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“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).¹

In Biblical context, to behold is more than a casual glance; rather, it is an active command to pay close attention, stop what you are doing, and observe deeply. It is used to draw intense focus, signify a divine revelation, or announce something unexpected and important.² It was first used by Abraham about 20x when he talked about God’s Covenant.³

In Genesis, Chapter 19, behold was mentioned 6x. One, when two angels came to Sodom, they obliged Lot by entering his house. Then the corrupt men of Sodom surrounded them and demanded the men from Lot. Lot’s thwarted reply, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. . . .”⁴ Two, Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight,  and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. . . .⁵ Three, Behold, this city is near enough to flee to . . .⁶ Four, “Behold, I grant you this favor also . . .⁷ Five, And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he has stood before the LORD. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.⁸ Six, The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.⁹

In Chapter 20, it tells us that Abraham lied about his relationship with his wife Sarah; he introduced her to Abimelech king of Gerar as his sister. Still God protected the king from sinning against her, and warned him in a dream. “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Then Abimelech confronted Abraham. Abraham explained his action, . . . I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.¹⁰ “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.”¹¹ To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence . . . Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. . . .¹²

These narratives are a historical glimpse of the people’s wickedness; yet God remains faithful to his covenant. Clearly, sin affects many, even the innocent. Thus, our need for a Savior.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.¹³ Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!¹⁴