Bible Pathway - January 8
Read Genesis 22
Highlights:
Miraculous, divine intervention because of obedience to God. Abraham does not hesitate to sacrifice Isaac.
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again (Gen. 24:4-6).
It is all important that the children of God's people should marry only in the Lord. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14). Only in this way can we hope to perpetuate, as Malachi teaches, a godly seed. But those who live in fellowship with Him may confidently count on His angels being sent to help in securing this desirable issue. Every marriage should be a matter for profound concern and much prayer, both for the parents of each, as well as for those that are to be wed.
Abraham sent Eleazer, his most trusted servant, to his old homeland in Aram to choose a wife for Isaac from among his own people, with this comment: The LORD . . . He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife (Gen. 24:7).
Abraham expressed his absolute confidence in the ability of God to lead his servant in every detail to obtain a wife for his son. And Abraham said unto him, The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence (24:7). However, to Eleazar, this tremendous assignment of going to what would be a foreign land to find the exact wife for his master's son must have seemed an impossible task. The providential guidance of God led in such a significant way that it removed all possible doubt from Eleazar.
When faced with a problem, Christians should be aware of the unseen hand of God that orchestrates events and solves our problems. We should give glory to God by offering Him instant praise and thanksgiving for His guidance.
When our heart's desire is to please Him, God orders all the ways of our lives so that He may use us and we may offer Him the worship He desires and deserves. Christians should not hesitate to give Him all the credit and all the praise for everything, even life itself.
This is illustrated in the life of one leper who was healed by Jesus. Jesus had healed ten of them. However, only one returned. Are you like the one out of ten? And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (Luke 17:15-17).
Thought for Today:
We are to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).
Christ Revealed:
Through Isaac's submission to his father and his willingness to be offered (Gen. 22:7-10). Jesus willingly offered His life. I lay down (give up) My life. . . . No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself (John 10:11-18).
Word Studies:
22:1 tempt, test, prove; 22:3 clave, split; 22:12 fearest, do reverence, are unconditionally surrendered to; 22:14 Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide; 23:17 were made sure, were deeded; 24:60 seed possess the gate, descendants overcome and be victorious over.
Prayer Suggestion: Remember, what is impossible with men is possible with God (Matt. 19:26).
Optional Reading: Matthew 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 100:1-2
