Genesis 22.
In the affecting narrative of Abraham offering up his eon, we find not only instruction of a typical and experimental character, but also a sample of household godliness, or the manifestation of the mind of the Lord in reference to family relationships.
Every member of a christian family should be a shadow of Christ, each availing himself of the position in which he is called to glorify Him who hath purchased him with His own blood. Christ is the perfect pattern. There was no self-will in Him.
Family godliness had been a matter of solemn import with Abraham long before he was called to this deep exercise of faith with his beloved Isaac. “I know him,” saith the Lord, “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.” (Gen. 18:19.) Such was the practice of the father of the faithful “the friend of God.” In the midst of an evil generation he built altars to Jehovah. He knew much about calling upon the name of the Lord; and though feeling “but dust and ashes,” he repeatedly interceded for others as well as worshipped. He walked with God. The interrogation of his son, “Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” shows that the lad was no stranger to the offering up of sacrifices to God; and that he knew something, at least, of the need of the lamb being laid upon the altar. The patriarch’s answer referring to the power and grace of God to “provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” plainly shows us the careful way in which he sought to direct the mind of his beloved Isaac to the covenant-making, covenant-keeping God.
But with all that which was so estimable, and so worthy of our imitation in the family godliness of the patriarch, he was not perfect. God had graciously given him a help-meet. There was a believing mother in the house, as well as a believing father; and sweet indeed it is to see how indispensable she was to carrying out family order and discipline according to the mind of Christ. In the case of Ishmael she saw what it appears Abraham was not aware of; her spiritual discernment at this time was clearer than his. Her soul was evidently in communion with the God of promise, and jealous for His honor. She beheld Ishmael mocking; a despiser was there which must be “cast out.” “The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight, because of his son;” but feelings of affection must not hinder godly rule. God, therefore, now comes in, confirms the wife’s judgment, and arouses Abraham to a sense of his responsibility. In all this Sarah does not assume the place of rule, but as becomes a holy woman and help-meet, calls upon her husband to exercise the place of authority, which he executed when he knew it was according to the mind of God. (Gen. 21:9-14.) All this is full of instruction and encouragement to both fathers and mothers who desire to glorify God in their various family duties and circumstances, and shows us the deep importance of each member maintaining faithfully, unto the Lord, the position which He, in His infinite wisdom, has assigned.
The practical godliness of the parents, in course of years, so tells upon Isaac, that his history, even when a lad, is used by the Holy Ghost as one of the most remarkable types of the Son of God recorded in Scripture. Age ripens, but does not alter the solemn obligations of father and son; yet both relationships are maintained with the truest affection, filial confidence, and respect. “My father,” “my son,” show us that mutual respect and love were unaltered by filial tenderness and familiarity. An important point, doubtless. The great object of the adversary is to hinder members of christian families from showing forth Christ in the various relationships of life. His artifices, therefore, are to induce children to disobey their parents, parents to be ruled by their children, servants to rule their masters, &c according to the self-willed spirit now so increasingly manifesting itself.
In the chapter before us, the subjection of Abraham to God is first most prominently set forth. The ruler of the family is himself a pattern of most ready obedience to his heavenly Master. This, doubtless, is the secret of all rule and order according to the mind of Christ. Let none think to rule others well, who are not walking themselves in subjection to God’s word. God calls Abraham, and his response is, “Behold here I am.” God then commands him to do the most painful and trying service, and Abraham gets up early in the morning to do it. It is God’s call, and he obeys. He is not told to ask his son if he would like to go, but to “take Isaac” and offer him, &c., and he “took” him. Abraham is in full and ready subjection to God, and son and servants are in subjection to him. It was a sudden call, and a long journey; but no fretting, no rebellion is manifested. Abraham, Isaac, servants, all shadows of Christ in this family scene. All is solemn and peaceful, for subjection to God, and not self-will, is at the root. What solemn and humbling admonitions this scene presents to us!
God commanded Abraham only to take his son to the mountain, the servants therefore, in obedience to their master’s command, tarry till they return-they “abide with the ass,” &c.; and though the father and son are alone, still it is the father ruling in the fear of the Lord, and the son honoring and obeying “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son...and they went both of them together.” (vs. 6.) The place was “afar off,” and a considerable quantity of wood needed for the burnt offering, but it was his place as a son to obey. Blessed shadow of Christ, as well as a happy service to the aged patriarch.
But further. The aged man of faith needs no human assistance in binding this strong lad. It is still subjection to God in Abraham, and subjection of the son to his father. “Abraham built an altar, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him upon the altar.” Can anything be more beautiful? or could we wish for a more perfect picture of rule and subjection among men subject to like passions as ourselves? Such, surely, is the divine order; and happy indeed are those, who so learn the daily power of the cross of Christ, as to mortify the old man, subdue self-will, and live unto God!
Beloved brethren, how are our households ordered? Is Jesus crucified and glorified prominently set forth and worshipped in our families? Are we ourselves found walking in subjection to His word?
Husbands, do you esteem the honor of being a type of the heavenly Bridegroom? Are your souls desiring to be found obeying and imitating Him, by loving your wives with most fervent and unselfish affection, nourishing and cherishing them even as the Lord the Church, and giving honor to them as unto the weaker vessels? (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7.)
Wives, do you count it your privilege as well as duty to love your husbands, reverence them, and be in subjection to them in everything, with chaste conversation coupled with fear; owning them in the place of rule, as given them of God, as becometh true helpmeets and fellow-heirs of the grace of life? (Eph. 5:24, 33; Col. 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6.)
Fathers, are you really walking before God in your families, commanding your children and households, ruling and training your children according to the will of God―bringing them up, unlike the Gentiles, “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?” Are you laying aside carnal policy and worldly expediency, contending in your house for the authority of God and His word in all matters? (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; Prov. 29:15, 17.)
Mothers, are you watching against the influence of all mockers of God on your children, counseling with their father, a pattern of subjection to your husband before them, laboring earnestly together for the glory of God, and the present and eternal blessing of your sons and daughters, in training them for God? (Gen. 21:9, 10; 1 Sam. 1:27, 28.)
Children, is it your joy to resemble the holy child Jesus, by obeying and honoring your parents according to the word of God? There is a promise of blessing upon such. (Eph. 6:1-8; see also Deut. 21:18-21; Prov. 30:17.)
Masters, do you take Christ for your pattern, and rule your servants as He who is just and compassionate rules you? Do you accept their service as He accepts yours? (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1.)
Servants, do you set Him before you who was Jehovah’s righteous servant, and humbly and faithfully serve your earthly masters, not as men-pleasers, but as unto the Lord, expecting His blessing and reward? (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22-25; Gen. 16:9.)
There is an antichristian principle rapidly developing itself, in which men, with increasing self-love and self-will, aim after liberty and unrestrainedness to the flesh, “despising dominion, and speaking evil of dignities.” Let us be watchful, meditating much upon the sufferings and glory of the Son of God, that we may be found walking in obedience to God’s word, and exalting Christ.
If the Lord tries our faith, it is that we may prove His riches and grace.
If we do not live above our circumstances, we shall act beneath our dignity.