Abraham and Isaac. No. 1.

Genesis 22.
In the affecting narrative of Abraham offering up his eon, we find not only instruction of a typical and experimental character, but also a sample of household godliness, or the manifestation of the mind of the Lord in reference to family relationships.
Every member of a christian family should be a shadow of Christ, each availing himself of the position in which he is called to glorify Him who hath purchased him with His own blood. Christ is the perfect pattern. There was no self-will in Him.
Family godliness had been a matter of solemn import with Abraham long before he was called to this deep exercise of faith with his beloved Isaac. “I know him,” saith the Lord, “that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.” (Gen. 18:1919For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19).) Such was the practice of the father of the faithful “the friend of God.” In the midst of an evil generation he built altars to Jehovah. He knew much about calling upon the name of the Lord; and though feeling “but dust and ashes,” he repeatedly interceded for others as well as worshipped. He walked with God. The interrogation of his son, “Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” shows that the lad was no stranger to the offering up of sacrifices to God; and that he knew something, at least, of the need of the lamb being laid upon the altar. The patriarch’s answer referring to the power and grace of God to “provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” plainly shows us the careful way in which he sought to direct the mind of his beloved Isaac to the covenant-making, covenant-keeping God.
But with all that which was so estimable, and so worthy of our imitation in the family godliness of the patriarch, he was not perfect. God had graciously given him a help-meet. There was a believing mother in the house, as well as a believing father; and sweet indeed it is to see how indispensable she was to carrying out family order and discipline according to the mind of Christ. In the case of Ishmael she saw what it appears Abraham was not aware of; her spiritual discernment at this time was clearer than his. Her soul was evidently in communion with the God of promise, and jealous for His honor. She beheld Ishmael mocking; a despiser was there which must be “cast out.” “The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight, because of his son;” but feelings of affection must not hinder godly rule. God, therefore, now comes in, confirms the wife’s judgment, and arouses Abraham to a sense of his responsibility. In all this Sarah does not assume the place of rule, but as becomes a holy woman and help-meet, calls upon her husband to exercise the place of authority, which he executed when he knew it was according to the mind of God. (Gen. 21:9-149And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. 12And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. 13And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. 14And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. (Genesis 21:9‑14).) All this is full of instruction and encouragement to both fathers and mothers who desire to glorify God in their various family duties and circumstances, and shows us the deep importance of each member maintaining faithfully, unto the Lord, the position which He, in His infinite wisdom, has assigned.
The practical godliness of the parents, in course of years, so tells upon Isaac, that his history, even when a lad, is used by the Holy Ghost as one of the most remarkable types of the Son of God recorded in Scripture. Age ripens, but does not alter the solemn obligations of father and son; yet both relationships are maintained with the truest affection, filial confidence, and respect. “My father,” “my son,” show us that mutual respect and love were unaltered by filial tenderness and familiarity. An important point, doubtless. The great object of the adversary is to hinder members of christian families from showing forth Christ in the various relationships of life. His artifices, therefore, are to induce children to disobey their parents, parents to be ruled by their children, servants to rule their masters, &c according to the self-willed spirit now so increasingly manifesting itself.
In the chapter before us, the subjection of Abraham to God is first most prominently set forth. The ruler of the family is himself a pattern of most ready obedience to his heavenly Master. This, doubtless, is the secret of all rule and order according to the mind of Christ. Let none think to rule others well, who are not walking themselves in subjection to God’s word. God calls Abraham, and his response is, “Behold here I am.” God then commands him to do the most painful and trying service, and Abraham gets up early in the morning to do it. It is God’s call, and he obeys. He is not told to ask his son if he would like to go, but to “take Isaac” and offer him, &c., and he “took” him. Abraham is in full and ready subjection to God, and son and servants are in subjection to him. It was a sudden call, and a long journey; but no fretting, no rebellion is manifested. Abraham, Isaac, servants, all shadows of Christ in this family scene. All is solemn and peaceful, for subjection to God, and not self-will, is at the root. What solemn and humbling admonitions this scene presents to us!
God commanded Abraham only to take his son to the mountain, the servants therefore, in obedience to their master’s command, tarry till they return-they “abide with the ass,” &c.; and though the father and son are alone, still it is the father ruling in the fear of the Lord, and the son honoring and obeying “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son...and they went both of them together.” (vs. 6.) The place was “afar off,” and a considerable quantity of wood needed for the burnt offering, but it was his place as a son to obey. Blessed shadow of Christ, as well as a happy service to the aged patriarch.
But further. The aged man of faith needs no human assistance in binding this strong lad. It is still subjection to God in Abraham, and subjection of the son to his father. “Abraham built an altar, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him upon the altar.” Can anything be more beautiful? or could we wish for a more perfect picture of rule and subjection among men subject to like passions as ourselves? Such, surely, is the divine order; and happy indeed are those, who so learn the daily power of the cross of Christ, as to mortify the old man, subdue self-will, and live unto God!
Beloved brethren, how are our households ordered? Is Jesus crucified and glorified prominently set forth and worshipped in our families? Are we ourselves found walking in subjection to His word?
Wives, do you count it your privilege as well as duty to love your husbands, reverence them, and be in subjection to them in everything, with chaste conversation coupled with fear; owning them in the place of rule, as given them of God, as becometh true helpmeets and fellow-heirs of the grace of life? (Eph. 5:24, 3324Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:24)
33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:33); Col. 3:1818Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18); 1 Peter 3:1-61Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (1 Peter 3:1‑6).)
Fathers, are you really walking before God in your families, commanding your children and households, ruling and training your children according to the will of God―bringing them up, unlike the Gentiles, “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?” Are you laying aside carnal policy and worldly expediency, contending in your house for the authority of God and His word in all matters? (Eph. 6:44And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4); Col. 3:2121Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Colossians 3:21); Prov. 29:15, 1715The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29:15)
17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Proverbs 29:17).)
Children, is it your joy to resemble the holy child Jesus, by obeying and honoring your parents according to the word of God? There is a promise of blessing upon such. (Eph. 6:1-81Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Ephesians 6:1‑8); see also Deut. 21:18-2118If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (Deuteronomy 21:18‑21); Prov. 30:1717The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. (Proverbs 30:17).)
There is an antichristian principle rapidly developing itself, in which men, with increasing self-love and self-will, aim after liberty and unrestrainedness to the flesh, “despising dominion, and speaking evil of dignities.” Let us be watchful, meditating much upon the sufferings and glory of the Son of God, that we may be found walking in obedience to God’s word, and exalting Christ.
If the Lord tries our faith, it is that we may prove His riches and grace.
If we do not live above our circumstances, we shall act beneath our dignity.