Domes - Our Monthly Newsletter
Dunbar UCC
February 17, 2008
Genesis 12:1-4a
A Blessing
- When God created the earth, with all the forests and oceans and animals -- God looked at everything and said, “This is good.” Then, God made the first human beings -- and was so happy, God said, “Very, very good -- my best creation ever!” Then something happened. The humans malfunctioned and started doing really bad things -- like killing each other. And this all happened because the people forgot who made them. God said -- “What is this? I made them -- I’m their parent -- and they ignore me! They hurt one another. One race thinks they’re better than the other. The rich exploit the poor. What a mistake I made -- these people are rotten!”
- So God flooded the earth -- and took away all life -- except for one family -- Noah’s family. Noah was good and God hoped that his descendants would be better. But they weren’t. They were like the descendants of Adam and Eve. They made wars -- the races didn’t get along -- people said: “My tribe is better than yours.” Everyone made their own flag and they waved it defiantly. Like Adam and Eve’s descendants, Noah’s people forgot God.
- God said: “What will I do now? I’d like to blow up the planet, but I promised Noah I wouldn’t do that any more. What shall I do?” Then God saw Abram. Abram was a good man. He and his wife Sarah were in their 70’s and retired and had no children. So one night, God visited Abram and said, “Abram -- you’re a good person. You respect every one. You treat your servants like they were your own children. You’re even kind to your enemies. I want all my children to be like you.
- So, Abram, I will make a covenant with you. You and Sarah will have a child --and through him -- all the earth will be blessed. Even my son Jesus will be in the line of your family -- he will teach people to put down their weapons, to care for the sick and the lonely, and to love friend and enemy alike. Abram -- through your family, I will take my creation back from the devil.”
- Abram said: “Thy will be done, O Lord.” That’s the story of how our great, great, great grandfather Abram made a covenant with God. And we are ones called to fulfill this promise. Our purpose in this life is to be a blessing to others -- everyone -- without distinction of race, or country, or gender, or sexual orientation -- or anything. Our lives are only fulfilled as we pass on the blessing of God’s unconditional love to others. Tonight -- the gift of blessing has been passed to Jackson, child of God, son of Abram and Michelle.