God Keeps His Promise
Text: Genesis 21-23
Focus Text: Genesis 21:2-6; 22: 1,2,8,10-18
Our thought: God cannot lie and will always keep His Word. We must walk by "faith" and [always] depend on His "promises".
As "born again" children of God we must know that our salvation depends on God. Not only on Him but "the promises He makes"! That's where I place my faith. My faith is in His Word and that's where all our faith should be.
The Bible says:
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; [that ye may know that ye have eternal life], and [that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God].
We will learn of the faith of Abraham in these chapters and we need to pay attention. Abraham left everything in Ur of the Chaldee(Iraq) to follow and serve the Lord.
You know there are many today living in Iraq who are learning to trust in the Lord Jesus and they are being persecuted to death as false religion will always try to stamp out the truth of God. They may also have to leave everything behind.
Abraham struggled in his faith just as we all do but God needed for Abraham to be sure in his own heart. God already knew! We can learn much in the Book of Genesis for it is the basis of the entire Bible. The Doctrine of God opens up to us all in this great Book of the Bible.
We must learn from every past victory because everyday will be a new challenge for us. Satan will never quit until God throws him into that lake of fire. It is always best to trust in the Word of God just as it is written (rightly divided). When we add our own theology to God's word we are bound for trouble.
After 25 years in Canaan land Sarah at the age 90 was the recipient of one of God's miracles. She bore the "promised" seed. This the seed where from that seed would follow to the "One Seed", Jesus Christ.,
What we see when we study God's Word is that God will do everything He says He will do. It's not so much the time of events in the Bible but the TIMING of events in the Bible. We may never understand and it will be that way until the Rapture of the Church.
2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are yea, and in him Amen], unto the glory of God by us.
The promises of God are many. To Abraham, to Israel, to the New Testament Church, and to ALL His Children. God will never break a single one of His promises.
The Bible says:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 [Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ].
And again:
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: [for he shall save his people from their sins].
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
**********Our text:
Gen 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Gen 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
Gen 21:4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Gen 21:5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
Gen 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
*****There is no haphazardness with God. There is no hit and miss with God. He does
all things according to His schedule.
The Bible says:
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 [For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?]
*****He called him Isaac: The Name Isaac means "laughter". No one explains this better than Sarah herself.
"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, [so that all that hear will laugh with me]."
You know God had made her laugh when He said she would bear this child.
Gen 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
To Abraham it was a laugh of joy. Sarah said every time she called her son Isaac, she would remember her mocking laugh that had become a laughter of joy in her old age. A laughter of unbelief had become a laughter of joyous celebration.
There is nothing wrong or irreverent about laughing in the Spirit of God:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, [yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory]:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
You see it was God that brought laughter to the tent of Sarah. God wants us happy even in this life on Earth.
******Abraham was obedient and circumcises Isaac on his eighth day. Remember also, a baby on the eighth day is lest susceptible to infection than at any other point in their lifetime.
The Number 8: Is the number of new beginnings in the Bible. Pentecost the eighth day the beginning of the Church among many others. The Lord's day is the eighth day. The 8 saved souls in the ark just to name a few.
Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born. He had been traveling in Canaan land for 25 years.
Why did God take so long?
In typology the world would see that Isaac could only have come by miracle of God. You see Jesus Christ could also only come by a miracle of God. The "virgin" birth.
So what is typology?
Really typology is a Bible story that has deeper "Spiritual truth". This time of Abraham and Isaac lay the ground work for Spiritual truth throughout the Bible.
*****Isaac as a "type" of Christ:
1.) Isaac was prophesied: Gen 17:16
Christ: Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2.) There would be an appointed time: Gen 21:2
Christ: Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
3.) It would be by Heavenly messenger: Gen 17:19
Christ: Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
4.) The miracle births: Gen 18:12
Christ: Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
5.) They both, sons of prophesy: Gen 21:2
Christ: Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This goes further, and we will shortly but first let's contrast Ishmael with Isaac according to God's word.
Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Ishmael was a picture or type of the flesh or a result of fleshy control. Isaac was a picture of spirit or an example of life through Spiritual control.
Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
What are the works of the flesh?
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What are the works of the Spirit or the Fruits?
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We may try to imitate the fruits of the Spirit in our lives but only the Holy Spirit can make us spiritual. We can never bear the fruits of the Spirit by doing the works of the flesh.
The type of Isaac's name meaning laughter is our joy that Christ Jesus brings to our lives.
When we operate in the flesh the results will always be failure and misery. Remember it was 13 years from the birth of Ishmael before God came back into the lives of Abraham and Sarah and gave them the victory. When we depend on Jesus we will always have victory. BUT The Lord will allow us to experience life and endure failures UNTIL WE GET A FIRM HOLD TO THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD.
**********Our text:
Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
*****"it came to pass": This phrase is used 452 times in the KJV Bible. God wants us to know His Word will be just as He says it will. These things will come and they will pass by, in hope that we learn from them.
*****after these things: What things?
1.) Abraham had cast out Hagar and Ishmael
2.) God had saved the lives of Hagar and Ishmael
3.) Ishmael had gotten an Egyptian wife by his mother.
4.) Abraham had made the first peace treaty recorded in the Bible.
"Beersheba" means the well of the oath. The Hebrew term "shaw bah" used here tells of the oath. It is said that to repeat the same promise seven times is a sign you mean it, it is an oath. Abraham had offered the seven ewe lambs as the sign of his covenant with the Philistine.
What all this means is that some time had passed and Isaac was no longer a small child. Some say he could have been in his early thirties. That could be true but I believe he was a teenager.
The word tempt used here does not mean God tempted Abraham with sin.
The Bible says:
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
"Tempt" used in this passage means to try or prove a person. Presenting a choice to a person in hope he will make the right choice. To prove outwardly what is inward in the heart of man.
God proved to Abraham what was in his own heart. God already knew because God looks into the heart of man.
Human sacrifice was a well known practise of the Canaanites in the land where Abraham lived but there is no record of it among the ancestors of Abraham. Just ask a true parent such as Job, to give up Isaac would be as giving up all that he had, for he certainly would have done that for the life of his child Isaac. Abraham understood the covenant of God. There could be no more complete test of devotion to God than was laid on Abraham.
How often will God put our faith on trial? Our faith is our witnessing ability. Our faith is on trial every day we live for Jesus. Our faith is precious. Without it we are lost in a dying world.
Peter wrote:
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, [to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ]:
*****The word Moriah means "chosen of Jehovah"
1Ki 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
Mount Moriah is the location of the City of Jerusalem and the exact location of the threshing floor of Ornan, which became the Temple Mount. Golgotha is also in this area(Mount Calvary).
To Abraham what God had promised, He was about to take away.
Let's watch the faith of Abraham and the picture of Isaac: (God will provide "Himself" a lamb).
1.) He rose early: Gen 22:3
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
2.) He took two witness: Gen 22:3
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
3.) Isaac a picture of Christ:
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
4.) The third day:
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5.) Abraham told his two witnesses that [he and the boy would return], would come again. Gen 22:5
You will search hard to find a verse that shows more faith than this statement of Abraham.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? [this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven].
6.) Abraham believed God was able to raise Isaac from the dead even if he slay him and burned him for a sacrifice to God.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, [the heirs with him of the same promise]:
7.) Abraham believed that the promise of God could not fail:
Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; [for in Isaac shall thy seed be called].
God was planning the future around Isaac:
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 [Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure].
8.) The work of Christ:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
9.) The picture of the cross: Gen 22:6
Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
He carried the weight of sin!
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
10.) Isaac was old enough to know yet he humbled himself in obedience to his father: Gen 22:7,8
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
11.) Where is the Lamb: Gen 22:7,8
Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Joh 1:35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
Joh 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
12.) The appointed place the altar: Gen 22:9
Luk 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Mar 10:33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
Mar 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
13.) It's all about faith:
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God [must believe that he is], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
This is the faith Abraham had!
Jesus said to his disciples:
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
We have seen the faith of Abraham in God. How do we compare?
God is freely willing to give us all things if we only believe!
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, [how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?]
You see Isaac would have been insufficient as a sacrifice for any sin but his own and it would have really required his death.
The wages of sin is death!
God would never have allowed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac:
The Bible says:
Lev 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, [neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God]: I am the LORD.
Isaac was saved from death and in typology and was received back to life.
Jesus Christ was delivered from death, Hell, and the grave.
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
The soul of Jesus never saw corruption:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Jesus arose on that third day:
Mar 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
***********The title "Jehovah-Jireh":
The phrase means "God will see" Gen 22:14 says "In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen".
To put this perspective it says "God will see to it". In other words "The Lord will provide".
*****We can see that the angel was watching over Isaac all the time. They had the safety of Isaac under control. The angels watch over every child of God and they did Jesus also.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Abraham had developed through these trials and his years into a mature child of God.
The Bible says:
You know God is tired of meaningless sacrifices:
Isa 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
He wants the real thing:
Isa 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Isa 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
He says it again He will never be pleased with the works of man:
Mic 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
God does not ask to much of us, certainly nothing unreasonable:
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
This is the sacrifice of devotion God seeks in our lives. He doesn't ask us to be an Abraham. He does ask us to have faith and believe in His Word.
Let's pray!
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