ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sapate Sanuali 29, 2023

God's Marching Orders

Ko e Angi Laka ‘a e ‘Otua 

GENESIS 12:1

NOW THE LORD SAID TO ABRAM, "GO FROM YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR KINDRED AND YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE TO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU."

SENESI 12:1

PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia ‘Epalame, ‘o pehē, Hiki koe mei ho fonua, pea mei ho tupu‘anga, pea mei he fale ‘o ho‘o tamai, ki he fonua te u fakahā kiate koe.

God's first utterance to Abram was not "build" or "serve" or even "believe." It was lek-l'ka! Lek is an imperative form of halak, which means "walk or go"; l'ka is literally "for yourself." The KJV renders it "Get thee out." " We might say, "Get going!"

Abram could kiss sedentary life goodbye. He was a man on the move, walking "by faith... not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). His life, therefore, becomes like a parable. He lives as a stranger in a foreign land, banking on the unseen promise of God. "He was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (11:10).

Abraham walked by faith, which is "the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1), yet he also rejoiced that he would see the day of Christ; indeed, he "saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). Before Abraham heard God say, "Go!"-before Abraham even was-Jesus says, "I am" (8:58). The Son showed up at Abraham's tent (Gen. 18:1-15), appeared in a vision (Gen. 15), and visited him in the form of a heavenly messenger (Gen. 22:11). The same God who commanded Lek! was close at hand. The "I am" has always been our Emmanuel.

 Lord Jesus, lead us, with Abraham, to the everlasting city, whose builder is God.