Abraham – Proclaim The Christ

Genesis provides for us some great and godly stories of the beginning of time, as well as, the beginning of great ministries. One of the most important virtues to God in Genesis was obedience. God spoke and the world and everything within it came into existence. All creation was obedient to God’s command. But this wasn’t the case with man in every instance.

Man having the ability to think and reason, along with free-will, made decisions and choices that did not always demonstrate obedience to God. This was especially true when fear rather than faith entered into man’s heart. Fear competes with faith to try to over-rule obedience. Faith tells a person to trust and obey God’s commands, but fear competes with faith to try to stop or over-rule obedience to God.

In Genesis chapter 22 there is a man named Abraham. He is commanded by God to sacrifice his son. This is a pivotal point in the life and ministry of Abraham. God had promised Abraham that He would make Abraham the “Father of Many Nations”. In other words, God had big plans for Abraham. But, first God had to be sure that Abraham could be obedient and faithful to His commands.

God had a ministry for Abraham that would change a nation of people and the world.” God would provide everything that was needed in Abraham’s ministry. God would provide the necessary people, resources, and opportunities. In Genesis 22 we read that God provided an opportunity for Abraham to demonstrate obedience and faithfulness.

As Abraham began his faith opportunity journey, he quickly learned that everyone and everything wouldn’t be part of that journey. Some people and things would not be part of the journey, especially when the journey leads to higher and higher levels of service.

Let’s examine “Leave the Ass (donkey) at the bottom of the Mountain”.

Theme: “Leave the Ass (donkey) at the bottom of the Mountain”

Scripture Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 (KJV)

Focus Scripture: Genesis 22:5 (KJV)

And Abraham said to his young men, Abide you here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Reflection:

So, Abraham arose early traveling with his son Isaac, two young men, and an ass (donkey). They eventually reached the base of Mount Moriah. Arriving at the destination, Abraham had the two young men, and the ass remain at the base of the mountain. The two young men and the ass could not make the trip up the mountain with Abraham and his son, Isaac.

If we look at the symbolism of this story, we note that only Abraham and his sacrifice (son, Isaac) could go up the mountain. Abraham was to leave the two young men and the ass at the base of the mountain. This is a lesson that when God gives you important work to do; you have to leave some people and the ass behind at the base of the mountain. They are not called to climb the mountain with you. It is a journey you must make on your own.

People must be left behind because they will be of no further help to you on the upward climb. The ass must be left behind, because it is an ass both literally and figuratively. In other words, the ass is capable of carrying heavy loads, but it is also at times stubborn and not too smart. So, the ass must be left behind because physical strength is not needed for the journey. Only faith and obedience is needed.

So, don’t hesitate to leave behind that which will only hinder your upward climb.

Amen!

Father’s Day is a holiday in the United States in which fathers or paternal bonds are acknowledged. In 1910, the first recognized Father’s Day celebration occurred. Some believe it was in reaction to the acknowledgement of Mother’s Day as a needed complement.

Christians acknowledge secular Father’s Day, and acknowledge the greatest sacred example of modeling fatherhood as seen in God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). God also provided in His Holy Word other examples of fatherhood. The one I will highlight in this writing is the father and son relationship of Abraham and Isaac. Their example is one of paternal trust and obedience to God regardless of the circumstances and potential outcomes. It is an example that highlights love of God first, which leads to godly love of family.

A summary of Abraham and son Isaac is as follows:

One day God told Abraham to take his son Isaac, and to journey into the land of Mount Moriah. There he was to build an altar and offer Isaac as a sacrifice. It was a strange command, but Abraham knew that God would not bid him do what was wrong, and believed that even if he slew his son, God was able to raise him to life again. So he rose early in the morning saddled his ass, took two of his young men, and wood for the fire; and then, accompanied by Isaac, started on his journey.

On the third day they came near the place God had pointed out, and Abraham left the young men with the ass, while he and his son journeyed up the mountain alone.

As they went along, Isaac — who carried the wood, while his father carried the knife and the fire, said: “My father.” And Abraham replied, “Here am I, my son.” Then Isaac said: “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham answered: “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”

The altar was built, Isaac was bound and laid upon it, and Abraham’s arm was uplifted to strike the blow that was to take his son’s life away. Then God called to Abraham, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.” Abraham looked up, and behind him saw a ram which was caught in a thicket by its horns; this he took and offered as a sacrifice to God.

(Summary from: http://www.gospelweb.net/YouthItems/abrahamandisaac.htm)

Let’s examine the modeling of fatherhood per the Holy Bible.

Theme: “Modeling Fatherhood for the Generations”

Scripture Readings: Genesis 22:1-19 (NIV)

Reflection:

If we examine the story of Abraham and Isaac there is much to be learned. Here are the main points we realize from the story:

Abraham was a father who talked with and had a relationship with God (…God told Abraham to take his son Isaac to Mt. Moriah)
Abraham spent quality time with his son Isaac in obedience to God (…took a journey together)
Abraham had trained his son in making sacrifices to God
Abraham did not rely on his own reasoning or rationale but followed God’s commands
Abraham started his day making God’s instruction a priority (…he arose early to begin his service to God)
Abraham got others involved in God’s service
Abraham realized that everyone was not privileged to be a part of God’s purpose and plan for his life (…his servants did not ascend the mountain with him)
Abraham involved his son and family in God’s work
Abraham protected his family (…he carried the dangerous items of the fire and knife)
Abraham taught his son the importance of shared labor (…his son carried the wood)
Abraham taught his son the need to offer his life to God
Abraham taught his son that God would provide what was needed
Abraham taught his son total trust in his father and the God they served
Abraham acknowledged that everything and everyone belongs to the Sovereign God
Abraham learned that God prefers obedience to sacrifice
Abraham learned that God has resources that we know nothing about
Abraham discerned the Will of God
Abraham accepted that his children belonged to God
Abraham learned that God gives and takes away (blessed be the Name of God)

So, as we reflect on Fatherhood and recognize fathers and paternal figures in our lives reflect on what we can learn from Abraham; the man God called to be the “Father of many Nations” (Genesis 17:5).

Amen!