Dust and Ashes

Dust and ashes. Doesn't really appear to be a Thanksgiving post, I guess, but the idea of just how little we are, how insignificant our time on this planet, and how all we are given is a gift from the One True God... Well, I suppose it's a Thanksgiving post after all!

In Genesis 18, we read that Abraham was told of God's plan for Sodom and Gomorrah. It's interesting to note, in verse 17, God asked the question, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing--" Who was He talking to? Was this a rhetorical question? Does God have to ask permission of anyone to do what He decides is required? Now, that was a rhetorical question! He goes on, "--since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" God was making a point. Abraham has been blessed for the sake of blessing others --all the nations of the world, in fact. Just what does it look like to be so civic-minded? We're about to find out. 

Abraham is right in line with what God has planned for him. When God tells Abraham what His plans are for Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham "negotiates." Was God offended? Was Abraham insolent? Well, if God wants Abraham to be the "father of many nations," what kind of father would he be if he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Whatever." Abraham advocates for the righteous that will be swept up, killed off in the judgment against the wicked in those cities, but prefaces his negotiations with:

"Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord."

Despite what we might call Abraham's "elevated position," despite the tremendous blessings God clearly promised and reiterated, Abraham has no delusions of grandeur; he does not think too highly of himself. In fact, in verses 1-8 of Genesis 18, we see Abraham, age 99, in the heat of the day, running to meet God and falling on his face into the dirt before Him. He begs for God to remain with him. He pleads to be able to serve Him. He orders his somewhat cynical, also aging wife to use the best flour and get to baking. Can you imagine her reaction? But Abraham went there, risking his wife's sharp tongue and equally piercing looks, to serve his Lord. He hand-picks a young, tender calf, and orders his cook to quickly prepare it to perfection. And Abraham stands by the Lord, as a servant stands, ready to meet whatever need He could possibly have. This is the father of nations, the patriarch selected by God, prostrating himself, taking on the role of a servant, and later proclaiming, "I am but dust and ashes. Who am I to talk to the Lord?"

And who are we? By the grace of God, by His mercy, by the blood of Jesus Christ alone, we speak to the Creator God, our Father in Heaven. We, who are sons and daughters of Eve, born out of the dust of the earth, whose bodies will one day return or be reduced to ashes, are loved enough, cherished enough by such an Infinite Spirit that He would make a way for us to enter His presence. That He would even look upon us makes Him magnanimous in the most complete, purest sense of the word; but that He would entertain our ramblings, that He would permit us to ask for things like His protection and His guidance... It leaves me speechless. There is no God like Jehovah who keeps His covenant and mercy with His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts, who inclines His ear to the cries of those made righteous by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin)