. So unusual and effective it had to be God.

Men had to step out in faith, but the results were tangible.

Hebrews 11:30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

The “fear of God” faith, however, doesn’t require seeing the walls come down to know that they will.

Hebrews 11:13

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

And this brings us to the 13-year gap in Abraham’s life between the tent where Hagar was and the covenant of circumcision that God makes with Abraham.

Much like the intertestamental period (the 400+ years between the Old and the New Testament) we have zero information on the transformation that was taking place. But it was significant. “Abram” becomes “Abraham” and ready to receive the next level of covenant relationship with God. What “walls” within Abram’s belief, faith, heart, mind and behaviors had to come down for God to enter into a blood covenant with Abraham? It isn’t documented, but it did occur.

I can only imagine there was considerable struggle within Abram for direction, forgiveness, mercy and perhaps some pleading that God would not remove His hand from his life. And He did not.

So why do I mention this. If ever you’re in a place where you have received a promise from God and then jumped in and “helped” Him. The promise is still there. But we can’t turn to Genesis chapter 16b-“How to undo the mess we've created” to remedy this. We turn specifically and personally to Him. He will bring down the barriers, our “walls of Jericho” Though it will most likely appear to be a correction or a pruning, it results in a deepening relationship with Him and our purpose.

I find myself grateful that there isn't a formula for this in Genesis other than being on our knees, hearts inclined, minds yielded, prayerful and waiting. Tough as lessons can be at times this is the path to the promise, whether we get to see it fulfilled or not. The quest for the "fear of God" faith. It moves mountains and tears down walls.

I love this kingdom!