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Patriarchs and Prophets
with idolatry. In the groves were set up the altars of false gods, and
human sacrifices were offered upon the neighboring heights. While he
clung to the divine promise, it was not without distressful forebodings
that he pitched his tent. Then “the Lord appeared unto Abram, and
said, Unto thy seed will I give this land.” His faith was strengthened
by this assurance that the divine presence was with him, that he was
not left to the mercy of the wicked. “And there builded he an altar unto
the Lord, who appeared unto him.” Still a wayfarer, he soon removed
to a spot near Bethel, and again erected an altar, and called upon the
name of the Lord.
Abraham, “the friend of God,” set us a worthy example. His was
a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set
up his altar, calling all within his encampment to the morning and
evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar remained. In
following years, there were those among the roving Canaanites who
received instruction from Abraham; and whenever one of these came
to that altar, he knew who had been there before him; and when he had
pitched his tent, he repaired the altar, and there worshiped the living
God.
Abraham continued to journey southward, and again his faith was
tested. The heavens withheld their rain, the brooks ceased to flow in
the valleys, and the grass withered on the plains. The flocks and herds
found no pasture, and starvation threatened the whole encampment.
Did not the patriarch now question the leadings of Providence? Did
he not look back with longing to the plenty of the Chaldean plains?
All were eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble
after trouble came upon him. So long as his confidence appeared
unshaken, they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God
was his Friend, and that He was still guiding him.
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Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence; he had not
realized his expectations; but he held fast the promise, “I will bless
thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” With
earnest prayer he considered how to preserve the life of his people and
his flocks, but he would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in
God’s word. To escape the famine he went down into Egypt. He did
not forsake Canaan, or in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean land
from which he came, where there was no scarcity of bread; but he