Carrying a child

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Owen Lynch:

What did I like about today’s passage?

In what is a letter densely packed with amazing theological jewels, I am spoilt for choice!! But on this occasion, my attention was drawn to 4:3, “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Here, Paul is quoting Genesis 15:5-6 and the Hebrew word for ‘believe’ is ‘aman’. It’s used 110 times in the Old Testament and is often translated into English as ‘believe’. In English, we tend to use the word ‘believe’ when we accept that something is true, even if there isn’t any proof. But ‘aman’ actually means much more than just accepting or knowing something is true.

Hebrew language is rooted in the everyday realities of life that can be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard. So the word ‘aman’ literally means ‘to support with the arm’, ‘to carry a child’, or ‘to nurse’. In other words, the the use of the word ‘aman’ means that Abraham fully embraced God’s faithfulness to him, he literally threw himself into the reality of God’s faithfulness hook, line and sinker! By the way, if the word ‘aman’ looks familiar, that’s because it is the verb form of the word ‘Amen’ that we use at the end of praying - when we say ‘Amen’ we are literally saying that we are fully committed to this with our whole being, we will carry it. So you might want to be careful what you say ‘Amen’ to!

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

Having re-read Abraham’s story in Genesis, I am reminded that life is a journey, a pilgrimage, one step at a time and that God invites us to walk that journey with him. But for two people to walk through life together, faithfulness is essential. Faithfulness on God’s part and faithfulness on my part. I’m reminded of the prophet Micah (6:8) who tells us that a person who lives well acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with God.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I’m going to recommit myself hook, line and sinker, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God…today, and then tomorrow, and then the next day.

Who am I going to share this with?

I’m going to share this with family and friends who I also walk faithfully with through my life.