Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - Gleanings From Genesis

by N.D.W.Miller | Category: For Young Believers | Apr 1936

Circumcision signified the mortification of the flesh. True circumcision "is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Romans 2. 29). Its spiritual significance is set forth frequently in the New Testament. For example, Paul says, "We are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and haze no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3. 3). And, speaking of Christ, in Whom "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," Paul says, "in Whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2. 9-11).

This mortification-this self-judgement-is not our righteousness. It should follow the truth-" With the heart man believeth unto righteousness" (Romans 10. 10). God said to Abram, "I will ... and as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant." After the same manner, God says, "Ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body" (1 Corinthians 6. 20). And again, "Ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God ... mortify therefore your members," and so forth. And yet again, "I will be their God ... Wherefore come ye out ... and be separate."

Sarai too, at this stage, comes in for special mention. "God said, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be" (here again we may notice the presence of the added "h," which we referred to last month). Sarai, meaning my princess, is much more confined, or circumscribed, than Sarah, meaning simply Princess; for the change is indicative of God's great purpose-" I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her." Thus does God make "the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children" (Psalm 113., and see Psalm 72. 18,19).

"And Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed." We suggest that it was not a laugh that needed rebuke (compare Genesis 18. 15), but was a laugh in keeping with the Divine naming of the promised Isaac, for Isaac means to laugh. How delightful it is when GOD makes His people laugh (see, e.g., Psalm 126.). "A merry heart," we read, "is a good medicine" (Proverbs 17. 22). Whereas "the laughter of the fool" is like "the crackling of thorns under a pot " (Ecclesiastes 7. 6). God spoke comfortably to Abraham's heart, and shewed him that while Ishmael, the fruit of his own energy, could not be the promised heir, he would nevertheless be blessed, as we have already seen. Then, with alacrity, Abraham obeyed. "In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. And all the men of his house ... were circumcised with him." Abraham was "ninety years old and nine"; "And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when they were circumcised."

Eight days old " was the time for circumcising, as commanded by God (Genesis 17. 12); but the Arabs- descendants of Ishmael-to this day circumcise their children at thirteen years of age.

We now come to consider the months that intervened between God's naming of Isaac, and the time of his birth.

Genesis 18. and 19.-placed side by side-like many other parts of Holy Scripture, present bold and instructive contrasts.

Abraham, in chapter 18., furnishes a very precious and outstanding type of the sanctified, or separated, believer in sweet communion with his God.

Lot, in chapter 19. furnishes a sad and solemn type of the worldly believer, and lets us see how vain is the attempt to serve two masters-how impossible to serve God and mammon.

For a time Lot has been lost from our view. But now once more, and alas, finally, he comes into the Divine narrative. It is well that "the Lord knoweth them that are His," for sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish the child of God from the worldling-from "men of the world, whose portion is in this life." But God knows. And even in Lot's case, though well nigh lost to view amid the labyrinth of Sodom's wiles and wickedness-expostulating, and vexing his righteous soul from day to day, yet availing nothing-God had His eye upon him, and was prepared to rescue him at whatever cost. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver" (2 Peter 2. 9). The contrasts of the two chapters-such, for example, as Abraham's "morsel," and Lot's "feast "-will be more readily noticed when we come to deal with chapter 19.

The opening scene in chapter 18. reminds me of the words, "Great peace have they which love Thy law; and they have none occasion of stumbling": and, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." The LORD appeared unto Abraham "by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day." Mamre, as we noted before, means "seeing," or "vision." And Mamre was in Hebron, which means "fellowship." Here then, we have something of the genesis of true fellowship with God, reminding us that "if we walk in the light as He is in the light; we have fellowship" (1 John 1.). Abraham, being in the path of separation, the LORD could draw near, and commune with him. Lot had no such joy; he knew nothing of this. 'In sad contrast, "Lot sat in the gate of Sodom "-a judge, or "Magistrate "-calling the men of Sodom, who were sinners against the LORD exceedingly, "My brethren." How sad! And how true it is, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." To sow the wind, is to reap the whirlwind.

Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood over against him. That One of the three proved to be the LORD Himself, the chapter makes absolutely certain; and that Abraham recognised and knew Him, is equally clear. Abraham ran to meet them, bowed low, and said, "My lord, if now I have found favour in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray Thee, from Thy servant: let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourself under the tree: and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on."

In all this we have a delightful example of primitive hospitality-a combination of taste and good manners. It reminds us of that word in Hebrews, following upon, Let brotherly love continue-" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Angels unawares! Honour indeed! But in this case it was none other than the Lord Himself. Abraham's ready reception of his Royal Guest reminds me in passing of Revelation 3. 20. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Listen! "If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." The Lord Jesus is seen outside, because of lukewarmness inside. Let us beware of spiritual deafness.

N.D.W.Miller | Apr 1936
For Young Believers