Daily Bread for Jan 7, Gen 22-24

Today’s reading is Gen 22-24.

Notice a few things as we go through Abraham's story.

First, for all the false accusations we hear about the God of the Old Testament (OT) being angry and the God of the New Testament being about love, we see incredible grace exhibited by God toward Abraham. God chooses Abraham and makes a covenant with him. Disregarding Abraham's lengthy line of stumbles and failings, God remains true to His word and repeatedly blesses Abraham. There are sometimes consequences for Abraham’s actions (Ishmael), but God neither abandons nor forsakes Abraham.

Second, ever since he was chosen, Abraham was the instrument of either God's blessings or His curses. God either blesses those who bless Abraham or curses those who oppose him. God is setting another pattern in place. Those who accept and bless His people will be blessed. Those who oppose and oppress them will fall under judgment.

In the scenario involving the sacrifice of Isaac in Gen 22:1-14, Abraham finds out his commitment to God must be total and without reservation. God must occupy the highest priority in Abraham's life, even higher than that of the fulfillment of the promise! Abraham must trust God implicitly, even when things don't make sense, even when following His commandments may be extremely difficult. Ultimately, Isaac is spared but only at the last moment. Abraham learns that God does not want his son but his trust. In trusting God completely, Abraham receives God’s fullest blessing.

The sacrifice takes place in the land of Moriah on the “mount of the Lord” (Gen 22:15). This may well be Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the future site of the temple. Don’t miss the significance of this event. The first time we hear about this mountain, it involves a story about a man willing to sacrifice his son, the son of promise.

Sarah dies, and Abraham buys land in Canaan (Gen 23), insisting on paying the price for it. This has a long-term impact as well. Now Abraham has a valid, documented claim to land in the Promised Land. This gives his descendants a right to be there. God's promise is legally and forensically fulfilled. (Gen 12:7; 13:14-17; 15:18-21). Still, Abraham considers himself a foreigner in a foreign land (Gen 23:4). He realizes he has a claim to the land, but he and his people do not yet possess all of it, not to the extent that has been promised.

Gen 24 provides a stunning example of God's sovereign influence on human events in the story of how Isaac gets a wife. Abraham's servant is supernaturally guided over 500 miles (about a month's journey) to Rebekah in Nahor, a city in Haran. 

Note that the servant places his trust in God to show him the right woman for Isaac (Gen 24:13-14). This man is in a strange land among people who do not know him. He must find a bride for a young man who is not with him then take that young woman away to a foreign land. Wisely, he asks God to help him. God leaves no doubt as to the woman He has chosen for Isaac’s bride.

Interestingly, there is no courtship, no dating, no time of seeing if they’re compatible. The relationship between Isaac and Rebekah will be based entirely on God having sovereignly placed them together. God gives them the foundation. They will work through the joys and trials of building a relationship together.