“I swear by myself declares the Lord, that because you have done this, and not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as the sand on the seashore.  Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies” Genesis 22:15-17

This chapter describes a very unique relationship between God and Abraham.  There was a constant authentic dialogue going on between the two.  God communicated directly with Abraham in his personal capacity.  Simply put, God knew Abraham, and Abraham knew God.  For reasons best known to God, Abraham’s commitment to the relationship was about to undergo a very strenuous test (as if to say, strong relationships are tested by time.)  Abraham’s commitment would be demonstrated by action.  Perhaps words were fine, but credibility and authenticity is established only by action.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.

God knows your name

In Vs 1; God calls Abraham by name.  “Abraham…Take your son, your only son, whom you love.”  For most people, if you know them by name, it means you take a personal interest in them.  If you don’t even know my name, you are not interested in me.  If someone is interested in you, the first thing they want to know about you is your name.

In 1977 I visited Zimbabwe, after I had been there as a five year old in 1960.  My father came from there, and my deepest desire was to know my paternal roots.  I landed in a village called Wabayi, about 100km northwest of Gwanda.  The first person I met was my father’s younger brother.  I explained to him who I was, and immediately he called me by my name, Ndabezinhle!  All my life I had been called “Stephen;” a name which was given to me by my maternal grandmother.  Suddenly I was called by my real name, it felt very powerful, and it gave me a sense of identity.  In my father’s culture, most children if not all children carry their father’s name.  It is immaterial whether the child is born in or out of wedlock.  There is no such thing as an illegitimate child, only illegitimate parents.  To this day when I visit there, they make no reference at all to my maternal roots.  My name is Ndabezinhle Maphosa.  My name is my address it defines who I am.  God knew Abraham by name.  This suggested a simple one-to-one relationship.  God is a big God (omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent), yet he became small enough to focus on one individual. 

God knows your name!