Bible Stories Rang True Today
When we study the Old Testament we find similar stories being played out in today’s time period. One example is the story of Terah. While the scriptures don’t spend a lot of time talking about him, his short story says a lot.
Terah is a descendent of Shem, Noah’s son. He is the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. They lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans served and worshipped many gods and goddesses. According to Joshua 24:2 Terah did also.
Yet, Terah had to know about his ancestors’ God because it was their duty to teach the next generation about Him. However, Terah decided to go another route and worship the gods in his hometown.
Extreme Heartache Befalls Terah
Every day we get up and go about our lives like all the days before. We expect everything to go the way we planned. Making time for our loved ones and friends. Rushing to work to create a better living arrangement. Every day we do these things.
Terah and his family did the same thing. Only one day didn’t turn out the way they all planned it would. This day brought tragedy to their home. A tragedy no parent should ever live. It’s not the way life should be. Parents should leave this earth before their children.
Unfortunately for Terah, this didn’t happen. His baby boy, Haran, dies. The worst part is he dies in Terah’s presence. Oh, the pain of seeing his child die and not being able to help him has to be the worst pain a parent can feel.
The Heartbreak that Continues to Give
Losing a child is a gut-wrenching black hole that consumes your heart, mind, and soul. It leaves you dumbfounded, angry, hopeless, and miserable. It doesn’t matter if you have more children. Each child holds a special place in your heart. And up to this point we believed in the natural order of things – your children will outlive you.
Having already endured the pain of losing a son, Terah faced the anguish of heartbreak once more. He decided to leave Ur and go to Canaan, but Nahor chose to stay in Ur. A devastating Terah left Ur with Abram, Sarai, and Lot, Haran’s son.
The Emotional Toll of Loss
As they traveled to Canaan, they came to Haran the city. This city bore Terah’s son’s name. I believe his grief finally caught up with him because he refused to continue his journey to Canaan. Instead, he settled there.
What if Terah was supposed to bring Abram to Canaan?
Now this is what I found interesting about that. Terah desired to stay in a play where he heard his dead son’s name being spoken of on a regular basis. He drowned himself in the death of his son. He spent the rest of his life there, dying in Haran.
Today’s Example of Loss
Unfortunately, a lot of people today can relate to the story of Terah, especially those who do not know the God of Israel.
I have a friend who lost her son. She said if she didn’t know God Almighty she wouldn’t have made it through. It was hard, but she had people praying for her and helping her. She had God caring for her, making sure she stayed in the right frame of mind.
God is the God of the living, not the dead.
Regrettably, there are people who lose it forever. Their grief causes their marriages to end. It causes bad behaviors to happen such as drinking and doing drugs, prescription or otherwise. Jobs are lost. Relationships destroyed. And sometimes their own lives are taken away.
I’m grateful my friend survived this horrible trauma that no parent should ever live through. I am truly sorry for all those who are going through this right now. I pray you get up and live because that’s what your child would want you to do.
Death Can Sidetracks You
Like many people, Terah allowed the death of his son to stop him from progressing in life. It definitely stopped him from journeying to Canaan.
What if Terah was supposed to bring Abram to Canaan to start the process God promised at the beginning – to bring the Messiah here?
Could that be why God told Abram specifically to leave his father’s house? God is the God of the living, not the dead.
If you allow death to sidetrack you for a long time, it has become your god. I know that might sound harsh but think about all the ways you’ve changed since that death and how it has affected the people around. Think about how sadness has consumed you, how you spend most of your time in bed. Or how you don’t feel like there’s anything to live for.
Don’t let death overtake you. Get up. Live for God and those He’s place in your life. You are still living for a reason. You must fulfill your purpose.
Know that there are people all around you who want to see you again, smiling, joking, and enjoying life with them. Don’t make them wait any longer for you.
What do you think? Have you ever thought about how death can be consuming? Let us know in the comments.
