One of the standout points in the story of Abraham is the statement that “Abraham called upon the name of the Lord.” We find it in Genesis 12:8 and 13:8 with particular connection to the altar between Bethel and Ai. When Abraham first goes into the land, he builds the altar and then when he returns after the erroneous detour to Egypt, he returns to the same spot and once again calls upon the name of Yahweh.
Notice two things here. First, there is a sense that Abraham is renewing his covenant vows. I want to suggest that by returning to the same place, there is a recognition that he has gone wrong. He is once again expressing his trust in the Lord at the same place. I think we are right to recognise in this act that he seeks God’s forgiveness. That being so, we cannot ignore the connection with altars and sacrifices!
Secondly, the focus is on the name. It’s specifically Yahweh that Abraham calls upon. This is the name connected with God’s character as unchanging, “I am who I am”, it is the name that we connect with God’s covenant promises, with him keeping those promises and in order to uphold them, stepping in to hear the cry of his people and rescue them.
In this little phrase we are reminded that our trust is in the God who is faithful to his covenant promise and who has, in the person of Jesus, stepped in to rescue us. What should we do when we fall and fail? We should return to God and call on the name of the Lord.
Faithroots 