2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
In our efforts to better understand the eternal nature of our covenants with God, we went back yesterday to the topic of circumcision as a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. While at the same time that Abraham took on certain commitments associated with his covenant relationship with God, that covenant was also a road to freedom if kept. You will remember that early on in GN 15: 13 & 16, God prophesied that Abraham’s descendants would be “strangers in a foreign land who will be treated cruelly for 400 years” and then they will be delivered. We know from the lessons history teaches us that they were delivered. We also know that deliverance from slavery to sin is ours under the new covenant through Christ’s death on the cross combined with our repentance and faith in Him. In JN 8: 32 Christ expresses this as, “…You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Thus, circumcision, which is a sign of a male’s covenant relationship with God mattered very much under the old covenant. It brought freedom and protection to that person, as well as his commitment to make God the Lord of his life.
Since this series of messages is about transcending generations, it is appropriate for us to look at some comments made by H. Clay Trumbell in his book, The Blood Covenant, [Impact Books, Kirkwood, MO, 1975]. He wrote that the blood drawn in the act of circumcising a male is done at the very source of paternity-“under his girdle”- thereby pledging him to God and also those who shall come after him in line of natural descent. Understanding this principle helps us to see why the covenant between David and Jonathan had such profound effects. Two circumcised men entered into a covenant which brought together both their families and all the descendants of both. Now, let’s look at some of the story of God’s command to Abraham in GN 22: 1-19 to offer his son of the promise, Isaac, on the altar. Hopefully, this will answer the question: Why did God issue such a command to Abraham?
So much had already happened to Abraham’s life that would make it so significant. In GN 12: 2 Abraham is told that he will have many descendants and through him, God will bless the nations. Just that promise alone has huge implications and reveals God’s will that the Jews should carry the truth of His word to the unbelieving world. In GN 15: 4, Abraham is told that not his slave, Eliezer, will be his heir, but instead, he will have a son who will be his heir. In view of Abraham’s advanced age, it would have to be through Godly intervention that this would happen. GN 17: 15-19, 21 reveal that Sarai, now to be called Sarah, will give birth to a son with whom God will keep His covenant forever. Later in GN 18: 10-14, Sarah overhears the prophecy of Isaac’s birth and laughs as she considered her advanced age. Despite this, the prophecy comes true, which we read about in GN 21: 1-5, 12. Isaac is born, named, and circumcised just as God had prophesied. There is some confusion about how this covenant will be passed down initially, but God makes it clear in GN 21: 12 that “through Isaac, you [Abraham] will have the descendants I have promised.”
Abraham’s faith was profound. He obeyed God’s command in GN 22: 2 to offer Isaac on the altar. He knew that if God allowed Isaac to be killed, that the promise of GN 21: 12 wouldn’t be kept. Indeed, Abraham’s faith was well placed, because in GN 22: 13 we know that God provided a substitute sacrifice of a ram at the last minute before Isaac would die. This test of Abraham’s faith is an important lesson to us that we can trust God to keep His promises. It also demonstrates the protection that we receive when we keep our covenants with God. I’m not saying we won’t suffer physical death. It’s a fact that we will. But, we are protected from spiritual death for eternity when we keep our end of the covenant with God. The promise that God made and kept with Abraham has huge implications for us today. You see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are direct ancestors of Jesus Christ. This genealogical line can be traced by reading MT 1: 1-17 and LK 3: 23-38. It is through Christ’s death on the cross that all believing mankind is saved! Need I say more? Just as that ram was a substitute sacrifice for Isaac, so Christ is a substitute sin-sacrifice for mankind [RO 3: 24-25]. God indicated to Abraham that he has passed the test of his faith in GN 22: 12b, “…Now I know that you have obedient reverence for God, because you have not kept back your only son from Him.” Think about the way that God lovingly kept His covenant promise with us by not holding back His Son from us!
PRAYER: O Lord, You have given us the stories about Abraham to demonstrate the crucial nature of our obedience to You to our very spiritual life. Had Abraham not shown the faith in You of which You knew he was capable, the consequences to all mankind that followed him would have been catastrophic. How do we know that our willingness to carry our Your simplest of commands might not have far-reaching consequences to ourselves and others that are our own descendants? For that reason, we come before You today to confess our sins and to dedicate ourselves to being obedient to You. As Your covenant people, we have been called to pay careful attention to Your direction, the lessons from the Scriptures, and to establishing and maintaining an active personal relationship with You. These are by no means empty commands designed to let You feel Your own power. Instead, they are a constant reminder to us of our own spiritual poverty and weakness without You. That is why You instructed Paul to write in PHIL 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Your covenant transcends generations, because of Your will that as many of us as possible should be saved and perfected for eternal life with You. There has never been a greater demonstration of love by anyone than that which You show. We humbly offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, glory, honor, praise, and thanks. In Christ’s name, amen.
Tomorrow, I am led to write more about the significance of Abraham’s obedience in offering Isaac and to begin looking at events that followed the covenant between David and Jonathan which reveal the impact of this agreement on their descendants. Over the years that I have studied the Scriptures, God’s teaching has come together like the pieces of a puzzle. The first time I’m introduced to a concept, it is fuzzy and needs clarification for me. Each time I return to it and look at the Bible cross references, it becomes clearer. Placing that concept in its proper historical context helps to fine tune it. Bringing it to God in prayer is a great way to achieve even better understanding. Along the way, God is allowing me to become better acquainted with Him and to discover He is the Best Friend I will ever have. I hope and pray You will have that same kind of experience in Your walk with the Lord. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the great love He has for each of us. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn