Genesis 12:8 “And Abraham moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.”
As Abraham makes his way into the land God has directed him, he will first set up an altar. This altar was not to be worshipped but rather used to direct him to worship God. As important as it is that he built the altar we should note the timing of the building.
Abraham demonstrates first things first by setting up an altar to God first.
The gentleman who discipled me 40-plus years ago told me I had to decide what was going to be first. Looking back, I remember him pointing out Genesis 12:8 as a guiding verse for deciding what would be first. He compared Abraham’s decision with the Jews returning to Judah in the days of Haggai and how they DID NOT put God first. Haggai, the prophet of God, had to confront God’s people about where God’s house fit on their list of priorities. They had made the rebuilding of their homes and their farms a higher priority than taking care of God’s house. Haggai called on God’s people to consider their ways or to consider their priorities. (Haggai 1:2-8)
Abraham made the worship of God a priority. For him, it was worship first and then work.
A thought based on personal practice: First thing in the morning a person should worship God individually and on the first day of the week a person should worship God corporately. Is that your practice?
Start your day with worship and start your week with worship.
Continue Strong with Jesus First!
And Remember to Date the Word