Partnership Requires Action

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”(Genesis 12:1-3)

Partnership requires action. The first action of Abraham was obedience to leave his father, mother and relatives and go to an unknown land on God’s word alone. Abraham had to leave his comfort zone, his area of influence and dominance. He had to be obedient to God, leave certainty, and part with his ego to go to an unknown, unfamiliar destination. Abraham was considered righteous because he staggered not at the promises of God (Romans 4:20). It was not an easy decision to make, yet Abraham did it. He took action in his relationship with God and God reciprocated.

Partnership is often more compelling than friendship. A friend is under no obligation to act in a particular way or manner. In partnership, there is no room to take the other person for granted. Abraham understood this well. He was actively involved in partnership with God, even to the extent that he was willing to sacrifice his only son in obedience to God’s directive. Isn’t it wonderful to note that God offered His only son too, just like Abraham offered Isaac? Isaac was in total submission to the will of his father and Jesus was in total submission to the will of God, His father, even unto death. This theological premise reveals that the partnership between God and Abraham did not just stop at God’s mighty hand of blessings resting upon the life of Abraham. It extended as a blessing to the entire world.

Partnership also makes our lives easier. One biblical example of the benefits of partnerships is when Moses had the tedious work of judging over the entire nation of Israel. Imagine what a herculean task Moses had. It must have been such a tiring duty to sit all day and listen to numerous cases of disagreement between the Israelites. It is evident that Moses continued to struggle under the heavy yoke of having to be the judge in all matters, just as his father-in-law had warned him. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, advised Moses to appoint lesser judges, and Moses would only judge the cases that were beyond the capability of the elders that were appointed as judges over the tribes of Israel. In that way, these lesser judges would help Moses with his work and allow Moses to better lead the people. Jethro understood the power of partnership and covenant.