pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Isaac


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The Lord Provides

Reading: Genesis 22:1-8

Genesis 22:8 – “The lamb for the entirely burned offering? God will see to it, my son. The two of them walked on together.”

As a young man Abram heard God’s call to leave his home and family, going to the place that God “will show you.” Once there, God again spoke, promising him very, very numerous descendants in the land God brought him to. After taking the making of an heir into their own hands, God again spoke, renaming and telling Abraham and Sarah that they would indeed have a son – at 99 and 90, respectively.

Isaac is soon born to this very aged couple. With great heartache the heir Abram and Sarai schemed is sent away into the wilderness. And then, about a dozen or so years later, God says to Abraham, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac… Offer him up as an entirely burned offering.” Say what?!

As we read in verse 3, Abraham is faithful to God. With wood, fire, knife, and Isaac in tow, Abraham sets out for the mountain that God “will show you.” Leaving the servants at the base of that mountain, Abraham says to them, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.” As God has done again and again in his life, Abraham expects God to provide again.

As Abraham and Isaac ascend the mountain, the boys asks, “But where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?” The wood, the fire, the knife – they’re all here. Where is the lamb? Oh yes, Isaac, the lamb. Abraham says to his son, “God will see to it, my son. The two of them walked on together.” With great faith, Abraham trusts in his God, believing that the Lord will provide. Set up as a test, Abraham’s faith is stronger than this test. May it be so for you and for me when we have the choice to doubt or to trust in the Lord. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the God that provides. You were there for Abraham. You will be there for Isaac. You were there for Isaiah when you said, “The LORD will guide you continually and provide for you, even in parched places. He will rescue your bones. You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water that won’t run dry” (Isaiah 58:11.) You offer us the same promises when we walk forward in faith. Lead and guide us on our walk today, O God. Amen.


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Abiding Faith

Readings: Genesis 46, Genesis 47, Genesis 48, Genesis 49, Genesis 50

Genesis 50:24 – “God will certainly take care of you and bring you out of this land to the land he promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Photo credit: Niko Photos

Today we conclude the book of Genesis. In these 15 days we’ve covered the first half of the early story of God’s people. As chapter 46 begins Israel and his entire household move to Egypt, settling in Goshen, “the land’s best location.” There is a joyous reunion with Joseph and a sincere and respectful welcome from Pharaoh. This reflects the place of honor that Joseph has risen to in Egypt.

The famine worsens. The people have given all of their silver for grain. The next year they give their livestock and in the next year they give their land. All now belongs to Pharaoh. Joseph gives the people seed to plant the land. 1/5 of the crops will go to Pharaoh. The people will keep and live off the remaining 4/5.

Chapter 48 begins with Israel blessing Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He makes them equal to all of his other sons – Reuben, Simeon, Levi… Israel also blessed Ephraim over Manasseh. Ephraim will be greater. Joseph is also blessed. Israel gives him an extra portion of the promised land. Then, in the next chapter, the “blessings” continue. Judah, the fourth son, is elevated to the place of firstborn son. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi’s misdeeds have disqualified them. Judah will be the leader and the line that produces kings. The chapter closes with Israel expressing his wish to be buried with his ancestors.

The final chapter in Genesis begins with the grand burial of Israel in the cave that Abraham had bought from the Hittites. His death triggers a fear in Joseph’s brothers. So they concoct a lie, trying to protect themselves. Joseph assures them of his love and care. But even moreso, he reminds them of God’s hand guiding it all. Joseph also reminds them of the covenant promise made “to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Joseph expresses his wish to be buried in Canaan, in the Promised Land, before he dies, closing out the book of Genesis . What great faith Joseph expressed in God. May our lives reflect this abiding Faith too.

Prayer: Lord God, this part of the story ends yet points forward to the covenant promises. Throughout we see a deep faith in your plan. That plan and pointing yields the next stages in the Israelites’ journey. May our deep faith in you lead us on our continuing journey of faith as well. Amen.


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What a Tale!

Readings: Genesis 28:10-22, Genesis 29, Genesis 30

Genesis 29:30 – “Jacob slept with Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban seven more years.”

Photo credit: Patrick Schneider

As we wrap up chapter 28 Jacob has a dream. He sees a stairway connecting earth and heaven. The Lord appears to Jacob and reiterates the covenant promises made to Abraham and to Isaac: many descendants and the promised land. The Lord also adds promises of presence, protection, and guidance. Jacob recognizes the sacredness of this place and of this encounter. He sets up a sacred pillar and names the place “Bethel” – the house of God. And, yet, Jacob’s faith is still immature. In verse 20 he begins, “If God…” The relationship is still very conditional.

In chapter 29 Jacob arrives in Haran and soon meets Rachel and then Laban, her dad. Laban welcomes Jacob. After a month, Laban asks Jacob’s price for his labor. Jacob offers 7 years of labor in exchange for marrying Rachel. After 7 years, the night comes. There is a great banquet and much celebration. Jacob awakens in the morning to find Leah in his tent. He must work 7 more years for Rachel. Older before the younger, you know – customs!

What follows next would put the best ever soap opera to great shame. Leah is unloved so God opens her womb. She thought sons would make Jacob love her. After son 4, she instead praises God for the gift of another son. To get in the game Rachel gives her servant girl to Jacob. This produces 2 sons. To try to again win his favor (or to compete with her sister), Leah gives her servant girl to Jacob. 2 more sons. Then God “responds” to Leah again – 2 more sons and a daughter! Finally God “remembers” Rachel and she bears Jacob a son, taking away her shame.

In Genesis 30:25 Jacob declares his desire to go back home. But he has no wealth. He worked 14 years to pay the customary bride price. He had left home with nothing. Laban sees Jacob’s presence has blessed him, so he agrees to an arrangement to build Jacob’s flocks – the only measure of wealth at this time. Both men try to trick and outwit the other. Laban steals livestock and Jacob manipulates the mating. Jacob ends up “very, very rich.” What a tale we are weaving! The story continues tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, blessing, competition, jealousy, the gift of children, trickery and theft. Phew! Promises, a God who sees, provides, loves. Ah… Today we turn pages and read an almost unfathomable tale. And then we pause and realize that this is still our world, still our lives today. Lord, when we are tempted by status or power or possessions, remind us of where we find our true identity and worth – in our relationship with you. Amen.


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A Twisted Tale!

Readings: Genesis 25:19-34, Genesis 26, Genesis 27, Genesis 28:1-9

Genesis 27:27: “So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him.”

Continuing with the rest of chapter 25 today, Jacob and Esau are about to be born. The violent fighting in the womb leads Rebekah to seek the Lord. God reveals to her two truths: the twins will be two nations and the older will serve the younger. This revelation drives the story going forward. Esau loves the outdoors, Jacob the indoors. Esau is loved by Isaac, Jacob by Rebekah. As the chapter ends, the heel-grabber takes advantage of Esau’s hunger, stealing the birthright for some stew. Esau is short-sighted. Jacob is calculating.

In chapter 26 a famine forces a move. Once in Gerar, Isaac lies about Rebekah: “She’s my sister.” Same lie, one generation later. King Abimelech discovers the rouse and prevents any curses. God blessed Isaac and the Philistines get very jealous, forcing Isaac to move away. There’s some fighting over wells but finally Isaac finds space and good water – signs of God’s blessing. Abimelech realizes this and comes and makes a treaty with Isaac.

Isaac has grown old as chapter 27 begins. As death nears, it is time to bless Esau, the oldest and his favorite. Going against cultural norms, Isaac invites only Esau to the blessing. But Rebekah overhears and schemes to steal the blessing for Jacob. Or is she just trying to make sure God’s revelation comes true…? The planning and execution are thorough – food, animal skins, clothing. It all works only after Isaac smells “Esau.” In verse 27 we read, “So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him.” Afterwards, both Esau and Isaac are furious. Esau plots to murder Jacob. In response, Rebekah tricks Isaac into sending Jacob away to find a wife from their kin. In spite, Esau married yet another Canaanite woman, this time it is Ishmael’s daughter.

What a twisted tale we weave! Lies, deception, theft, anger, revenge. Or… is it all just God’s plan working itself out?… Before we dismiss these evil actions, let us realize that we too can go down these roads (or make similar evil choices.) As was the case long ago, in the midst of poor choices and evil actions God can and will work to accomplish God’s plans. For this unending grace and love that we too experience, we say thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as it was with our ancestors, so it is with us. These evil traits displayed long ago are certainly alive and well in our world and even in our lives. Lord, first help us to see this in ourselves. Then bend us towards the good. Give us the patience to trust into your plans. Grant us the courage to be grace and love when others are unkind to or are deceitful with us. Lead us in the way that we should go. Amen.


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God Is So Faithful

Readings: Genesis 24, Genesis 25:1-18

Genesis 25:27: “Bless the LORD, God of my master Abraham, who hasn’t given up his loyalty and his faithfulness to my master.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

The bulk of today’s reading covers finding a suitable wife for Isaac. In the culture of the day, that meant finding a wife from within one’s kinship group. This would insure continuity of religious and cultural norms and beliefs. Abram has married from within his kinship group and knew that was essential for his son Isaac too. Living as “temporary immigrants” in a foreign land, Abraham knew how important this would be for Isaac and for his future descendants. What follows is an amazing story of our faithful God at work.

The story begins with the oldest servant swearing an oath to Abraham to try to carry out his wishes for Isaac’s wife. Abraham is sure that God will go before and will guide this process, providing the right wife for Isaac. Arriving at the well outside of Nahor’s city, the servant prays to God for a woman who will give him a drink and then will water his ten camels. Rebekah does exactly that. The servant gazes in awe and wonder as this scene unfolds. He praises God, saying, “Bless the LORD, God of my master Abraham, who hasn’t given up his loyalty and his faithfulness to my master.” Once at the family home, he recounts the whole story. Essentially asking to take Rebekah back home with him to marry Isaac, both dad and brother respond, “This is all the Lord’s doing.” The next day the journey home begins. On arrival, Isaac and Rebekah meet each other and are married.

All set in order, Abraham makes final arrangements. He wills everything to his son Isaac and sends his second wife and their children far away. Abraham dies at 175. Isaac and Ishmael bury their father with Sarah. It is beautiful that both “first sons” are a part of this. Our reading closes with another example of God’s love and faithfulness. Ishmael dies at 137, leaving a line of 12 sons/princes to build his “great nation,” as promised by God to Hagar and Abraham. Our God is so faithful and true. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a powerful witness to who and what you are! All unfolds exactly as you had it planned and we, like the servant, stand in awe and wonder. From that posture, Lord, may we step forward in faith each day, trusting in you to guide and lead our steps as we seek to do your will. Amen.


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Connection, Belonging, Faith

Readings: Genesis 21, Genesis 22, Genesis 23

Genesis 22:7 – “Isaac said, ‘Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?’”

Chapter 21 brings a shift in the family dynamics. Sarah gives birth to Isaac. Her laughter of doubt and shame turns to the laughter of joy and celebration. As Isaac grows so too does the tension over the inheritance. This leads to Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. God assures Abraham of their future too, so he is able to send his firstborn son away. Death soon feels near and Hagar and Ishmael cry out to God. Once again God sees her and hears their cries. God promises to make him into a “great nation.” The chapter closes with Abraham making a treaty with Abimelech. This secures water rights for an immigrant living in a foreign land. This reality comes up again in chapter 23.

In chapter 22 God tests Abraham. He is instructed to sacrifice Isaac – his one and only son, again in a place that God will reveal. Showing radical obedience once more, Abraham rises early, chops the wood, and heads out – the fire, the knife, and also Isaac in tow. Leaving the two servants behind, Abraham says to them, “The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.” Carrying the wood himself and seeing the fire, Isaac asks, “But where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?” Abraham’s response – “God will see to it” – demonstrates his faith. Going so far as to raise the knife over Isaac then demonstrates his trust. God intervenes, providing a ram. Then God reiterates the covenant promise of many, many descendants.

Sarah dies at the beginning of chapter 23. After grieving for her, Abraham goes to the Hittites – the locals – to buy land to bury Sarah. He is at their mercy. Abraham is a temporary immigrant. After some culturally necessary back and forth, he buys land at a very high price. It provides a burial space and it begins a social relationship with the Hittites. To a small degree, they have now become “family.” There is connection and there is belonging, something we all need.

Prayer: Lord God, as the story progresses we see that you do not change. You are faithful, you provide, you are grace. Abraham experiences all of these things again and again as he walks faithfully and obediently with you. Encourage and guide us as we seek to walk this same walk. As we do, Lord, bless us too with your care, your provision, your grace. Amen.


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Covenant Faithfulness

Readings: Genesis 15, Genesis 16, Genesis 17

Genesis 17:7-8 – “I will be your God and your descendants’ God after you. I will give you… the whole land of Canaan.”

Today we begin with God’s promise to Abram of a biological heir. To illustrate the abundance of God’s promise, Abram is invited to look to the stars – “this is how many children you will have.” A sacrifice seals the covenant promise. As fire, God passes through the sacrifice, sealing God’s commitment to the covenant. Within this section God also reiterates and ties in the promise of this land for Abram’s descendants.

In chapter 16 we see Abram and Sarai taking matters into their own hands. It has been about 15 years since God first promised them descendants. Abram sleeps with Hagar, Sarai’s slave girl. Her pregnancy creates a rift in the family. Treated harshly by Sarai, Hagar runs away. God meets her there and promises Ishmael a large family, land… Hagar names God “El Roi” – the God who sees me. She returns to Sarai and Abram with God’s assurances of blessings.

Chapter 17 brings a reaffirmation of the covenant promises. “El Shaddai” – the God of power and might – invites Abram to walk with God. Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah. This name change signals a new era and status for them. God initiates circumcision on the 8th day of life as a symbol of the covenant, saying, “Your flesh will embody my covenant as an enduring covenant.” That very day Abraham will circumcise his entire household, including himself at 99 years old. God assures Abraham and Sarah that the covenant will be fulfilled through their son Isaac. God tells them that Ishmael will be blessed too, but the covenant will run through Isaac’s descendants.

Reflecting on Abraham’s actions in these chapters, I wonder which Abraham I am most often like. Am I more often like the one who takes things into his own hands? Or am I more often like the one that acts on God’s word right then and now?

Prayer: Lord God, most of the time Abram/Abraham was a great example of faith. Guide me to be so obedient and faithful. At times, though, he stumbled and failed. At times, I do too. As you did with Abraham, continue to walk with me. Amen.


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Provision

Reading: Genesis 22:6-14

Verse 14: “So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide.'”

In our Genesis 22 reading God provides the ram as the sacrifice. Isaac is lifted off the altar and he is replaced by this ram. It dies in his place, much as Jesus died in our place to pay the price for our sins. The ram does so that the child can live. In an act of gratitude and worship, Abraham names the place “Jehovah Jireh” – the Lord will provide.

God continues to provide for our needs. Sometimes it is by giving us the words to speak, sometimes it is by guiding us to the correct action to take. And sometimes words fail and God is directing us to simply provide presence. God provides in many other ways. A door can be opened, another closed. A meal or help in some other form can show up unexpected and meet a need.

We too can be used by God as the means of provision. Many years ago, for example, a family in our church was struggling financially. A group got together and left $1,000 in a blank envelope in their mailbox. Our financial blessings are often a way that we can be part of God providing a blessing for others. It can also be something as simple as a card or phone call – hearing “it came exactly when I needed it most” assures us of God’s hand guiding and providing.

The keys to both receiving from God and being used by God to provide for others begins with an open ear, followed closely by a willing heart. May we all be receptive to God’s working in and through us as God loves and provides for our needs.

Prayer: Lord God, use me today to accomplish your will. Use my words or my hands and feet, use my presence, O God, as you seek to love and care for our world and for all of your children. And when your will turns to me, may I humbly receive all that you have for me. Amen.


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Provision

Reading: Genesis 22:6-14

Verse 14: “So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide.'”

In our Genesis 22 reading God provides the ram as the sacrifice. Isaac is lifted off the altar and he is replaced by this ram. It dies in his place, much as Jesus died in our place to pay the price for our sins. The ram does so that the child can live. In an act of gratitude and worship, Abraham names the place “Jehovah Jireh” – the Lord will provide.

God continues to provide for our needs. Sometimes it is by giving us the words to speak, sometimes it is by guiding us to the correct action to take. And sometimes words fail and God is directing us to simply provide presence. God provides in many other ways. A door can be opened, another closed. A meal or help in some other form can show up unexpected and meet a need.

We too can be used by God as the means of provision. Many years ago, for example, a family in our church was struggling financially. A group got together and left $1,000 in a blank envelope in their mailbox. Our financial blessings are often a way that we can be part of God providing a blessing for others. It can also be something as simple as a card or phone call – hearing “it came exactly when I needed it most” assures us of God’s hand guiding and providing.

The keys to both receiving from God and being used by God to provide for others begins with an open ear, followed closely by a willing heart. May we all be receptive to God’s working in and through us as God loves and provides for our needs.

Prayer: Lord God, use me today to accomplish your will. Use my words or my hands and feet, use my presence, O God, as you seek to love and care for our world and for all of your children. And when your will turns to me, may I humbly receive all that you have for me. Amen.


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How Might I Respond?

Reading: Genesis 22:1-14

Verse 12: “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

We begin this week with Genesis 22. I marvel at Abraham’s faith and commitment to God. In the last chapter he cast out his firstborn son into the wilderness. In today’s text God once again challenges Abraham, asking him to sacrifice Isaac. I look at Abraham’s faith and wonder how I would respond if I had to stand in his shoes.

In our text today God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable. Abraham cuts and gathers the wood. He prepares for the journey, taking with him the fire and the knife. Abraham journeys with Isaac and two servants towards the mountain. Leaving the servants behind as they near the mountain, Abraham and Isaac continue on. Each action and each step is a step in faith and trust.

When Isaac notes the wood and the fire, but asks about the lamb, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb.” Reaching the place, Abraham builds an altar, arranges the wood, and then binds and places Isaac on the altar. Knife in hand, Abraham is ready to follow through on God’s directive. It is here that an angel of the Lord intercedes, saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.”

Continuing, the angel says, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham has proven his faith. Put to the ultimate test, Abraham demonstrates his full trust in God. Again I wonder, how might I respond?

Prayer: Lord God, what an example of faith and trust in you! What a model of obedience. Lord, build up in me a faith and trust that would respond as Abraham responded. Amen.