You thought the Gap Theory was just that – a theory. The reality is – it’s a fact! Perhaps you are surprised by this statement and disappointed over the apparent arrogance of such a claim. The Scriptures couldn’t be clearer – there is a definite gap. But maybe not the gap in Genesis you are thinking about – in Chapter 1.

Read these verses and you will quickly see a factual gap and a very sad one:

“And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.” Genesis 16:15-16 (last verse in chapter 16)
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly. Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him…” Genesis 17:1-3 (first verses in chapter 17)

Brilliant readers will be able to pinpoint the length of the gap. For sure it wasn’t millions of years. (99-86=13) Yes, the Bible reveals a 13-year gap in the life of Abraham.

Abraham is a remarkable character in the Bible. So much of his story is told in the 29 books of the Bible that mention his name and yet there’s a gaping 13-year gap in his biography.

God had promised Abram and Sarai their own child – but at 86 years of age, Abram decided he could wait for God no longer. They concocted a scheme to get a child by ‘hook or by crook’. Out of that self-inflicted mess, Ishmael was born. Sure, they got a child – but not God’s way.

Ishmael was born and then the lights went out on Abram’s life. A black-out. A gap occurred.

It’s a sad time when we take matters into our own hands and get off God’s track. The clock starts ticking. One year out of touch with God. The second year taking my own way. The third year – still adrift. Year four, five, etc.

Is a gap occurring in your life just now? No doubt Abram continued on with his spiritual routines. But deep down, things weren’t like they used to be. The fellowship he enjoyed with God no longer existed. His thrill with the Almighty God was stifled. He was off track.

Thirteen long years. The number ‘13’ may represent rebellion in the Bible.

What a day it was for Abram when the gap ended and the freeze was over. At age 99, the Lord appeared to him and said: “Abram, I am the Almighty God – El Shaddai.” Things began to happen again. Back on track. Within one year the old man and his 90-year-old wife would have their very own child – Isaac. What we could never do – the Almighty God did!

So now you ask – “Was the gap all that bad? They survived and finished well.” Yes, that’s true. But the blot of wasted years on his record remains. And the consequences of his wrong choice are still with us today. The persistent issues between the Arab world and the Israeli’s can be traced back to Abraham’s one choice out of the will of God.

I may recover from a wrong choice and get back on track but do I want to risk the consequences that I or others may have to live with?

If a gap is occurring in your life – close it today. Confess your sin and get back on track with the Lord.

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay

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