When God first called to Abraham, He didn't immediately reveal the destination. Imagine that! “Leave your home,” God said, in essence, “and go…” But go where? According to Legends of the Jews, this lack of specific direction only magnified Abraham's merit. The greater the trust, the greater the reward. Abraham, in complete faith, responded, "I am ready to go whithersoever Thou sendest me." Can you imagine having that level of faith?
Only then did God offer a little more clarity: He would lead him to a land where He would reveal Himself. Later, upon arriving in Canaan, God appeared to Abraham, confirming that this was, indeed, the promised land.
Now, here's where it gets really interesting. Even upon entering Canaan, Abraham wasn't immediately certain that this was the land, his destined inheritance. But something shifted within him. As Ginzberg recounts in Legends of the Jews, while in Mesopotamia and Aramnaharaim, he'd been disgusted by the inhabitants' behavior – their excessive eating, drinking, and wantonness. "O that my portion may not be in this land!" he'd wished.
But Canaan was different. He observed the people diligently cultivating the land, working hard, and he felt a sense of belonging. "O that my portion may be in this land!" he exclaimed. It was at that moment that God affirmed, "Unto thy seed will I give this land."
Overjoyed by this divine promise, Abraham immediately built an altar to the Lord, a physical expression of his gratitude. This wasn't just a symbolic gesture; it was an act of thanksgiving for the incredible news.
And he didn’t stop there. He journeyed southward toward the future site of the Temple, establishing his connection to the land. In Hebron, he erected another altar, essentially staking his claim. It was, in a sense, a way of taking possession, a physical manifestation of his faith and God's promise.
Interestingly, he also raised an altar in Ai. Why there? Because, as the Legends tell us, Abraham foresaw a future misfortune that would befall his descendants during Joshua's conquest of the land. This altar, he hoped, would somehow mitigate the negative consequences, perhaps offering protection or atonement. What an incredible vision to have.
Think about that for a moment. Abraham, driven by faith, not only embraced the promise but actively worked to secure it, even anticipating future challenges and trying to lessen their impact. His journey wasn't just a physical one; it was a testament to unwavering trust and proactive faith. It makes you wonder, what promises are we holding onto, and what active steps can we take to nurture them?