mercy and patience is great and His rule is always just. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had fallen to great depths of sin. The sins committed by the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were grievous and called out for punishment. God considered all of Abraham’s pleads and carefully reviewed all the issues before making a decision.
God can and will destroy any city or nation that becomes too evil. The evils of Sodom and Gomorrah were detestable and were too evil to be spoken of.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 reads, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Abraham was selected by God to be the father of many nations and the instrument for continuing the bloodline for the Messiah. Israel would be only one of many nations.
Genesis 17:3-6 reads, “And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but they name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.”
The covenant between God and Abraham was a promise that would have an everlasting effect for many generations and would bless all of mankind in many nations.
Genesis 12:3 reads, ”And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
All the families of the world would be blessed if they took on the faith of Abraham. The covenant between God and Abraham was a promise of blessings that would be centered on the arrival of the Messiah.
Galatians 3:29 reads, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
A person who takes on the faith of Abraham will become a spiritual child of Abraham and will experience the blessings of the covenant made between God and Abraham.
The most difficult truth for Abraham to learn was that he was God’s creation. God created all of mankind, has complete control over all of mankind, and required Abraham to understand that God was in control of all things including death. Abraham’s test came when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham followed God’s direction and placed his complete trust in God and believed without a doubt that God was in complete control. Abraham’s faith was without doubt and was strong enough to withstand any test.
The children of Abraham are all those of many nations that place their faith in God.
John 8:39-40 reads, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham‘s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”
Abraham was a man of truth, unquestionable integrity, strong faith, and a man that followed God’s direction without doubt. Today, the children of Abraham walk in faith and know God’s word and obey His commandments. God spoke to Abraham and instructed Abraham how to obey His charge, commandments, statutes, and His laws. God’s commandments exposed sin and allowed Abraham and others to live a righteous life.
Genesis 26:5 reads, ”Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statues, and my laws.”
Isaac and Rebekah
(Approximate 2065–1885 BC)
Isaac was Abraham and Sarah’s only son. He was a blessing and a miracle from God since Sarah was well past the age of being able to conceive (90 years old). God was in control and was going to ensure and approve the family lineage of His only Son Jesus Christ. God was prepared to unfold many miracles that would ensure a long family heritage of men that would precede the sacred birth of His only Son.
Isaac’s sins were similar to the sins of his father Abraham. Both men lied and said that their wives were their sisters for fear they would be killed. Both Sarah and Rebekah were very beautiful women and would be desired by many to possibly be added to a ruler’s harem.
Genesis 26: 2-4 reads, “And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee, for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these counties, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”
Genesis 26:12-14 reads, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and Philistines envied him.”
Blessings came in the form of property and other blessings. The property was divided equally between the children with the oldest children receiving a double portion. The blessing was given in the form of a prophecy of blessings that would be given to future descendants. Generally, the oldest child received the double portion and was made head of the family. However, if the oldest child fell out of favor the double portion of property and blessings may go to another child. In the case of Abraham, God made a special blessing that would be passed from one generation to another as long as each generation remained faithful to God’s word. The descendants of Abraham would become leaders and gain possession of the land of Canaan. More importantly, God’s blessing to Abraham would be the birth of His only Son, Jesus Christ as a direct descendant. The birth of Jesus Christ would be a blessing to all nations of the world.
Isaac was a faithful servant to God who never forgot how God provided the sacrifice of a ram as his substitute. In a time when polygamy was common, Isaac took only one wife, Rebekah. As Abraham’s wife Sarah, Rebekah was not able to have children. God heard Isaac’s prayers for children and God answered their prayers by blessing them with twin sons (Esau and Jacob).
Application
Isaac was a gift from God to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac would carry the bloodline forward and be an important part of unfolding God’s plan for all of mankind. The name Isaac was given by God and means, “he laughed”. It seemed impossible to Abraham and Sarah that they could have a child at their advanced age.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all consider patriarchs because of their close relationship with God and His wilingness to share with each of them His commandments, statutes, and laws. These men were given great responsibility and authority for communicating and enforcing God’s commandments and laws.
As Abraham, Isaac followed God’s commands and moved to different lands.
Genesis 26:2-3 reads,”And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these counties, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;”
God made the same covenant with Isaac as He made with Abraham. God’s blessings for Abraham were passed down to Isaac even though Isaac fails with some of the same issues as Abraham. God‘s love for mankind is a covenant that cannot be broken and is passed down from generation to generation. The conditions are simple and strait forward, as Abraham we must be obedient
