Abraham And Isaac

by G.A. JONES | Category: Family Life | Feb 1963

The call of God from Mesopotamia came to Abraham only, though for obvious reasons it was intended of God that Sarah his wife should accompany him. Israel at a later day was invited by Isaiah to consider the nation's father and mother:

"Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many" (Isaiah 51. 2).

Terah, Abraham's father, was not called, neither was Lot, his brother's son. The noble defence of Stephen in his opening words before the Jewish council puts the case precisely,

"The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come unto the land which I shall skew thee. Then cane he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, 'when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell" (Acts 7. 2-4).

Cod's call was to Complete separation, and so he came out in the obedience of faith (Hebrews 11.8). From Abraham would arise prophets, priests, and kings, through many generations, his natural seed, the Jewish race, and Gentiles, those who are of like faith with Abraham and are blessed with him, "who is the father of us all" (Romans 4.16).

Abraham was brought very near to God, for through Isaiah God speaks of him thus, "Abraham My friend" (Isaiah 41.8). His faith rose to great heights, and it is good to see it was shared by Sarah, for the Scripture records, "by faith Abraham" and "by faith even - Sarah" (Hebrews 11.842). It delighted Him that here were a man and a woman who were prepared to accept His word though it appeared contrary to nature. To husbands and wives, to fathers and mothers and others, the words of our blessed Lord come, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11.22).

Isaac was born according to promise. Abraham had many natural sons, but only one according to promise, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Genesis 21.12). In this sense Isaac was his only begotten son, prefiguring the Lord who was to come, the only begotten Son of the Father.

Family life knows its crises, and these Abraham well knew. God tried him with a supreme test. His faith, great as ever, triumphed. He knew that God would not fail to keep His word, and this is where Abraham rested in the offering up of Isaac.

"By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a parable receive him back" (Hebrews 11.17.19).

As father and son climbed up the mountainside together, Isaac was teachable and willing to hearken to the good words of his father. Let sons and daughters listen to the weighty words of wise fathers and mothers;

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him" (Proverbs 23.22-24).

On the death of Sarah; Abraham was concerned to seek a wife for his son. He desired his son to marry one from among his own kindred, and not from the nations around. His faithful and God-fearing servant was commissioned to do the work of seeking a wife for Isaac. The will of the LORD was of prime consideration, as it should be in the marriages of God's children and in this matter there should be prayerful waiting upon God. He works for them that wait for Him (Isaiah 64.4). How desirable, therefore, that both partners contemplating marriage should love the Lord, and love each other!

An unhesitating Rebekah, on hearing of the master's son, made a quick and a right decision. She was willing to leave her family and to go to share with her husband Isaac, who loved her, all that was his, spiritually and materially. The subjection of wives to their husbands is joined in Scripture with the husbands' love for their wives. Oftentimes, in the domestic sphere with its many cares a sympathetic thoughtfulness is required. The exercise of true love will mean a sharing of the burdens which are often the lot of a wife and mother. So the apostle Paul exhorts, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for it" (Ephesians 5.25).

After many years the Lord was pleased to give to Isaac and Rebekah twin sons, Esau and Jacob. These boys were different in character and outlook. Esau, named in Hebrews 11.20 along with his brother as receiving his father's blessing, was not a man of faith. Hebrews 12. 16 reveals his character, "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright." A profane man is one who treats things sacred as common. Jacob, in contrast, was a quiet (perfect) man. He gave himself time to think. He weighed up his own place in- his -family, and, though quiet, was quick to realize the importance of divine favour and blessing. It was not without some thought that he obtained the birthright from his brother, and in this he was in the mind of God. God's desire is that we should learn His mind and think His thoughts. The psalmist said, "How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! How great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139.17).

Esau went in the wrong way. He took to himself two wives from Canaan's daughters, who were a grief to his parents. Isaac waited in Canaan for a wife from Abraham's kindred. Similarly Jacob his son went from Canaan to seek a wife of his kindred. On the journey he had dealings with God, which show his desires after God who was leading him, and who promised to be with him.

Considering, therefore, the three generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we are caused to think of the purpose of God in His choice of this family. How remarkable are the words of God spoken of Abraham

"For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgement; to the end that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him "! (Genesis 18. 19).

G.A. JONES | Feb 1963
Family Life