Covenant 8/2/2020

What is those from Generations before the coming of Christ those who laid the foundation for the coming of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And we had been through most of the major characters in the early parts of Genesis. But today we pick up on. What are the characters whose life does not get study to great deal the life? of Isaac and we take a look at this morning at Genesis 26 beginning with the first verse here. Now God's Eternal and then Herod word. There was a famine in the land besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham and Isaac went through Giver who abimelech the king of the Philistines and the Lord appeared to him and said do not go down to Egypt. Well in the land of which I shall tell you so drained of this land and I will be with you and will bless you or to you and your Offspring. I will give all these lands and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your Offspring as the stars of heaven and would give to your Offspring all these lands and in your Offspring all the nations of the Earth shall be blessed. Because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge by Commandments by statutes and laws. So Isaac settled and give her. God bless our reading understanding of his holy word.

I've got to tell you that I am as guilty as many Christians in that Isaac is sort of the flyover Zone in Genesis for me. Because when I think of Isaac, I think in terms of the miraculous birth as he was conceived and born of parents who were Sumerians. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born and so we remember him for that but that was not a miracle of Isaac. That was one of dramatic miracles of god on behalf of Abraham and Sarah. And then of course, we remember the dramatic story of Abraham going to sacrifice at Mount Moriah and Isaac was there with him used to be the sacrifice. But again Isaac becomes the object of God's miraculous work of a subject. Is there a real story is Abraham and God? I'm going to go through all of this the next time we look at Isaac and most of our sermon series and bible study. We are looking at this aging man who's lying as tent waiting for his oldest son to bring him a tasty meal. And he has tricked by his younger son to give the patriarchal blessing for the younger rather than the older. But again, Isaac. Is not the subject the subject is Jacob and his mother fooling dad. That's what I was reading through this. I thought but Isaac is always mentioned in the the lineage of the Patriarchs. Jesus even refers to the faith of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. I feel like saying well Abraham, I understand a Jacob. I understand. What am I missing with Isaac? And so I decided to dig into Isaac this week. Let's go back to one of those first instances where we remember Isaac. We remember Isaac as he went with his father to sacrifice in the area of Mount Moriah. Are most of the children's Bible story books. You see this young lad. Remember if you read the story Isaac was the one carrying the load of woods were burnt offering up the mountain. He was no toddler. He was no young child. Biblical historians put his age up between early teen years or as old as his early thirties when he went with his father the worship God on Mariah. And the reason I mention that is it what we see in Isaac's role is not just the the child who's under the control of his father. We see a grown man who had plenty of strength to say no father. I am not going to let you kill me. lesbiana Have I been and Isaac's position and I got the wood up there and everything laid out and I said father we have the wood we had the fire. Where's the offering and then comes toward me to Barnes me and with a bagger in his hand. I would have thought okay Alzheimer's is finally set in I love you Dad, but I'm out of here. Did Isaac do that as far as we can tell he was old enough to have a personal relationship with God who trust in the god his father taught him about and therefore the prostitutes ball.

Isaac therefore made the decision W obedient what God has told his father and of the part that he played in that. Of course, it'll be read through all of that. Abraham was confident in God the God would provide the sacrifice.

And we read in the New Testament a glance backwards that says a reason Abraham was so convinced is that he knew that even if he took his son's life. He served the god of Life who could bring him back to life.

Isaac trust in God and he trusted in his father and of the faith of his family and was obedient even in the face of possible death. But he is not just a place marker and sacred history. He is a man of his own face his own commitment to the god of his father.

The best thing we read about with Isaac is that his father decided about time this boy had a wife that we don't know what the time Gap is. The one thing that Abraham decided Was that you needed to find a bride for his son who did not come from among the Canaanite who did not come from any of the lands of great idolatry. At the same time he didn't even want his son to be exposed any of that journey through those Pagan last so he sent a servant and if you recall that story they went to the territory of Laban.

And his daughter Rebecca was selected under the instructions of God spoken of the servant to Abraham and she with a full heart and faith and willingness him back to the camp of Abraham where she was presented to Isaac. What would have happened how many of you gentlemen would have been happy if your father imported some young girl from a distant Place presented her to you and said I decided this will be your wife. any takers and if you find your wife that way I love my father, but I would not have been open to his selection of a bride for me. Isaac understood what was going on spiritually his own faith. Not only made him trust his father and his father's actions. But when he looked upon Rebecca and recognized this was God's hand leaving her here. He immediately greeted her and took her into his mother's have to introduce her. Ring her dad already knew she was coming because he has sent the Servants of Hatcher but mom got to meet his new bride that again. It'll be fueled by romance. It was fueled by faith and obedience. And this is the recurring theme of Isaac. When we read through the passages in Genesis, what do we remember most of the Old Testament in the New Testament the great dramatic and miraculous? We certainly remember Noah building an amazing. boat and being the guardian of all life through flood. We remember Jonah being swallowed by a great fish. And surviving to once again serve God. We remember Moses bringing plagues upon Egypt parting the Red Sea praying and God giving man in the water. We remember the dramatic. What happen if your lives are a series of dramatic and miraculous events in your walk with Christ?

I think I look back on and say that was the hand of God, that could be nothing but the hand of God. And the part of my heart that I appreciate the miraculous focuses on that is God and God Alone. What happened part of the new Waters recently? I haven't been a part of anything. Miraculous. I haven't been like Elijah bringing fire from heaven on her altar.

And I doubt that at the end of my life. I'll be swept up. a whirlwind in the face of fiery Chariots of God So what is it that the ordinary believer the one who trusts God? What is it that we are supposed to do in what sometimes seems a Monday in life? Well as we continue to look at Isaac we find.

Once his father passed away.

He cooperated with Ishmael you remember Ishmael he had gone off with Hagar his mother and they're always at odds with the people of God and Israel their own Kinsmen with Isaac regarding Ishmael is also a gift of the family from God went and found him and the two of them went and bury their father. Hey, but Mom right next to his wife and they parted company again. There was no malice in the heart of Isaac his confidence in God was such that he could face what could have been an uncomfortable situation? he can face what could have been an insurmountable challenge of the world's perspective and he did what God told him to do because shortly thereafter the next thing we see Is that a famine comes upon the area Canaan? That was pretty, And like most famines it was the result of drought primarily. They can be bamas because of locust plagues but water was the issue. And the safest place to go would be the Egypt the Nile never dried up. There was water there. Therefore there was food there. Just I sent later in the history when Joseph was in Egypt during this famine. He could have gone to Egypt. And gotten supplies but God spoke to him and said I don't want you to go to Egypt. I want you to make your home right here because this is the land of promise and you are the son of promise. I want you to be obedient to my word even when things get difficult.

And what one to us when God tells us things like that because I used to be really got difficult. Because Isaac and all of his family and servants and flocks. moved into the area of garer mirror is close to the coast of modern day Israel and is one of The Enclave of the ancient Philistine that you know anything about the Philistines. They were not a nice people. Oh my god father into sacred history. Who does David have to Vanquish to save his people Goliath of gath one of the city-state of the Philistine. There was always this tension and this opposition in the Philistines as well as other

other tribes and nations in the area of Canaan But there was water drown over there. And Isaac remember that his father also had done well to that area. So he went to the Hill Country of Gary Gary Rackley mean Hill Country. And there he thrived. But not easily. Because the most Elemental need for water cause him to ask his apartment to go out to the Wells of Abraham because what Abraham is Sojourner that are usable Wells. After Abraham moved away instead of enjoying what was left the Philistines in spite build in the well. Oh, I think men went and we dug them. Hence the title digging deeper. Because the rest of the story In this passage about Isaac is about how he pursued what he needed for his herds family is people and still did not rise up against those who opposed him. We begin. with the first time that Wells a mendicant engine examples of how Wells beard Isaac's life In the first occasion, he has grown to be wealthy. There's adequate water things were going well, but of course his his flock grew his family grew. Have you become quite numerous? And by then this chances are that water was becoming a little bit scared to share between the Philistines and Isaac's family and herds and flocks. More than that we read in verse 14 of Genesis 26. He Isaac had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants so that the Philistines envied him. Philistines that stopped up and filled with Earth all the wealth as father serpents at Doug of the days of Abraham his father. And abimelech the king of Gyro. The Isaac go away from us. Are you are much mightier than we So Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of gear and stubble there. I thought might seem just sort of a plain-vanilla narrative. But look at what it says. Isaac asthma done all the work of opening of whales that have previously been unavailable to the Philistines as well because they can fill them up before. But now the king comes with him and says you have become too powerful. I think if someone came to me and said we'd like you to move because you've become too influential to wealthy too powerful. My mind my carnal mind would have merely think we'll have I'm so powerful that I scare you you better make nice with me cuz I don't number you or I have more power than you and I have more wealth than you. Isn't that the way most human heart would respond. I'm going to give them an earful about done open those Wells that your guys filled in these were our wells to begin with and then we share them wrong with you. I would not have been very pastoral about that. Isaac art of his witness for the reality of the true and living God while he sojourn this land of pagans and idolaters. Was that he was not going to go to war with them? He was not going to overwhelm them with physical night. We're by the mall with money. when asked to leave He picked up all of his. Realm if you will a family and Birdman livestock and they moved away from the Hill Country and went out to the valley of Giver The Valley Of The Hill it was a low land far away from the the cultural center. Are the philistine? He decided that he was just going to that back. Well after that for a confrontation, you might think well, he's away for the Philistines and he can find water again. He's he's all set. But no. What you going to do Verse 18, we see that he finds another well. does of Isaac Doug again the well the water that have been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which of the Philistine has stopped after The death of Abraham again spiteful Philistine after Abraham's death destroyed his work. And he gave them the names of his father giving them. But when Isaac servant dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water. Herdsmen of Guerra quarrel with Isaac has been saying the water is ours call the name of the well at sac. What is Hebrew for contention because it contended with him? How this was the first time that they identified a well that was not one of the previous Wells of Abraham. It was one that Isaac's men found and Doug and guess what it was spring thin. if you've never read commentaries on Psalm 23 The Shepherd song Phillip Keller wrote a whole book a Shepherd looks at the 23rd psalm, you know. What people yearned for in those days was fresh moving water? Think about it. Now if you're out the middle of nowhere and you have to find water. Are you going to drink out of a pond or you going to say oh, look there's a stream of moving water or the Bible called living water. You're going to want to move in water more refreshing only the Shepherds have to find out where a pool so is she for not afraid of it? But when this well was Doug suddenly Wakulla Springs popped up. Well, maybe not as cold.

And this would have been more than enough to supply not only just blocks Isaac never refused to share with the bill estate. What the hell they were pursuing him?

And I said, oh this is the valley of Gilmer. We are from Guerra. Therefore. We have all the water rides.

You're a way for the king of this point. You've got these representatives from the city. And they're telling you you can't have the water from the well that your men Doug. Again, how would you respond?

You have left the town of year to avoid confrontation and the continue to offer a witness of peace. of contentment But he would not respond with a contentious spirit with which he was map. What would you do? is rightfully his His men nugget it wasn't just as well that he reopened. This was brand new. But what I have done I can fast enough you think about what you would have done. In the story, right? He picks up and he moves a little bit further away.

And then in verse 21. Then they dug another well and they quarreled over that also, so he called his name which means opposition. But he is dealt with Envy. A contentious Spirit on the Philistines opposition at every point. It seems like there's a pattern developing here there wherever he goes his enemies follow him and Stirrup difficulty. At what point do you say enough is enough. Get your swords and Spears. We're going to show them who really is more powerful. but we might thinking as long as I have enough men to go to the battle and I didn't have to remind thinking at some point. You just have to take a stand when we even in our devotion to Christ say well, I tried to be cooperative. I tried to give the enemy my kindness by Comfort if he was thirsty. I gave him drink hungry I gave him food and now he's taking food and drink right out of the mouths of my family and that is too far to go but not for Isaac.

Isaac had such a sense of confidence in God that he could go forward and leave the very thing that he had earned if you will the work of his hands. Because he knew that God would provide. And then deed in verse 22. We're told and he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not.

But he called it the name Rehoboth Rehoboth means a white Avenue Evansville. So, well not a street but it was the word used to describe something that was plentiful broad able to sustain multiple traffic on a road multiple uses in a well the Rehoboth when you see that it means the wine Avenue plenty of room for all of us.

And Isaac said for now, the Lord has made room for us and we shall be fruitful in the land. And they live in peace from there after yes, what do you think? not quite movie continue he finally left there as well and we're not told why other than maybe he just wanted to get away from the Philistines before they started up their arguments again. Having been through the the argumentation over Wells. Based on Envy based on contention face of opposition and then finally finding enough for all to share that I was going to stand for very long. And so he moved yet again verse 23 we read from there. He went up to Beersheba the Lord appeared to him the same night and said I am the god of Abraham your father beer and Brian with you and will bless you and multiply your Offspring for my servant Abraham sake so he build an altar there. And called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. They're Isaac servants. Oh well. One of them black went to him from Gary with I was off his adviser and he called the commander of his army. Isaac said then why have you come to me? Thing that you hate me and sent me away from you. They said we see plainly that the Lord Apple El Cap the god of God. We see plainly that the Lord your God has been with you. So he said let there be a sworn pact between us between you and us and let us make covenant with you that you will do us no harm. Says. We have not touched you have not and I have done to you nothing but good has sent you away in peace. You are now the Blessed of the Lord. I don't know about that comment that we had done only good to you. It certainly sent them away. Those days are good at that but they've been far from good Isaac. Just let that go in one ear and out the other because here's an opportunity for him to make his final statement his final Act. A witness for the God of all gods in verse 30 so he made them a feet. Have you got a better Covenant without that you put on the big banquet for the royalty of his enemies? He fed them. He wined and dined them. And the ate and drank in the morning, they Rose early and exchange oats. And Isaac sent them on their way and they departed from him and East. A same-day Isaac servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him we have found water. He called it Sheba. He bought is the Hebrew word for Sabbath the day of completion the day of Wrath. the day when laborers can cease

and therefore the name of the city is Beersheba that is digging for the day of rest. To this day. You read the Old Testament talks about the the breath of Israel as from Dan to Beersheba. It was a permanent name that came from his final testimony of confidence in God a willingness to forbear. the sins against him by the Philistines his willingness to bless his enemies. as a witness for the love and mercy and grace of God. Isaac restraint in the face of opposition Open the hearts of his enemies recognized the god of his.

You ever wondered how the little things that you do? Maybe as miraculous as the little things that Isaac did I say miraculous because any time that God open someone's heart to the reality of who he is Miracle because it does not happen by natural means it happens through the hand of God. And it is put into play by the testimony of his people. Isaac Wyatt obedience continue to expand the foothold of God people having Canaan The Canaanites have nothing to complain about just as Abraham had saved the refugee from Sodom and Gomorrah that have been taken captive along with lot just as Abraham blessed the various King. And rumors of tribes in Canaan. So Isaac blessed his enemies and live a peaceful life the demonstrated the Providence and the love. hearing of God Those daily observances. I say no to self and yes to God. That's about the time. God was ready to bring his people back to command and Conquer it nobody could say about people that treat us badly. But rather God's judgment has finally come on to Canaan the promise made to Abraham there for the father great nation would not be fully visible for Generations. Isaac wouldn't get to see it. Isaac had two sons he passed away before he even saw his grandchildren far as I can tell. He wouldn't get to see it and yet he persevered and enjoyed last night the faith that played out Ruby tian's as he awaited the Fulfillment of a promise, which would be seen only by his fender. How are we doing at living with that confidence that we continue to persevere? We continue to live Faithfully we continue to live helplessly as God directs our become a living testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether we see grapefruit in our lifetime, Or whether we come up against opposition. Isaac is the model of obedience without requiring that he see the finished product. You heard the voice of God and he'll bade. You sometimes feel like you're digging the same well over and over again.

a metaphor for so many thing you ever feel like you're working so hard to do what is right or people and then they turn around and they curse you because they don't like you.

Have you felt okay. I'm about a year away from retirement. I've been digging all my life. To get make sure I have a well a provision when I retire. It seems like covid-19.

What are you do you throw up your hands and say God is not good to me or do you keep digging? Isaac just keep laboring what God and instructed him to do understand me that the result is in God's hand. We're not good at that. What are wheat warring against? When why are we warned against the forces of sinful and corrupt people as sinful and broken world? God decrees are not always dramatic you remember nothing else about Isaac? Remember that God's victories are not always romantic. They don't always end with the! Of a of a miracle.

But they quite frequently and with the! A change live change mine. Changes Inspire Generations yet to come. Many of us are strongest Witness. It's a person beer in the face of Injustice and opposition without retaliation. Frosting solely in the Providence of God.

I'll be coming for the table Lord today. We are reminded of Jesus following that same print.

I hope that's not my joints that are causing that much noise.

When Jesus sat at the table with his disciples at that last supper. Jesus is on the brink. I've given himself fully in obedience to the father.

Not leaning on his power. Not waiting for some great miracle other than to say father your will be done and not mine. Isaac demonstrated all the paper at all the heroes. Navarre feh Illustrated that same obedience they reflected the righteousness but their relationship to go. And so on this day. We commemorate. that night when Jesus say goodbye to his disciples. He gathered them for the Passover meal. He reminded them that he was leaving them.

Liberty London any luck with them? instructions for a new meaning to that Passover meal on that night. He was betrayed Lord Jesus Took the bread. And having given thanks and blessed it and broke it and gave it to his disciples and said this is my body which is given for you take and eat in remembrance of me. And then after dinner was ended he took the cup and a light manner. It was the tables and said this cup is the New Covenant in my blood which will be shed for the remission of sins of many all of you drink of it in remembrance of me. Father we ask that you would separate these elements from their common purpose. And make them for us. a living reminder the power of your Holy Spirit that we are held together by the very body of crime.

Behold the body of Christ take and eat in remembrance of him.

Behold the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ fake and ring remembrance.

Oh mighty God. I have any father. We thank you. What is life-giving sacrament? The beyond our understanding we believe what you have told us that we partake of this simple bread and simple why? We are actually partaking at a spiritual level the very living presence of your body and blood is Frank than us and to bind us together. As your one body the church. He has to pay for that you would send this out this day. in Humble service not worrying about how your commands her now. But by me before you is Isaac. I'm saying here. Am I I will obey your word. We thank you that you have made us stronger. We thank you that you have bound us together now use us for the glory of your name for the building of your kingdom in Jesus name. Let's join together in our closing hymn.