2010 10 October

My Name Is Abraham

By Robert Shifflett, D.D.

Part 1: I Learn History from Shem

Scripture Reading-- Genesis 11: 10-32

Isaac and I were sitting in the tent and talking recently. My dear son, the son of promise, was asking questions about my early life in Ur and why I left the land of my fathers, and came to this "Promised Land." What did I mean by calling this land the Promised Land? He was interested in his ancestry and who made the promise to me. Why did God give this land to me and my family when he could have given me Ur of the Chaldees just as easily? As our conversation progressed, he suggested that I put all the events together in an autobiographical sketch so that he would have something to share with his sons and grandsons. As thought I about it, the more convinced I became, that I should sit down and write of all the wonderful things my God had done for me and record all the blessings that God had showered upon me. I want to say at the outset, it is my desire to give the LORD God all the glory for His blessings and the many years He has given me.

As a youth in Ur, I had opportunities to talk with Shem, the son of Noah. My, how my young heart burned as I sat at the feet of this aged man and listened in rapt attention to his words. In those conversations he told me the story of creation and all about our first parents, Adam and Eve.

Shem repeated the history he had received from his father, Noah.

Noah rehearsed what he had received from Enos, Adam's grandson. Because of the longevity of the generations both before and after the flood, it was easy for Shem, who lived into my generation, to share all this with me. I was fifty years old when Shem died.
It was fascinating to learn the history of creation and the genealogy of the human race. This personal relationship with Shem helped me to understand the wonderful works of God.

Reference verses:

Genesis 11: 10-32 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
[11] And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
[12] And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:
[13] And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
[14] And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
[15] And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.
[16] And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:
[17] And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.
[18] And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:
[19] And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.
[20] And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:
[21] And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.
[22] And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:
[23] And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
[24] And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
[25] And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
[26] And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
[27] Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
[28] And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
[29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
[30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
[31] And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
[32] And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

rjs

2nd

My Name Is Abraham

Part 2: Leaving the Valley that Gave Birth to False Religions

Scripture Reading--Genesis 11: 1-9, Genesis 12:1-3

Since obeying the commission of Jehovah and leaving the city of Ur, My God has walked and talked with me. We have been the best of friends. I have been doubly blessed for almost one hundred and twenty five years.

God led me by the hand, out of that wicked land of my fathers and their pagan ways, into a new land, the "Promised Land." It was in the Mesopotamian Valley that most of the world's religions were spawned. When I use the word "religion," I am referring to all apostate religions that do not worship Jehovah God, the God of creation. Religions that worship stars, nature and humanism and man made gods. Those idolatrous religions built around material gain, unnatural sex and every form of creation. All religions made up of works and based on false premises, leads to destruction. I am not referring to the true faith in the living God, the faith I received and learned at the feet of Seth. The true faith has guided me for the last hundred plus years.

I was in my early seventies when the Lord God spoke to me in a vision. I was to separate myself, my family and all my possessions unto God. I was in the city of my birth, Ur of Mesopotamia (Chaldea).

Ur was a busy seaport on the mouth of the Euphrates River and the Arabian Gulf. Its wealth, commerce and culture made it an open city for every known sin and diabolical debauchery. It was a melting pot of many people and languages. I was commanded to flee from that wicked society; a city filled with all forms of idolatrous humanism, materialism, and self-worship.

God specifically instructed me to gather together all my servants, my possessions,. my wife and all that lived in my household. We were to leave all idols behind and forget the past in Ur. He had something better for us in a new land, "The Promised Land." I was to look for a city not built with hands, but for a better city, built by God.

Reference verses:

Gen.11
[1] And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
[2] And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
[3] And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
[4] And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
[5] And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
[6] And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
[7] Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
[8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
[9] Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

rjs

3rd

My Name Is Abraham

Part 3: The Culture Along the Rivers

Scripture Reading: Genesis 12: 4-5 , Deuteronomy 21:10-14

We had to follow the rivers on our journey in order to have water and good pasture for the animals. I was surprised at the number of villages along the way. These little communities were spaced about a day's journey apart and this gave us an opportunity to rest the animals each evening. I should add, it was good for my family, servants and herdsmen, we also needed the rest. It was easy to purchase necessities in the villages. I had not considered before our journey, that there were so many people along the river routes.

I was amazed at the ingenuity of the people living along the river. They had quarried lime and sand stone rock and made canals to carry the irrigation water to their fields. They had cut slots in the main canals and by lifting a stone dam from these larger canals, they could divert the water to the land. The people who lived along the river had learned how to make the best use of the water all along the way. There were grain fields and all types of vegetable gardening. All manners of fruit and nut trees abounded along the route. Sheep and cattle by the tens of thousands grazed in the irrigated, green pastures.

The products of the land were sold to the many caravans that traversed this river route. These caravans hired armies of mercenary foot soldiers and horse mounted troops to protect them from thieves and robbers. These armed caravans carried gold, silver and precious jewels being used to purchase favors and merchandise in far away kingdoms. These camel caravans used the river trails, just as we were doing. They were laden with the many varieties of merchandise. Some transported slaves to be sold in the slave markets of the world. Skin color was not a part of slavery. Men, women and children of all races went on the seller's block to the highest bidder. Much of the slave trade was the selling of enemies captured in war. Also, there were slavers transporting preteen and teenage girls to be placed in brothels, or sold to the highest bidder. All manner of freight was carried on this land bridge between the Great Sea, (Mediterranean) far to the west, and to Ur, a seaport on the Arabian Gulf. At both ends of this land bridge, the freight was loaded on ships going to far away ports on the seas of the world. These overland-traveling merchants paid taxes to transport their merchandise from seaport to seaport. There were tax stations in the larger villages and the caravans were taxed according to the value of the merchandise being transported.

Reference verses:

Genesis 12: 4-5

[4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
[5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Deuteronomy 21:10-14

[10] When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,
[11] And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
[12] Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
[13] And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.
[14] And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

rjs

4th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 4: The Culture Along the Rivers: Don't Go With the Flow

Scripture: Genesis 2: 24

It may be that I am getting ahead of my story, but I have questioned why the LORD chose me. Was there something different about me, No! Why did God choose me above all the men who lived in Ur? There was nothing special about me, or my family. My father, Terah, and my nephew, Lot and his wife lived in our home, just the same as two or three generations lived in all the other homes. It was not uncommon for men to have several wives and for the children to intermarry within the family. My wife was my half sister. Father accepted the idolatrous culture and polygamous family structure in Ur. Later I would regret my foolishness when I also compromised to be like the culture around me. That sin would have consequences lasting till the last trump.

However, it may be I have already answered my question. I believed in the God of creation, and the God who had made mankind. My long conversations with Shem, Noah's son, had led to an intimate knowledge of God's mighty work in ages past. Shem told of the building of the ark and the flood; for one hundred and twenty years they had labored. Noah and his sons were ridiculed and made fun of by their neighbors. The very thought of rain (it had never rained) or a flood that would cover the earth was sheer foolishness.

The strangest part of making this journey was that I packed up my belongings and family and started on a journey not knowing my destination. I bid farewell to friends and neighbors, and we set out, by faith, to an unknown land. I took my father, Terah, my nephew, Lot, his wife, his children, and all his live stock along with my wife Sarah, my servants and all my cattle, camels, donkeys, sheep and goats. We began a journey to an unknown destination directed daily by the LORD God.
It was a slow, but enjoyable as we were seeing new land and people every day. It was interesting to note as we worked our way north and into higher elevations how the trees were so different from the lower desert country.

In the city of Ur the date palm, banana, orange and lemon trees were abounding. Willow and fern and assorted types of water plants were plentiful near the rivers, creeks and watering holes. Trailing northward along the river these semitropical trees gave way to cottonwoods, hardwood and many new types of fruit trees. Then on into the foothills of the mountains of Ararat where the cedar, pine and fur trees took over. I had heard from the caravan drivers of the beautiful hills and mountains along the trail to the great Western Sea, but to see the green hills and the thousands of trees for the first time was a wonderful experience.

Reference verses:

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

rjs

5th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 5: Arrival in Canaan

Scripture: Genesis 11: 26- Genesis 12:5

Every city and small village had its market pplace and we were inundated with dirty faced little children and wily old merchants wanting to sell everything from food to copper or brass vessels. These beggar children were castoffs or orphans who had no homes and survived by begging and prostituting themselves to the wicked men from the caravans.

There were the stalls for the god-makers who were making gods of wood, clay, stone and metal. Yes, idols to be used for every occasion! They told us that these little gods would protect us as we traveled along the way. We told these merchants of superstition we did not need their idols-- Jehovah was our Protector.

When we arrived at the headwaters of the Euphrates River. I sought the LORD, and God showed us to a large stream, and well used trail that led in a southwesterly direction. This trail was also known as the king's highway. It was also the road used by armies to and from battles. Following this river we arrived in the city of Haran and established a temporary home. My father, Terah, was old, tired and in poor health. It was the Lord's design to separate myself from him before going on to the Promised Land. We pitched our tents outside the city of Haran and rented pasture for our cattle and flocks. After several years, my father died at a good old age of two hundred and five years. Now separated from my father and the culture of Ur, the Lord directed our footsteps south toward the base of Mount Hermon.

I was seventy-five years old when the Lord spoke again to me and we gathered together all the family, servants and flocks and proceeded in a southern direction to the Promised Land. In the years at Haran God had enlarged my possessions and given me abundant blessings. All along the way my flocks and herds multiplied and we had many more animals and servants than when we began our migration from Ur.

Following the cool waters of the Jordan River (whose head waters flowed in four streams from the base of Mt. Hermon, the highest mountain in the coastal range just east of the Great Sea) we journeyed to the Sea of Galilee. There beside those beautiful blue waters we set up camp and rested for a few days. Traveling along the western shore of Galilee, we found a hot springs and again rested and bathed in the hot mineral waters. These hot springs were good for the pains of aging and were enjoyed by all. We then proceeded south following the Jordan River to the land of Canaan and the city of Shechem.

Reference verses:

Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
[27] Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
[28] And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
[29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
[30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
[31] And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
[32] And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

Gen.12
[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
[2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
[3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
[4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
[5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

rjs

6th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 6: Arrival in Shechem

Scripture: Genesis 12: 7-10, Genesis 17:1-5, 15

When we arrived at Shechem, the LORD God appeared to me in a vision, and made an unconditional promise. He promised to give me this and for an everlasting possession. If that were not enough, He promised to make me the father of a great nation. My family was to be as the sand of the sea and the stars of heaven, without number. This troubled me seeing I was already in my seventies and had fathered no children. We noved from Shechem to Bethel and pitched our tents in the beautiful hill country.
I think it would be wise if I clarified something about my name before we go any further. My name was Abram for the first ninety-nine years, and my wife's name was Sarai. It was in my old age that the Almighty God appeared to me, and changed my name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah and renewed the promise that I should be the father of a great nation.

We were just getting settled down and beginning to enjoy the land, following our long trek from Ur, when we were plagued by a famine in the land. The famine was so extensive that the grain dried in the fields before it was ready to harvest. The trees dropped their fruit before it was ripe. The green grass for the cattle was so tired that there was no longer food for the animals. There was nothing for our flocks or mankind.

At this juncture my faith became weak, and we packed up and took a long, hot and dusty journey in a southwesterly direction into Egypt. I sinned; I was guilty of not believing that the LORD could take care of me. It is so easy to look at the circumstances, which surround you and fail to trust God.

Deep in my heart I knew it was the wrong thing to do; but, after all, I had to see that my family and flocks were provided for. This was the natural desire of the flesh to protect and preserve my loved ones and the possessions I had acquired these past few years. I forgot that God had provided everything that I possessed. He could take care of all that He had given me.

Reference verses:

Genesis 12:7-10And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
[8] And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
[9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
[10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

Gen.17:1-5, 15
[1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
[3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

rjs

7th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 7: My Sin in Egypt

Scripture: Genesis 12:10- Genesis 13:9

When we arrived in Egypt I was afraid for my life because of my beautiful wife, Sarah. She was the most beautiful woman in the world; I don't say this because she was my wife. All who saw her would not believe she was as old as she was. She had passed the age of child bearing, so I told her to say, "she was my sister." This was a half-truth. We both had the same father, but different mothers. Because Terah, our father, was a polygamist, he had several wives. Sarah was the child of another wife. It is interesting to note that a little truth is worse than no truth at all. To intimate a truth when it is a falsehood is to be hypocritical. Someone has said, "A half truth is all lie."

Just as I had predicted, Pharaoh was so taken with Sarah's beauty that he took her into his harem and treated me well because of her.

Now, the LORD was not pleased with this arrangement and He was quick to let me know it. Therefore, God sent grievous plagues upon Pharaoh's household and Pharaoh called me into his audience chamber and questioned me about my deception. The result of that meeting with Pharaoh was for me to take Sarah and all my possessions and return to Shechem, where I built my fIrst altar unto the LORD. I rebuilt the altar and worshipped the LORD and confessed my sins over the sacrifice to the LORD.

God had blessed me with much wealth, silver and gold, many servants, and large flocks; Lot, my nephew, was also wealthy and we found ourselves in a stressful situation. Lot's herds-men and my servants were fIghting over grazing and water rights. I don't mean to brag, but I have always been a magnanimous man, so I offered Lot a choice. He could stay here in the hill.country, or move down into the Jordan Valley. I know Mrs. Lot influenced his decision to move down into the well-watered valley, because there were several cities there. After all, she was a city girl and that's where her heart was. She did not care for the goat's hair tents and the hard life in the hill country. She wanted to be a part of the social life in the cities of the plains.

After Lot and his family left for the· valley, I noticed that every time he moved his flocks to new pasture, He was pointed in the direction of Sodom. I think his wife had her mind in that direction when we returned from Egypt.

Reference verses:

Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
[11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
[12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
[13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
[14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
[15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
[16] And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
[17] And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
[18] And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
[19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
[20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
Gen.13
[1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
[2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
[3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
[4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
[5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
[6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
[7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
[8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
[9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

rjs

8th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 8: The Rescue of Sodom and Gomorrah.

God's Attempt to Reach these Lost Souls with His Grace

Scripture: Genesis 13:10- Genesis 14:17

It was following the separation of Lot and myself that the LORD came to me and said, "Look to the north, south, east and west. All the land before you in every direction was to be a possession for my posterity." I thought it rather ironic, as a matter of fact impossible, that He should make such a promise. I was in my eighties and Sarah in her seventies. Again the LORD said my seed should be as the dust of the earth and as the stars of heaven. The LORD also instructed me to walk the length and breadth of the land and every where I left a foot-print would be my possession. When we talk: about the walking over the land for a possession. I want to remind you, my readers, that some day all the land between the Great Sea, to the west, and the River Euphrates will be a possession for my posterity.

Lot soon moved into Sodom and became active in the affairs of the city. He sat in the gates of the city as a respected leader and judge in matters that needed to be settled. He helped· make decisions as to the judgments with the city fathers and the punishment of those who broke the local laws. Mrs. Lot joined the women's civic organizations and became a socialite. They both became involved, along with their children, in the social and governmental affairs of the city.

However, it was not long before four kings banded together and made war with Sodom and several other cities of the plains. These city kings: Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer and Tidal were successful in making war on Sodom, Gomorrah, Zeboiim and Zoaf. They carried away much loot and all the people were to become slaves including Lot and his family. When I heard of the war and that my nephew and family had been taken captive, I armed all the men who could throw an accurate spear and hit a designated small rock at fifty cubits in my camp. With these three hundred and eighteen able bodied men; I pursued them until we found their camp. It was easy to follow the conquering army, as they were drunk with their victory and dropped articles of the spoil all along the way.

We attacked them as they were sleeping in the night and defeated them. They had not set a single guard; they were all intoxicated with their victory. They thought they were safe because they had left no one behind to follow and give them any opposition. We were able to free all the hostages and recoup most of the spoil taken from the four cities. After that short one night battle, we returned all tyhe captives and spoil to their own cities.

Reference verses:

Genesis 13:10- Genesis 14:17 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
[11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
[12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
[13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
[14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
[15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
[17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Gen.14
[1] And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;
[2] That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
[3] All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
[4] Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
[5] And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
[6] And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
[7] And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.
[8] And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
[9] With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
[10] And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
[11] And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
[12] And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
[13] And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eschol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
[14] And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
[15] And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
[16] And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
[17] And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

rjs

9th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 9: Melchizedek, King of Salem

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-24, Psalm 110, Hebrews 5: 1-10

Upon returning from battle I met Me1chizedek, King of Salem. I thought he was the most godlike man I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He was the king-priest of the city of Salem. He was also a priest of the Most High God. I paid him tithes of all that I had. and he blessed me and together we praised the Most High God.

There was something very special about Me1chizedek; he served bread and wine to me, and my loyal army. I am sure these two elements are symbolic. I don't know what they refer to now, but I am sure that some day I will understand what they represent. He was the King of Salem, and a royal priest in the City of Peace~ His name means "King of Righteousness" so you see he was both "King of Righteousness" and "King of Peace." Also, he held two offices, He was the priest of the Most High God and the righteous King of Salem. I could learn nothing about his ancestry or his posterity. Just to be in his presence was an experience that was indescribable. Something about MeIchizedek reminded me of being in the presence of the LORD God when He appeared unto me in Shechem. I built my first altar in the "Promised Land" and worshipped the LORD God at Shechem.

It was a real joy to bring·my loved ones back from a life of slavery.
I refused to take any of the spoil, which we gathered after the defeat of the four kings, and returned all to the king of Sodom. I did not want any one to say that the king of that wicked city had made me wealthy. I give the LORD all the credit for my wealth, God has given me every material blessing I have and I will continue to give Him all the glory.

After these things, the LORD appeared to me in a vision and told me that He was my shield and my exceeding great reward. He said He was going to make a covenant with me and that my seed would be as the sand of the sea and the stars of heaven. Immediately, I asked Him, "How can this be seeing I am an old man and I have no children?" It was very difficult to exercise my faith in something, I knew was physically impossible.

However, nothing is impossible with God. I was to learn that God is able to do the impossible if we are willing to trust Him and let Him do it in His own good time and way.

Reference verses:

Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
[18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
[19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
[20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
[21] And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
[22] And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
[23] That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
[24] Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

Pss.110
[1] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
[2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
[3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
[4] The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
[5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
[6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Heb.5

[1] For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
[2] Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
[3] And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
[4] And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
[5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
[6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
[10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

rjs

10th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 10: God's Faithfulness and Covenant, and My Lack of Trust

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-2, Genesis 16:1-3

Who would inherit all the wealth I had accumulated? I even asked the LORD if Eliezer my servant was to be my heir.

Then the LORD told me to prepare an offering: a heifer of three years, a nanny goat of three years and a billy goat of three years, also a turtle dove and a pigeon. I was to divide the three larger animals, but not to divide the birds. I was to build an altar that was divided so that a person could walk in between the offerings that were divided and the birds.

I understood this type of offering, because this was used to make a covenant between two parties, and the covenant makers would walk side-by-side, together through the sacrifice. Just as I was about to walk through, a deep sleep came upon me, and I felt the horror of great darkness fall upon me. I think I actually died and was resuscitated. As you might have guessed, the LORD walked through and I was not permitted to walk with Him, You see, being human--and the seed of Adam-- I could not keep my part. Besides, this was an unconditional covenant. It was to be consummated totally independent of me and totally dependent on the integrity of the LORD.

First, my seed was to be as the dust of the earth.

Second, my seed was to be as the sands of the sea and the stars of heaven. God now enlarged the covenant land-grant to include all the land from the River of Egypt (Wady el Arish) to the great river, the River Euphrates. And from Beer-sheba on the south to the foothills of Ararat on the north.

The LORD had promised me an heir, but Sarai was past the age of child bearing, and we talked about it night after night. There was no way we could have a child. After one of those long talks, Sarah suggested I take a second wife, a younger woman. One who could bear me a son in my old age? Polygamy was accepted in our culture and I would have an heir to fulfill God's promise. Our father, Terah, had several wives. Al first I did not think too much of this arrangement, but I had no child and this was a way to be assured of an heir to fulfill the promise of God.

This was another place where the flesh gained the upper hand and I did not trust God to fulfill His promise.

So, we agreed and I took Hagar, Sarah's handmaid, to wife.

Reference verses:

Gen.15
[1] After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
[2] And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
[3] And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
[4] And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
[5] And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
[6] And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
[7] And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
[8] And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
[9] And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
[10] And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
[11] And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
[12] And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Gen.16
[1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
[2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
[3] And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

rjs

11th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 11: Ishmael is Born

Scripture: Genesis 15: 9-21, Genesis 21: 8-21

In less than a year a son was born and we called hime Ishmael. I was eighty-six years old when he was born and that's when the trouble began.

Jealousy reared its ugly head, and we soon learned that we had allowed the flesh to take control and that we had run ahead of God. Sarah was the bride of my youth and we had sinned. Division came into our home.

Hagar taunted Sarah because she had my son, and for the next fourteen years the blessing of the Lord was not upon my household. These were extremely difficult years for Sarah and Hagar. After all, Ishmael was blood of my blood and my son. I felt I had to defend my son and his mother. Poor Sarai, she could not accept another woman in the home. The competition was too much and she fmally drove Hagar and the boy from her.

This jealousy was something I did not understand, because in my way of thinking I had always been a generous, loving, and forgiving person. I gave my nephew, Lot, his choice. I could have taken the well-watered valley, but I gave the best to him.

But God understood the nature of mankind, and knew my selfish polygamy would bring heartache and animosity that would be felt across the whole earth in billions of people. I failed to realize some of the repercussions would only end when the LORD Himself returns with His armies.

There followed many arguments with Sarah. It became such a difficult situation that I fmally told Sarah to take Hagar and do what ever she would with her, and Sarah did just that. She demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be put out of our home. However, the Lord intervened and protected Hagar and Ishmael in their exile and promised that his seed would also become a great nation.

After Hagar and Ishmael were removed from our home, the LORD appeared to me and said, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." I fell upon my face before the LORD and He told me that my name was to be changed from Abram to Abraham, and also that Sarai's name was to be changed to Sarah. As you have no doubt noticed Ihave used the name Sarah several times before the change. Again the LORD God renewed His covenant with me, repeating what He had said before, that I should be the father of many nations.

I asked that Ishmael might be the one through whom the blessings of the LORD would come, but not so, the Lord had other plans. I was an hundred years old and Sarah was ninety years of age. I said in my heart "How can we have a child at this age?" It was immediately after this that He gave me the covenant of circumcision. I caused every man and boy, including myself, in my house to be circumcised as the LORD had ordered.

Reference verses:

Genesis 15:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
[11] And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
[12] And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
[13] He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
[14] And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
[15] And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
[16] And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
[17] Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
[18] And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
[19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
[20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
[21] But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

Genesis 21: 8-21 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
[9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
[10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
[11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
[12] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
[14] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
[15] And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
[16] And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
[17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
[18] Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
[19] And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
[20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
[21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

rjs

12th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 12: Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Scripture: Genesis 18-19

I had an unusual visit from the LORD. He revealed two special events, which were prophesied to me by the LORD. The first was to take place in about a year. Sarah would give birth to a son and we were to call his name him Isaac, for he was to be the son of promise through which the whole world would be blessed.

The second was concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Immediately I thought of my nephew, Lot, and his family, all were living in Sodom. It was in behalf of Lot that I made six requests of the LORD. Would He save the city if there were fifty righteous people there? He answered in the affirmative. Then I got bold and I asked for forty-five. Following that, I really went out on a limb, I ask for forty, then thirty, then twenty and fmally ten. I knew that I was on shaky ground but once I had committed myself, I thought, God can only say no. So, I kept on making intercession. Each time the LORD said He would respond to my request. I learned that a person could make petitions or requests and God might give you what you asked if you did not have personal and selfish motivations for your requests.

Unfortunately, God did not fmd ten righteous people there. Only Lot, his wife and two daughters, were able to escape the conflagration and destruction that came upon those wicked cities. Three of the four were immoral in that his wife looked back because her heart was in the city, she was turned into a pillar of salt. The two daughters decided that since their brothers had died in the destruction of Sodom they would have to go in to their father at night. They proceeded to make him drunk and one went in the first night and the following night they did the same thing. The second daughter went to her father and they both·were with child. What an awful price Lot and his family paid for pitching their tents toward the cities of the plain.

Reference verses:

Gen.18
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
[3] And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
[4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
[5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
[6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
[7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
[8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
[11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
[13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
[14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
[15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
[16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
[17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
[18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
[19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
[20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
[21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
[22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
[23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
[24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
[25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
[26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
[27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
[28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
[29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
[30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
[31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
[32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
[33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Gen.19
[1] And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
[2] And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
[3] And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
[4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
[5] And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
[6] And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
[7] And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
[8] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
[9] And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
[10] But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
[11] And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
[12] And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
[13] For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
[14] And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
[15] And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
[16] And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
[17] And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
[18] And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
[19] Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
[20] Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
[21] And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
[22] Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
[23] The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
[24] Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
[25] And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
[26] But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
[27] And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:
[28] And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
[29] And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
[30] And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
[31] And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
[32] Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
[33] And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
[34] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our Father.
[35] And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
[36] Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
[37] And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.
[38] And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

rjs

13th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 13: God Asks For the Greatest Sacrifice-- My Son

Scripture: Genesis 20

While sitting in.the tent the other evening I recalled another serious lapse of faith in my life.

I gathered my servants and belongings and moved toward the south country to the city of Gerar. Abimelech was king of the city and I was afraid that he would kill me for my wife, Sarah, who was still a beautiful woman at ninety years. When the LORD appeared to me before the destruction of Sodom, He promised a son would be born in the year. When the promise was given, Sarah's aging process began to be reversed and her youth returned to her in a miraculous way.

I was right!Abimelech did take Sarah into his household and would have taken her to wife if the LORD had not intervened. The Lord warned him that he was about to commit a grievous sin unless he returned Sarah to me. The king gave me gifts of camels, cattle, sheep and servants and sent us back with our possessions to the Land of Promise.

It is difficult for an old man to learn to trust God in everything. We become set in our ways and think we are the only one who has the answers. I repeated the sin that I had previously committed in Egypt years earlier.

After we returned to the beautiful pastureland around Beer-sheba, Sarah conceived and brought forth a son and we named him Isaac.

Isaac means laughter. We both laughed at first when the LORD promised us a son in our old age. Sarah nursed Isaac for five years as was the custom in the land and at his weaning I made a great feast to celebrate the occasion. It was at this time that I had to send Hagar and Ishmael away for the last time. I loved the boy, but he could not be an heir with Isaac, so I sent him away into exile.

When Isaac was a teenager, the LORD made a strange request of me. I was told to take the lad and go to Mount Moriah and build and altar and sacrifice the boy. I spent most of that night asking God, "Why?" The LORD had told me in years past that Isaac was to be my heir. I had waited all those years for the lad and now the LORD was telling me to go to a certain place and offer the lad for a sacrifice. Isaac was a teenager, he had only known the tent where he was born and raised. He was in the strength of his youth. I had heard that the Ammonites were guilty of taking their children and sacrificing them to their god Molech;
Why would God ask me to commit the sins of the heathen people around about me? It was a terrible sin, one of the sins of my neighbors. I was in agony of soul and unable to eat or sleep because of this command from the LORD God.

Reference verses:

Gen.20
[1] And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
[2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
[3] But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
[4] But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
[5] Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
[6] And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
[7] Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
[8] Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
[9] Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.
[10] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
[11] And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
[12] And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
[13] And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
[14] And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
[15] And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
[16] And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
[17] So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
[18] For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

rjs

14th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 14: Learning the Lesson of Obedience Without Reservation

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Finally, I chose several household servants to carry the food, water, and saddle a donkey for me to ride. Isaac, the servants and I set out on a three-day journey to Mount Moriah. This was the most agonizing decision in my life. On the third day we arrived at the appointed place, and my "father's heart" was breaking. Those three days on the road allowed me to search my own heart, as I had never done before. My biggest question was, "Do I love God enough to sacrifice the lad? Can I go through with this bloody killing of my loving and obedient son?"

Finally, we arrived at the base of the mountain. I had decided I must obey God. I instructed the servants to wait for Isaac and me at the foot of the mountain. With tears of sorrow and pity, thinking of the suffering of the lad and my own broken heart, I told the servants that Isaac and I would go up the mountain and worship. They were to wait there at the foot of the mountain for our return.

I was carrying the knife and the fire and Isaac had the bundle of wood on his back. As we were approaching the crest of the mountain, Isaac said, "Father, you have the knife and the fire and I am carrying the wood, but where is the sacrifice?" Tears of sorrow and compassion began to flood down my cheeks; my father's heart was breaking, no longer could I control my emotions.
This was the most difficult question ever posed to me and I was afraid to answer. How could I answer the lad? He was my most precious possession. He was the son of promise. He was the fulfillment of the great covenant the LORD had made with me before the lad was born. As we were stacking the stones to form an altar, I told Isaac that God would provide the lamb. Then we laid the wood in place; and I took a leather thong and bound the lad's hands behind his back and tied his ankles together, and lifted him up onto the altar. Isaac realized that he was to be the sacrifice, but never a whimper, nor complaint. He was totally submissive to my preparation to worship the LORD God with my most precious possession.

Almost blinded by my tears I took the knife and was about to strike the fatal blow, when a voice came from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" and I responded "Here am 1." Again, the voice said, "Lay not your hand upon the lad, nor do anything to him: for now I know that you trust me and by your faith you have not refused to obey my command. You have been willing to give me your son, not considering the personal loss."

Then I heard the bleating of a ram and looking I beheld a ram was caught in a thicket. I untied Isaac and we caught the ram by the horns and prepared it for a sacrifice unto the LORD with rejoicing.

Reference verses:

Gen.22
[1] And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
[2] And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
[3] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
[4] Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
[5] And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,
[6] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
[7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
[9] And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
[10] And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
[11] And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
[14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
[15] And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
[16] 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:
[17] 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;
[18] And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

rjs

15th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 15: The Time of Isaac's Early Adult Life

Scripture: Genesis 23-24:9

After Isaac and I sacrificed the ram that the LORD had given to us I called that place, "Jehovah-jirah, which means, The LORD will provide."

As the sacrifice was burning, the voice that had stopped my knife thrust, came again to me and renewed that precious promise of the multiplication of my seed. My posterity would be as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, and they would possess the gates of their enemies. Also, in my seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed, because I had obeyed the voice of the LORD

Isaac and I ran down the mountain laughing and rejoicing in the blessing we had received on the mountaintop. Then we returned to Beersheba and our encampment. Together, we gave testimony to all that would listen. We shared the greatness of our God and how He had poured out His blessing on Mount Moriah.

Isaac was either thirty-six or thirty seven years old when his mother, Sarah, died at the age of one hundred and twenty seven. I had no place to bury her, because we were strangers in this land. After talking to several of the local landowners I was able to purchase the cave of Machpelah which was in the field of Ephron from Heth and his sons. We purchased the field for four hundred shekels of silver, and there we buried Sarah, the bride of my youth, in what was to become the family cemetery.

After the thirty days of mourning Sarah's death I decided it was time to seek a bride for Isaac. I did not want him to marry a woman of the local people. I did not want Isaac's posterity to be contaminated with the Hittites or the Canaanites. I called my trusted and most faithful servant into my tent and we sat down as equals and talked about a bride for Isaac. I explained that I wanted him to have a wife from my family back in Mesopotamia. I did not want Isaac to marry a girl of the Hittites or the Canaanites. Eliezer asked several questions: "What if there was no one to be found, or if one was found and she would not return with him, or if he should take Isaac back to my homeland to fmd a wife?" I knew the LORD would give him a safe and successful journey, so I made him make a pledge to me to do as I had said.

So, Eliezer made ready for the long trip and has spoken in his own words how the LORD opened the door for him to complete his appointed task. Our LORD had even gone before and prepared the girl who was chosen to be Isaac's bride.

Reference verses:

Gen.23
[1] And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
[2] And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
[3] And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
[4] I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
[5] And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
[6] Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
[7] And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
[8] And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
[9] That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
[10] And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
[11] Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
[12] And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
[13] And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
[14] And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
[15] My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
[16] And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
[17] And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
[18] Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
[19] And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
[20] And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
Gen.24
[1] And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
[2] And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
[3] And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
[4] But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
[5] And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
[6] And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
[7] The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
[8] And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
[9] And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

rjs

16th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 16: Eliezer Finds Rebekah

Scripture: Genesis 24:10-65

++++++
My name is Eliezer, and my master, Abraham has asked me to tell you the events surrounding my trip to Mesopotamia the city of Nahor. I spent much time in prayer as I sat in the camel's saddle, traveling across the miles, to the city of my master's birth

. Arriving in Ur, I asked the LORD to show me the bride for Isaac by a specific sign. I sat down by the city well at the time of day when the women came to draw water. I had prayed, as I traveled, that the LORD God's choice of a bride for my master's son's wife would offer me a drink and also water my camels. Sure enough, a beautiful young maiden came to draw water and I asked her for a drink and after I had quenched my thirst, she offered to water my camels. Immediately I knew this was the woman of the LORD'S choosing. I asked her name and she said she was Rebekah the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor my master's brother.

I was invited into the house and told all the family in the house of my mission. Bethuel, Rebekah's father, said the girl would have to make the choice for herself. She said she would go and the family was in agreement.
Immediately, I praised the LORD, the God of my master, knowing that God had led me and my mission was accomplished. After feasting with the family, I asked permission to leave as soon as possible. Bethuel said it was up to the girl to make the decision.
Rebekah said she would go with me so Bethuel put his blessing upon his daughter and prophesied that she would be the mother of thousands of millions and that her descendants would possess the gates of those who hate them, (her children's children).

On the return journey, I told Rebekah all about her soon-to-be husband and her future father-inlaw. As our caravan was about to arrive at our destination and we were coming near to the well, Lahai-roi, we saw Isaac by the well meditating. When Rebekah saw him she asked, "What man is this?" I told her it was Isaac, her future husband, and she put her veil upon her face.

Reference verses:

Gen.24
[10] And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
[11] And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
[12] And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
[13] Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
[14] And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
[15] And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
[16] And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
[17] And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
[18] And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
[19] And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
[20] And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
[21] And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
[22] And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
[23] And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
[24] And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
[25] She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
[26] And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
[27] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
[28] And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
[29] And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
[30] And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
[31] And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
[32] And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
[33] And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
[34] And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
[35] And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
[36] And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
[37] And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
[38] But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
[39] And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
[40] And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
[41] Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
[42] And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go;
[43] Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
[44] And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
[45] And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
[46] And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
[47] And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
[48] And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
[49] And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
[50] Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
[51] Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
[52] And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
[53] And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
[54] And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
[55] And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
[56] And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
[57] And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
[58] And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
[59] And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
[60] And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
[61] And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
[62] And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.
[63] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
[64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
[65] For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

rjs

17th

My Name Is Abraham

Part 17: Isaac

Scripture: Genesis 24:63- 25:10

When we met Isaac, I told him all about the trip and my successful search for his bride. As we came into my master's camp, Isaac could hardly take his eyes from Rebekah. I then gave a full report to my master, Abraham. He was pleased with the good news from the family in Ur and the successful outcome of the journey. Together we praised the LORD for what God had done.

I watched as Abraham gave Rebekah to Isaac to be his wife. She comforted Isaac and it helped him in his sorrow over the death of his mother Sarah. Those young people truly loved each other and it was a good marriage.

It was not long after Isaac's marriage that my master, Abraham, married Keturah and she gave him six sons. One day, my master, Abraham called all the children into his tent and gave gifts to the six children of Keturah and sent them away into the country of the east. Then, in my presence, he gave all that he had to Isaac and put his feet up into his bed and died. Abraham breathed out his spirit, into the hands of Jehovah his God. He had reached the good old age of one hundred and seventy five years. Then Isaac sent for Ishmael and together they carried their father's body to the cave of Machpelah and buried him beside Sarah the bride of his youth.

+++
My name is Isaac and I take the opportunity to tell you that my "ather was not a perfect man. He had feet of clay even as we also have. He was guilty of making many mistakes. However, he was a man who worshiped God and was quick to confess his sins and turn away from them. He was known as the "Friend of God."

+++
(Editor's Note) I have tried to make Abraham's life interesting and trust hat you will now read the Scriptures, and see that the author has been rue to the Word of God. I know that I have written some things that the Bible does not record. My only desire is to help you better understand something about the long journeys and problems of traveling four housand years ago. There were many differences between their culture and transportation and that of our twenty-first century.

rjs

Reference verses:

Genesis 24:63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
[64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
[65] For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
[66] And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
[67] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Gen.25
[1] Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
[2] And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
[3] And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
[4] And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
[5] And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
[6] But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
[7] And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
[8] Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
[9] And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
[10] The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

18th

Abraham's Faith

Hebrews 11: 8-12

All of the three major world religions point to Abraham and Abraham's God as the father of their faith. This is true of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. This in itself is a great witness of the truth of the Bible. All three accept Jesus Christ as a great prophet.

Sadly, it seems that shortly after the flood, most people did not follow the path of faith and righteousness. Abraham did not follow the path of his fathers. He responded in faith and obedience to God. I believe that God comes to every person sometime in life in a meaningful way. Sadly, most rebel and will not respond. Most people profess that if God made things clear to them, they would respond. Perhaps this is true. We read of a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God.

What people need to realize is that some, like Abraham, respond and find great blessings, without understanding everything. We read in our text for today that Abraham obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went and he was confident of God's goodness and direction. He only needed to know that God wanted him to leave the place where he was.

God puts all those who would follow Him to the test, and all that believe obey and find blessing. Fallen humanity on the other hand, wants to put God to the test. Before setting aside their pride and self-interest, they want to be secure in blessing. Yet, we need to appreciate that the perfection and blessing God has for us cannot be found in a world where people do right for reward. It can only be found in a world where people love truth and righteousness.

Abraham was this kind of man. He had his failures, but he followed the path of faith and obedience. He came to know God and the blessings of God in a troubled world. It would be interesting to look at all the families that were contemporary with Abraham to see if any found the blessings Abraham did. I doubt it. The nation of Israel with all of its problems, was a light in the darkness of this world, but let us not forget that it all began with Abraham and his faith and obedience to God.

Reference verses:

Hebrews 11: 8-12 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
[9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
[10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
[11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
[12] Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

050503dw

19th

Abraham the Father of Many Nations

Genesis 12:1-3

After the flood, the world quickly gave way to apostasy. To slow the growth of apostasy, God called Abraham to separate himself from his people. It is only as Abraham separates himself from his home and family that he is able to build a home and family that will love and worship God.

In God's call to Abraham, He promises him the land of Palestine, He promises that his family will become a great nation, and that through this nation all people of the earth will come to find God's blessings. The great religions of this world all look back to Abraham. I think this in itself is a great testimony to the fact that God was at work through the covenant He made with Abraham to call all people to Himself. This covenant is an unconditional covenant. As such, it is a part of God's purpose of redemption in this world.

People like Abraham and the nation of Israel that are a part of God's redemptive purpose in this world have great responsibility and blessing. The Biblical principle is to whom much is given shall much be required. As we considered our stewardship, we found that in the present church age God is working to call out from among the Gentile nations, a people for His name. This stewardship flows directly from the covenant God made with Abraham. Israel failed. The current church age will fail. During the tribulation, God's people, Jew and Gentile, will succeed to calling out an innumerable host from every people, tongue, tribe and nation. At this point, God's purpose in calling Abraham will be fulfilled.

This fulfillment takes place under the new covenant. The problem of sin runs deep in the human heart and soul. What the law could not accomplish, and what the Spirit of God does not accomplish, the Spirit coupled with great tribulation accomplishes. Jeremiah 31:33 "this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people". We are in the new covenant now, but there will be a positive change when the new covenant is coupled with great tribulation. Sadly, we don't appropriate faith as we ought until all other hope is lost.

Reference verses:

Genesis 12
1. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

082703dw

20th

Perfected Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19

When it comes to faith, many promise a quick and easy road, but this is not the path of faith we find revealed in the Bible. God is working to fit us for Heaven. He is working to purge us from all evil, and this is not a quick and easy task. We read in the Bible that it is with great difficulty that Gods people are saved.

A look at the life of Abraham reveals this. God promised Abraham, a son that would be the source of great blessing. After many years, the day came when Isaac was born. Then the day came when God tried this faith. God asked Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. In some ways, this is very troubling, yet God thoroughly tries us and our ways. We are foolish to try Him or sit in judgment on His ways. He is perfect, good and just. He gives us sufficient reason to trust Him fully, but He never gives us all the answers we desire. In this case, Abraham is confident that Issac will live. He tells his servants that he and the child will return (Genesis 22:5). According to the account, Abraham expected God to raise Issac from the dead. This is not what happened. God stayed Abraham's hand and provided a sacrifice. Abraham knew what God asked of him. He did not delay. He trusted and he obeyed.

The point is that after many years of faithfulness and failure, God seems to dash all of Abraham's hopes and dreams as He calls on him to trust and obey. Abraham passes the test. He believes God. He follows the same path that he chose as he left his home and family. He does not understand everything. He follows the path of faith. It is this character of faith more than anything else that God blesses.

The blessings are not quick and easy. The path is not quick and easy. Yet, the blessings are profound. The path demands the deepest faith and commitment to God. It is the narrow gate and the narrow way that leads to life everlasting. It is the path that few find and few follow. The path of sin is ever quick and easy, but it leads to destruction. The path of faith on the other hand is slow and hard, but the blessings are eternal. Which path are you on today?

Reference verses:

Hebrews 11:17-19. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
[18] Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
[19] Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

050803dw

21st

Abraham and the Offering of His Promised Son
Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:17-26; Genesis 22:1-19

Consider the example of Abraham today. Many times we are tried and tested, in the face of often overwhelming personal situations; to trust fully in the Lord God Almighty for all that He has done and wants to do through us, if we will willingly submit to Him, just as Abraham did.

Just think for a moment and consider the promise made by God to Abraham. God said He would make Abraham's seed a mighty nation, but Abraham had a problem. He had no son. God had told him that He would provide one and God did just that in sending Abraham his own son Isaac. Isn't this a wonderful picture of what God has done for all of mankind in sending His only Son, Jesus?

But God also wanted to test Abraham to see if he really did love God and was willing to obey Him fully. God had given Abraham his son, Isaac, and now God wanted Abraham to give him back. Can you just hear yourself questioning God and saying, "Say what? This one doesn't make sense Lord!" But faithful Abraham never wavered and he immediately obeyed and went to fulfill God's commandment. This is such an important lesson for us to grasp here today. God has given each one of us as believers, His commandments to fulfill and yet many, if not most professing Christians today are not fully obeying the Lord and have turned to their own ways. The question really begs to be asked. If we are professing Christians and we are not fully obeying the Lord, are we really one of His? A good, spiritual growth evaluation question is this! Which way are you moving spiritually toward God, or toward the world? Which way are your feet pointed? Toward godliness in the beauty of holiness or toward the world and it's deceitful ways? Are you "Fully" obeying what God has given you to do for Him? Abraham did in this situation and we can really be thankful for this example that helps us to see that God wants us to give Him our lives so that He can accomplish His plan in and through each one who professes to know Him. This ultimately brings God all the glory and the praise for which He alone is worthy.

Dear Lord, how we thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for the testing that You bring to find out if we are really serious about our walk with You. Guide us in Your truth through the Spirit!

Reference verses:
Hebrews 11: 17-19.
17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

James 2:17-26.
17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Genesis 22: 1-19.
1. And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8. And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
15. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16. 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:
17. 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;
18. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
19. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

060703dm

22nd

The Palestinian Covenant
Deuteronomy 30

As we read and watch the news, day after day, and see the ongoing and continuing struggles between the two nations of Israel and Palestine, we have only to look back into the precious Word of God to see what is taking place and what God has in store for Israel, through the promises that He has given. Let us take a closer look.

The Palestinian covenant is a continuation of the Mosaic covenant. The constitution of the Covenant was given in Deuteronomy 30:1-10 and was established in view of the worldwide dispersion of the Jews, because of their disobedience.

The Covenant contains the promise of the Lords return, following the repentance of the people. This repentance will lead to a wholehearted commitment of obedience to God's commandments and the end of Israel's distress. This is the ultimate salvation of Israel by faith in Christ. It also includes the re-gathering of the people from among the nations, and their restoration to their own land, after the return of the Messiah.

Restoration to the land will be in fulfillment of the promise of the covenant given to Abraham.

Then, there is the promise of the conversion of Israel. Even as we look back into the Abrahamic Covenant, we see that there is the promise of judgment upon the nations, which persecuted Israel. The curses that had fallen on Israel because of disobedience will in the future come upon those nations that have enslaved the Jews.

Finally, there is the promise of great blessing and prosperity for Israel. With a new heart under the New Covenant, Israel will obey all the commandments of the Lord. This will result in the Lord's blessing, which will bring greater prosperity than Israel has ever previously experienced.
Can we surmise that God wants us as His children to always do what He desires?! If we really believe that God is All-knowing, we can totally rely on His will for us. We need to repent of sin. First for salvation, but secondly as believers, so that we can continue to walk in a way worthy of the name that we profess as Christians. True Christians are Christ-like, not world like! We must follow God and obey the clear path He has chosen for us to walk.

"Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us of sin. Thank You for the promises to those who love and obey You! Amen."

Reference verses:
Deuteronomy 30
1. And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,
2. And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3. That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
5. And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6. And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
7. And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
8. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
9. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
10. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
11. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13. Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
15. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16. In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18. I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20. That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

083003dm

23rd

Friends of Christ

John 15:15-17

We are going to look at two Greek words and their meaning in English. These words, "servants" and "friends" have an altogether different meaning and yet, both were applied to Christ’s disciples.

The first word is "servant," Greek, "doulos." The best translation for this word in the New Testament is "slave." Some of the uses are as follows: service, subject to, a female slave, a bond woman, a handmaid, bond man, man of servile condition. The Apostle Paul refers to himself as a slave of Christ. Where the King James Trans. uses the "servant," and any of the above words it should have been translated as one of the above. The slave is subject to the will of the master without question. He only follows orders. He does not have the power of making decisions, but must be obedient in all things.

The second word is "friend," and in the Greek is "philos" and means "friend," This is a new relationship that the Apostles had with Christ and we also have. It is best translated by the following, He who associates familiarly with another, a companion. The word is closely associated with "a word for love, Greek, "phileo," meaning to love or be friendly to another, to delight in, and be kindly disposed to another. What our Lord says to his followers is that from now on we are going to be friends and fellowship with one another, the likes of which you have not heretofore known. There are three references in the Bible that refer to Abraham as the friend of God. 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23. Without question, the greatest accolade a person can receive is "to be a friend of God."

If we are friends of the Father and the Saviour, don’t you think we should be friends one-to-another? All believers are born into the family of God; therefore, they are responsible to treat their brothers and sisters in the Lord as family. There is an old saying, "Blood is thicker than water." As a youth in "grade school" there were three brothers who loved to fight. The younger brother would start a fight with someone else and the two older brothers would immediately come to the younger one’s defense. Application, when a Christian is in trouble, we go immediately to their defense and support them. After all, we are "blood bought" brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not?

Reference verses:
John 15: 15-17. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

2Chronicles 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

Isaiah 41:8-10. But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
[9] Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
[10] Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

James 2:23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

112304rjs

24th

Circumcision: the Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

Romans 2:25-29

The Abrahamic Covenant, as recorded in Genesis, has been since it was given to Abraham (about 3900 years ago) the sign of every male being a Jew by birth.

However, Paul tells us in our text that circumcision of the flesh means nothing if the heart is not right with God. Many Jews today are agnostic, especially because of the Holocaust. To this day the Jews attach much importance, but the apostle shows that it availeth nothing, except on condition of obedience to the law or covenant to which it belonged. If the law be broken, circumcision is worthless. On the other hand, if the law is obeyed, circumcision will not prevent a blessing. Paul goes on to say that if the Gentiles keep the laws of Christ they are in favor with God over the Jews.

All this proves that an external rite can, in itself, have no saving power, because God is a Spirit, and requires and regards spiritual obedience. This principle is stated, first in the negative, he is not a Jew who is such in profession only, verse 28. He who is a Jew is one inwardly, that is, keeping the law to the best of his ability.

Therefore, if the uncircumcised keep the righteousness of the law they are in better standing with God than the Jew. It was there taught that everything depends upon obedience to the law. God will judge every man according to his works.

If a Jew, though circumcised, breaks the law, he shall be condemned.

If a Gentile, though uncircumcised, keep the law, he shall be justified. The one proposition flows from the other; for if circumcision is in itself nothing, its presence cannot protect the guilty; its absence cannot invalidate the claims of the righteous.

The apostle does not mean to intimate that the Gentiles do in any case keep the righteousness of the law, contrary to his own explicit assertion, there is none righteous, no not one. It is a mere hypothetical statement designed to show that everything depends on obedience and that circumcision cannot be the ground either of justification or condemnation.

It is so sad that today the Jews are without a Temple or a Priesthood or a public sacrifice as in Old Testament times, yet they consider themselves Jews because of the rites of circumcision, but it’s only an outward symbol of their Jewish heritage. The Jews are just as blind spiritually today as they were two thousand years ago. However, the day is soon coming (after the tribulation) when their eyes and ears will be opened and they will confess their Messiah and turn to the Lord God with all their hearts.

Reference verses:
Romans 2: 25-29. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27. And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

031505rjs

25th

Abraham is the Father of the Faithful

'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.'
Romans 4:11-19

“Abraham is the Father of the Faithful; especially because of him faith was shown to be the spring of righteousness. The Apostle tells us that Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him for righteousness. The teaching of imputation has been misunderstood, when it has been inferred that the teachings of Paul says that when faith is present, righteousness may be dispensed with. The real teaching of Paul aims at the removal of religion from the outward actions to the inward dispositions. What ever is outward in performances must be initiated in the inner person. We must be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Most people have a hope that is based on human experience only; if that is you, then you need to move to a greater hope, one that is based on the Word of God. If you have not had a saving experience with God you cannot understand the spiritual hope that is in the human breast, placed there by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Many people go through a saving experience, and that’s all that it is, an experience that soon fades away and they are just as lost as they were before.

We are speaking of an experience where the saved person knows he of she is saved, because it has been a life changing experience. They know their sins are forgiven and their habits, language and activities all do an about face. They have become a new creature in Christ and the old things have been put aside, never to be taken up again. Abraham knew there was a change in his heart, because he trusted God in almost every move he made after he left the land of Ur. Yes, there were several times when his faith failed and faltered, and that was only human, as long as we are in the flesh, we will sin, but the joy is restored when we confess these and the fellowship with God returns. We must never look on the heroes of the Bible and put them on a pedestal as though they were perfect; they had the same short comings that we have and some of them even worse, but in their faith they confessed their sins and returned to God’s full fellowship.

Abraham looked for a City, not made with the hands of men, but an eternal city. He was looking for that heavenly city, the New Jerusalem that comes down from God in Revelation 21:10-27. If we are truly saved we too are looking forward to that Holy City coming down from God where we shall abide with Christ through out all eternity. We say with John the revelator, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

Reference verses:

Romans 4:11-19. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15. Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

032305rjs

26th

Abraham’s Faith Staggered Not

Romans 4:19-25

Well did the Prophets speak when they said, “Let not the strong man glory in his strength.” Abraham and Sarah had to glory in their weakness. There is one strength that a man may glory in; and that is his faith, not self-glory, but giving God all the glory. Our Text: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: If they had had Medicare and Medicaid in Sarah’s day, I wonder what they would have said in the office that day when Sarah came in for a pelvic examination and found she was pregnant at 90 years of age? He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

The secret of faith is to be fully persuaded that God can do what He says He can do. Sarah laughed at the idea when she was first told of this old age birth, but later named the boy “Isaac” because that name means “laughter.” God has four ways of making a man:

1. He made Adam out of the dust of the earth and breathed into that earthly body the breath of life.

2. God took a rib and the flesh thereof and made a woman, and Eve was the mother of all living.

3. God can make a child too late as in the case of Abraham and Sarah, and

4. God brought a child into the world too soon, as in Mary who had not known a man.

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Note that the experiences of Abraham were for our learning. Abraham was in type the personification of faith. Oh, he had times when his faith was weak and frail, but he retuned to God and was fully forgiven. Isaac was a type of Christ, and Abraham exercised his faith in another great way as he went with Isaac on a three-day journey to the designated place of a sacrifice. Gen. 22:8, Abraham said to his servants, I and the lad will go up the mountain and worship and we will return unto you. Christ said I will lay down my life and I will take it up again. In both cases, God approved the sacrifice and especially in Christ we find our justification as recorded in verse 25.

Reference verses:

Romans 4:19-25. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

032405rjs

27th

The Jews were a Chosen and are a Chosen People

Romans 9:4-5

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, Deut. 7:6-9.

And Deut 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

There are those (the amillennial teachers use chapters 9-11 of Romans to back up their teaching that God no longer has any future blessing for the Jews) who believe that God has cut the Jews off, but note above “unto a thousand generations.” According to today’s figuring of a generation it is 33 years or 3 to a century, the length of time that God counts it would be 33,000 years. It’s only 4,000 years since Abraham, the father of the nation was chosen so according to our calculations, Christ will return long before 29,000 years are past.

Let’s not forget that along with the Jews a new name was given to a group of people called Christians who are also called and recorded in Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. And 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9 … chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ...But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Most commentators agree that in Ephesians it is the Gentiles and in 1 Peter it is both Gentiles and Jews who are called. All Christians are called and chosen; are you a Christian?

Reference verses:
Romans 9: 4-5. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

042105rjs

28th

A Real Jew Defined or the Distinction between a
Natural and a Spiritual Jew

Romans 9:6-13

Israel’s rejection of Christ is not a violation of the Abrahamic Covenant? Verse six definitely answers that question in the negative. We must define the difference between the natural Jew and a Spiritual Jew. The natural Jew is one that is born into a Jewish family and does not have the faith of Abraham. The Spiritual Jew is one that, by faith believes God and lives a life of faith as Abraham did. Remember Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith. The promises to Abraham were in Isaac and not to Ishmael; it was not a promise made to Abraham’s children, if that were so, the Islamic people would be able to claim that they received the blessing and not Isaac. It was made to one of Abraham’s children and only one, Isaac. Today the PLO is claiming that they have the blessings of Abraham, and therefore have the birth right to the land of Israel and Jerusalem. Isaac was the miraculous promise of God to Abraham and Sarah, not Abraham and Hagar. Sarah was Abraham’s wife. Hagar was a concubine and an Egyptian servant, and the mother of a son, Ishmael. Hagar and Ishmael were sent away and later Isaac, the son of promise, was born of Sarah at the good old age of 90 or 91.

Abraham’s true children are those who exhibit Abraham’s faith. Gentiles who exhibit Abraham’s faith are the true children of Abraham. Cf. Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen (Gentiles who by faith become Christians) through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Romans 9:8-13 gives us the continuing promise to Isaac’s life through Rebecca’s son Jacob. Time and time again in the Old Testament we see the words, “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” as the fathers of Israel and through them Israel is blessed. We have chosen 9 references to these three men 6 from the O. T. Deut. 1:8; 9:10, 27; 29:13; 34:4 and 2 Kings 13:23; and 4 from the N. T. Matt. 8:11, Mark 12:26; Acts 3:13 and 7:32 to illustrate the faith of these men for both Jews and Gentiles.

Reference verses:
Romans 9: 6-13. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12. It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

042205rjs

29th

The Relationship of Law and Promise

Galatians 3:15-22

Abraham is an important personality in the history of redemption. God gave Abraham a promise of redemption long before Moses and Mt. Sinai. God’s promise to Abraham amounts to an eternal, unconditional and unchangeable covenant. Here under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, Paul makes an argument from one word. The word is the same, but it is singular and not plural. The word is seed, and this seed of Abraham is Jesus Christ. God’s promise to Abraham came some 430 years before the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.

The promise had nothing to do with Abraham’s obedience to the law. A promise of God is a great demonstration of grace. How could it be anything else? The promise was of a seed or Jesus Christ. When it comes to God’s promise, we can only believe it and receive it or reject it in unbelief. A promise involves grace and faith not the works of the flesh.

We read in our text that God added the law because of transgressions. In the face of spiritual decline, it is important for people to have some understanding of God’s unique and perfect character. At this point, in the history of redemption God’s Spirit did not indwell all believers. The law helped them understand how they ought to live. The law was limited as a guide. Therefore, God designed the law to be temporary. As a path to salvation, the law was perfect, but impossible. No one has ever found salvation through the works of the law.

At this point, we read a very interesting question. Note verse 21of our text. Here we read, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid … As we have already noted, the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai supported the promise. Being perfect, the law helped people understand God’s unique and perfect character. Without the presence of God, it also helped to restrain the more corrupt external manifestations of sin. As human history unfolds, there is a maturation of the race. In the beginning, we don’t read of the possibility of humanity destroying itself. At the end of the age, we read that the days have to be cut short to avoid just such a catastrophe. The race grows in corruption, and it grows in understanding of important spiritual truth. Under the Old Covenant the law served an important purpose of restraining sin, but with the coming of the Spirit of God to the heart of all believers, looking to the law involves turning from Christ and the guidance of the Spirit.

Galatians 3: 15-22. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

060905dw

30th

The Purpose of the Law

Galatians 3:21-31

The message of this book is clear. God’s promise to Abraham is a matter of God’s grace and faith. Salvation then involves grace and faith, not merely the outward works of the law. This text uses the illustration of children. Children think differently than adults. Paul makes this point in 1 Corinthians 13:11. In this text we read, When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Before the indwelling Spirit, the law had value as a guide in our lives, but with the coming of Christ, it does not.

As such the law was a schoolmaster. This word refers to a slave who helped with the instruction of children. The law safely brought God’s people to maturity and Christ as a teacher. Before Christ, believers were at best very immature. Before Christ, believers could use the law as a helpful guide. However, once Christ came the law can no longer serve this purpose. After Christ, unbelievers use a highly subjective and selective application of the law as a base for false hopes of salvation. Furthermore, misguided believers use the law as some kind of a bigger and better party to classify believers. This is corrupt and turns our focus away from the guidance of the indwelling Spirit of God.

In Christ, God receives us as sons and deals with us as sons. A school master is a poor substitute for God as a perfect parent. All Christians, Jew, Gentile, masters, slaves, male, and female are equal in their standing in Christ. All in Christ are of the seed of Abraham and heirs of the promise. Today, there are those who would derive standards from the word and use them the same way many early Jewish believers used the law. This is a misuse of standards as it was a misuse of the law. We find some who seek to define Christian fellowship around standards. The heart of Christian fellowship is the doctrine of Christ.

We are not to receive those who turn from the doctrine of Christ according to the book of 2 John. The doctrine of Christ is the basis of Christian fellowship. To ignore the doctrine of Christ and use standards as a basis for Christian fellowship involves turning from Christ. There is nothing new under the sun. We dare not be deceived or seduced by the enemy. We find the law in God’s Word. Important standards are derived from God’s Word. Those who turn from Christ to standards demonstrate greater spiritual corruption than early Jewish apostates who turned from Christ to the ceremonial law.

Reference verses:

Galatians 3:21-31. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
[22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
[23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
[24] Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
[25] For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
[26] But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
[27] For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
[28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
[29] But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
[30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
[31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free

2John.1
[1] The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
[2] For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
[3] Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
[4] I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
[5] And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
[6] And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
[7] For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
[8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
[9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
[10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
[11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
[12] Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
[13] The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

061005dw.

31st

Two Paths Two Principles
Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?
Galatians 4:21-31

As we think of the problems stirred up by apostates, we need to remember that the core of the issue involves believers and the choices that they make. It is the purpose of the enemy to turn Christians from the path of fellowship with Christ. It begins with questioning truth, but the authenticity of Paul’s ministry is also questioned

In these verses, Paul uses the story of Isaac and Ishmael to illustrate important spiritual principles. Ishmael was the product of the flesh. Isaac was the product of the promise of God and faith. Abraham’s life produced both, and so can the life of any believer. Ishmael was born in bondage and Isaac was born free. In effect, Paul is acknowledging the heritage of apostate Jews to Abraham. They are in the covenant, but like Ishmael, they will be excluded from the spiritual blessings. We read where Abraham goes through a time of doubt and pleads with God that Ishmael might live before God. There can be no salvation apart from God’s promise and faith. Salvation is of the Lord.

In our text, we also see the hatred of those born only of the flesh for those who are born of the Spirit. Ishmael mocked Isaac while Isaac was just a baby. Those whose spiritual lives are lived after the flesh have no place among those who are born of the Spirit. There can be no spiritual fellowship between light and darkness.

There is a letter written in the 2nd century from an early Christian to a leading church leader on what it means to forsake worldliness. Among the things to be avoided are colored clothing, soft pillows, warm baths, and certain types of music. What those who give way to such deception fail to realize, is that apart from the leading of the Spirit of God, the flesh is defining flesh. The Pharisees fell into this trap, and it resulted in going contrary to what was right. They believed with all their hearts that it was wrong to heal on the Sabbath day. Jesus taught clearly that it would be wrong not to heal on the Sabbath day. Jesus was right, and the Pharisees in their zeal to restrain the flesh gave way to the flesh. When we follow the path of the Pharisees as these Galatians, we can come to see light as darkness. There is no greater spiritual corruption than this. Ishmael was a wild man whose hand was against every man and every man’s hand was against him. This is a picture of the apostate in the church.

Galatians 4: 21-31. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22. For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free

061305dw.

This month's memory verses:

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you,

Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!