Contemplative Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:8-10 (New Living Translation)

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are mentioned here. These are the patriarchs or the founding father, son, and grandson.

What was their home town?

Uh, well, they didn’t have one. Note the mention of “foundations” in verse 10. None of them had a home that had a foundation, a concrete slab, even those concrete blocks for homes that sit off the ground. Even single-wide trailers have those concrete things that keep them off the ground and out of the termites. Foundations.

The patriarchs lived in tents like immigrants in a detention camp. Not a great background for founding fathers, huh?

I sure have it better. My home has slabs and steel and all sorts of foundations. I live solidly right where I am. We all do. Isn’t that … well, different from the patriarchs? Ooooops, have we gone in the wrong direction here? Are we too settled and comfortable? Am I stretching this point a bit too far?

Maybe so; maybe not. Something to consider now and then as I sink into a comfortable chair in my comfortable house in my comfortable life. Too comfortable? God, help me in my unbelief.