EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD

This is our third consideration of a divine title in relation to the incident recorded in chapter 14. Though surrounded by earthly monarchs Abraham acknowledges ‘the most high God’ and though offered the bounty of a few kingdoms, he knows his God to be the ‘possessor of heaven and earth’. Now he is to learn that he will suffer no loss by rejecting man’s reward, for his God is his ‘exceeding great reward’.

This is God’s fifth revelation to Abraham and starts ‘fear not’, as it is addressed to a specific fear. That fear, revealed in verses 2 and 3, is of being childless. This is not a material or carnal concern, but a spiritual one. Abraham appreciates that the blessings of chapter 12 require an heir for their fulfilment and God graciously allows him to give full expression to his concerns. Then God reassures him and confirms that his seed will not only be earthly, like the dust, 13. 16, but heavenly, like the stars, 15. 5. This entire blessing, like ours, is based upon the fact that ‘he believed in the Lord’, mentioned for the first time in scripture here in verse 6.

Abraham will have many rewards, both materially and spiritually. But our title tells us that not only does God reward, but He Himself is also our reward. This is perhaps easier for us to understand as our faith is based upon the historical appearing of the Lord Jesus rather than the anticipation of it. We know that He will review us and everyone will have ‘praise of God’, but He personally is our reward, both now and in glory.

Presently, He is our reward as we have opportunity to consider Him from the scriptures and enjoy His fellowship. Our prospect is to be with Him, enjoying His presence and feeding ‘on the hidden manna’. Wonderful though these rewards are, they will also be perfected, for ‘it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him’, 1 John 3. 2.

Well might we appreciate, like Abraham, that this One is more than just a reward. He is ‘our exceeding great reward’, both now and eternally. May this prospect preserve us from seeking the trivial, temporary rewards of this world.