Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Genesis 21 - 24 ESV

Abraham was introduced in chapter 11 and his life story continues through Genesis 25:11. The Bible’s account of Abraham is very believable and can leave you with a feeling of a near relative to him as if he was a family member of heroic proportions in the distant past.

The remainder of the Old Testament is about Abraham’s descendants. This is recognized by the reverence they give to his memory. It was for them, (national Israel), a great source of pride to be remembered as children of Abraham.

In the chapters of interest, 21-24, there are some characteristics of Abraham that make him a giant of faith to those who read and believe the Scriptures.

They are:

1. Genesis 21:11-12

11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son.

12 But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.

Abraham loved Ishmael and desired that he receive God’s care and blessings, but he accepted separation from Ishmael in obedience to God.

2. Genesis 22:1-3

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."

2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

Abraham loved Isaac as his God-given heir but accepted God’s command to personally sacrifice him is obedience to God.

3. Genesis 24:2-4; 8

2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh,

3 that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,

4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there."

Abraham desired a bride for Isaac from his Syrian kinsmen, but he would accept a failure in finding a wife among his family to maintain the separation from them in obedience to God.

As the writer of Hebrews tells his readers, it is by faith first and last that Abraham obeyed. In the final analysis it is faith that makes the difference with Abraham. And as it was with him, so it always is and shall ever be obedience to the Word of God that demonstrates that faith.