February 20, 2026

Abraham 2:16 Therefore, eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation, as we journeyed from Haran by the way of Jershon, to come to the land of Canaan.

This verse is powerful. Abraham left what comfort he had began to acquire to be a stranger in a land where individuals were protected by law based on familial connections. To be a stranger did not simply mean what it means today, but his rights, status, and protection would disappear. It's an unknown journey with an assumption of major trials. But he had an eternal perspective and stepped forward not knowing if the next verses would be disheartening or not, but knowing that the end of the book would be beautiful, regardless the center chapters.

This reminds me of a journey we all decided to take, and are in the middle of even now. Our Father in Heaven presented a plan and asked us to leave our home and journey to a distant land, face trials and tribulation, and trust in Him. There are challenging and sad chapters, and there are joyful chapters, but the book does end with a happily ever after.

Eternal perspective is so important and powerful, but I enjoy looking at this verse another way, as well. "Eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation". Who covers us? Who is our rock? Who is our salvation? Who is eternal? This verse plainly and beautifully points to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Jehovah, and teaches so many wonderful truths in one line.

Then, in the following verse, before he sets out on this unknown journey, he offers a sacrifice and prays that the famine could cease in his father's land so he'll be okay. This is the father that tried to kill him. This is in the midst of Abraham about to leave, not knowing what comes next. And he is thinking of others to bless them. Such an amazing, Christlike example. His father tried to kill him (as a sacrifice) and he forgave him and even now blesses him. Christ was killed (as a sacrifice, unknowingly) and forgave and blesses those who hurt Him (each one of us hurt him, he felt our pain, and bled for our sins). It's no wonder that God chose Abraham and his people. They became His chosen people not to be elevated, but chosen to bless all the children of God, and Abraham had already started doing this, and being an example of Christ. To follow Christ we must forgive and bless others. We must have real concern for others, even those who wrong us. We must morn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.

Abraham offered multiple sacrifices in chapter 2. Every time he got somewhere he offered sacrifice. We are commanded to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The only thing we can truly sacrifice is our will and pride. We can learn from Abraham to make regular sacrifices - each time we feel our will misaligned with God's will, we can lay it on the alter, sacrifice our will, and let His will be done. This may be big, life altering decisions, but it will also regularly be small, every day impulses to be sacrificed so that, line upon line, we will draw closer to our Savior.