Today's readings from the Chronological Plan are from Genesis 21:8-23:20; Genesis 11:32; Genesis 24:1-67. Click here to read online.
Wow, what alot of things covered in these readings. I don't have time to touch on everything so I will point out what I spoke to me the most while reading.
We begin with a feast occurring for Isaac. Sarah see's that Ishmael is mocking and she tells Abraham to send them away. Abraham is distressed. This too is his son, he's concerned for his wellbeing, as any parent would. God assures Abraham that Ishmael will be cared for and made into a nation. I can't imagine how hard it would be for Abraham to send a son away, someone who was now a teenager, they would of spent alot of time together and now he is to leave. It does show that there are always consequences to sin, they may not be immediate, but because Abraham had taken things into his own hands and done the wrong thing, God had to make it right and send Ishmael away, no matter how hard it was on all of them. Another thing it shows is that our sins don't only affect us but others too.
I also felt that it showed another side of Sarah.I had forgotten she's mentioned in the NT as this wonderful woman, but I see things in her that I don't think are so wonderful. But I'm not that wonderful either...So I guess God was telling me to not judge so quickly, and to also not think of myself so highly and that all of us have fallen short, but for the grace of God we are saved.
The next big thing that stood out, and literally makes me weep is Abraham's test. I've read it loads of times, but its only since being a parent that my heart really connects with Abraham's. God even points out how hard this will be in 22:2 when He says "take your son, your ONLY son, Isaac, WHOM YOU LOVE..." This is going to be hard for Abraham. Isaac is all he has left. Its his beloved son. Its Sarah's beloved son.
Now we don't see Abraham talking to God here about this, asking why or pleading for his son's case like he did for Sodom and Gomorrah or for Lot. Did he plead? God doesn't tell him that there will be a replacement. Abraham is going to have to sacrifice his son to prove his love and commitment to God. Phew. It blows my mind away. I often used to wonder why God would even tell him to do that, especially because it was what the pagans did and God was against it. I found a quote from here "In this sense, God did not require Abraham to do anything that He Himself would not do. Indeed, the command to Abraham was intended to foreshadow what He would do centuries later on the cross of Calvary" that satisfied my questioning.
As the day progresses and Isaac keeps asking what is happening, I just tear up thinking of how painful this must of been for Abraham. How confusing too!! God promises this son, who he will make a great nation from and now God wants him to kill him? That's why I beleive that Abraham didn't doubt, he knew God had a plan and would keep his promise.
I also found it amazing that there is no mention of a struggle. That Isaac didn't cry out, or fight his father. The bond between them, the trust must of been so great. Gosh its making me cry even now... It wasn't until I got to this section that I REALLY got why Abrahams faith was considered righteousness. I mean beforehand he wasn't believing for that much really... But now! He's trusting on God to step in and save his son. And God does. Abraham has passed the test! Hurray for Abraham!!
I was reading in the article I posted above how the author believed that the test Abraham went through was preparing Abraham for Sarah's death in Genesis 23. That nothing that we go through God doesn't use to shape us, prepare us, cause us to grow. It's always true isn't it?
The story of Isaac and Rebekah concludes the readings for today. Abraham tells his servant to seek a wife for Isaac from his homeland, not from Canaan. The servant sets off and even before he has finished praying (v 15) Rebekah comes out with a jar on her shoulder. I love how God answers this prayer even before its finished being prayed. I have notes in my bible from an old sermon that described the wells at that time, I am not sure if its correct I haven't got time to look it up but the pastor had said that the wells had stairs and she would have to climb up and down, up and down, to get enough water for the camels, she gave above and beyond what was asked of her. What a great example to us, to go that extra mile. Rebekah takes him back to her brother and mother and they are told the story and they agree for Rebekah to go with the servant. The next morning however they say they will keep her 10 more days, when the servant pleads they not make her stay they ask Rebekah and she says " I will go". What a girl!! I love the last bit when they Rebekah sees Isaac and he sees her, and she goes to him and they become one, and he is comforted by his mother's death. How beautiful!
Tomorrow's readings are from Genesis 25:1-4; 1Chronicles 1:32-33; Genesis 25:5-6; Genesis 25:12-18; 1Chronicles 1:28-31; 1:34; Genesis 25:19-26 and Genesis 25:7-11. Click here to read online. Without flipping the passages are Genesis 25:1-26 and 1 Chronicles 1:28-33. Click here to read that version.
15 comments:
I'm sorry it says the 6th from blooger.com for this post, its hard with the time difference to know when to post, and I will be out later in the night so I had to do it now. Hope that's ok and doesn't confuse everyone!
The same things always stand out for me in this passage, too ~ the fact that Sarah doesn't seem like a very wonderful woman right here; that Abraham doesn't seem to question God's request that he sacrifice his son (even though he did all sorts of "negotiating" for Lot's life a few chapters ago); that Isaac seems to willingly go along with it; and the wonderful faith of Abraham's servant and how his faith and search are rewarded so obviously.
Great job, Nicole!! ;)
Yeah, I don't get that Sarah is the one who pushed Hagar on to Abraham for the exact reason that she thought she couldn't bear him any children -- and then she holds this all again everybody. Wasn't this all her choice to begin with?
I wonder too, how it would be possible not only for Abraham to go through the motions of potentially sacrificing his own son at God's request -- but for Isaac to not fight it? For both of these men, it goes against every natural instinct. Yet they do it anyway.
Would I be just as willing to follow through with such a request, on either end?
ps: As for the poll up on the sidebar...I know only 3 of us have voted so far, but it pleased me to see that so far we are all reading out of our Bibles. Not that there is anything wrong with reading it on-line...but I think it's a lot more valuable reading out of the actual Bible, being able to underline, highlight or make notes in the side columns.
Poll-I use the printed plan and my own bible, but when I want to see what the NIV says, I use the link above since I don't have an NIV bible.
I agree that what happens here is just a tremendous event. The faith that Abraham shows here is beyond words. He knew that God would hold his promise in that through Isaac his seed would be great and a would be provided a nation. I think he believed that God would ressurect him. Or some devine intervention would occur. Either way, Abraham did something I can honestly say, I don't know if I could do or not. My girls are right here beside me wanting to be near me, per usual, and my boys are upstairs being boys...could I sacrifice any one of them for the Lord? God says I am to love Him above them, and I do, but could I at my own hand, sacrifice their life? God did that for me. Amazing.
It also shows how great a man Abraham was in that his son followed him all the way, and like you said, didn't resist. He believed his father when his father said that God would provide a lamb for sacrifice. He trusted his father that much, to stack the wood, lay on it, be bound, can you imagine? What a testimony Abraham had to have...what strong beyond words faith he must of showed every day for Isaac his son, to go along with this. I know I don't show that kind of faith to my children, and that is something I need to work tirelessly on.
My other thoughts are in the beginning account of Rebekah. What a woman of she had to be. A stranger comes from a strange land and wants to take her to be a bride for someone she doesn't know either. I know this was customary for some in this day, but still. Her parents agree, but plead for more time with her. Abrahams servant, asks to go, and Rebekah is asked if she will go, and she says "I will go." Knowing that she will have to leave all her loved ones, all her friends, all that she has ever known, for a strange man, a strange land, and an unknown future. I admire her faith! I also love the account of them meeting for the first time. She sees him, and dismounts from her camel. They tell her it's Isaac, and tell Isaac all that had happend. He takes her into his mother's tent and she is his wife, and he loves her....and he loves her...that is so beautiful! Isaac is comforted after his mother's death. This beautiful woman full of kindness and faith, takes this journey of faith, and comforts this man. To me that is what God created the woman to do. I love this account!
Great posts and comments. I find that although these stories all all familiar, I'm learning new things from them now than I have in the past. It's amazing how changes in your life or maturity can change the way you look at a familiar story!
Prior to becoming a wife and mother I wouldn't have identified with Sarah the way I can now. It's easier for me to understand why she did the things she did, and I don't know that I would have done any better than she if I'd been in her situation.
Human nature. Hasn't changed a bit.
First of all Nicloe, nice to meet you too and thank you for coming all the way over to my blog to introduce yourself.
I think it's great that you are all pulling together in this effort to read and meditate on the Word.
I won't say much as you all have covered so much but I just wanted to add that the emotions of the sacrafice hit me harder this time too. My son is 6 and he is my only son. I think of his sweet face and the pain even in imagining this request is too much for me. I do know that Abraham tries to keep this from his son for a while. We know this when he answers him with the vague "The Lord will provide" answer. So, I would imagine he waited till the last minuite and I'm sure Isaac was confused enough to be overtaken easily. He trusted his father as Abraham trusted God. I get the feeling that Abraham used very little words here, I think he just said as little as possible knowing Issac would be confused and asking desparate questions. I know there must have big quiet tears just streaming down Abrahams face as he proceeded. But, I see him quiet and using all his mind to focus on God.
Furthermore, oh, how it must have been on the way home! After an intense and tearful session of hugs, I'm sure this man had the lesson of a lifetime for his son and trusting God on the way home. I'm sure this was just as much for Issac and his faith as it was for Abrahams.
The last question is why would God test our faith anyway? Does he not know the exact limits of our faith all ready? I think he tests our faith not to reveal it to us our himself, but to cause it to grow intensly. He wanted to draw Abraham even closer to himself, to bond to this man who he would make his covenant with. We cannot bond ourselves to God that way, He has to do that work in us. So, though it seems like such a cruel thing for God to do, when we see it this way, we realize that his love is so very great. He takes us to the complete end of ourselves, emptied out so we find one thing....HIM.
Thanks everyone :D
Great comments. Something that struck me as I was reading your comments was about Isaac, how he didn't fight back but trusted too, he was only young, didn't have the knowledge and maturity of his father, but trusted. And he was rewarded for that with his wonderful wife Rebekah.
I am really enjoying reading this again ( my bible study and I read it last Jan infact) and learning new things!! The Bible is the LIVING Word of God, something new is revealed each time we read it!
Great post Nicole. I agree with all the comments here so far.
One commentary I read suggests that's it's extremely likely that Abraham did argue and plead with God to change his mind and to spare Isaac's life. The commentary suggested that Moses purposefully left that out to highlight his ultimate response which was obedience. It's not so much our initial reaction that matters so much as what we actually decide to do.
I have never liked this story for the same reason as Nicole - but I think I've been viewing it incorrectly. I've always looked at it as though God was asking Abraham to perform a pagan act of child sacrifice, which makes no sense because God is incapable of evil. Instead, it foreshadows God sacrificing His only Son to pave the way for humanity to reconcile with God. The intense heartbreak Abraham felt reflected the heart of the Father as He watched His Son suffer on the cross with the weight of the world's sin on His shoulders.
I am in awe of Abraham's faith, in his absolute trust that somehow, someway, God would provide a way, that God would be faithful to His promise.
After reading a commentary, I realize now that Abraham's decision of where to bury Sarah was significant. Where Sarah was buried is where Abraham was also choosing to be buried, along with his descendants. It was an expression of faith in God, as he had not yet received the land as God had promised.
And that is the definition of faith - faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
Also - this commentary I read on Chapter 24 makes a very interesting point. Though this passage makes it very clear that choosing the right partner to marry is very important, what's even more important is being the right partner once you are married.
The article does have some great insights on picking a marriage partner, based on this passage.
I never truly identified with Abraham and what he must have been feeling on that trip with Isaac until I became a parent myself. I also have trouble understanding how much faith Abraham must have had to obey to such the extent that he did. I also wonder how reluctant Isaac was from that point on to accompany Abraham on special father/son trips??
I love the story of Issac and Rebekah too. One of the things that stuck out for me today was that we never know how our actions may be an answer to someone's prayers. It doesn't say (and I think it would if she did) that Rebekah had a message from God to be at that well on that day and to offer to water a strangers camels if he asks you for a drink. I believe she was just responding to the needs of someone who needed help and this choice to act in kindness changed her life. How often are we called to show kindness to others and God may be using us to answer their prayers??
As far as the poll, I do a bit of reading in my Bible and also online. I read the text at school a few mornings this week and it seemed like a great way to begin the day and give me a chance to think about the passages before commenting later in the evening. Being able to read the passages online without flipping between chapters is a time saver when reading it online. However, I do like the commentaries in my bible and I have also read from my husband's too and found some valuable insight into the passages.
Tammy- I had that verse
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) posted by my kitchen sink until we put up the back splash. I love that one!
That's a wonderful point about our kindness and faithfulness possibly being used to answer someone's prayers Pamela! I think we would be amazed at the effect it would have and blessing it could be to many people, if we would try to be that way all the time...or even pray that God would give us those opportunities!
arrgh! I just noticed that I should have written "stranger's camels"... excuse the typo! That should teach me to proofread before posting!
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