CSSA 2-1-08 - ABRAHAM AND ISAAC: THE PROMISED SEED

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133. ABRAHAM AND ISAAC: THE PROMISED SEED

Abraham's faith was developed over many years but with few revelations from God. God had promised that He would make of him "a great nation " (Gen. 12:3). During his early time in the land, Abram was concerned as to how his seed would be developed since his wife Sarai was unable to have children. He wondered whether this promised seed would come from one of the children of his servant Eliezer (Gen. 15:2-3). God spoke to him and said that the seed would be out of Abram's own body (v.4) and would grow to be as numerous as the stars (v.5).

Despite these difficulties Abram believed God (v. 6) i.e. he believed that because God had spoken, that He would therefore fulfil His word (Heb. 11:6). To Abram, God was real. He trusted God completely so God accounted him to be righteous (v.6).

Genesis 21:13-22

BACKGROUND TO THE PROMISE OF THE SEED (Gen. 15-17)

After Abram's courageous rescue of his nephew Lot from the battle described in Genesis chapter 14, God said to him, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (ch. 15:1). Abram immediately took the opportunity to ask God how the seed of promise was to be provided since he was childless. Could the seed be one born to one of his servants? No, the answer was that the seed was to be his own child and when he was shown the stars of heaven he was told, "So shall thy seed be" (v.5). Looking up to the vastness of the heavens and their innumerable stars, Abram "believed in the LORD" and God counted it to him for righteousness. What an amazing faith and confidence in God's word, at a time when Abram knew only too well that he was unable to naturally have children of his own.

To show how sure was His promise to Abram, God made a covenant with him. By a type, He showed Abram how the covenant would be confirmed by preparing a sacrifice (ch. 15:9-10). The chapter indicates that these things would be fulfilled after Abram's death (v.12). God gave a prophecy of the captivity in Egypt of Abram's descendants, and added details setting out the borders of the land promised (w. 13-18).

Genesis 16 records the birth of Ishmael the son of Hagar, Sarah's maid. This was an attempt by Sarah to solve the problem of the promise of the seed (Gal. 4:29). Abram set his heart on Ishmael thinking that he was the seed of promise, but that special seed of promise was to be born by the miraculous power of God; and was to be the child not only of Abram, but also of Sarai, who was not then able to bear children.

Thirteen years passed before God appeared again to Abram. He again stressed the certainty of the covenant and that he would multiply his seed (ch. 17:1,2). His name was changed to Abraham, showing that he was to be the father of many nations (vv. 4-8).

His change of name was followed by the covenant of circumcision which was to be a sign of the covenant. Circumcision of itself means nothing. It was used by God to indicate that Abraham was a man who had put trust in God above his natural desires, even in the matter of having children (see Rom. 4:11). Paul says that the man who obeys God and not the will of the flesh is "circumcised in heart" (cp. Rom. 2:28-29). He has, in effect, cut off the natural thinking of the flesh and followed the teachings of God's Word.

At long last the time was now ready for the birth of the promised seed, and God told Abraham that Sarah was to bear a son, "Isaac" which means "laughter" or "joy" (Gen. 17:15-22). Abraham was 100 years old (and Sarah only ten years younger) when at long last she gave birth to the promised son. Sarah also showed faith in God and received strength to bear the child of promise (Heb. 11:11). Their great faith had overcome what seems impossible to humans (Rom. 4:17-22).

IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED (Gen. 21)

Abraham's household were "sharers in the covenant" with him, and would have rejoiced with him over Isaac. We can just imagine how thrilled Abraham and Sarah were to be blessed with this special son of promise. But there were two who were not: Hagar and Ishmael (Gen. 21:9).

When Sarah made a feast to celebrate the weaning of Isaac, she found Ishmael mocking him. God asked Abraham to send Ishmael away "for," He said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" (v.12).

GOD TESTS ABRAHAM (Gen. 22:1-9)

Isaac became the centre of Abraham's love and the heir of the promises. Abraham's life was bound up in the life of his son. Isaac was a joy to his parents, growing up to be a faithful and obedient son. It is not difficult then to imagine the effect of God's words to Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac. . . and offer him up for a burnt offering" (v.2). To offer the son of promise! Isaac his beloved son must die!

God was asking Abraham to obey His command at the cost of his own natural feelings for his beloved son. What a great trial! With amazing faith his trust in God's word was greater than any natural objections. He believed that even if Isaac had to die, then God would, because of the promises, raise him to life again. Abraham's great faith was equal to the task. What amazing faith and what great belief in God's promises!

Abraham did not hesitate. He and Isaac journeyed to Mt. Moriah. Abraham was confident that Isaac would be raised again. He showed this by saying to his servants, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you" (Gen. 22:5). Abraham and Isaac's actions were typical of what Jesus and his Father did in later years. Let us see how closely the offering of Isaac parallels the offering of God's beloved Son.

• Verse 2—"Thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest" (Jesus was God's only begotten Son — Matt. 3:17).

• Verse 6—Laid wood upon Isaac (Jesus had to carry his own cross—Jn. 19:17);

• "They went both of them together" (Jesus co-operated willingly with his Father (Jn. 12:27-28; Heb. 10:5-7).

• Verses 9 and 10—Isaac allowed himself to be offered up as Jesus was. Although Abraham was prevented from slaying Isaac, yet Isaac was as good as dead in Abraham's mind. God accepted the intention as the deed. Paul says that Abraham's confidence was in God's ability to raise Isaac from the dead "From whence also he received him in a figure" (Heb. 11:19). Jesus, speaking to the Jews of his "lifting up" (crucifixion) (Jn. 8:23-28) said "Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad" (Jn. 8:56).

Because of his great faith and obedience, Abraham was promised that God would:

bless him;
give him a seed which would be multiplied;
make his seed victorious over his enemies;
bless all the nations of the earth in his seed.

This great promise, confirmed by a divine oath, promises the coming of Abraham's greater Son who will reign as King of the world (cp. Gal. 3:16).

ABRAHAM'S FAITH: A LESSON FOR US.

Abraham's willingness to obey God shows the character of Abraham's faith. He was prepared to obey God in all things, even by slaying his son, if need be. "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed (counted) unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23). When we compare Genesis ch. 15 with ch. 22 we can see how Abraham's faith grew. In the early stages he had shown faith and belief in God's promise of a seed (see Rom. 4:3). Here, in Genesis ch. 22 we can see Abraham's faith has matured and become complete. James says that we can see "how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect" (Jas. 2:21-24). Our faith, too, must be more than just believing that there is one God. We must show in our way of life that we have a faith and trust in God each day of our lives. Because the Lord Jesus Christ ruled, or controlled, his own thoughts and actions so that he might perfectly obey his Father's will, he has been promised to "possess the gate of his enemies". We should similarly guard our thoughts and actions. We live amongst people at school who show an undisciplined, rebellious attitude. If we would obey God we must first show self control.

Paul says that we too, like Abraham, must go "from faith to faith" — growing in faith step by step (Rom. 1:17). We too can become friends of God. The key is to make God a reality in our life. We must see Him near us in all that we do, seek His guidance carefully from His Word, and trust and obey Him. We must "circumcise our hearts" in cutting off fleshly desires and show our willingness to follow the way of truth, by being baptised into Jesus Christ. We will then be Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29). If we do this we will inherit with faithful Abraham, the glorious promise of an eternal inheritance in the land.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Pages 96-127

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Part 2, chapter 2

"The Visible Hand Of God" (R. Roberts)—Pages 64-67

"The Ways Of Providence" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 3 "Letter To The Hebrews" (J. Carter)—Pages 139-146

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. (a) Abram was concerned about the birth of the promised seed. Was it to be one born to one of his servants?

(b) Show how great was Abram's belief in God's promises when shown the stars of heaven.

Why was Abram's name changed to Abraham?
When God told Abraham to offer Isaac, what was Abraham's response?
How was Abraham's offering of Isaac like God's offering of His Son?
What was the great blessing that God made to Abraham after his willingness to slay Isaac?