The sacrifice of animals is common in many religious traditions. For contemporary believers that seems bizarre. But for ancient peoples it was a reminder that dealing with God is a matter of life and death. That helps to explain the rather odd encounter between Abram and God including cut up animals, birds of prey, terrifying darkness and a flaming torch in Genesis 15. Abram and God become covenant partners by this strange ceremony. God binding himself to Abram and Abram pledging himself to fidelity with God. In our time faith in God is treated more as a pass time, as an option, something you could take or leave. The example of Abram challenges us to acknowledge that life itself only makes sense in relationship with God.
JUNE282017
By Church Staff
