The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – "His" story continues through them and us
Genesis 25
Abraham lived 38 years after Sarah died and 15 years after the birth of Jacob and Esau but Scripture records his death before the account of their births to emphasize the transition to Isaac's and later Jacob's story in the purposes of God through the patriarchs. Yet Abraham's last years were not uneventful as he bore six more sons in his old age (137 +) to Keturah. God's anointing for him to be fruitful and bear many descendants (and nations) is coming true. Ishmael had twelve sons and the six sons from Keturah formed many nations along with the nation of Israel.
"Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years (satisfied with life – NASB); and he was gathered to his people." I feel this means that Abraham saw God's faithfulness and goodness to him over his life even through the many and deep trials he went through. We too can say, Great is Thy Faithfulness as the words to that hymn say it so well. It is wise to look back over our "history" with the Lord from time to time and recall his faithfulness to us as Samuel did with the memorial stone and named it Ebenezer, meaning, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" (1 Sam 7:12) and He will to the end. Yet, Scripture says God has placed eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11) and thus this life cannot satisfy us and even Abraham was "longing for a better country-a heavenly one." (Heb. 11:16; See Psalm 73:25) Let's learn to catch the hints of heaven and live for our real home.
Note that there are no recorded encounters with God for this long time period of Abraham's life. So much of his life and our lives as God's people is made up of the ordinary stuff of life. Yet we are called to walk by faith in the little things and these are the things that shape our character and prepare us for heaven. "He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10 Amp.) "Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust]." (1 Cor. 4:2 Amp.) Whenever we do anything to please and honor our Lord it blesses Him and shapes our soul for heaven.
A SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION PLAN "After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near (by) Beer Lahai Roi." Abraham had a spiritual succession plan in place. He gave gifts to his other sons but he gave the spiritual blessing and impartation to carry out God's purposes to his son Isaac. Beer Lahai Roi was the Well of the Living One Who Sees as Hagar called it when she encountered God in her distress. The fact that Isaac lived by this well may indicate his vital relationship with the Lord as modeled by his father Abraham. A spiritual succession plan is far more important that a business succession plan or family will. At a recent global economic conference the statement was made that Christianity is irrelevant in Europe – a former bastion of faith – a sobering warning to us in America. We are commanded by our Lord (and in the epistles, 2 Tim. 2:2) to replace (reproduce) ourselves by "making" disciples of Christ to carry on His work to reach the nations. Who will take your place after you die in the on-going work of God to disciple others and reach the nations for Christ? How can you influence your "world," your disciples, your sphere of influence, for Christ?
Before we move on from Abraham let's do what God does in Scripture, give him a big pat on the back for his great faith in a Great God! (See Heb. 11:8-19) From stepping out into the unknown, to giving up the best land to Lot, to persevering in hope for the promised son and then to be willing to offer him as a sacrifice to God. His faith was exemplary. (Heb. 13:7)
"Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren." Again, God's supernatural intervention to bring life out of death (a barren womb) is to show that this is His work even as the new birth is supernatural for us as believers. "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."(John 1:12-13 NLT) In addition to a supernatural birth God often uses trials (like barrenness) to produce spiritual character in us. He not only wants to work through us but He works on us as He is working through us to prepare us for eternity – to get our souls ready for heaven. As Pascal said, "What's a "day of hardship" (this brief life of trials) to give in exchange for eternal joy?" (See 2 Cor. 4:16-18)
The Lord's oracle to Rebekah was an ominous prophecy that came true in the history of Israel. (See vv. 21-26) The older will serve the younger and the two nations represented by them (Israel and Edom) would be separated from each other. Edom was Israel's enemy until it was finally judged and destroyed by God in 70 A.D. (See Obadiah)
On a more personal level we see Esau (hairy) representing the profane (irreverent, unspiritual, common) man and Jacob (heel-grabber) representing the quiet, spiritual man but God had to do a work on him (finally broke his hip) to get him to repent of manipulating people and simply trust and obey Him. Isaac's favoritism of Esau and Rebekah's favoritism of Jacob was also a recipe for family problems. Esau had an appetite for the things of this earth and Jacob ultimately cultivated an appetite for the things of God. In the midst of a godless world a spiritual appetite is an acquired taste. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." (1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT) "Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!" (Matt. 5:6 Amp.)
Esau sold his eternal soul for a pot of stew because he never acquired a taste for the things of God.
Like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the nation of Israel all of us as believers are chosen by God to continue the work He began with Abraham: This great purpose gives significance to everything we do -even in what we eat or drink. (1 Cor. 10:31) "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation,[God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."(1 Peter 2:9 Amp.)
Discussion Questions FOR APPLICATION OF GOD'S WORD
What did the Lord say to you through this message?
A SPIRITUAL SUCCESSION PLAN "After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near (by) Beer Lahai Roi." A spiritual succession plan is far more important than a business succession plan or family will. At a recent global economic conference the statement was made that Christianity is irrelevant in Europe – a former bastion of faith – a sobering warning to us in America. We are commanded by our Lord (and in the epistles – 2 Tim. 2:2) to replace (reproduce) ourselves by "making" disciples of Christ to carry on His work to reach the nations. After you die, who will take your place in the on-going work of God to disciple others and reach the nations for Christ? How can you influence your "world," your disciples, your sphere of influence, for Christ?
Esau sold his eternal soul for a pot of stew because he never acquired a taste for the things of God. How have you developed your "taste" for God? What "menu items" do you like best? Where may God be calling you to eat some "spiritual broccoli"? "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness." (1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT)
"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. (He greatly exaggerated his need for food). "What good is the birthright to me?" (V. 32) Is there anything you feel you must have to make this life worth living? If you don't get it, do you believe God can fill that void?
Scripture memory verse: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9 Amp.)