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(9) By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as
in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise; (10) for he waited for the city which has
foundations, whose builder and maker is God. New
King James Version Change your email Bible version
We are told that despite becoming quite wealthy, and with the exception of a
burial place for Sarah and himself, never owning a piece of land, he lived the
entire time in tents and that the Canaanites lived in the land with him (Genesis 13:2; 23:1-20). This establishes another general pattern for his
faithful children. In every sense of the word, he was a pilgrim. No matter where
he lived or what were his economic circumstances, he purchased no land—he never
even built a house!
Beyond this, the Bible reveals little social interaction with others outside
of his family. Except for a league made with his nearest neighbors, Abraham made
no alliances, nor took any part in the politics or the religions of the people
of the land. He lived this way for one hundred years. Isaac
and Jacob shared the same pattern of life.
God
shows us all of this so we might see that virtually Abraham's entire
post-calling life was engaged in living
by faith, focused on maintaining his relationship
with God. He truly was in the
world but not of it. He did not cultivate its friendship
but used it as necessity required, though in a guarded way, lest he should in
some way abuse his privileges with God.
— John W. Ritenbaugh
To learn more, see:
The Christian Fight (Part Seven)
Related Topics:
Abraham
Abraham as Prototype
Abraham's Faith
Abraham's Obedience
Abraham's Relationship with God
Christian Fight
Faith , Living by
Living by Faith
Pilgrim
Pilgrim in a Foreign Land
Pilgrimage to Promised Land
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