Faith and Its Reward

Genesis 15:1-6

In Romans 4:1-5, Paul asks, “How was Abraham saved? Was it by faith or by the works of the Law?” In the first three chapters of Romans, Paul has shown the utter depravity of man, and his complete inability to save himself by his own works, or by trying to keep the Law. How was Abraham saved? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” In modern language that would mean, “Abraham believed God absolutely and God canceled his sins and declared him fit for heaven.” Abraham was saved by faith, four hundred years before the Law was given. This was the principle of salvation in the O.T., and it is the same today. [Discuss briefly here some people’s attitude, trying to work for salvation] Notice also the difference between believing God and believing in God. Most people believe in God, but hardly believe a word He says.

Genesis 15 is the great faith chapter of the Old Testament. In it God reveals His one and only way of salvation. Here for the first time God unveils His plan of salvation in all its fullness. Consider Genesis 15:1. “Fear not, Abraham: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 14 reveals Abraham returning from his great victory over the four kings of the north. He has released Lot and his family. With his three hundred and eighteen servants he had surprised the enemy by attacking at night. But in thinking of all this he becomes afraid, knowing that these kings will come back for revenge. Right at that point the Lord comes and encourages him saying “Fear not, Abraham: I am thy shield. Don’t be afraid, Abraham, for I will be your protector and also your exceeding great reward.” This is the first thing that Abraham believed.

In verses 2-3 Abraham reminds God of a promise He had made thirty years prior. See Genesis 12:2, “I will make of thee a great nation.” In verses 4-6 God reassures Abraham that he will have a son whose offspring will be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Now God asked Abraham to believe that He would give him a son who was long-promised, long delayed, miraculously born, and supernaturally given. In other words God asked Abraham to believe what was humanly impossible and naturally unreasonable. Genesis 17 tells us that Abraham was one hundred years old and Sarah was ninety. Paul in Romans 4 tells us that Abraham’s body was dead as far as pro-creation was concerned. Sara was long past the time of life for childbearing, so she was maternally dead. Genesis 18:11 informs us that they were “old and well stricken in years.” This means that they looked and felt their age. To have children at their time of life was impossible. Paul says that Abraham did not even consider this; instead “He believed God.” “Somehow,” Abraham said, “God will bring it to pass.”

Faith is believing the unbelievable – the impossible. See Romans 4:18-22. Faith is confidence in another’s word. God said unto Abraham, “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life.” In other words God said, “I am going to set back the clock of time. I am going to make Sarah young again. I will put the clock back 50 or 60 years. She will become a beautiful, virile, healthy young woman again. He also would do the same for Abraham. Sara laughed at the very idea and brought forth the classic phrase “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” In verse 14, the Lord confirms His promise to Abraham and Sarah, saying, “At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” For the second time God says I will restore to Sarah the time of childbearing and He kept His promise. He brought about a transformation in Sarah, which was wonderful. Do you believe this? Or do you think it is far fetched?

Genesis 21 tells us of the birth of Isaac, God’s promise fulfilled. Genesis 20 tells us of Abraham and Sarah’s visit to Gerar. In verse 2 Abraham says, “She is my sister.” Abimelech the king took one look at her and escorted her to his palace. Would this be the ninety-year-old woman, well stricken in years, of Genesis 18? The king had the choice of any beautiful maiden in the land, would he have chosen a decrepit old woman?

What God did for Sarah, He also did for Abraham. Abraham’s youth was renewed. God made him a young man again. Isaac is born and grows up into manhood. Some 40 years pass by during which Sarah dies. Then comes the amazing record of Abraham at the age of 140 years. See Genesis 25:1-2. Abraham remarried; his wife’s name was Kenturah. He was the father of at least six sons and probably a host of other children. God’s promises were all fulfilled. Abraham believed God concerning the promise and his son.

Genesis 24

The Mission of Eliezar, a Type of the Mission of the Holy Spirit

Read verses 1 to 4 and verse 10.

In studying the historical records of the OT, we must remember that underneath each one there is some great spiritual truth.

1 Corinthians 10:11—“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the end of the age is come.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17—“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Behind every historical record in scripture there is more than mere moral instruction.

Paul mentions it is profitable for doctrine, then reproof, correction, instruction. “The things written aforetime were written for our learning.”

Genesis 24 contains in type the great doctrine of the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit.

In this chapter we see the Trinity at work: Abraham as the Father, Isaac as the Son, and Eliezer as the Holy Spirit.

In this connection we see the mission of Eliezer corresponding to the work of the Holy Spirit.

1. Eliezer was sent by the father in behalf of his son Isaac. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, “And I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth.”

2. Eliezer was given complete authority to administer the affairs of the son and to seek out the bride for Isaac. Verses 2 and 10. This is the Holy Spirit’s role in the world today. He is in charge of the affairs of the Son.

3. Verses 2 and 3 state distinctly that the bride must not come from among the Canaanites, but from the family of Abraham. This necessitated that the bride come from a far country. Under no circumstances was Isaac to be taken to the border land. See verses 6-8: “Bring not my son hither.” This is a beautiful type. When the Church as the Bride goes to meet her heavenly Isaac, he will not come to her home on earth to get her. Instead the Holy Spirit will bring her to meet Him in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “The dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the hand in the air.”

4. When Eliezer left the father’s house he had two things in mind: (1) To find a bride for Isaac; (2) To speak of his glories. This was in accordance with the father’s will, see verse 9. So it is with the Holy Spirit today. “He shall not speak of Himself: but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak”—John 16:13. It is the work of the Spirit to speak the word of the Father concerning the Son. This is why there is so much about the Lord Jesus Christ in the NT, and comparatively little about the Holy Spirit.

5. Next please notice where Eliezer went. See verse 10. This was in the land of Ur of the Chaldees from which Abraham himself had come. There is a perfect description of where the Holy Spirit came to seek the bride for Christ. A world of sinners who are under the judgment of fire and who live in the city of destruction.

Meeting the Bride: verses 15 to 33. The servant explains his mission and tells of the glories and riches of his master. Verses 34 to 56.

The Bride’s Decision: verse 58. On the way to meet Isaac the servant tells more of his master and his master’s house.

The Meeting: verse 63. Apply all this to the Holy Spirit’s work in our life.

The Second Coming

John 14:1-6

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

There are in the NT 260 chapters and 318 references to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The OT abounds with passage which speak of Christ’s return to reign upon this earth.

There are different aspects of His coming:

1. In relation to the Jew.

2. In relation to the Church.

There is not one reference in the OT which points to the Lord’s coming to take a people out of the world to the Father’s house.

The NT also contains many references to this event, but also introduces to us the fact of His coming to rapture the Church. Perhaps the only reference in the Gospels to this aspect of His coming is in John 14.

We are indebted mainly to Paul and his writings for the revelation of the rapture of the church.

Paul, in writing to Titus, brought the two aspects of his coming into sharp relief: “Looking for that ‘blessed hope’ and the ‘glorious appearing’ of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

In John 14 Jesus foretells his coming for his own. In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul describes the “Rapture” and shows that it is sign-less and timeless. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul by revelation supplies some of the detail.

We shall not all die, but all will be changed. This changed will be instantaneous, and shall take place at the blowing of the last trumpet.

After receiving our incorruptible bodies we shall be translated or raptured in clouds and meet the Lord in the air.

After meeting the Lord, and meeting with loved ones, certain great events are going to take place:

1. The Judgment Seat of Christ.

Described for us in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10. Every believer will be required to be examined by the Lord. This event is explained in more detail in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. This examination takes place immediately following the rapture.

Revelation 19:8 shows us the bride already rewarded prior to the Lord’s return with His Bride. “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge. All judgment is committed unto the Son in John 5. this judgment is not to determine our salvation but rather to make manifest what we really are. It is our works that will be brought under judgment. It is not the Lord’s purpose to chasten us for our sins but to reward us for our service. Our work is going to be tested by fire. That which is God glorifying will stand the test. That which is not will be burned up.

2. The Marriage of the Lamb.

Each one clothed in garments of fine linen—Revelation 19:8. This “marriage” takes place in heaven. It is from heaven that we descend with Him on His glorious return—Revelation 19:14. Then throughout eternity we shall dwell in perfect bliss, showing forth His glory, and displaying to wondering angels the glory of His name. Will you be one of these happy people?

What happens to those who are left behind when the Lord comes?

First of all, there will be the shock and consternation caused by the rapture of the born-again believers. There will be abject misery and anguish among those who know the truth and yet have rejected it. But this will be of short duration. With the rapture of the believers and the removal of the Holy Spirit, there appears on the scene one whom Paul describes as the “Wicked or Lawless one.” He is the head of the Roman Empire and as such he is the political leader and rules relentlessly over the nations of the earth. He is known as the Beast.

Then there arises the “second beast.” His power comes from Satan through the “first beast.” He is the religious head. He promotes and compels all peoples to worship the first beast instead of God. He is given power by Satan to do miracles, Paul describes them as “powers, signs and lying wonders”—2 Thessalonians 2:9.

These men with their power, subtilty, and deceit will enslave the bodies and minds of the people, so that they will believe a lie rather than the truth.

Someone asks, “Will there not be some saved during the tribulation?” The answer to that is, “Yes.”

But who will be saved? Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 talks of some who are perishing, “who received not the truth,” prior to the rapture.

God will send these strong delusions so that they will believe the lie. That they all might be damned who believe not the truth—verses 10-12.

This being so, no one who rejects Christ outright before the rapture, will be given the chance to accept him after.

Apply this solemn truth to present audience. The tribulation period will be a time of unprecedented suffering. This is described for us in Revelation 6 to 19.

Those who survive the awful calamities of the Tribulation, and those who don’t will stand before the “Great White Throne,” then banished into eternal hell.

The reason why we stay with you is to warn you of these things, to tell you to flee from the wrath to come, and to tell you that “Jesus saves.”

Abraham’s Test

Genesis 22

Genesis 22:1 says, “And God did test Abraham.” Some time later, God did test Abraham. He tested Abraham’s sincerity, loyalty, and faith. The offering of Isaac may have occurred at the place where Solomon built the temple (see 2 Chronicles 3:1). Isaac was not a child, but a young man. Abraham laid the wood for burnt offering on Isaac; this was a heavy load.

Abraham’s Promise

Abraham’s spiritual experience was marked by four great crises, each of which involved a surrendering of something that was naturally dear to him:

– He surrendered his country and his kindred.

– He surrendered his nephew Lot, who was especially dear to him, and was his heir and a fellow-believer.

– He surrendered his own plans for Ishmael.

– Finally, he surrendered Isaac, his miraculous son.

Abraham wanted a son and heir above anything else. Sarah, his wife, was barren. They had tried everything to have a child, but were unsuccessful. Time ran out. Humanly speaking, there was no hope. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90. Abraham’s body was dead, and Sarah’s was long past the age of childbearing.

When Abraham began his walk with God, God promised that He would multiply his seed, that they would be as numberless as the stars, and as numerous as the sand on the seashore (see Genesis 15). God also promised to make him fruitful; that kings would come from his seed, and that through his descendants all nations of the earth would be blessed. In Genesis 17, God again promised Abraham that Sarah would bear him a son, that she would be the mother of nations.

Abraham’s Response

Gen. 17:17 – He fell on his face and laughed in disbelief, and said: “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a son at the age of ninety?” Listen now to the cry of a desperate man: “If only Ishmael might be under your blessing.” I can see these things happening. God ignored this request from a distraught man, and said, “Sarah shall bear you a son and you will call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him, and an everlasting covenant with his descendants.”

The heavenly messengers appearing to Abraham in Genesis 18 was a theophany. The Lord reiterated His promise that Sarah would have a son. Sarah, who was in the next tent, heard this and, “laughed within herself.” First, we have Abraham laughing at God’s promise, and now we have Sarah laughing. Abraham was incredulous, but the Lord said, “Is anything too hard for God?” (See Genesis 18:14).

In due course, Isaac was born (see chapter 21). After all that has transpired, can you imagine the special bond between Abraham and Isaac? There must have been joy, rejoicing, and praising God. Confidence in God was at its highest point. Now look at Chapter 22.

Consider the enormity and the immensity of the unusual request made by God. Abraham would be taken by surprise as his world crashed around him. He would be stunned by the impact of this request. God did not say, “Take Isaac and offer him for a burnt offering.” Nor did He say, “Take your son, your ONLY son.” God said, “Take now your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love.” God is literally saying to Abraham: “You must put Isaac to death. You must offer him to Me as a burnt-offering.”

Abraham’s Surrender

Will he obey unreservedly and unconditionally? Will he surrender to God’s command? Before Abraham could obey God in this unbelievable way, a way contrary to human reason, he must surrender three things:

1. His heart – that is, his INTELLECT: What God had asked him to do did not make sense. Humanly speaking, it was incomprehensible; it defied human logic and understanding. Isaac was the child of promise—he was the miracle child. God’s future plans and purposes were invested in him. All Abraham’s hopes and aspirations were centered in Isaac. Now God says, “Put him to death.” To obey God and worship Him, Abraham must surrender his intellect.

2. His EMOTIONS: He loved Isaac with all his heart…all his hopes and aspirations were centered in him. To obey God, he must love God more than his son, and to demonstrate that love he must surrender to God his strong affection and emotions for Isaac, the son of promise.

3. His WILL: He had a choice either to do his own will, or to do God’s will, to keep what God had given him or to obey God. He elected to do God’s will. Abraham completely abandoned himself to the will of God. This was the supreme and ultimate test for Abraham.

All of this was against reason; yet Abraham was completely captivated, convinced and controlled by God, that he rose immediately in unquestioning and unhesitating obedience to the revealed will of God.

This was a very real experience for Abraham: “Take now thy son.” This was the greatest crisis in his life. He had never been called upon to surrender his intellect, emotion, and will in this way. [Note that it is not enough to surrender the intellect and emotion apart from the will]. To serve God, and worship Him acceptably there must be a total yielding of the whole man. Paul urges us in Romans 6 to “yield ourselves to God.”

Have you ever yielded your intellect, emotions, and will to God in total surrender? Do you have a true heart? Do you have a sincere, pure heart…a surrendered heart? God can do great things with anyone whose heart is surrendered to Him.

Abraham’s Service

Read Genesis 22:3-5. Note three things here:

(1) Abraham did not choose his own service. God revealed it to him, and he responded with unquestioning obedience.

(2) Abraham went to the mountain, the place of God’s appointing, in order to worship Him. He went with one specific objective. He did not go to serve God. “Abide you here, while I and the lad go yonder and worship.”

(3) Abraham went in faith. “Abide you here, while I and the lad go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He is going to the mountain, the appointed place, to worship God by offering Isaac, but he also does this in full assurance of faith, that God will bring Isaac back to life. What faith! Could we believe like this?

Abraham’s Altar – [Read Genesis 22:6-9]. “They came to the place of which God had told him, and Abraham built an altar.” He built that altar with trembling hands. No doubt tears streamed down his cheeks. His heart was overwhelmed, and his spirit crushed. Despite the mind shattering circumstances, he built the altar.

Beloved, before we can worship God acceptably, we must build an altar with our own hands. We will not be asked to lay Isaac upon it, we will be asked by God to lay ourselves upon it. We will be asked to give ourselves as a burnt offering to be wholly consumed for the glory of God. [Note the difference between the sin offering and the burnt offering]

Abraham built an altar to worship God, and when he had completed it, he laid the one whom he loved with all his heart on it. The fact that it was his ONLY son gives the scene great intensity (he was not one out of twelve, comparing Isaac to Joseph for instance). [Describe the conversation between the father and son]

The Crisis: The Moment of Truth

Genesis 22:10 says, “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” The crucial and climatic moment had come. Abraham had built the altar—he had bound the sacrifice—now he raised the knife. God tested Abraham to the limit. What happens next? [Describe the trauma]

[Read Genesis 22:11-18] In Genesis 22:11, we have the first message: “Abraham, Abraham.” The repetition of the name denotes urgency. “Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do anything to him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou has not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.” Abraham had passed the test – the most severe test of his life.

Abraham cut the cords that bound Isaac to the altar with the knife that would have killed him. I’m sure he embraced Isaac. Then he lifted up his tear-filled eyes, filled with tears of joy, and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. He slew it, and offered it up to God for a burnt offering. God got the burnt offering of Genesis 22:2. Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah Jireh (“The Lord will provide”). On this occasion, God provided a substitute for Isaac.

The second message of the Angel of the Lord was also very important (see Genesis 22:15). “By myself I have sworn,” saith the Lord, “for because thou hast done ‘this thing’” (see Genesis 22:11). What did Abraham do? (1) He offered/gave up his son Isaac to God. (2) Abraham surrendered his heart (i.e. his life), and (3) He surrendered himself without reserve to God.

Abraham had done many things at God’s request. He had left his home in Ur of the Chaldeans, leaving behind his friends and family. He had become a wanderer on the face of the earth and a tent dweller. He had sacrificed many things. These past surrenders, however, were leading to “this thing” – to this supreme and unequalled surrender of giving Isaac as a burnt offering to God.

The Result of Abraham’s Surrender

See Genesis 22:16-18,

“And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

If we relate these promises to the Jews alone, the present day results fall far short of these predictions. The Jews number 2% of the American population, and only one third of one percent of the world’s population. If you relate these prophecies to Abraham’s spiritual seed then you come much closer to the actual figure.

In Revelation 5, the number ten thousand times ten thousands = 100 million. Then there are thousands multiplied by thousands, which project us into infinity. These in heaven would equate with the stars of heaven. Those on earth during the millennium and in the eternal state would represent the sand of the seashore.

Conclusion

Here is the story of one man with a true, pure, surrendered, and obedient heart, who, by his action brought, is bringing and will bring, unprecedented blessing upon the nations of the world. What would happen today if there were men and women who would surrender themselves unreservedly to God? John Wesley said, “Give me twenty Spirit-filled men and I will turn the nation around.” [Describe how he did it] Henry Varley, the noted English preacher, said to Moody, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is wholly given up to His will.”

After listening to this touching story, each one of us has been challenged to some degree. Some of us may be on the “horns of a dilemma,” others may be in the “valley of decision.” What will I do? Your dilemma is intensified as we hear God say to us, “Take now that dearest idol, which you love, and tear it from my throne.” “The dearest idol I have known” (see Romans 12:1). Then present or yield your life to me as a burnt offering.

Mary’s perfume was completely used up when she opened the jar and poured it on the Savior. If she had kept it in the beautiful alabaster box, the world would have been the poorer. She opened the box and poured the perfume out on the Lord. She lost the precious, costly perfume; she gave it all to the Lord without reservation. Never was He more honored, and the aroma of the perfume fills the world.

Brothers and sisters, we may keep our life for our own selfish interest. We may carefully preserve our body from undue effort. We can fly in the face of God’s prediction that “whosoever would save his life shall lose it.” That is, those who would save their lives for themselves will never experience God’s best blessings in this life. They also will lose out at the Judgment Seat. On the other hand, the Lord says, those who would die to self and give their life to the Lord as a burnt offering will be filled with unspeakable joy in this life and receive an abundant reward in eternity.

Are there any in the audience willing to break open the alabaster box of their life and pour out the priceless perfume of worship, service, and devotion? Are there any who are willing to die to self for Jesus Christ? Real life comes through dying.

(A Christ-centered life, a spiritual life, an abundant life) John 12:24 says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” The principle speaks of the hopelessness of living a selfish, egotistical life. Broken clouds produce rain, broken soil produces crops, broken seed yields grain, broken grain produces bread, and broken bread produces strength. The Lord is saying to each of us, “Son, daughter, give me your heart. Give me your life.” May our response be, “You shall have my life, my heart, my all.”

The Type of the Holy Spirit

Genesis 24

In the story of Genesis 24, a type of the Holy Spirit is present actively leading the principal characters involved: Abraham, Eliezer, Rebekah, and Isaac. We know from Jesus’ ministry and the New Testament that the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father. John reports Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit in John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” In this story in Genesis 24, it seems that Eliezer’s mission is to procure a bride for Isaac, although in this chapter of Genesis his character, the “servant,” remains nameless. (See Genesis 15:2 and 24:2-4)

In Genesis 24:15, we are introduced to Rebekah. Abraham’s head servant of his household, who we presume to be Eliezer, has been sent on this mission and meets Rebekah after he has just finished praying for the Lord’s provision of a wife for Isaac. (See Genesis 24:14 and 24:17) His prayer of verse 14 has clearly been answered and provided by the Holy Spirit. We then see Eliezer displaying the riches of his master Abraham by giving Rebekah precious gifts of gold. (See Genesis 24:22) In Genesis 24:29-31, we are introduced to the character of Laban, Rebekah’s brother, who clearly understands the situation that has presented itself to their family. This is further evidence that the Holy Spirit is leading in their understanding and knowledge of what Eliezer had come for. In John 16:13, Jesus teaches us that “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” It is evident that in this set of circumstances in Genesis 24, the Holy Spirit is indeed guiding each of the characters into understanding the truth of what is happening and what decisions they should make. Next, we see that Eliezer declares his mission and identifies his master Abraham, exalting and honoring him in his speech. (See Genesis 24:32-35) This demonstration is also a type for the Holy Spirit who never speaks of Himself, but honors the Father and gives glory to Him only. Here Eliezer is modeling the very same relationship by honoring his own master and not speaking of himself or his errand as his own.

Next, the story recalls Eliezer reporting Abraham’s desire for a bride for Isaac. (See Genesis 24:38 and Genesis 2) Here, we do not see Eliezer wavering on his decision for the right person for Isaac, rather, he is absolutely certain that Rebekah was God’s choice after being led by the Holy Spirit. (See Genesis 24:43-49) Eliezer persuades Rebekah’s family that she should go with him back to his household. (See Genesis 24:50-51) When the decision is made and the result is final, Eliezer worships God again to thank Him for the Spirit’s provision and guidance. We actually see Eliezer worshipping God three times in this story, thanking God each time He has provided Eliezer an answer for his prayer and provided all he asks through the Holy Spirit. (See Genesis 24:26, 24:48, and 24:52) At this point, he brings forth jewels of silver and gold and raiment for Rebekah, also giving precious things to the family. In doing this, he is displaying the glory of his master Abraham and honoring the God of Abraham as well.

We also know that the Holy Spirit guides Rebekah’s decisions in this story. In Genesis 24:58, her family asks her, “Will you go with this man?” and she responds in faith, “I will go.” Rebekah simply arises and follows her call to go with the servant Eliezer to a strange and unknown household, away from her family and the familiar. Then, the first time we see Isaac after his experience on Mount Moriah is when he goes out to meet his new wife, Rebekah. (See Genesis 24:63-65) We meet him while he is “meditating in the field in the evening,” no doubt praying for his new wife. We see in the final words of this chapter that the two are married and the union is indeed blessed. (See Genesis 24:67) In looking at these characters and the progress of these events, the Holy Spirit clearly orchestrates, brings to fulfillment, and guides the details and inner workings so that the Lord’s purposes are accomplished. In much the same way that Isaac rushes to his new bride arriving on the camels in Genesis 24, we shall see our Savior returning to claim His chosen bride, the church. This will be the first time believers see Him after His dreadful experience of Calvary. While Adam’s bride was formed from one of his ribs, Christ’s bride whom He secured through the shedding of His blood, came from Christ’s wounded side. Let us remember that we are His true bride, as Rebekah was Isaac’s true bride, and bring all the glory to Him who works through the power of the Holy Spirit in this story and in our own particular stories as well.

The Test of Abraham’s Faith

Genesis 22:1-14

This story of God testing Abraham’s faith is one of the clearest types of the crucifixion that appears in the Old Testament. There is indeed no type or pattern giving a clearer picture of the death of God’s only, unique, and well-loved Son. This is also one of the most tender scenes in the Bible, second only to the pathos, or emotional appeal, of Jesus’ death on the cross at Calvary. In Genesis 22:11, God addresses Abraham as “Abraham, Abraham!” This is interesting and significant, because the duplication of names in the Scriptures usually introduces matters of great importance. For example, take a look at the following name duplications found in the Word where God speaks to men:

Exodus 3:4 – God calls out to Moses.

Genesis 46:2 – God speaks to Jacob in a vision.

1 Samuel 3:10 – God calls Samuel in the night to prophesy.

Luke 10:41 – Jesus speaks to Martha and exhorts her not to worry.

Luke 22:31 – Jesus predicts Simon will betray him three times.

Acts 9:4 – The Lord asks Saul why he is persecuting him.

There are three other occasions where Jesus, Himself, used the name duplication:

Matthew 7:22 – Jesus speaks with His disciples about those who will try to enter the “kingdom of heaven.”

Luke 13:34 – Jesus laments the state of Jerusalem.

Matthew 27:45 – Jesus cries out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

This incident where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son was the supreme test of Abraham’s faith. This offering took place on one of the mountains in the land of Moriah, where Jerusalem was later built. The people of God were centered in this locale as they would also be centered from the church in Jerusalem in the future, where the temple would be built. This could be considered the Christian center of the world. Many scholars also believe that this place could have been the location of Calvary as well!

In Genesis 22:2, God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering.” This was all to be done for God, just as Jesus’ trial, suffering, and death on Calvary was all for God’s glory! God’s command must have caused Abraham great concern, surprise, and astonishment. He must have been crushed at God’s request. Isaac was his only son, the son of his old age, and most importantly, the son that God had promised Abraham.

Isaac’s birth was a miraculous one, because of Sarah and Abraham’s old age. When Abraham was 100 years and Sarah was 90 years old, God promised them a son. They laughed at God in their unbelief. We must consider how the Lord acted in this situation and opened Sarah’s womb even though this seemed impossible to them. See Genesis 17:15-2, 18:10-15 and 21:1-7. Sarah would become the mother of nations, and kings would be among her offspring through Isaac’s line. God would also bless Abraham and his seed would be “as the stars and as the sand on the seashore.” See Genesis 22:17.

Abraham’s Love

Let us consider the awful results of unbelief evident in the story of God’s promise to Sarah and Abraham and Hagar’s son Ishmael. See Genesis 16:12. Consider the statement from Genesis 22 in which God named Isaac as Abraham’s “only son.” What about Ishmael? He was the son of the flesh, conceived through Hagar, Sarah’s servant woman. We can see that Abraham loved his boy Ishmael too.

In Genesis 17:18, Abraham laughed before God’s promise to provide them a son, saying, “O, that Ishmael might live before Thee.” To this God replied, “I will make him fruitful, multiply his seed, I will make him a great nation.” (Genesis 17:20) From this seed, God created the seed that eventually became the nation of Islam. However, it is clear that the promises of God were invested in Isaac, not Ishmael.

God had promised to make Isaac’s seed as many as the stars and the sand. But Isaac was twenty-five years old and unmarried. If Abraham slew him, then how would the promise be fulfilled? It is also evident that Abraham loved Isaac with a passion and that Isaac was his pride and joy. In Genesis 22:2, God called Isaac the son “whom you love.” Note that this is the first mention of love in this story. God’s ultimate plans for Abraham and his covenant with him were foreordained in Isaac.

Most likely, Abraham’s hopes, aspirations, and his own posterity were dependent on Isaac’s survival. So when God’s command for sacrifice came to Abraham, his faith in God and his love for Isaac was tested to the uttermost. This was a challenge to the depth of his being. Try and understand in your mind Abraham’s dilemma. First, note the magnificence and splendor of his faith in God. Secondly, note his love for Isaac that was immeasurable, because as a father he was consumed by the promises invested in him by God. Despite all this, his love for God was greater than his love for Isaac!

In this act, Abraham exemplified the truth of many Scriptures yet unwritten. For example, the greatest commandment communicated by Jesus and God both in the Old Testament and the New: Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind. See Deuteronomy 6:1-5 and Matthew 22:37-38. Luke 14:26 also reminds us that our love for the Lord must exceed our love for family, and even our own life. To be a true disciple of Christ we must bear the stigma of the cross. Paul exhibited this willing attitude to sacrifice in his commitment to “go.”

This introduces us to the idea of believers having the Lord as their “first love.” For example, Jesus asks Peter in John 21:15, “Lovest thou Me more than these?” Peter proclaims that he does love the Lord. We have another example in Luke 7:36-50. The woman, identified as a sinner, brought an alabaster box of perfume, knelt behind Jesus at His feet, weeping profusely, and washed His feet with her tears and then wiped them with her hair. She kissed His feet repeatedly and anointed them with the perfume. This is a picture of a woman engrossed with and overwhelmed by the power of a new affection for Jesus. John 12:1-7 portrays a similar situation with Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive oil. Jesus commends Mary, so committed and devoted to Him, for her use of this costly oil that she uses for a worthy recipient. Song of Songs 8:7 says, “Love as strong as death, many waters cannot quench it, neither can the flood drown it.”

Abraham’s Worship

In Genesis 22:5, note the first mention of the word worship. The “law of first mention” is at work here, which is a principle used in interpreting the fundamental meaning of a word in Scripture as it appears for the first time. In this case, true worship is found and can be examined in this passage since this is the first occurrence of it in the Scriptures. Abraham giving Isaac back to God is an eloquent and articulate picture of worship at its highest and best on the human level. He gave back to God what God had given him, and no mortal could have given more. On the divine level, when the Lord Jesus offered Himself to God, without spot, through the eternal Spirit, it was worship exalted, distinguished, unexcelled, and unsurpassed. As the burnt offering, He was all for God, and through this offering, God was never more glorified.

Abraham’s Faith and the Lamb of God

In Genesis 22:5, note Abraham’s faith in worship. He declared that they would “come again to you.” The writer to the Hebrews indicates that Abraham believed that even if he slew Isaac, God would raise him from the dead. Hebrews 11:17-19 states, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”

Abraham’s faith in God was remarkable because there is no recorded instance of resurrection up to this time in world history. The first story that includes a resurrection in the biblical narrative is in 1 Kings 17:17-24 where the widow’s son is raised by Elijah. In Luke 8:40-54, Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead as well. Again in Acts 9:36-42, Dorcas serves as another example of a resurrection as a result of Peter’s prayer. Yet the most important resurrection from the dead in the Bible is that of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.

In Genesis 22:6, we see that Isaac carried the wood intended for his own bodily sacrifice. In much the same way, Jesus was also forced to carry the cross on which he was sacrificed and died as the lamb for the sins of the world. Here in Genesis 22, Abraham carried the fire and the knife to sacrifice his son. God similarly laid on the Lord Jesus the punishment for our sins, but the people afflicted Him with the physical sufferings.

In Genesis 22:7, Isaac asks his father, “Where is the Lamb?” The Lord knew that He was the Lamb that was to be sacrificed on the cross for the people of God. In the Scriptures, Jesus and his disciples bear witness to this fact. In John 1:29, John the Baptist proclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God!” Jesus declares before Pontius Pilate, “For this purpose came I into this world.” (John 18:37) Peter proclaims that Jesus “was foreordained before the foundation of the world,” (1 Peter 1:20) and that “He was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” (Acts 2:23)

In Genesis 22:8, Abraham tells his son, “God will provide Himself a lamb.” Indeed, once Isaac is spared by the angel of the Lord, this promise is fulfilled in Genesis 22:13 with the promised ram as a sacrifice offering. In Genesis 22:9, Abraham and Isaac build the altar together, Isaac is bound by his father, and then laid on the altar. In Genesis 22:10, Abraham raised the knife to slay his son, yet it never fell on the victim. The Angel of the Lord called out to Abraham, “Lay not thy hand on the boy, or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.” This sacrifice from Abraham to the Lord displays a “type,” or pattern, of the sacrificial system that was not totally fulfilled until Christ came and offered the ultimate and final sacrifice for His people on the cross at Calvary. As John the Baptist proclaimed, let us proclaim as well: “Behold! The Lamb of God!”

Test of Faith

Genesis 12:10-13:4

Genesis 12 and 13 present Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, with a test of faith. Let us look at this story and the context involved behind the great father. In Genesis 12:10, we see that there is a famine in the “land of plenty – a land flowing with milk and honey, the land that the Lord had promised Abraham.” Consider for a moment Abraham’s experience thus far, prior to the famine. He was chosen by God and obedient to His Word, and had broken his ties with the flesh and the world to follow God’s command. Before arriving in the Promised Land, before the famine occurs, Abraham is taken through many different places and experiences God’s presence and provision. At Shechem, he was strengthened by God, at Moreh, he was instructed by God, and at Bethel we was removed by God with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, where Abraham built an altar to God. (See Genesis 12:4-9)

Let us picture Abraham here at Bethel dwelling in the house of God, sacrificing, praying, and fellowshipping with God. Abraham was happy here. We do not know how long he stayed in this blessed place, but a famine had definitely arrived. But why? Had not God promised to bless him? Did God not ask him to dwell in this land? Was he not where God wanted Him to be? God was about to test his servant! Yet, Abraham failed in this crucial test. Instead of trusting God, he turned his back on Him, taking matters into his own hands and going down into Egypt, where he could escape the famine. If Abraham had stayed on amidst the famine, God certainly would have honored his faith. God was the one who fed Elijah by the brook, and sent manna from heaven to the Israelites. He also filled the disciples’ nets with fish, and fed the hungry multitude on a few loaves and fish, so, surely, the Almighty God was capable of meeting Abraham’s need even when there was famine in the land. But Abraham failed in this test.

Many sons of God failed in the day of testing. For instance, consider Elijah and his victory over the people who worshipped Baal in 1 Kings 18-19. Imagine the prophet on Mount Carmel, running over the top of the mountain. Jezebel sent him a message which said, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” (1 Kings 19:2) Elijah took to his heels, ran into the wilderness and sat down under a juniper tree requesting God to take his life. He cries out, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” God responds to Elijah, saying, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel and all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18) Elijah had not trusted in the Lord, yet failed in his day of testing by the Lord.

Abraham had also disobeyed when he lost his faith in God. In Genesis 12:12-13, He was almost in Egypt with his wife Sarai, but instead of trusting God, He began to fear for his safety and began telling lies. Was God disappointed in Abraham? Look now at Genesis 12:17: “And the Lord plagued the rock and his house with great plagues.” We see here that our God is a great God who can send such great earthly wonders, like plagues, to curse Pharaoh, but not Abraham. Pharaoh recognized the roles of God, and discovered the deceit of Abraham and asks him to take his wife and leave the country. (See Genesis 12:19) Then Genesis 13:1 opens with those words: “And Abraham went up out of Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had.” Abraham is then on his way back to Bethel, the house of God. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Abraham’s actions up to the point of return to Bethel could be described as “backsliding” or a lack of faith.

Despite Abraham’s backsliding and believers’ occasional lapses in faith, let us remember the story of the prodigal son, where the son who turns his back on his life and family is welcomed back with celebration despite all of the sin he had lived in and committed. (See Luke 15:11-32) Let us also remember the story of Naomi in the book of Ruth. There is a famine in Bethlehem, and Elimelech and Naomi leave for Moab with their two sons. They had failed in their testing with disastrous results. While there, Abimelech and the two sons die, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law. Naomi decides to go back home, back to the land of Judah and the house of praise, to her hometown of Bethlehem. The city was awed when they saw her, saying, “Is this really Naomi?” But she said to them, “Call me not Naomi,” which means ‘pleasant,’ but ordered them to call her Mara, which means ‘bitter,’ for, as she reasoned, “the Almighty God has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty.” (Ruth 1:20-21) The Lord had tested them with the famine and as a result they experienced many hardships from trying to escape the famine. Indeed, the Lord sometimes tests us to bring out the best in us.

Take Job as another example. Job was a good man, evidenced by Job 1:1, saying, “He was perfect and upright, he feared God and avoided evil.” We also know that he was a rich man, evidenced by his prosperity mentioned in Job 1:2-4. Satan’s theory was that Job was good because God had given him riches and prosperity, and that God had sheltered him. “Let me touch him,” taunted Satan, “and he will curse you to your face.” (Job 1:11) The Lord told Satan, “Behold, all that he has is yours.” (Job 1:12) God had confidence in him that he would be sustained and not curse God for his trials and extreme suffering.

Do these stories fit your circumstances? Are you cold, unhappy, or miserable? Have you relied only on yourself and failed to trust God in his time of testing? There is only one answer to your problem. Get back to Bethel – back to God – admit your lack of faith, and confess your sins. Return to Him and His joy will flood your life.