Read Genesis
20-22 & Matthew
7
To discover:
As you read note how God continues to fulfil his promises to
Abraham.
To ponder:
About to reach the summit of his faith, Abraham stumbles.
Like us he repeats his sin. Abimelech’s character (a Philistine) contrasts
those in Sodom and Gomorrah.
20v4 echos Abraham’s plea in chapter 18. God will not destroy these people.
However, they are still reliant on the man he has chosen. The events point them
to God if they are to have mercy and Abraham as his representative. And again,
despite his sin, Abraham is blessed with wealth.
21v1
reminds us why: This couple are under grace. Finally then, God fulfils his
promise in pregnancy. “At the very time” stresses it is no coincidence, and
Isaac’s circumcision shows Abraham’s continuing disposition of true (and
therefore obedient) faith. Patterning our faith in resurrection Abraham
believed that God could bring the life of this birth from the death of he and Sarah’s
aged bodies (Rom 4v19-25). With that faith proved justified, Sarah’s laughter
is no longer unbelieving.
It is
Christ we appeal to when facing the anger of God. And it is he who prays for us
to receive mercy (Heb 7v25). Yet through him, we can intercede for unbelievers
too. When mercy comes and God gives spiritual life to the dead, Sarah’s delight
should be our own.
Ishmael
displays the animosity often directed to those God chooses by those he doesn’t (21v9).
It highlights a wider divide in humanity (Gal 4v21-31). Nevertheless, again God
cares for Hagar. He is not just the one who sees (16v13), but who hears
(21v17). And for Abraham’s sake Ishmael is also blessed.
Chapter 22
is the high point for Abraham. He
is “tested” - as we are whenever called to costly faith. His example challenges
us: His obedience is immediate (v3) and full of faith in God to provide (v8).
God has promised offspring through Isaac. So Abraham knows Isaac will not die.
He therefore assumes God would raise him from the dead (Heb 11v17-19). But God
provided a substitute. And because of Abraham’s obedient faith gives the most
solemn oath to bless him. This same oath guarantees all we await from his
covenant (Heb 6v17).
The event
rightly shocks us. But it brings home the wonder that God would do what he
didn’t require of Abraham in the end. Millenia later, his Son carried wood,
arguably to the very same spot, and to become our substitute. God did not
hesitate to send him. How much we should be prepared to offer our bodies to him
as living sacrifices (Rom 12v1-2).
Praying it home:
Praise God with joy (even laughter?) for the utter certainty
of what he has promised - because he has sworn by himself. Praise him for his
great love in giving his one and only Son. Pray for non-Christians you know,
and for an opportunity to tell them you have been praying for them.
Thinking further:
None today. This will only be included where an issue needs
further explanation. Instead, if you haven’t yet done it, browse the links in
the footer of the website: bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
You will find Bible maps annotated according to whatever passage you are
reading, introductions to each book of the Bible and much more.
If you receive this post by email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk and make a
comment.
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