One Foot in the Future

By Andy Lund

Summary

Come on! You say Abraham was 99 when God told him he would have a son? Are you sure you are considering his needs as an aged person?  

Characters

Official
Reader

Script

Reader:  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
Official: What? How old did you say our client was?
Reader: 99
Official: So, well into the third age, as it were?
Reader: Oh, yes.
Official: Had you considered the shock to system of a sudden appearance of God Almighty, El Shaddai? Whilst we believe that those of more mature years should have the benefit of exposure to many and varied stimuli-as many as possible- we still do have to consider the impact of such an appearance.
Reader: Oh, right.
Official: And God Almighty spoke to him. How?
Reader: Well, by using the voice, I assume. That is the normal means of oral communication.
Official: Had you considered the possibility of hearing impairment in my client? Was there a loop system available, for instance? Had he been offered any testing and the possibility of a discrete behind the ear device?
Reader: Well, no. I imagine not.
Official: And God Almighty actually appeared to him. Again I have to sound a note of reservation here. Even though our client is of a reasonably robust constitution, it is still not advisable to expose seniors to sudden shocks such as the appearance of the Almighty. I don’t know about the condition of Mr Abram’s heart but…
Reader: Abraham.
Official: What?
Reader: His name has been changed to A b r a - h a m.
Official: Does my client know about this alteration in nomenclature?
Reader: Oh, yes. He was informed by God.
Official: Only things of this nature - changes in circumstances and familiar routines can be very disorientating for the more mature client.
Reader: Well, I feel sure God was aware of that but as you may know there’s a lot in a name. God wanted to convey to Mr Abraham a certain change in the role he had in mind for him.
Official: Well, there you go, changing routines and roles. All very distressing potentially. What change of role are you implying here in any case?
Reader: From that of Abram, which as you may know means exalted father…
Official: I can only approve of anything that gives utmost credence to the role of the older person in society.
Reader: ..to that of Abraham-Father of many.
Official: By which God means?
Reader: Well - Father of many really. Father of a whole new race which will be dear to God’s heart and from which many will spring those who will be God’s children.
Official: (having trouble choosing appropriate words) No, hang on a minute….Just wait a second or two. Are you seriously telling me that God is expecting Mr Abram…err .Abraham..to start performing, er, um, certain, err duties which frankly are more suited…more suited to a younger man. Because if you are I think I shall have to make serious representations to the powers that be.
Reader: He is the powers that be.
Official: (embarrassed) Quite so. But really. Your "walking before me" I can go along with and "being blameless" - all right, although it does bring a certain restriction which I would prefer not to impose on a man of Mr Abraham’s years. But as for increasing in numbers - well, really. We do have to consider our client’s capabilities in all this.
Reader: So you are saying that Almighty God will find it impossible to use a man of Abraham’s years in the fulfilment of his sovereign will. Is that right?
Official: Well not exactly.
Reader: Well what exactly?
Official: It’s just that there are limitations, you know.
Reader: In Abraham or God.
Official: Um…in Abraham, I suppose.
Reader: Whom, God made and gave power and strength to carry out his will.
Official: Well yes, I suppose He did.
Reader: This being the God who created the universe from nothing?
Official: Well…yes
Reader: The God who put every creature on the earth in the first place?
Official: err…yes.
Reader: Including the human race. And who gave Abraham his life and his future. A future that has implications for the history of the world?
Official: Yes.
Reader: You see, with our God there are no limits.
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© Andy Lund, All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: andrew.lund@ntlworld.com