Romans 4 - In Depth Bible Commentaries

458(...continued)This passage shows clearly how Abraham responded to the divine word with deephonesty and refreshing openness. There is no cheap piety, no mouthing of religioussentiments, as Abraham addresses God. Von Rad comments that "Abraham demursresignedly. His despondent skepticism in the face of the assurance of divine protection andthe exceptionally great divine gift borders almost on blasphemy..." (Genesis, p. 183)Yes, any perceptive commentary on this story will have to use words like these--"despondent skepticism, that borders almost on blasphemy”–far from “never wavering.”The narrative goes on to tell how Abraham trusted YHWH, and how YHWH consideredit a "right-relationship" in Abraham (15:6). But then, immediately afterwards, in 15:8, we aretold how Abraham said, "My Lord YHWH, by what (sign) shall I know that I will inherit it?"(15:8)There is a refreshing, almost sacrilegious honesty and bluntness in Abraham'sresponse to YHWH's promise. This "person of trust," who places his confidence in YHWH,still is human enough to ask for a sign--for something by which he may be sure that YHWH'sultimate promise will come true.We easily ask, "Well, doesn't Abraham trust in YHWH's promise?" Yes, he does–butnevertheless, Abraham is pictured by the biblical text as honestly expressing his puzzlementand concerns to God, and as refusing to make pretense or use pious language in his addressto God.In the response that follows Abraham's request for a sign, he is given a disturbingrevelation. The divine promise will not fail, but the road to its fulfillment will be a much longer,much more indirect route than would have been expected: a road through 400 years ofterrible, harsh suffering of enslavement and oppression, through which Abraham'sdescendants must walk. We are reminded of the historian's dictum, "The mills of God grindslowly, but they grind exceeding fine." The divine purpose is pictured as arching over thecenturies, embracing far more than one life-time could experience, including entire nations andpeoples within its plan. During those 400 years in Egyptian slavery and oppression, therewould be many an opportunity for wondering, for questioning, for puzzling over whether or notthe divine promise was true.Genesis 16 tells how Abraham's wife Sarah expressed disappointment in her failure toproduce offspring for Abraham, and so suggested a plan for fulfilling the divine promise ontheir own--a suggestion which Abraham was quickly willing to accept:"...Sarah, Abraham's wife, did not give birth for him; and she had a female slave, anEgyptian, and her name (was) Hagar. And Sarah spoke to Abraham, 'Look now--YHWH hashindered me from giving birth; come now to my female slave--perhaps I will be built (up) out ofher.' And Abraham listened to Sarah's voice." (Genesis 16:1-2)We know the remainder of that story--how Abraham gave birth to a son by the name ofIshmael through Hagar, and how Sarah became jealous of Hagar, and harshly sent her away(continued...)247