WE have traced the history of this wondrous man up to chapter 20, and here, alas, again we read of failure; but in chapter 21 Jehovah fulfills His promise to Abraham, and gives him a, son. Isaac is born, and the outward form of circumcision slims him to be set apart for God, in obedience to the covenant of chapter 7-14, so that we may say he was separate from his birth. Is it not very marked how the principle of separation runs through the whole of God’s dealings with Abraham? and now with Isaac also?
From this child of promise—Isaac—is to spring the great nation God had promised, and more blessed still, through whom was to come the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who was to be their Savior and Messiah, thus fulfilling that wondrously blessed promise which brought in the poor Gentiles. “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:33And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3).)
Ishmael now is cast out the divine teaching on this we have in, Gal. 4:22-3122For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Galatians 4:22‑31).
Isaac grows, up, and almost reaches manhood, when God calls Abraham, and bids him offer up this very child of promise, even Isaac. And will he, can he do it? Can he thus give up the promises and slay his son? Yes, when bidden of God he can and does, as we see in chapter 22. How touching scene! As they go up the mountain, laden with the wood, the fire and the knife, Isaac asks a very natural question, “But where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?” (Ver. 7.) Abraham’s answer is most beautiful: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb.” (Ver. 8.) What marvelous faith his was!
They reach the top of the mount, and Isaac permits himself to be bound on the altar. Abraham takes the knife to slay his son, when God again speaks: “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.” (Ver. 12.) God commends his obedience, and renews His covenant with him in still more beautiful terms. (Vers. 16-18.)
And did God provide Himself a lamb? Indeed He did. A ram was found caught in the thicket, which was sacrificed instead of Isaac; but the Lamb of God’s providing was not given till nearly two thousand years after; I refer to the Lamb of God in John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29).
Abraham yielding up Isaac is a striking picture of God Himself, who yielded His only Son that He might die for poor perishing sinners. Oh, think of it! for Jesus there was no escape if we must be saved. God spared Isaac, but the word of God tells us that He “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.” (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).) What wondrous love! Oh, dear unsaved one, may this love win you to Himself now, and break down every barrier that keeps you away from Him.
And here we may leave the history of this wonderful man, and take up the many points of his life, which may be helpful lessons to us.
In Heb. 11:8-198By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11:8‑19) we learn that it was by faith Abraham lived and acted thus; by faith he 3, —first obeyed the call to come forth, not even knowing where he was going: it was pith and obedience all through, and so it must be with us.
Then again, as Abraham who dwelt in tents, and the Jews, his descendants, who are spoken of as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:1313These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)), so the Christian is a stranger and a pilgrim here; he is born of God, and as the Lord Himself says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:1616They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)) and being thus called out of it, he is sent back into the world, to testify by his life that he belongs to Christ, and to speak of Christ to those around him; and as to his own path to walk by faith, looking up to God for guidance for every step. Abram knew not where he was going, neither does the Christian know the path God is leading him in; but he knows that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).) And is not this enough? “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9).) We have too His blessed assurance, “My God shall supply all your need.” (Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).)
Are we content to have all our sources and supplies from above?
But not only is our home in heaven, our Savior is there too, and it is from thence that we look for Him to return, and take His saints to Himself, to be with Him and like Him forever.
And now in closing, I should like to ask the same question I began with, Where do you dwell? Are you engrossed with this world, with pleasure, riches and the things of this life? If so, again I must remind you that this earth is not a safe dwelling-place. Cain did not find it so; Lot did not either; and in the Revelation we see that the dwellers on earth will not find it safe, for there is a time of judgment coming.
Or, are you a stranger and a pilgrim here? living here for the time only, and having all your springs and sources from above? Then look up, and behold what will be your portion in the coming time of judgment on the earth? You will be with the Lord Himself, the One who is the judge; and to be with the One who has loved us so much, and to be like Him too. Never more to grieve Him, nor bring dishonor on His name, will far more than make up for any trials or difficulties we have had to pass through in the path of faith and obedience down here.
The apostle Paul, who passed through more trials than any one ever did experience except the Lord Himself (see 2 Cor. 11), says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18).)
Is not all this blessing worth anything and everything that this poor world can give? Can you find anything to equal it?
Let us then be as Christ would have us, walking in the path of faith and obedience, that when He comes we may not be ashamed before Him at His coming.