Paul Harvey - didn't you love him? - used to do a 5 minute spot on the radio called "The Rest of the Story" where he would let you in on something that had happened to a person and then provide the background that REALLY let you know what happened. You'd be familiar with the opening part, thinking you knew everything about the event or person, but there'd always be a twist - a surprise - at the end and you'd hear that awesome voice say "And now you know… the rest of the story."
Well, I don't have Paul Harvey's voice - you'll have to supply that out of your memory banks. But here's something I think Paul would approve of.
The story of Abraham is one of the greatest and most central to all of the Bible. Great drama, right? Abram leaves family, home, culture and religion to follow Yahweh to "a place I will show you." Due to his obedience, God promises to bless Him, and ultimately does. In a moment - "the rest of the story."
Human beings have a habit of projecting sainthood backwards when they read the Bible. They'll read the New Testament and see how Abraham was held up as an example of someone who lived his life by faith. Very true. He had AMAZING faith. "Go to a place I will show you..." faith. "Take your son, your only son Isaac..." faith.
But that faith grew over time. Abraham made decisions out of faith, but he wasn't a statue. He had the same feelings and even frustrations that we do today. We forget that.
So I'm reading the verse below prepping for small group last night.
And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.
Heb 6:15 (HCSB)
Sounds like a saint, right? Waited 25 YEARS for God to fulfill His promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son. Waited patiently.
The word chosen for "patiently" has the original meaning of something that does a slow BURN.
That doesn't take away from the faith Abraham had in waiting 25 years and faithfully following God all the while. But it does make him.... wait for it..... HUMAN!
And now you know, the rest of the story. :)
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