Significance of the Altar 

(Ge12.6-8)

This story of Abram (Abraham) was set in the area the old medieval Italians called the "Levant." The Turks adopted that name, and since the Ottoman Empire had possession of the "Levant" longer than anyone else, the name is still extensively associated with that area.

Most Americans refer to the region as the 'Middle East.' Most Evangelical Christians see the area in terms of post-1948 cartographical definition, while most of the Arab/Muslim world see the region in pre-Treaty of Versailles historical demographics.

This is nothing new. Four thousand years ago a man named Abram traversed the Mesopotamian 'fertile crescent' into the land of the Canaanites. He was seeking a land which he said 'God' was giving to him and his descendents.

That sounds quite reasonable to Muslim's, Jews and Christians today...each quite subjectively, and disparately, applying a perspective as to why they, uniquely, have a holy claim to the land.

It did NOT sound 'quite reasonable' to the Canaanites, since it was THEIR land - and had been for thousands of years.

Abram had motivation based in devotion. He BELIEVED he had heard from God. Then, after he had an angelic visitation, he KNEW he had heard from God. There was a 600 mile hike between those events.

He then built an altar.

That altar was to commemorate the visitation! He had traveled about 600 miles up to that point, strictly on faith, based upon the belief that he had heard from God. Then he SAW and TALKED with the 'holy' - one of those great emissaries one can only call "Lord" because nothing else seems worthy.

From that time on Abram (Abraham) would build altars when he knew he needed to hear again from that One whose perspective covered all of time and space.

The Canaanites didn't have that confidence and assurance - there was no direction coming from their gods. Guess why that region hasn't been called "Canaan" for a long, long, long time?!

What is 'informing' you? Are you hearing from God or are you hearing from the voices that vie for our attention? The 'gods' of our society beckon us with everything from screams to the sublime.

The 'altar' is a dedication of intention and purpose - either to acknowledge a meeting with Him or a cry that such a meeting is necessary.

Do you know which way to turn? Would it help to have that 'visitation?' Have you any dedicated 'holy' land? It doesn't take much space. Actually, only one square foot is large enough to stand before God and have that visitation with the Holy.

The Israeli's have a "Wailing Wall." The Muslim's kneel in devotion and prayer five times a day. The least we as Christians can do is stand before God and seek Him. That will become an altar with significance.