Bible Talks: Abraham, the Man of Faith

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“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.” v. 14. Indeed much was seen there. God saw in Abraham the demonstration of faith which delighted His heart; and Abraham saw the reward of his faith and the love of God which would not require him to do all that he was prepared to do. Through this great exercise of faith Abraham was drawn nearer to God than ever bore, and we may be sure that he and his son were drawn nearer to each other also. In like manner a trial of faith shared by the Lord’s people may often be a sweet binding attachment to one another. God is ever a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and many a believer’s life has been enriched by a trial allowed of God, that caused him to look away from self to Him who is the “Author and finisher of faith.”
The grand theme of the chapter far exceeds all that has thus far been considered. This portion most preciously pictures to us the display of God’s love to sinners. Long before this world was created, when, in contemplation of a world ruined by sin and men’s waywardness in refusing the sacrifices provided for sins, the Son of God declared: “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” Heb. 10:99Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9); Psa. 40:77Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, (Psalm 40:7). Then again, “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son... to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Gal. 4:4,54But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4‑5).
The matchless story of divine love is unfolded in type throughout this chapter. The love of Abraham toward Isaac sets forth the eternal relationship of God the Father and “His dear Son,” or, “The Son of His love,” Col. 1:1313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13).
The instruction to Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering speaks again of Him who “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him of for us all"; and who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). God spared Abraham, but He did not spare Himself. He spared Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, for a substitute offering was shown him, “a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.” But there was no substitute for our blessed Saviour, of whom it is said: “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28).
“And they went both of them together.” vv. 6,8. Does this not bring to remembrance that Jesus said in John 4:3434Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34): “My food is that I should do the will of Him that has sent Me, and that I should finish His work"? Again: “He that has sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I do always the things that are pleasing to Him.” John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29); J.N.D. Trans. We delight too to think of the divine Oneness of the Father and the Son, so that every purpose of the Father and every act and expression of the Son displayed that complete harmony: “They went both of them together.”
May the obedience of Isaac engage our hearts, even as we think of the Lord Himself saying: “I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me,” John 5:3030I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30); again, “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and... became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. Heb. 5:8,98Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:8‑9).
Memory Verse: “THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS: FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.” Matt. 1:2121And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21).
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