Return to Youth
There are several "nuggets" in today's portion that really speak to me. First, Abraham and Sarah travel to Gerar and Abraham employs a ruse (20:2) he had used earlier when they were young - presenting Sarah as his "sister" (12:11) because she was beautiful to look on. Why would Abraham be concerned about his ninety year old wife to the point that he orders her to tell Abimelech's people she is his sister?
The Bible stated (17:17) that she was well past child bearing age and she and Abraham laughed when the Lord reiterated his promise to bring a son by Sarah. To me there is only one explanation: God renewed their youth! He turned the bodies back to a younger age. Think about it. When He confirms his promise in 17:1 the Lord presents Himself as El-Shaddai - The Almighty Breasted God. The Lord Who supplies strength and nourishment to His children. Next, how could Sarah go through the pangs and rigors of childbirth at 90? Her womb was closed and she was well past menopause. Her milk veins had dried up. Then we have Abraham's concern when they visit Gerar. She and he must have returned to their youth!
This portion provides another remarkable example of Abraham's incredible faith. After Isaac is born and reaches the age of approximately 17 years the Lord orders Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (22:1-2). Now what would you do in these circumstances? Hesitate? Question God? Refuse to obey? Spiritualize the dictum of God? Not Abraham!!!
Early the next morning, he gets Isaac and takes the fastest mode of transportation available to him (a donkey) and immediately sets out to do God's bidding. No questions, no reasoning, no doubt. Compare this to when Abraham was told that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed. He bargained with God down to 10 righteous souls, but his only son he does not bargain for his life? To me this is incredible. So sure was Abraham that the Lord would preserve Isaac that he confesses in 22:5 to his servants, "The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, then we will come right back." We shall return!!! Lord, grant me that kind of faith.
Chapter 22 is remarkable in another way. In verses 7 and 8 we have the only recorded conversation in all of scripture between Abraham and Isaac. That's it, nothing else. The dearth of dialog between these two crucial characters in the Bible is astounding.
In chapter 23, we learn of Sarah's death. This is critical because it provides the evidence that Abraham and his descendants are the legal owners of land in Canaan near Mamre (23:17-20). The NLT states, "It was transferred to Abraham as his permanent possession in the presence of Hittite elders at the city gate." This, and all of Israel, was promised to Abraham and his seed through Isaac forever. May God bless Israel.
God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.
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My question centers around Chapter 27. Jacob has taken Esau's birthright. He then deceives his father Isaac to receive Isaac's blessing. When Esau learns of this he asks his father to bless him as well. Jacob does not do that.
ReplyDeleteAt that time in history were the blessings of a father somehow quantified.. meaning there could only be one blessing given and once that was given it was too late to reverse the effects?
Even though it was achieved through deceit?
This deception to Isaac was done with the help of Rebekah as well.
What, if any, implications does this hold?
Jacob managed to get the birthright and the blessing. Isaac had spoken as an oracle of God, i.e. he was speaking in place of God and delivered the blessing to Jacob. There was not a way to take it back.
ReplyDeleteThis is loosely analogous to the "reading of the will" in today's society. Ostensibly, a Will represents the final wishes of the deceased. The executor of the estate reads the will as an stand-in (oracle) of the person who passes away.
Rebekah realized (most likely at birth) that Jacob was the one to receive the blessing, so she did all that was in her power to help Jacob get the blessing.