ABRAHAM OUR FATHER AND OUR EXAMPLE

Genesis 9; 20, to 25; 9.

Abraham was a remarkable man, who enjoyed a close relationship with God, and in three places in the Bible he is called God’s friend. The Jews claimed him as their father, (John chapter 8, verse 39), but Jesus told them that if that were so they would do the same works as their father. In Romans chapter 4;11 & 18, & Gal. 3;7. The Christian believers are said to be Abraham’s children. What an honour then is conferred upon us, and how we should seek to be like our illustrious father in matters of faith and conduct. Not that we are to follow all Abraham’s ways: because like all sons of Adam, he did fail sometimes, so that he is both an example, and a warning to us.

It would be well for us to look at Abraham’s background, the circumstances in which he lived, the generation in which he served God.

After the flood, mankind was able to make a fresh start. However though the flood had cleansed the earth of the pollution of the sin of man, and of the wicked generation that had polluted it, yet it did not change the nature of man. Satan continued his dreadful work of temptation, and poor Noah fell. Once he was the only righteous man on the earth, and God’s lone witness to the wicked race of men who came under God’s judgment, yet the last view we have of him, is as a fallen, drunken, man, exposing his shame, and cursing a third of the human race. This account stands as a solemn warning to any who would be tempted to dabble with liquor. It is a terribly sad story, about a man who was once so great, yet was cast aside by God, who could use him as a witness no longer. This is proved by the fact that Abraham was alive during the latter part of Noah’s life, and he was a lonely man, (as we shall see), and seeking after God, yet God never used Noah to bring Abraham the light, the truth, the message of God.

Noah’s sons, Shem and Japheth, sought to restore their fallen father to his former position of greatness, and brought a blessing on themselves by so doing, whereas Ham made a joke out of it all, and brought a curse on his descendants, a curse that remains until this day. It is a sad fact, that there are many who have brought a curse on their children, by becoming slaves to liquor.

The social conditions that existed amongst men are described in chapters 10 and 11 of Genesis. In chapter 10 we are told of the multiplication, and the ultimate distribution of the human race, an interesting study in anthropology. The human race became divided into three branches, the Semitic, the Hamitic, and the Japhethic, families. These divisions continue until this day

In pronouncing the blessings on Shem and Japheth, Noah prophesied the ultimate course of the history of God’s dealings with men. The blessings of Jehovah the God of Shem were to be upon him and his descendants. Japheth was to be blessed, and to dwell in the tents of Shem. This is precisely what has happened. Of the descendants of Shem, God chose one man, Abraham, revealed Himself to him, vouchsafed His blessings of salvation upon him, and ordained that through his descendants ultimately, all the families of the human race would be blessed

.Japheth was to be enlarged, and was to dwell in the tents of Shem. When God's promise to Abraham was fulfilled in the incarnation, the holy life, and the atoning death, the triumphant resurrection of Christ. Abraham’s descendants rejected God’s Salvation, and God’s Savior, but the Gentiles, the descendants of Japheth received that Savior and His salvation, and the untold blessings, both spiritual and material that went along with it. Thus Japheth came to dwell in the tents of Shem, and will continue to dwell there until the Lord Jesus comes to take His Church away.

For the information of my Indian brethren, it would seem that the Dravidian races of India have descended from Cush, but the Arian peoples are descendants of Japheth. Some segments of India’s varied populations, the Gujarathis and the Marathis may have Semitic roots. To prove this would take more space than our small studies will allow.

As the human race multiplied, it lapsed into unbelief. God had promised that He would never again destroy the earth with a universal flood. However, unbelief brings both fear and insecurity, thus the principle of ‘unity is strength’ was born. They considered that there was power in their uniting together, a lust for fame, (make a name for ourselves), also spurred them on. So it was that the ‘Labor Movement’ was born, "Workers of the World unite", is still their catch cry.

As well as these things, there was the desire to reach heaven by their own efforts, a basic element of all human religion today. Though the climatic conditions were drastically changed by the disaster of the flood, reducing the life span of man, yet still they were living for hundreds of years. The strength and vitality of the race had not been so drastically reduced and eroded by the sinful living, as it has been in the succeeding milleniums, so their potential to achieve their aim was enormous.

Added to all this was the great advantage of the whole human race having but one speech or language. They were obviously highly intellectual also; they had knowledge of the science and practice of building construction. Bricks made at that time are still in existence today, more than 4,000 years later.

This overall situation inflamed the lust for power in the heart of one called Nimrod, who saw the opportunity for self-exaltation, and the establishment of a World Empire. Thus it was that what we now know as Politics came into being, the domination of man, by man, for personal gain and human greatness. Nimrod, who was a mighty hunter of men, established an empire for himself, its first capital was Babel, but it spread abroad until he had four capitals, Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. Like all politicians he was a master at deception as well as coercion, and was able to persuade most that his politics were for their good, rather than his own gain and glory.

At the same time, the ‘Ruler of this world’, lured men further away from God, hardening their hearts, creating feelings of hostility towards God. He saw that the time was ripe to introduce his master plan, which would further alienate men from God. It would also make God to be angry with men, he then introduced Idolatry, which corrupted the souls and spirits of men, yet attempted to fill the vacuum that was in every heart, by occupying them with religious activity, and festivity.

After the death of Nimrod, his cunning wife Semirammis, saw an opportunity for her to gain a position of power. She taught the people that such a person as Nimrod, one so mighty, one who had showered such, "blessings", upon them, could not possibly die, but had gone to live in the sun. Thus she established "Sun Worship", and it continues to this day. This idolatry blossomed out into all the forms that we see today, and spread into every branch of the human family.

God saw the potential that man possessed, and though He knew perfectly what men intended, and what they were doing, yet to demonstrate His infinite fairness, He came down to observe what men were about. He then put a stop to their rebellious plans, and did it quite simply. He confounded their tongues, so that when they came to work as usual, one could not understand another. Thus the work came to a halt, and the human race was broken up into language groups, and scattered abroad according to those language groups. It was into such a society that Abraham was born:

Abram, (his first name, meaning Exalted Father), was a descendant of Eber, from which later the name ‘Hebrew’ was derived. This name was given to the descendents of Abram, and to the language that they spoke.

Eber’s son Peleg, is considered by many Bible scholars to have been a godly man, and it was in his days that the earth was divided amongst the different races. It is apparent that Paul believed this, as he referred to it in his address at Athens, (Acts 17; 26).

It would seem that for some generations they settled at Ur, for this city is called the ‘the land of his nativity, Gen. 11; 28. It is probable that the citizens of that city were farmers, because Chaldees means ‘Clod Breakers’. The people were obviously very intelligent and possessed great skills in building. When the ruins of Ur were discovered, and excavated by the archeologists earlier this century, it was discovered that the city had its own underground drainage & sewerage system. (Many of India’s cities do not have this even today). The houses were large, made of burnt bricks, and some of them were 2 stories and had as many as fourteen rooms.

They had developed great skills in the manufacture of jewelry, pottery; they were using cosmetics, and needles for stitching garments. Cities came into being, because of insecurity. Men crowded together because of fear. Fear of other men, fear of wild animals etc. This fear was multiplied, because of their rebellion against God, and their refusal to believe His promises, and to believe in His infinite goodness, His care, and His concern for their well being and lasting happiness.

It was in such a city that Abram was born, and it would seem that he was the eldest of three sons. It would seem that Abram’s father, Terah, had at least two wives, because later on Abram explained that Sarai was the daughter of his father, but not the daughter of his mother. Of his two brothers, the younger, Haran, was the most rebellious. He married at an early age, suggesting that he was a man who was ruled by his carnal lusts and passions. He had one son, (Lot), and two daughters, Milcah, and Iscah. Milcah married her uncle, and their daughter Rebecca later became Isaac’s wife.

As explained earlier, idolatry developed around the preceding decades: Man has always been most willing to believe Satan’s lies, to follow error rather than truth. Before the advent of idols, men began to worship the Sun, and the Moon. This was in part; because of their obvious beneficial effects for man, both in the light, the warmth they gave, and the life and growth they gave to the trees, the crops etc. They" worshipped and served the creature, more than the Creator; who is blessed forever!" (Romans 1; 25).

The people of Ur, were very religious, and the city was built around a huge Ziggurat, a stepped temple tower, on whose flat top, there were altars where sacrifices were offered to the Sun, the Moon, and the Host of heaven. It is evident that they also indulged in the hateful practice of the worship of idols, and later Joshua reminded the descendants that their ancestors had worshipped other gods on the other side of the river, (the Euphrates), Josh. 24; 2 & 14 - 15.

The verses quoted indicate that Abram went along with these religious exercises and joined in with them. Yet for all this he was a lonely man, all this religious activity and the festivity that went along with it did not satisfy his deep inner longings. There was a certain shame and depravity that went along with the worship of idols, whereas the creation that Abram observed both day and night; testified to a God who was almighty, and All-glorious.

The wealth and luxury that surrounded him and the mere comfort of his circumstances did not bring satisfaction to his soul either. The Lord Jesus said, "a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses", (Luke 12; 15.) In spite of all, and a happy marriage to a beautiful girl also; he was a lonely man. Through Isaiah God said "I called him when he was alone" Isaiah 51; 2. (J.N.D.), that is when he was just a lonely man.

While passing through the things we have described, a great tragedy happened in Abram’s life: His youngest brother Haran died. Earlier we noticed Haran’s character, and we are told that he "died before the face of his father". This seems to indicate a degree of shame. It was not the normal thing for a man to die before his father did in those days, and his death was possibly because of his wicked way of life, and God’s judgment on him.

Death was a dark mystery, and still is to those who are still in sin’s darkness. The question that must have come to Abram’s mind, as he looked on his brother’s dead body, probably was; where has my brother gone? What use are all those things we have labored to assemble? He has left them all behind. Is this all that there is to life? What will happen to me when I die? Such questions still come to the minds of thinking people when confronted with death!

Stephen tells us that "the God of Glory, appeared to our father Abraham", (Acts 7; 2), and it was probably at this crisis time. God had his eye on Abram, He saw and understood the void, the loneliness that was in Abram’s life. God took notice of the effect that this tragedy had on the life of the one, which he had chosen for such a wonderful role:

Though we are not told, yet personal experience, and the experience of many others, makes me to think that it was at this time that God appeared to him.

I recall speaking on this subject on one occasion in Kerala, (India), and after that meeting a young man told me how the remarks had touched his own heart. His own brother had committed suicide, and it was at his brother’s graveside that God spoke to him, and led him to wholly yield his life to Him, for His service. He has continued to serve the Lord faithfully ever since, though with many trials and afflictions.

It was the God of Glory, who appeared to Abram, not the gods of shame, whom he had worshipped, in his ignorance. The One who gives life, and the One who also takes it away?

We are not told in what form God appeared to him, but we are told what God said. This would emphasize the importance of the word of God, what God says. It is much more important that anything we may see, in dreams, visions or such like. We live in a day when people claim many things, to see visions, dream dreams, hear voices. Satan can counterfeit all of these; but though he may pervert the scripture through the weakness, or even the willfulness of translators, yet he cannot counterfeit them. In our dispensation we are told that "We walk by faith and not by sight", (2Cor. 5; 7,) and again in Romans 14; 23, he tells us that whatever is not of faith, is sin.

Sometimes, where people are illiterate, that is cannot read or write; then God may speak to them through visions, but this too is very rare. God speaks to us through His word, and we should shun all else. Paul tells us in Romans 10; 17, that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. He also tells us in the earlier verse, 8, that the word is near thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart;

When God spoke to Abram, He did not enquire what it was that Abram sought, but He gave him a command. That command must have seemed to be unreasonable, because He told Abram to leave his home, his business, his relatives, his city and its religion. I guess that Abram had to wrestle with that command. It meant that he had to leave all that he had trusted in previously. Those things represented security, but he was to leave them all.

No doubt Satan would have attacked Abram at this point, because though he is not omniscient, yet he had heard the promise that God had made to Eve; (the promise of a redeemer), and he would do all that he could to prevent that promise being fulfilled. We know from experience how that Satan will always attack when we are thinking of obeying God's will.

Perhaps he asked Abram, "What did God say to you? Did He ask you to leave this lovely city, your lovely home, and all these other things? What did he offer to give you, Nothing? He did not even tell you where to go! Abram do not be a fool, hold on to what you have, you may never get such things again, you may never have the chance."

But Abram had come to see that such things were of no eternal value. If he had stayed, he would only have to die, like Haran had done, and then whose would those things be? If he was to obey, then all he had to go on, was the promise of God, and a God whom he had not known before.

The same is true today, for all that would obey the word of God, they must do so with nothing else but a simple, but blind faith in God and His ability to keep His promises. Abram was no fool, he knew that even the fair city of Ur, would someday crumble to ruins. He wanted a city that had foundations, whose builder and maker was God. He wanted wealth and possessions that death could not take away from him.

A young man, who later gave his life in taking the gospel to the Auca Indians in South America, once wrote in his diary, "He is no fool, who gives up that which he cannot keep, in exchange for that which he cannot lose!"

If Abram had not obeyed, he would have lost everything, because not long after his death the city of Ur was attacked and totally destroyed. Its destruction was so complete that for more than 3,000 years it was totally forgotten. It was only in this century that its ruins were discovered and excavated by the archeologists.

When Abram did obey, his old father, Terah, decided to go along also, as well as Lot the son of Haran, whom it seems that Abram had adopted as a son. Neither of these were called of God, but were obviously impressed by Abram'’ faith, and the strength of his convictions. It happened also later with the children of Israel, when they left Egypt. When departing that place, a mixed multitude, went along with them, (Exodus, 12; 38).

One of the great weaknesses of the Church today, is that there are so many who regard themselves as a part of the Church, but they do not have faith, they do not have convictions, they are just carried along by the faith and enthusiasm of others.

When Abram left Ur, he did not know where he was going, the destination was revealed to him after he went out. When we read in Genesis 11; 31, we are told that Terah took Abram and went out, This is because of the respect that there was, and still is, in the Eastern Culture, for age. It is because of this respect that the credit of leaving Ur, was given to Terah. We are clearly told in Hebrews chapter 11; 8 to 10, that it was by Faith that Abraham obeyed to go forth. However behind all this was the hand of God, because He told Abraham in chapter 15; 7, that it was He who brought Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees. There is no contradiction here, Abraham was responsible, and he obeyed; yet the unseen hand of God was in it all. Thus we see demonstrated once again, on the one hand, the responsibility of man, (Abraham obeyed), and on the other the sovereign grace and power of God. These two principles never clash; the one complements the other. The end result is that the glory, the credit, all belongs to God.

Abraham’s father was evidently a hindrance to his full obedience, because it was not until Terah died that Abraham saw his shortcoming and resumed the journey.

When they reached the place called Haran, Abraham probably named (it in memory of his brother), and it seems possible that the old father had experienced enough of the life of a pilgrim. I believe it was Terah, (though we are not told), who probably complained to Abraham that they had gone far enough. The undulating country where they had come was abundant in grass, and perhaps using his age as an excuse, Terah persuaded Abraham that they had gone far enough. After all they had left Ur, that was a great sacrifice for him. I deduce this, because it was not until Terah died that Abraham recalled what God had said to him when they left Ur.

They may have remained in Haran for up to 40 years, and during those years God had never spoken to Abraham. Because we read in Gen. 12 verse 1, that the Lord had said to Abraham. That means that from the time that they left Ur, all the time that they had settled in Haran, God never spoke to Abraham.

These 30+ years were the silent years, years during which God never spoke to Abraham. They stand as a warning to us, to warn us against settling down short of God’s purpose for us.

If Satan cannot prevent us from answering the call of God, then his next trick is to remind us of the break that we have made, to give us an exaggerated idea of the price that we have already paid. He may quietly whisper; "You have done enough, you have gone far enough, don’t be fanatical, don’t be extreme." He will even use those who are near and dear to us, as in this case, Abraham’s father.

When the Lord called me to leave my land and to travel abroad, to India, my father, (a dear and godly old man), was very upset. In his mind it was OK for others to go. He admired some of those who did, and supported them in prayer and financially, but he thought that it was too much for me to go.

During those years, Abraham became involved in agriculture, in business again, and he prospered. It was true that he had no house now, (he never had a house again after he left Ur). However he did amass wealth, even in parts of Africa today, the number of cattle that he owns measures a man’s wealth. Sometimes material prosperity is taken as a token of God’s blessing and approval of a believer and his activities. We have noted the words of the Lord Jesus earlier; "A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses". Riches can be a snare; they can rob us of our dependence upon God. Solomon was taught to pray, "Give me neither poverty or riches", Prov. 30; 7 to 9.

When Terah died, Abraham learned again the lesson that God taught him at the time of Haran’s death. What was the real value of all those material things? His father had died, and he had taken nothing with him. It was then that he recalled what God had said to him, when they left Ur. It was then that he saw the great mistake of those wasted, silent years. He remembered the promises of God, not only that God would bless him, but also bless others, (even you and I), through him. That blessing would spread out to all the families of the earth. So he returned to the path of total obedience again, he departed from Haran.

Abraham gathered all his goods, his animals, and his people together, but it was not so easy for him to travel now. More than half of his life had gone; he was now seventy-five years old. What a warning this is to us, let us see that we do not waste our lives or our time, doing our own will, and missing out on God’s will.

It was not so easy to travel also because of all his possessions. Possessions and property are a hindrance to a pilgrim. We are commanded to "Lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us. It is not only sin that hinders, (it surely does), but weights also. These can be things that are quite legitimate in their place, but if they hinder our fully answering the call of God, then we need to lay them aside.

Verse 5, of Gen. 12, is lovely, "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came". Abraham had learned his lesson, and learned it well. He would allow no difficulty to hinder him now. God had shown him where to go, and though it was a long journey, possibly 700 to 800 Kilometres, he did not stop until he reached Shechem, and there he pitched his tent beneath the oak of Moreh.

The name Moreh means "Teacher", and the word "Oak", is in some Bibles rendered "Plain", however it is more correctly rendered "Oak". The oak in the Old Testament, (O.T.), represents in some cases, the "cross of Christ", in others the "faithfulness of God". In this case it represents the faithfulness of God. To arrive at this meaning we need to remember that oak trees grow to a very large size, and they live for thousands of years. They also never move from their place: if they could see, they could witness the passing of many generations; they could see many battles fought and won, or lost. They could see kingdoms rise and fall, Empires come and go, yet they never change, never move. Thus we may rightly claim that they represent the unchanging faithfulness of God. I like to link this with Psalm 91; 1 & 2, as well as the whole psalm, and Psalm 90; 1 & 2. "Under the shadow of the Almighty", is a wonderful place to pitch your tent. "The secret place of the Most High", is a wonderful place to raise your children. To live each day in the realization of God’s unchanging faithfulness is so wonderful. The one from whom every good and perfect gift comes, the One in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. This brings stability to the soul, in a changing and a decaying world.

But this oak is called Moreh, "Teacher". Showing us that the One who is unchanging in His faithfulness, is also our teacher, and He teaches us lessons throughout all of life’s experiences. How many lessons Abraham had learned up until this time. How many more he was to learn, before his pilgrimage ended. Elihu exclaimed, "Who teacheth like Him", Job 36; 22. Isaiah shows us how patiently He teaches, because we are so slow to learn. He teaches by example, as well as by precept. He teaches us by the word, but He also teaches through our failures.

Once Abraham obeyed, then God spoke to him again; we learn from this, that if He gives us light, and we do not obey, then He will give no more until we do obey. In verse 7 we read that God appeared to Abraham, and that He spoke to him, but we also read that Abraham built an altar to Jehovah who appeared to him.

This is the first altar that Abraham built, showing us that he had grown in his knowledge of God, and that he now has a desire to approach to God, and to offer thanks and praise, to serve Him.

Abraham reaches new heights:

From Shechem Abraham moved on into the very centre of the promised inheritance, he comes to a mountain top experience, having Hai on the east, and Beth-el on the west.

Hai means "ruins"; so as the sun rose each morning, Abraham was reminded of the ruins of all that man may strive and labor to build up. Beth-el, means the "House of God", so that as the sun set in the West, he was reminded of the permanence of what God builds, the Lord Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Matt. 16; 18.

It was at Bethel that Abraham built his second altar, but here something is added which is a further comment on his spiritual growth. He did not just build the altar to Jehovah, but he called upon the name of Jehovah. There is now a two-way response, not only is Jehovah speaking to Abraham, but he is calling upon that wonderful, mysterious name of Jehovah, the name of relationship.

To use New Testament, (N.T.) language, he is growing in the "true knowledge of God". We should all covet this in our experience, not just to know about God, with a mere academic knowledge, but that we should know what it is to talk with Him, not just in formal prayer, but in intimate communion.

Bethel takes an increasingly important place in the book of Genesis from here on. It shows us the importance of the house of God, in all of God’s ways. It is the centre of His purposes, and the place of His presence and His blessings.

There is a commonly held idea today, that the building where the people of God gather, is the house of God. But the clear teaching of the N.T. is that it is the believers who are the house of God. Hebrews 3; 6, tells us that we are the house of God. 1 Tim. 3; 15, tells us that the House of God is the Church, the believers, 1 Pet. 2; 4 & 5, tells us that we are built up a spiritual house. Eph. 2; 19 to 22, tells us again that we are fitly framed as a building, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

We shall see when we come to chapter 13 of Genesis that bethel, was the very centre of the blessing of God for Abraham. From that point he was to look northward, southward, eastward and westward, showing it to be the very centre from which Abraham would expand to enjoy the land that God promised to give to his descendants.

Abraham did not remain very long at this mountaintop place; he journeyed towards the south. This is often so true of us also. How often in our experience, we may attend some special meetings, or come into the enjoyment of the blessing of God in a rich and wonderful way. But we soon slip back again into the old rut once more. How much happier we would be, how much more there would be for God’s pleasure in our lives, if only we could maintain that spiritual elevation in our lives!

I journeying towards the south, Abraham did not immediately leave the inheritance, but he left the centre of God'’ will, and declined to a dry and barren experience, just as we often do. The Negev was just as much a part of the Promised Land as Bethel, but it was low lying, dry and barren. It was on the outer edge of the land promised to Abraham.

From ancient times, the Negev, the southland, never receives more than four inches, (100 MM), of rain in a whole year. There is little chance of producing a crop in such a place, nor is there much pasture for animals. Let us take a warning from this part of Abraham’s experience!

From this place Abraham continued his departure, perhaps he thought things would get better further on. No doubt in the long journey to Canaan, he had passed through good country and bad, but as he kept on in the path of the will of God, things did improve. However he was now out of the path of God’s will, and things did not get better.

No doubt Satan would be encouraging him to go on, out of the path of the will of God. Assuring him that all was well, that things would get better. Perhaps he saw a mirage that often occurs in such places. I have read how that in such desert places, often even seasoned travelers are lured to their death by the sight of shimmering waters, green hills, waving palms, even cities. The mirage is so real to the imagination that they have been lured on towards what they see only in their mind, only to perish in the desert sands. Again let us be warned, Satan can play tricks with our minds too, and he will make what our souls crave for seem to be so real, but all is a hallucination.

Abraham had great herds of animals, and a very large number of servants, and he went so far, that in order to survive, he could not turn back, so he continued his journey until he came to the irrigated delta of the Nile, to Egypt. Here let us take another warning. If we lose our joy, if our spiritual life dries up, something is wrong. We need to turn back to what we have left, to retrace our steps, to get back into the centre of God’s will, into the enjoyment of the fullness of His blessing.

Egypt is a type of this world, especially the world in its independence of God. Because of the abundant quantities of fresh water in the Nile River, they do not have to depend on the rain from heaven. In Ezekiel we hear them say, "My River is mine, and I have made it for myself." Ezek. 29; 3. But to go there Abraham had to go down. We read in Gen. chapter verse 10, that Abraham went down, into Egypt. The way down is the easy way, especially in times of difficulty. The Hebrew word for to go down (Yarad), means to descend, to decline, to march down, or to sink down, all of which we should avoid.

The first thing that Abraham lost as a result of this decline, was his confidence, his assurance. What a warning this is again to us. He was Sarah to be a threat to his safety, instead of the great asset that she had been all their married life. She was a very beautiful woman, he was afraid that these people who were governed by their lust would murder him, so that they could take her for themselves. He was afraid of losing his life, so he took steps to save it, to save himself. In so doing, he encouraged Sarah to tell a half-truth, and thereby exposed her to great moral danger.

This failure shows us the weakness of the principle of unbelief. What Paul calls "weak and beggarly elements", in Gal. 4; 9. Before he could be slain, God had to prove Himself to be a liar, and to be unable to fulfill the promise that He had made. For He promised to Abraham a son, through whom the whole human family would be blessed.

Unbelief made this prince of God into a coward; made him willing to sacrifice his faithful, beautiful wife on the altar of his own self-preservation. What a shame!

But though Abraham failed, yet God did not fail; what a comfort to know that He is greater than all our failures. There is a lovely verse in 2 Tim. 2; 13, which says, If we are unfaithful, yet He abides faithful: for He cannot deny Himself. (J.N.D. trans).

Sarah was taken into Pharaoh’s harem, but God protected her. Pharaoh treated Abraham well because of her, but God plagued him and his house because of her. So that not only did Abraham dishonour God, and himself by exposing Sarah to this great moral danger, but he brought trouble and judgment on others also. Such is the danger of telling only half of the truth. Let us be warned!

Pharaoh called Abraham, and reproved him for not telling the whole truth; what a shame that was. Once the truth was known, the Egyptians and their Ruler, did not want Abraham to remain there any longer, but sent them away. If we boldly confess the truth as to our loyalty to Christ, and our relationship to other believers, the world will not want us either.

There will be a place for us and a welcome, if the world thinks that it can gain from us by our presence, but if we are faithful, to Christ, and tell the whole truth, then we will be rejected, just as He was.

Behind Abraham’s shameful lapse, was Satan’s cunning plan, his hidden strategy: He had heard God promise a son to Abraham, through whom salvation would come to the lost, and blessing to all the families of the earth. Satan knew, that if Sarah was defiled by Pharaoh, then she could no longer be the mother of the promised seed; thus the plan of God would be foiled, and mankind doomed to a lost eternity.

We seldom realize how much may hang upon a seemingly simple failure. How it behooves us to be careful.

The way of recovery is always very difficult, but it is the only way. We read in chapter 13; 1, that Abraham went up out of Egypt. The way down is always the easy way, but it leads to disaster and loss. The way back is always difficult and calls for persistence and dedication.

Abraham was recovered, by the grace of God, but he took back with him from Egypt menservants and maidservants, who were given to him by the Egyptians. One of these was Hagar, who later became a tool in the hands of Satan; again, because of unbelief.

Though Abraham and Sarah were recovered, Lot never was. He saw things in Egypt that he learned to love, and these things became a snare to him, and brought about his fall.

Though he is called "Righteous Lot", by Peter, yet Lot was never a godly or a spiritual man. He was one whom Paul would describe as weak in the faith, Rom.14; 1. This too should be a warning to us, because though we may be stronger spiritually than others, and may be restored after a failure; yet our lapse may do a lifelong injury to others who are weaker than ourselves.

We have an example of this in John’s Gospel. John was known to the High priest, and he had access to the court of the palace where Jesus was being humiliated. Peter had no right of entrance there, but John spoke to the servant and brought Peter in. Though John was able to stand in that environment, yet Peter was not, and he denied his Lord three times: Let us be careful!

Abraham learned the lesson well, because he did not merely return to the Negev, but did not stop until he reached that mountaintop, where he had his tent and altar at the beginning. This is a picture of true recovery; he went right back to the place where he went wrong.

I have known believers to backslide, to go into the world, to become involved in sin, and then later want to come back into fellowship, even to start preaching as if they had never done anything wrong. Others have said, that the point of departure, is the point of recovery.

But as we have seen, though Abraham was recovered, Lot never was. He had tasted the easy life, and was no longer willing to face trials and difficulties. He was motivated by greed, he instructed his servants to grab the best of everything; the result was strife and dissension.

Abraham had been made humble by his experience; and though he might have righteously done so, he did not stand up for his own rights. He might have rebuked his ungrateful brother, to whom he had shown such kindness, but instead he took the lowly place.

Let us not quarrel he entreated, we are brothers. Is not all the land before you, separate yourself, from me: If you take the left hand, I will go to the right, if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left. What an example of true humility and of grace! After all God had given the land to him, not to Lot, but he gave up his own rights rather than cause a quarrel. Here is an example that we could well follow. How many quarrels could be avoided if we did follow? There are many shameful things that happen amongst our Assemblies in India. In some cases, halls are locked up for years, because two parties are claiming to be the Assembly, and are claiming the property. Sometimes there are shameful court cases, where brother disputes with brother, in the presence of unbelievers.

Lot did not look up; he looked down, and saw the well-watered plains of the Jordan. It seemed to him to be like a well-watered garden, it reminded him of what he had seen in Egypt.

It was true that the people were wicked, and that judgment would fall on them and their cities in time, but that was of no concern to him, he wanted the easy life. Perhaps he never intended to ever become like the wicked people of the plain, but he pitched his tents as far as Sodom.

He was unable to maintain his testimony in that environment; and he soon gave up his pilgrim character. Next we see him dwelling in Sodom, and having a house there. He had given up the life of a pilgrim, he was no longer a citizen of heaven, but now a citizen of Sodom.

Separation is always a sad thing, but sometimes it becomes necessary, in order to gain, or maintain peace. In this case it was not Abraham who separated, but Lot. But now it seems that God has greater liberty to commune with Abraham that before. We hear Him speaking to Abraham, "after that Lot was separated from him". With the departure of Lot, the friction had also gone, and Abraham is restored to his rightful place of leadership. Now God tells Abraham to lift up his eyes. Trouble and strife are always discouraging and disturbing things; they cause us to look down. Now God is telling Abraham to take his eyes off the trouble, to look up, to look from the place where he was, (Bethel), northward, southward, eastward and westward: Saying that all that he saw God would give to him and to his seed forever. Promising to give him a family more numerous that the dust of the earth; this is Abraham’s earthly family, (He promised other families later).

We remarked earlier on the importance of Bethel, in the plan of God. We saw that it means the "house of God", (El meaning the Mighty God). It shows that God’s house is central to all His ways, and His activities in grace and blessing.

I have observed over many years, that there are numerous organizations that are dedicated to one thing or another in the Christian testimony. So many Para-Church agencies, which have doubtless begun with good ideas: But the Church is central in all of God’s thoughts and activities. Anything that does not have the Church, (the local Assembly), and its establishment, and prosperity as its focal point, is sure to fail; or at least come short of God’s ideal.

Abraham was not only told to look, but to put his feet on the promised inheritance. To possess (in spirit, not legally), and enjoy by faith what God had given him. He is free, now that Lot had separated from him, he is free to exercise his leadership, and does not have to consider the whims of his complaining brother.

We are in a similar situation. Our inheritance is not a land as such, but our inheritance is in a person, Christ, in whom we have an inheritance. Not only this; we have received the earnest of that inheritance, "The Holy Spirit of promise", with whom we have been sealed, until we enter into the full possession and enjoyment of it. (Eph. 1; 11 to 14). Let us explore that inheritance, let us enjoy it in the fullest way possible now!

After this experience, Abraham removed his tent to Mamre, and dwelt beneath the oaks there. The name Mamre, means fatness, showing to us the richness of Abraham’s life and experience now. The oaks again remind us of the unchanging nature of God, and His enduring faithfulness. What cool shade they would afford from the fierce summer heat.

It was in Hebron, and that name means "Association", or "communion", or "fellowship". It was said to have been built 7 years before Zoan in Egypt. This reminds us that we have been chosen in Christ, (for fellowship with God), before the foundation of the world, (Eph. 1; 3 & 4).

This is now the third altar that Abraham has built. It tells us how that his relationship with God is maturing, deepening. The challenge to you and I is that we too should "dwell at Mamre". This follows the sorrow of separation from the brother whom he loved. God does not want that we should live a dry, a barren, and a fruitless life. He wants that we should live a rich life of sweet communion with Him. I am reminded of some choice quotations in the Psalms,

Psalm 36; 8, "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. My soul desires such an experience for you my dear reader, and for myself. Psalm 63; 5; gives us the individual experience; "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:" Here we have the altar, and the sacrifice of praise offered thereon. Psalm 65; 11; here we have the beautiful result of walking in the path of the will of God: "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness":

No doubt Lot thought that his troubles were over, when he chose the well-watered plains of the Jordan. He would no longer have to be restrained by the example and wishes of his godly Uncle, or stepfather. He was free; he did not have to account to any one. However things did not turn out, as he would have wished, he became embroiled in the political wars of the area that he had chosen.

The details of the early part of Gen. Chapter 14 throw important light on ancient Middle East history.

It would seem that the co-habitation between the fallen sons of God, and the daughters of men took place again after the flood. This unnatural combination produced races of giants, several races of whom lived together and are described in this chapter as the Rephaims, the Zuzims, the Emims, and the Horites. These giants were really great in size, Og king of Bashan was one of the last of them, and his bed was about 15 feet long, more than 5 feet 6 inches taller than Goliath, who was 9 feet 6 inches tall. The name Rephaim means "Invigorator: or life giver"; Zuzims means "Roving creatures"; Emims, "Terrors"; Horite, "cave dweller". It is presumed (by some), that these hybrids, (as with all hybrids), were not able to reproduce, and that upon their death, their disembodied spirits roam the earth as demons, seeking human bodies to inhabit.

However these races of giants were mostly destroyed by the four kings of Babylon etc. But God used these same four kings to execute judgment upon the cities of the plain, and their kings. This is the first mention of warfare in the Bible, and poor Lot became a prisoner of war. They looted the places that they conquered, and carried off many prisoners.

Perhaps Lot never dreamed that such a thing could happen, but here he was; taken prisoner, carried away by powers that he could not control or defeat.

The news reached Abraham that "his brother" Lot had been taken prisoner, and was being carried back to the place from which God had called Abraham. He might well have said what many of us would say, "He made his own bed, let him lie in it"! "He made his own choice, this is the result!" "He got himself into trouble, let him get himself out of it!" But Abraham shines now, first in his compassion, then in his courage and his wisdom.

While dwelling at Mamre, Abraham had gained the respect and confidence of Mamre, Aner, and Eschol, three brothers, who were Amorites. He was able to enlist their help in the recovery of his erring brother, and the destruction of the four kings of the east.

But he also had maintained discipline in his own house, and though his servants were not trained in war, yet when armed, they followed and obeyed Abraham. Though they were a comparatively small company, and unused to war; yet under Abraham's leadership and control, and with the help of the Most High God, they were able to overtake, surround, and defeat that confederate army. The result was; that he was able to rescue Lot, and his family, along with many others, and to bring him back to the place from which he had been captured.

Here Abraham sets us a beautiful example. How many of our brothers and sisters have also been taken prisoner, by powers and sinful habits that they cannot defeat, yet we make no effort to restore such.

It is the real test of true spirituality, to be able to restore those who are taken in a fault. Read that beautiful verse one of Galatians chapter 6: here those who are spiritual are told to restore the fallen person. Likewise James in the last two verses of his epistle shows the desirability, and the nobility, of a brother or sister; bringing back a sinner from the error of their way. He tells us that they "save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins". Let us give ourselves to this noble ministry!

Abraham showed humility, skill, and wisdom, in the way that he attacked the confederate army: He therefore sets us an example in the way we are to confront and oppose evil powers.

His humility is shown in the fact; that though God was on his side, yet he did not boastfully presume to attack in broad daylight. He chose instead to attack under the cover of darkness, and to use the element of surprise. Neither did he make a frontal attack, but divide his disciplined, trained servants. This shows us that there must have been those in his household who possessed leadership qualities; who also had bravery such as would inspire the more timid. It also shows that he realized his weakness, it made him to rely the more on the power of the Most High God.

Abraham’s courage and humility were rewarded by a remarkable victory: these four kings, and their hitherto victorious army, were routed; put to flight, and destroyed. Let us learn these lessons because when it comes to confronting the powers of darkness, we will never achieve victory, without humility, and absolute dependence upon the mighty power of God.

I am sometimes shocked and saddened when I hear Christians speak proudly of their presumed authority over the Devil and his servants. Such only deceive themselves, and what they claim is victory; is usually, really defeat. In one place I saw written up on the blackboard; "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you". I had to warn those who were present, of the importance of the words that precede the quotation: "Submit yourselves therefore to God"; that unless we are totally submitted to God, if we try to resist the Devil, he will laugh at us.

Verse 16 is so important, Abraham did not merely destroy the conquerors, but he rescued the prisoners, and the goods that had been taken. It is not enough for us to meet and defeat the powers of darkness; we need to rescue the prisoners also. This is the real test of spirituality. Abraham brought back the goods, and his erring brother Lot.

Abraham did not seek any reward, but he reaped a rich reward. He was met by that great and mysterious person; Melchisedek. This person appears from nowhere, and has no genealogy; Paul tells us that he is "assimilated to the Son of God." (Hebrews 7; 1-4). Melchisedek came with bread and wine; "bread to strengthen; wine to cheer"; so says the hymn. He is first king of righteousness, then king of peace; he is a most beautiful type of Christ. This kindness moved the heart of Abraham to tithe, and to give as a gift, a tenth of all he possessed. Again Abraham shines as an example, let us follow that example! First to experience the power of God in victory over evil; then to enjoy the sweetness of communion with our great Victor; finally to give liberally to Him of all that He has given us.

Abraham was offered a reward by the king of Sodom, but he refused that reward. The king of Sodom’s name was Bera, which means "son of evil". He represents the "Ruler of this world", Satan. He too will offer rewards to us, so as to bring us under his bondage; to put us under an obligation to him: Let us see to it that we never covet, or receive his rewards.

The king of Sodom’s main concern was to get back the persons, the souls of men, under his control. Abraham rejected his offer of reward, saying; "I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth. He had made a vow that he would not take any of the reward offered by Sodom’s king: He would not give any basis for anyone to ever say that the king of Sodom had made Abraham rich. Others could take, Aner, Eschol, and Mamre, they were just worldly people, but not Abraham.

We might have thought that Lot would surely wake up to the danger of his situation, and have come out, to extricate himself from that wrong position, but not so. He went back into the city, and submitted himself to rule of the ""on of evil"" Let this be a warning to us. We are told in 2Tim.2; 24 to 26, what is to be the attitude of the 'servant of the Lord' to such people?

The next time we see Lot, he is sitting in the gate; he had become a part of the administration of that wicked city; a Member of Parliament. Perhaps he thought that he would be able to improve the place; to enact laws to restrain the awful spread of evil in that place. However he could not improve anything, but in fact lost everything; his wife, his sons in law, his daughters, even his own testimony.

The last we see of him, is as a fallen, drunken man, who while in a drunken state, has incestuous relationships with his own daughters; thus becoming the father of two nations, who became the enemies of Abraham’s descendants. How sad is all this1 what a solemn warning to us!

Gen. 15; 1, tells us that it was "After these things", that the word of the Lord came to Abraham; exhorting him not to fear, telling him that God Himself was his shield and protector, God Himself was his exceeding great reward. This is perhaps the greatest personal promise made to Abraham, thus far. Here God is telling him, that all that he needed was to be found in God: God is greater than all his blessings, more wonderful than all His gifts, and His works. Yet Abraham was not content with this, he wanted something that he could see, and feel, something that he could clutch to his bosom; something that he could call his own, he wanted a son and heir. It seems that he grew weary of waiting for the fulfillment of the divine promise. Thus it was that he, who is the outstanding example of faith in the scriptures, gave way to doubt. In this chapter he vacillates between doubt and faith.

God takes him outside his tent, and bids him look towards heaven; what an act of great kindness this was. God takes Abraham’s eyes off his immediate circumstances; makes him to realize that heaven had intervened in his circumstances. He then revealed to Abraham, that behind all of his movements in obedience to the will of God; was God Himself. "I am the Lord,(Jehovah), that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees". Abraham might have responded by saying, "But I came out". Both were true, but the final glory belonged to God. Abraham obeyed, because of the sovereign majesty of God.

It does us good also sometimes, to look back over our lives, and though we will be surely humbled by the realization of our failures, yet our hearts will ever be moved by the unfailing faithfulness of God. We owe everything to Him! The hymn writer says, "With mercy and with judgment, my web of time He wove, and aye the dews of sorrow, were lustered with His love; I’ll bless the Hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned, when crowned where glory dwelleth, in Emmanuel’s land!

Abraham is challenged to number the stars, (a task that no mind of man is able to accomplish), then God says "so shall thy seed be: Here God is revealing to His servant that he is to have a heavenly family; (the Church). Earlier God had said that he would have an earthly family; that his seed would be as the dust of the earth; that is he was to have an earthly family, (Israel). Later God told him that his family would be as the sand on the seashore; (the families taken from the nations, the gentiles).

Here it is said "Abraham believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness". This verse is repeated several times in the New Testament, and is used to demonstrate the principle of justification by faith. Thank God for these lovely words, they have given hope to lost humanity. "For by grace are ye saved, through faith". Oh let us rejoice in the glorious truth! However this faith was quickly followed by unbelief, by doubt; but it was not cancelled by Abraham’s doubt.

These are words of doubt, and are written for our encouragement. None of us can boast in the strength of our faith; at best it is very weak. But let us thank God that He is not restricted by the weakness of our faith. It is not the strength of our faith that matters, but the object of that faith. But God had a lesson to teach Abraham, a lesson from which we must learn.

In what follows from verse 9; God teaches Abraham the destructive nature of doubt; also how to deal with it. He was told to take two female animals, (speaking of meekness and submission), and a ram, (speaking of strength), and two birds, (speaking of meekness, blamelessness). Abraham did this; he then divided the carcasses, and laid each half opposite to the other, leaving a pathway in between. The purpose of this was to enable God to make the strongest affirmation of His covenant, the strongest known to man. This offering was for God; however the fowls came down upon the carcasses to consume them, but Abraham did not allow this to happen, he drove them away.

When we allow doubts to enter our minds, they will quickly tear our faith to shreds. They will quickly devour what was meant to be for the pleasure of God. Like Abraham, we must scare them away; we do this by believing, and by quoting to ourselves the precious promises of God. This is what our Lord Jesus did when Satan came with his doubts in the temptations in Luke chapter four. But Jesus replied to each temptation with the words, "It is written". This is like throwing a stone at a vulture; they take fright, and go away. Here is the example for us to follow when doubts come. Let us reassure our souls, by repeating to ourselves; and to the tempter, the precious promises of God. It is impossible that God should lie. Even the false prophet was compelled to exclaim, God is not a man that He should lie!……."Has He said and shall He not do it? Has He spoken and it not come to pass? Nothing can alter His promises; His word is more reliable than either heaven or earth! When we affirm our faith in what God says, the doubts do not linger.

When the sun was going down, and all was becoming dark, a deep sleep, and a horror of great darkness fell upon Abraham: When we entertain doubt, it will always bring darkness into our souls. If we allow the darkness to remain, it will lead to despair, and if we are swallowed up by despair, it may lead to destruction. First the destruction of our joy, then our hope, and finally our reason for living.

However it was at that time that God drew near; He revealed to Abraham, His greatness, His foreknowledge, and the fact that He had all in His hands, that He knows the end from the beginning. God drew aside the veil of time; He revealed the events of the next 500 years, as they effected Abraham’s descendants. He reassured Abraham, that whatever his weaknesses, or failures might be, he would live out his long life in the experience of God'’ blessing, and that he would die in peace. Abraham had never witnessed such a death. God then did, (for Abraham's sake), what He had never done before, He caused a burning furnace, and a smoking lamp, to pass between the pieces of the offerings that Abraham had laid out.

The burning furnace represented the fierceness of God’s wrath and judgment that was seen finally at Calvary. There the wrath of God was poured upon the sinless substitute. The Covenant of God was not based on compromise, but upon perfect justice. The smoking lamp; represents the light of God that shines from His word. The covenant of God, is the fulfillment of the promises that He has made in His Book.

We learn the significance of the details of this event from a passage in Jeremiah, chapter 34; 18, where it is shown to be the accepted way of making a most solemn covenant.

On that same day, God renewed His covenant with Abraham, and even expanded the detail of it. Not only did He promise again to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s seed, but also He defined its boundaries. The boundaries were very great, and they take in much of what today is Syria, and all of Lebanon. Though Abraham did not possess a single square foot of that territory, yet he lived in it, and enjoyed it day by day.

In chapter 16, we are confronted with another form of unbelief. Sarah was still barren, in spite of trying to have children all their married life, so she devised a plan whereby they could help God to fulfill His promises. Perhaps she thought that God had overlooked the fact that she was barren; this is what the human mind would reason. God has so many things to attend to, the whole creation to supply and care for. It would seem to be quite possible that He had overlooked the fact that she was barren.

Her object was to help God out of His difficulty, to provide Him with a way of fulfilling His promises. They would leave the ground of faith, and resort to their own works. It has been said that unbelief, is the reasonable alternative to faith. This is a very subtle form of unbelief; because it does not oppose the will of God, neither does it oppose the promises of God, it simply presumes to help Him fulfill those promises.

The plan was also attractive to Abraham’s flesh: After all what would be nicer than to sleep with his pretty Egyptian slave girl; with his wife’s consent and encouragement? The flesh in us is just the same; it has a perverted desire to accomplish righteousness. To produce something in which it can glory; saying "see what I have achieved!"

Sarah reasoned that as Hagar was her possession, bought with their money; then the child that she would bear, of whom her husband would be the father, would in almost every sense, be hers. Thus the problem would be solved! However the problem was only compounded.

When a person is saved, Satan is quick to remind that person of what God has done for them, and to emphasize to them that they now have an obligation to do something; to repay the debt that they owe to God. Satan does this, to get the person to leave the ground of faith, and to put themselves once again on the ground of works, to put themselves under a kind of law. The enemy knows fully that the saved one cannot in their own strength, please God, and when they try, they fail miserably. He then returns as the accuser of the brethren, to condemn the conscience of the believer, to press upon them the wretchedness of their failure. He will even try to get the person to doubt their salvation.

Let us never forget the words of the Lord Jesus, "without ME, you can do nothing", (John 15; 5). Let us heed Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 2; 7, that as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so now we must walk in Him. How did we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? By faith! How are we to walk in Him? By faith!

The execution of Sarah’s plan solved nothing, but resulted in the birth of Ishmael, who became the father of the Arab peoples, who have been the inveterate enemies of the promised seed, even to this day. It resulted in endless sorrow! What a warning this is to us.

As soon as Hagar knew that she had conceived, she despised her mistress and owner; as a result she was driven away. However God was watching her, and found her by a spring. He commanded her to return, and to submit to Sarah. God still had lessons to teach Abraham in the sorrowful years that were to follow. Thus it was; when Abraham was 86 years old, Ishmael was born. However he was not born according to the promise, but according to the flesh.

Much of a chapter in the N.T. (Gal. 4; 22-31), is devoted to explaining the spiritual significance of this mistake of Sarah’s. There the teaching is unfolded, and it is applied to us. Let us learn the lesson!

Four years after Ishmael’s birth, God appeared again to Abraham, and reminded him of His Omnipotence. He was not as Sarah reasoned, absent minded; nor did he overlook the problems that stood in the way of His fulfilling the promises that He had made. He did not make promises that He was not able to fulfill. He exhorts Abraham to walk before him, and to be perfect. This word, perfect, does not mean to be personally perfect, that is without fault: it means to be grown up, to be mature. Abraham was to abandon these demeaning thoughts about God, and to return to the simple trust of God and His word. He was, (and is), as good and as great as His word.

God now expands His promises, and tells Abraham that he would make him the father of many nations. He then made another covenant with Abraham, after changing his name. But this time Abraham was to do something, he was to obey the command of God; he was to be circumcised, and all the males in his extended family.

Circumcision was thereafter to be the distinguishing mark; that which set apart the descendants from all others. It was a painful operation, something that the flesh does not like, which even today Doctors rebel against; its spiritual meaning is brought out in Philippians chapter 3; 2 & 3. There are three things that mark those of the true circumcision; 1), they worship God in the spirit; (they refuse human excitement, and entertainment); 2), they boast in Christ Jesus, (not in themselves, or their experiences): 3), they have no confidence in the flesh!

It is this latter that marks out true Christians from every other religion even from nominal Christianity. Every human religion, relies on the works of man, there is no salvation for man, except that which he can earn for himself, by his own "good" works.

Isaiah saw the futility of all this, he said in chapter 64; 6 to 8, that we are all as an unclean thing; all our good deeds are like filthy rags; we are just helpless, like clay in the hands of the potter.

The result, the outworking of all this, is a clean life, a humble life, and a dependant life: A life that brings honor and glory to God. May God grant to us to live such a life!

Sarah’s name was then changed; she was given a name, which means Princess. Her former name, Sarai, means My Princess, so that there is a very much-expanded situation in view in this name change. She has become, "the mother of us all," according to Paul, the "free woman," a type of "Jerusalem which is above", (see Galatians ch. 4.)

However Abraham still clung to the hope that God may change His mind, and that He would accept the one "born according to the flesh", as the promised son and heir. But God could never do this; He must fulfill His own promises in His own way, and in His own time. The Lord Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh, is flesh." It cannot be altered, it is essentially bad, it can never be improved, and it cannot please God. Still Abraham pleaded; "O that Ishmael might live before Thee!" God had a plan for Ishmael; He would use Him and his descendants, as a rod to punish the disobedient descendants of Isaac.

Isaac is here named, and his name means "Laughter." An indication that true joy can only come into the believer’s life, when faith is honoured; when the promises and purposes of God are fulfilled.

Though Abraham was now in his hundredth year, yet he did not hesitate to obey the command of God, regarding circumcision, and as a result of that obedience, he entered into a closer relationship with God. This is important for us to see; we sometimes are given light from God through His word, as to what we should do: But we hesitate to obey. We see this often in people who come from a nominal Christian background. They have been christened, or baptized as infants; when still in a lost estate. Once they are saved, they discover from the word of God, that baptism is only for those who have a genuine salvation experience; that it is an act of obedience. However, because of the stigma associated with baptism, and the offence that it gives to their family members; or perhaps the opposition from the clergy of their former denominational Church, they hesitate to obey. This is a mistake, and once we have the light from the word of God, as to what the path of obedience for us is; we will receive no further light until we obey. On the other hand, simple obedience, (whatever the cost to us), will bring us into a richer experience of communion with God.

When next we see Abraham, he is dwelling again at the place of rest and fatness. It does not mean that he had no trials there; because we see him sitting in his tent door, in the heat of the day. He is now about a hundred years old, and the heat in such a place can be very severe, very draining on the energies. However he is dwelling again beneath the Oaks of Mamre, and these would afford shade and relief in the torrid heat.

It was at such a time that Jehovah came to visit him. It is often in the trials of life, that God draws near to us; He uses them to make us conscious of His presence with us; His interest in us; and His love for us. See Romans 8:35 to 39).

Abraham shows his spiritual discernment, because though there were three men present, he recognizes that only one of the "men", is Jehovah, and addresses Him accordingly.

Perhaps Abraham might have complained, "what an inconvenient time for anyone to visit; they might have left it until evening when things are cooler"! But he does not complain; he quickly summons his energies, he runs to meet the heavenly visitors; he bows before them with the deepest reverence. He respectfully indicates his desire to minister to their comfort and pleasure. God graciously accepted his offer.

Though God, is not served by men’s hands, as if He needs anything, (Acts 17:25,) yet in His marvelous grace it pleases Him, when His children have a desire to offer worship to Him spontaneously.

Abraham now gathers his family to share with him in this great privilege; he does not take all the privilege to himself. First he goes to Sarah, urges her to make quickly three measures of fine meal into cakes, baking them on the hearth. This is not something that Abraham could do as well as his experienced wife. Neither does he have to go and borrow from others; but he uses what he already possessed, in the worship of God. There is something beautiful about this; it is like the Psalmist says in Psalm 45; I will say what I have made, (composed), touching the King.

Next he runs to the herd, he chooses the best that he has as an offering. Then he does not dress it himself, but gives it to a young man to do. How we also should encourage the young men to have a part in the worship of God! Next the offering is cooked, and finally; it is presented, offered by Abraham. He stands by, under the tree, and watches with great pleasure, as what they together had prepared; was eaten by his heavenly visitors. It reminds us that we can only offer to God, what is acceptable to Him, because of the One who gave his life on the tree!

Such is the marvelous grace of God; that One so great as he, from whose hand we receive all that we possess; that He should deign to accept from us what we have prepared in response to His wondrous goodness!

The "worship time" now ended: God speaks to the worshipper. "Where is Sarah thy wife?" He asks. And the reply comes; "Behold, in the tent". This shows the woman’s place, in the ordering of God. Sarah had not left her God-given place. It was there; she had acquired the skills, which she used in preparing the cakes for the offering. This is principally the place of a godly woman’s service. She was also listening to the voice of God, but she was behind Abraham; she did not push herself forward. Some would argue that this was "cultural": behavior proper for the time; but things are different today! I do not think so, but is instead, an example, (in principle), for all godly sisters

It often pleases God to speak to His people, through spiritual ministry from the scriptures; after a time of worship. Here He confirms His promise once again; it was joyful news. Sarah laughed within herself; she was not so bold as to laugh outwardly, in the face of God. It was all so wonderful, totally beyond her expectations. Her thoughts were limited to what was natural; she had not yet come to know God, as the God of resurrection.

God rebuked her unbelief: "Why does Sarah laugh", He asks. Sarah is embarrassed; and rebuked. She denied that she had laughed; (she had not laughed outwardly). However God used the occasion to reveal something more of His greatness, His majesty. He was not to be hindered by Sarah’s unbelief; He would keep His promise.

Abraham, on the other hand, "Staggered not at the promise", his faith grew stronger, as he gave glory to God, (Rom.4: 16 to 23.) What an encouragement to us! What a challenge to our faith! Faith never falters; never gives up, no matter how great the obstacles.

The heavenly visitors leave, and for the first recorded time in his life; Abraham literally walked with God. It would seem that the angels departed, but Abraham was left alone with God. Perhaps this was the most precious moment in his life up until this point. God now reveals to Abraham, what He is about to do. God takes Abraham into His confidence; thus Abraham became His friend, (His confidante). God demonstrated confidence in Abraham; in His foreknowledge, He knew what Abraham would do; how he would discipline and instruct his family after him.

This is a challenge to you and I, first to walk with God, then to so order our ways, and bring up our families, that we may earn the confidence of God; that He may be able to reveal things to us from His word.

The Lord Jesus proposes this in John 15: 15 to 17. He is not content that we should be merely servants, not understanding His min and will; but He wants us to be His friends, those in whom He can confide. He wants us to live a life of obedience, and a life of answered prayer.

As God revealed to destroy Sodom, it awakened again in Abraham’s heart, his love for his erring brother Lot. Though Lot had been a big disappointment to him, yet he could not bear to think of him coming under the wrath of God, of him being destroyed with the wicked city he had chosen for his home.

In spite of his weakness, and his failure; Abraham knew Lot to be a "righteous man," It was this, and the righteousness of God, that he used as the basis for his intercession. Humbly he pleaded with God; afraid that in doing so he might offend God’s patience, and invoke his anger; but even his intercession was not enough to save the wicked cities of the plain. However God did remember Abraham, (showing that his intercession was effective,) and He sent Lot out of the overthrow.

Once again, Abraham left the place of rest, fatness, and communion; and he went south again, not to Egypt this time, but to the country of the Philistines. This is the first time that these people are mentioned in the Bible, and they continue to this day. They are known today, as Palestinians. The name Philistine means "immigrant", and the name Palestine, means "the land of the immigrant". These were physically large people; and they were war like in character. They originally inhabited the Island of Crete, and from there some of them migrated to Egypt; they were cousins to the Egyptians. Later some of these immigrants, journeyed to the Western coastal Plain of Sharon, and there established five lordships. They came by the "way of the Philistines", Exodus 13; 17. They came the easy way, they never crossed the Red Sea; the land was never given to them. They represent the "carnal Christian", or the "natural man", such as were at Corinth, (1 Corinthians).

Abraham felt threatened by these people, and his latent weakness was exposed once more. No doubt Satan also saw this as one of the final opportunities to frustrate the plan of God for our salvation. So Abraham again resorted to self-preservation, and in so doing exposed Sarah to great moral danger, just when the promise of God was about to be fulfilled. Again he told a half-truth, but God intervened directly, warning the Philistine king of his great danger. Abraham was called, and with shame had to confess his weakness, his fearfulness, and was exalted by God, in spite of his failure. He gained from the experience, and was richer because of it. As we have seen earlier; this did not excuse Abraham’s failure, but magnified the goodness and faithfulness of God.

This test being over and Satan’s ruse being defeated; then God quickened Sarah’s womb, so that she could conceive. Here God demonstrated His power, as the God of resurrection.

We might have thought that God was very slow in fulfilling His promise, but God is never late, neither does He act before the time, He always acts at exactly the right time. (See Gal. 4; 4.) O but what joy it brought to them both. It is difficult for us to imagine; because they had been trying all their married lives to have a child, and now at last he had come. He was rightly named Isaac, (laughter), because he brought laughter and joy into their lives, such as they had never known before.

Sarah laughed again, but this time it was not the laughter of unbelief; but she says, "God has made me to laugh". This is the kind of joy that God wants us to have, John 16: 24, also 1 John 1: 4.

The day of Isaac’s weaning was a day of great rejoicing. Abraham had been careful to obey the word of God, circumcising Isaac on the eighth day. Such is the obedience we have come to expect of this prince of God. But the joy of the feast that accompanied the weaning of Isaac was marred by one thing; Sarah saw Ishmael mocking; the flesh cannot bear to be replaced, it must always have the first place. The two could not co-exist together, that which is born of the flesh must be cast out. Abraham was loath to cast out the bondwoman and her son; but God told him not to grieve; there was no other way.

We too have to come to this crisis, the flesh, however attractive it may be, must be judged. I have to learn to accept God’s judgment of what I was. I have to say with Paul; "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

When Abraham cast out Ishmael, it was a part of himself, that he had to give up. It cost him very dearly.

Next we find that the Philistine king noticed the obvious blessing of God in Abraham’s life. It made him afraid. He approached Abraham and proposed that they make a covenant. This is characteristic of carnality, it recognizes, but resents the blessing of God in the lives of others, and wishes to make its own position secure. However the King had no reason to doubt the motives or actions of this prince of God; Abraham readily agreed to the proposal.

After that matter was settled, Abraham had cause to rebuke Abimelech, over the conduct of his servants. They were the ones who could not be trusted; they violently took away a resource that Abraham had gained through hard work. However he administered the rebuke very graciously. He then set aside seven ewe lambs, (a picture of the "Meekness and gentleness of Christ"). He then gave them to Abimelech as a testimony that he had dug the well, which he then named "Beersheba", (the well of the oath) Abraham then planted a grove at that place. These young trees were to remind him afresh each day of the faithfulness of God.

There then followed 20 years of the sweetest bliss. Abraham sojourned on what the Philistines claimed was their land, many days. These were years of unclouded joy. He saw the son of promise grow up through the years of childhood, and adolescence, until he reached young manhood.

These were blessed, peaceful years. Their manner of living, as pilgrims, meant that they were never motivated by greed. Abraham never built a house, but they lived together in tents, a close, happy, informal relationship. The pilgrim’s life is a very blessed one. He did not get involved in business, battles, or Politics, but just lived each day in the enjoyment of God’s blessing. This is the kind of life that God wishes you and I to enjoy. We are strangers and pilgrims. Our home is not here; our commonwealth has its existence in the heavens. We are citizens of another country. It is from there that we await our Lord Jesus as Savior, (Phil.3: 20 – 21.)

While wait for Him to come, ours is to be a life that is free of anxious care. We have a loving heavenly Father; one who has promised to supply our every need from day to day.

All of this idyllic life was suddenly shattered, by God asking Abraham to offer that wonderful son of his, the one he loved so dearly, as a sacrifice on one of the mountains that God would show him.

It says that, "God would test Abraham". We might ask why? Did not God know how Abraham would respond? Of course He did! Then why test him, subject him to this harrowing experience? God did this for your sake, and for mine. If God had never put Abraham to this test, then we would never have known how he would react. His example has been such a challenge, and a comfort to so many down through the centuries of God’ dealings with men. God was perfectly within His divine rights: He had given Isaac, was it unjust that He should ask him back again? In a similar situation Job said, "the Lord gave; the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!

Though his heart was broken, yet Abraham did not question, he meekly obeyed. Neither did he put the matter off, but it seems that the following morning, he made preparations for the journey. Some believe that he did not tell Sarah what he had been commanded to do; but I can hardly believe this. I believe that she shared the great sorrow, she too took part in the sacrifice. How devastating it must have been to her; to part with the dearest object of her affections. To part with the son for whom she had waited so long. They could not have possibly understood what God had in mind in all this.

As is so often the case in life’s tragedies, God does not explain what He is doing, He expects us to accept all from His hand. It is often long afterwards, that He may reveal to us the purpose that he had in His heart. In fact it may not be until we reach the glory, that we will understand, but at last we will. When we do, we will never cease to praise and adore Him, for His marvelous grace; for the wonder of His glorious design.

It must have been so hard for Abraham to conceal the sorrow of his broken heart; yet with a strength and a grace given of God, he bore up like a man, and began that sad journey. Sarah too must have hidden away, must have buried her weeping face in the pillow, as we sometimes do. As Isaac left, there went a part of her life, one of her reasons for living. Would she ever see him again? Yet they both gave up to God, the dearest object of their affections. Solemn, but blessed surrender! Are you and I willing for such a surrender?

As they journeyed along, the country was so well known to Abraham, for perhaps 45 years he had lived in these places. Perhaps he explained to Isaac the many experiences that he had passed through in those places. It was on the third day; (the day of resurrection), that Abraham lifted up his eyes, he saw the fatal place from afar. There came a point where they could take the servants and the ass, no further. What was to follow was to be known only to them, and to God. It would have been so; if God had not chosen to reveal it to us in His word; we are meant to be reverent spectators.

They went both of them together, so we are told, how sweet were those last moments of communion between the father and the son! Isaac was a strong young man. Strong enough to carry sufficient wood to consume his own body, on his back, up that mountain. Yet there was something that he could not understand. "My Father, (he asks), here is the fire, and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Now Abraham’s faith shines through, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering!" These were words that could only be spoken in faith.

We are told that when they came to the spot, Abraham built an altar. He was now an old man of more than a hundred and twenty years; Isaac is a strong young man in his early twenties, who do you suppose gathered the large stones for the construction of the altar? It is reasonable to suppose that Isaac did. What a picture this is of his total surrender. The wood is then placed on the altar, but still no sacrifice appeared. It was then that the terrible truth was revealed Isaac was to be the sacrifice.

We do not often realize the part that Isaac had in all this. He was a strong young man; his father was a very old man. He did not have to physically resist his father; all he had to do was to run away, that he could do easily; but instead he meekly yielded himself to the will of God. He allowed his father to bind him; possibly with the rope that bound the wood together. He may even have assisted his father in placing himself on the wood, upon the altar. His surrender was complete:

Doubtless with a trembling hand, and a breaking heart, Abraham raised the knife. Isaac lay there, expecting to feel at any moment the pain of that sharp knife piercing his chest, then his heart. But just at that moment an urgent voice is heard from heaven; "Abraham, Abraham, do not harm the lad". He turns to see who is speaking; and there he sees a ram, caught by its horns in a thicket; the LAMB of God’s provision. The knife that should have ended Isaac’s life, was then used to set him free; to cut the bonds that bound him. The substitute they then offered instead of Isaac.

What a beautiful picture it all presents; a picture of the surrender of self, that marks the culmination of sanctification. "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12: 1.)

This chapter, (22), gives us also a beautiful typical picture of the relationships between our Heavenly Father, and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and what was involved for both, when the Father, in wondrous love, gave His Son, to die for us at the place, Golgotha. We will never know just what it cost the Father to give His only begotten Son, for us. Nor will we ever be able to understand what it cost the Lord Jesus, to give himself, for us.

It is John, in his gospel; who brings out the intimate relationship that existed between the Father and the Son, (see John 1: 14, Ch. 3:16, Ch. 17:5 & 24. Rom. 8: 32. Col. 1: 13.) All these scriptures, and many others; emphasize the sweetness of that love-relationship that existed between the Father and the Son, Yet at Calvary, it was all broken.

Twice it is said of Abraham and Isaac, that they; "went both of them together". A typical picture of the sweetness of the communion that existed between the Father and the Son, as He trod the path to the cross. We are also reminded that not only did the Father give the Son, for us; but also the Lord Jesus gave himself for us; for me. (Gal. 2: 20, Eph. 5: 25.)

In the garden, where He poured out his soul, with strong crying and tears; we hear Him say, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done". The type failed, (it always does, it never can adequately represent the fullness), because a substitute was provided. A ram, (Heb. Strong one), was caught by its horns in a thicket. The horns represent its strength, the thicket, the will of God. In Psalm 89: 19, God says, "I have laid help on one that is mighty." The mighty personal power of the Lord Jesus was surrendered to the greater power of the will of God, in Gethsemane.

It is interesting to note, that it is in this chapter, we are told about Rebecca. This links with the scripture already quoted in Eph. 5: 25. Also we never read of Isaac coming down from the mountain; and we are told that Abraham received him from the dead in figure, (Heb. 11: 19.) As a reward for His atoning sufferings, our Lord Jesus has received the Church; His Bride. When next we read of him, he is meditating in the field, and it is there that his bride is brought to him.

God gave back to Sarah, the son whom she had given up to Him: She had the joy of his company for another 15 to 17 years. What blessed years they must have been. She had given up the dearest object of her affections, at the command of God; and now she receives him back. She would hold him differently ever afterwards, realizing that he now belonged to God, not to herself, yet she enjoyed unhindered fellowship with him for the rest of her life. But the time came when her long pilgrimage came to an end.

Abraham had been confronted by death before; First, in the death of his brother, then, in the death of his father. God used both of those bereavements to Abraham’s blessing; to bring him into the centre of God’s salvation, His will, and His blessing. We are told nothing about those funerals, but things are different now with Abraham. He had come to know God, as the God of resurrection. The dark mystery that surrounded death is now gone; he must find a suitable burying place.

He approached the sons of Heth, who gave a touching testimony to the esteem in which they held Abraham: "Thou art a mighty prince among us:" is their unified testimony to him. They would be honored if he would bury Sarah in the best of their sepulchres. But while moved by their kindness and respect, Abraham could not accept their offer.

Sarah and Abraham’s family were different, they had lived separate lives; they were not a part of that society, or community; Even in death that separation must be maintained. Abraham had a hope that those men did not possess. So it was; that he bought a field and the cave that was in it.

This is the first burial in scripture, where the hope of resurrection is suggested. That is why a cave was required. It is an indication that Abraham believed in the resurrection of the just. Though the frail old body was laid to rest there; it was not going to remain there. One day soon, Sarah’s dust will be gathered; it will be quickened by the Spirit of the Living God, the old body will be changed, and she will come out of that cave; what a glorious hope!

Abraham gave that dear old body, a burial that was suited to it. Sarah was a Princess; and she was given the burial of a Princess. Hers was a long and beautiful life. A life of faithfulness, and loyalty to the husband she reverenced. We are told that she obeyed Abraham calling him Lord. This was not because of fear, but because of her love for him. She had stood loyally by the husband whom she loved, through all the trials, the temptations, the joys and sorrows of life. Together, they had trodden the path of the will of God: She thus has become a model, for all women of faith. Those who follow her example, become her daughters, see 1 Peter 3: 1 to 6.

The next chapter, (24), is devoted to the securing of a Bride for Isaac. This chapter can also be interpreted in two ways. Firstly; as typical of the operations of the persons of the Godhead, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, in securing a Bride for the Son. Secondly; we can view it as a godly example of a spiritual father, and his concern for his family, and the choice of suitable life partners for the members.

In the first case, Abraham is a type of the Father, the unnamed servant, a type of the Holy Spirit, and Isaac as a type of Christ, the Son, Rebecca is a type of the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Abraham made the servant swear that he would not take a bride for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites; they were finally to come under the judgment of God. This reminds us that the Church, (though taken from amongst the nations), is composed of those who already have a relationship with Christ, through the new birth. Like Eve, who was made from a rib taken from over Adam’s heart, so the Church is of Christ’s flesh and His bones, Eph. 5: 30.

The servant takes a long journey, in obedience to Abraham’s commands, and goes laden with tokens of his wealth, to secure a bride for his son. The Holy Spirit; also came from heaven, in obedience to the commands of both the Father and the Son. He came at Pentecost, with the expressed purpose of securing a Bride for Christ.

Humility; complete dependence; and godly grace, at every step marked the servant. His name also is not given; and the Holy Spirit has not taken a personal name. Ever since coming from Heaven at Pentecost; the Holy Spirit has been pursuing His work of grace. He has been convicting and converting sinners to Christ; performing the miracle of the new birth in each one, then baptizing each into the Body of Christ, His Bride.

The servant never praised, or drew attention to himself, and the ornaments and gifts; he always gave the credit to his master, and acknowledged the gifts as belonging to Abraham. In the same way; the Holy Spirit does not speak, from Himself, or of, Himself: He glorifies Christ; He takes the things of Christ and shows them to us, He shows us things to come. (John 16:7 to 15.)

Rebecca; wholly fulfilled the desires, and expectations of the servant, so that there was no doubt that she was the one chosen of God for his master’s son.

The true Church; also responds to the leading, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Here we need to distinguish between the true Church, the Bride of Christ, that which the Holy Spirit has formed: and the Professing Christian Church, which embraces much that is not genuine, and is in fact grieving to the Holy Spirit.

The camels represent the power of the Holy Spirit; that which he makes freely available to us, when we are willing to be obedient. At the journey’s end, the servant draws attention to his master, and finally presents Isaac with his bride. Isaac leads her into his mother Sarah’s tent, she becomes his wife, he loves her, and he is comforted after the death of his mother.

All of these things are full of teaching. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, leads us to wholly yield ourselves to Him. Causes us to refuse the attention of all others, to cover ourselves from the attention of the world, and to hold our beauty, which is wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, wholly, and only, for the Lord Jesus; our Bridegroom.

The Holy Spirit presents us to Christ as His Bride. We have come into Israel’s place in the testimony of God, (See Romans chapters 9 to 11), and our Lord Jesus now finds comfort, during the time of Israel’s rejection of Him.

The first 10 verses of chapter 25 of genesis make rather sad reading. After Sarah’s death there was evidently moral decline in Abraham’s life. He took another wife, as well as concubines, from them he had six sons. She is called Keturah: It is interesting to note that there are several ancient opinions, that she was none other than Hagar, who Abraham took again after Sarah’s death. There seems to be some ground in Genesis for us to believe this idea. One of the sons of Keturah, was Midian, his descendants are called Midianites. The descendants of Ishmael, are called Ishmeelites, but in Gen. 37: 28, there was a caravan of Midianites, who are also called Ishmeelites. Likewise in Judges 8: 24, though it was the Midianites who were defeated by Gideon, yet it is said that they were Ishmaelites. It is interesting to note that they had golden moons, (crescents,) on chains about their camel’s necks: The Muslims even today, have adopted the crescent as their national, and religious symbol, this is obviously a carryover from ancient idolatry, and the worship of the moon.

However, whether that is so or not, before he died, Abraham wound up his family affairs; he gave gifts to these sons, and sent them away to the east country, (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, etc). He realized that they were not like Isaac, and that they could not share the blessings of God, that were promised to, and through him.

It also seems that Abraham brought Ishmael back into the family, or at least brought about some reconciliation between Isaac and Ishmael, because both had a part in Abraham’s burial.

Hebrews 11: 9, gives us some positive information about Abraham’s later years, and tells us that he lived in "Tabernacles, (tents,) with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." Perhaps at the very end; he realized his mistake, and turned again to lay hold of the plan and promise of God? It seems that he lived during the first fifteen years of Jacob’s life; and that he had greater discernment than Isaac, as to whom was the chosen of God of his two grandsons. Because he lived with Isaac and Jacob; not with Esau.

During those years, he must have had a tremendous effect on Jacob’s life. He must have told of the promised blessings of God; so that Jacob came to strongly desire those blessings; though he had no right to them by birth.

All this would remind us of the great influence for good, that it is possible for grandparents to have, on the lives of their grandchildren. Let us see to it, that it is so with us; and our grandchildren!

Thus ended the long life of our illustrious Father. He died in a good old age, an old man and full of years. Thank God for Abraham! The challenge comes to us: Will others be able to thank God for us, for our lives, for the example that we have left, for others to follow, when we die? May it be so!

It then says of Abraham, what it says of none before him; that he was "gathered to his peoples". It seems that the blessing of God that he had entered into was also imputed to his ancestors; those who had died in faith. He was not the first to die in faith, but he is exalted to be the father of all those who have faith. Isaac and Jacob also, were gathered to their peoples. They departed this life, to be added to all those who had entered that unseen world of the dead. A place of rest, comfort, and of blessing, (see Luke 16: 19 to 31.)

He also was buried in the cave of Macpelah; buried in the light of the hope of resurrection. His body still rests there awaiting that great day of victory. But Abraham’s soul and spirit are now in Paradise. The Lord Jesus went down into Hades, (paradise), during the three days that His body lay in the tomb: But when He arose victorious; He led captivity captive. He released the spirits of the just; now made perfect, because of His atoning death; and took them up with him into what is now Paradise; where they await the Day of Jesus Christ; when at His shout the dead in Christ shall rise first. When we the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them, to meet the Lord in the air; to be forever with Him in that place he has gone to prepare for us. EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!

May it please the Lord; to bless the thoughts expressed in this small book; to all whom have the opportunity to read it!