THE RELUCTANT PATRIARCH Saturday November 23, 2013 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come (Hebrews 11:20). Isaac is a fascinating Old Testament character. He was Abrahams long-awaited son, the covenant child, the child of promise. Yet aside from that, he was rather ordinary, passive, and quiet. Just over two chapters of Genesis center on him, whereas the other patriarchs (Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph) command about twelve chapters each. In the final analysis, Isaac believed God and submitted to His will. But overall, his spiritual character seems more reluctant than resolute. After a famine prompted Isaac to move his family to Gerar (a Philistine city on the border between Palestine and Egypt), he received a vision from the Lord. In it God passed on to Isaac the covenant promises He had made to Abraham: Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 26:3-4). You would think such promises would infuse Isaac with boldness and confidence, yet no sooner had he received them, then he lied to the men of Gerar about his wife, Rebekah, because he feared they might kill him to have her (verse 7). It was only with great difficulty and prodding that the Lord finally brought Isaac into the Promised Land, where He once again repeated the covenant promises (versos 23-24). Later in his life Isaac even sought to bless his son Esau after Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob (25:33). Only after he realized that Gods choice of Jacob was irreversible did Isaac acquiesce. Isaac is a vivid reminder of how believers can forfeit joy and blessing by disobeying God. But hes also a reminder of Gods faithfulness, even toward reluctant saints. Is your obedience reluctant or resolute? Suggestions for Prayer: • Thank God for His unwavering faithfulness to you. • Seek His forgiveness when your obedience is reluctant or withheld altogether. • Ask Him to teach you to love Him in the same unwavering, resolute way He loves you. For Further Study: Read of Isaac in Genesis 25:19; 26:34. From Drawing Near by John MacArthur. May God continue richly blessing you / Dios continúe bendiciéndole ricamente! Jesús Martín Romero
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:48:55 +0000
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