A Faith God Blesses
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
(Lighthouse / Navy ship joke.) I’m about to tell a joke. You may have hear it before. But if you have, please be kind and laugh at the end anyway.
There was a ship at sea on a foggy night. Seeing a light out in front too close for comfort…
Ship: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.
Response: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Ship: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Response: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Ship: This is an aircraft carrier and we are not going to be bullied off course. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north.
Response: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
A lighthouse is to light the way, and guard from danger. It’s there so a ship can reach it’s destination.
As we read through Genesis, we are carried to a destination. This book of beginnings has shown us who our God is, who we are, how we relate to Him, what happens to us when we rebel, and how God responds.
When we get to the story of Abraham, we find that God’s response to the nations not worshiping Him but choosing other gods is no to beg them to return, but to choose for Himself an individual who will be God’s chosen vessel to redeem humanity. Through this person God would bless the world.
But as long as the nations - and people - seek things other than God’s blessing, we would be under curse and judgement.
Today, we’ll look at the second half of Abraham’s life. Our scripture this morning will show us an example of great faith. But like the lighthouse, that faith points not only to the harbor but also shows us the dangers on the way.
Pray
Today, Genesis 21 through 25:18. This section represents the second half of Abrahams life. The son God promised is born. He has additional conflicts, and seeks peace, with his neighbors. God tests his faith. Then his son grows up and God provides a wife for him. Then finally we get some additional detail about Abraham’s life, and death.
I’m going to summarize some of those events, but take a closer look at that test of faith in chapter 22. That chapter is one of the most profound in all of the old testament. The message is there. But there are some rocks around it that we can recognize in our lives. Those rocks can either be what we crash agains, or a part of the story about what God brought us through and saved us from.
From there we’ll consider a few application points. How this ancient account of a nomadic shepherd has a message that calls us to a new life, blessed by God, and to faith in His purpose for us.
The Birth of Isaac - Ch. 21
The Birth of Isaac - Ch. 21
1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
[There’s joy when God moves in our lives. Trouble at home; trouble in the neighborhood]
Who would have said the impossible could happen? God!
God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah. But even when they tried to accomplish God’s promise with their own plan, God still was faithful to do what He said.
And what God had promised was a son. And through that son, God would bless the entire world - all the nations. Those nations were in rebellion from God, worshiping other gods, idols. Worshiping the creation rather than the creator. But God made a bold move while they were rebelling to promise and then begin to deliver that blessing. A redeemer who would be so valuable that His life would cover the sins of the whole world. THAT’S good news!
If only we ALWAYS did what God said, we would have a lot more laughter! But even as they recieved God’s blessing and joy with the child who was promised, there was trouble brewing. The plans they made to accomplish God’s purpose would cause much trouble.
Earlier, Sarah was barren - not able to have kids. And they tended to squabble with their neighbors. And they decided to achieve God’s blessing by doing the right thing themselves. Sarah offered her servant to Abraham to have a child by so they could receive the promise God was giving them. That decision would lead cause them much trouble throughout the rest of their lives.
But, like is told us at the end of Genesis, what was done without faith God made a blessing anyway.
Isaac was born to a mixed family. His presence caused jealousy, resentment, and anger. Who would inherit the family farm? Who would receive the blessing promised by God? Sarah wanted to make sure it was her son. So she made sure Hagar and Ismael left. Unlike earlier strife, this time Abraham sought God’s direction as to what to do. God told Abraham that He would care for Ishmael and Hagar, and that the promise would be through Isaac.
Again, God was faithful and is able to accomplish what He promises. One wonderful note is that Ismael is not gone forever. He does remain connected and is there at Abraham’s funeral.
There was trouble at home, and there was trouble with neighbors. Just as so many things in the Genesis account of Abraham’s life, things come in pairs. One an example of how to do things wrong, and another about how to do them right.
Abraham had previously made a royal mess out of dealing with a local king named Abimelech. Here in chapter 21, Abraham deals much better - seeking peace, establishing a treaty.
This chapter gives some context of Abraham’s life. When God calls him to exercise his faith, things are not perfect. There were rocks on the shore that Abraham could have really messed up with. But he had grown, learned, matured. After years of listening to God, his heart was being rewired to run on God’s power, not his own.
Sacrifice: His only Son - Ch. 22
Sacrifice: His only Son - Ch. 22
Those were some rocks. Here is the lighthouse.
There are several indications in scripture that something is important. One is when a phrase is repeated. Another when something is unexpected, usual or odd. Again when something happens in scripture, then is repeated in another time. When we see one of these things, it’s like a beacon to draw our attention.
This chapter has all of this and more. First let’s read. As we ready, pay attention to repetition, things that don’t seem to fit, or are peculiar. I’ll pause for some inline commentary.
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
What did you hear? Were there phrases that caught your ear? Let’s talk about what’s happening here.
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
“your son, your only son...” 3x in this passage.
“your son, your only son...” 3x in this passage.
The repetition is important. It’s shouting ‘Hey, look what’s going on here!’
Was Isaac Abrahams ONLY son? Didn’t God know this? Doesn’t Moses who wrote this know that? We have been reading about Ishmael. And later there is another wife, and more sons. The text is clearly saying there is something different about THIS son. That There are others yet only ONE.
Mt. Moriah; Three Days Journey
Mt. Moriah; Three Days Journey
4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
Mt. Moriah = Jerusalem
Melchizedek’s backyard.
For three days Abraham traveled with the knowledge that his son was as good as dead. His faith was the assurance of his own mourning on that journey.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
There was another who died on that mountain. The only son of a father. Three days dead. And that Son - Jesus - was the fulfillment of Melchizedek's office. Priest and King.
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
“We… will come to you again.”
“We… will come to you again.”
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
From Hebrews:
19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Remember, Abraham had tried to do God’s purpose with his plans and it didn’t work. Here, God made it perfectly clear that this son was the only son through whom the promise could be fulfilled. And Abrahams choosing to follow God’s plan this time was immediate and absolute.
He knew God’s purpose could not fail. The only choice was to follow what God had called him to do - no matter how uncomfortable. Regardless if he could see the end result.
What he knew is that THIS son would produce heirs to bless the world. And that God said sacrifice him. Oh to have a faith like that!
“God will provide”
“God will provide”
7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
Isaac, who was to be the sacrifice, realized there was something missing. So he speaks prophetically - undoubtedly not knowing it - ‘Where is the sacrifice?’
What is Abraham to say? He can’t tell Isaac now, he’ll out run him! But that question is repeated by Jesus?
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus prayed - If there is another lamb for the offering, let it come. Just as Isaac had asked for a substitute, so does Jesus. Yet they both climb he mountain to the alter of their own sacrifice.
So Abraham’s faith is the model. But Isaac is the image of Jesus suffering. And Melchizedek is the picture of His position. All faint images compared to Christ. All parts of the image fully seen in Jesus.
And if you aren’t convinced yet this passage points to Jesus...
“The Angel of the Lord”
“The Angel of the Lord”
This is repeated twice in this passage. This is one of the ways the Bible describes God’s actual presence interacting with people.
This is the second person of the God-Head. The pre-incarnate Jesus.
(The Jews who studied scripture after the Babylonian exile recognized this is-God, but next-to-God figure. They saw the clear expression of the shekinah-glory, shakes the heavens with His voice, if you look at Him you’ll die God. But they also saw this Angel of the Lord, sometimes called Yahweh, still God, but eating a meal, having a conversation, and interacting with people God. They were the same God. We call them Father and Son, two parts of the Trinity of God. They called these the Two Powers in Heaven. This was Jewish teaching until… Jesus.)
So this was Jesus who stops Abraham from killing Isaac. Jesus, knowing full well that this action was playing out right before His eyes was a prophetic expression of His own divine plan for forgiveness, redemption, and salvation of the world.
The Rest of the Story
The Rest of the Story
The next two and a half chapters give us the rest of Abraham and Sarah’s lives. How they honored God in their deaths as they chose the very place God spoke with them in person as they place they would be burred.
Chapter 24 is how Abraham sent a servant to get a wife for Isaac. It’s an amazing story and reviles how Abraham's faith was passed on to those in His household. The prayers and worship of this un-named servant are beautiful. His faith is a reflection of Abraham’s.
That is the legacy that we should all desire. That the faith God has given us is passed on to someone else. They they not only hear about it, but live it out. Only when we choose to follow God in faith does that dependence on Him move from crazy, to scary, to bold.
May we all have bold faith!
So…
Can you trust God’s Word? You can trust God’s Word.
Can you trust God’s plan? You can trust God’s plan
Can you trust God’s forgiveness? You CAN trust His forgiveness!
Can you follow God in faith today?
Pray