Abraham - Dad Extraordinaire

Dear class,

This following is an excerpt taken from the lecture I wrote for the the 5th Annual Four Seas Lectureship in 2012. Thought I might just share with you while we went through Genesis 22.

Abraham – Dad Extraordinaire

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19)

What a great compliment upon an individual from none other than our Father in heaven! This was the same individual who was called “friend of God” (James 2:23).
In writing about Abraham with reference to the above verse, brother Winfred Clark highlighted three pertinent points about the godly father - (1) authority would be exercised, (2) godliness would be emphasized and (3) righteousness would be exemplified (Clark 570).
Here was a godly man, who did not allow his secular success to get in his way to serve God with all his heart, beginning with his family. And as we read on in the book of Genesis, we realized Abraham’s greatest test of faith was to come (Genesis 22). The focus here is upon Abraham’s great faith and trust in God (Genesis 22:12). Taking it from the perspective of this study, we note how well Abraham handled the situation from his position as a father to his son, Isaac.
Not once was it evident in the account that Abraham displayed hesitation and procrastination. Trying to “cheat” God or find a way around this “impossible” sacrifice was probably the furthest from his mind! Abraham, did not drag his feet, but got up early to fulfill God’s commandments. Even when Isaac started to suspect something amiss (Genesis 22:7), Abraham, God bless his faithful heart, did not “freak out” or break down, yet answered in the most loving and reassuring manner, “God will provide…” (Genesis 22:8). Till the very last moment, just before the knife came down, Abraham’s resolved was unshaken.
This was as much a lesson to Abraham as it was to Isaac. Abraham had indeed exercised his authority as a father to remain undistracted by his son’s queries. He emphasized godliness to Isaac in that he did not try to get out of the situation unlawfully. Finally, righteousness was exemplified when he demonstrated the fact that true righteousness came only from God and obeying His commandments (Psalm 119:172; James 2:23).
It must have come as a great revelation and comfort to Isaac when his dad’s “God will provide” reassurance still manifested itself in the form of the ram caught in the thicket. Abraham was presented with a test with which he passed with flying colours and in the end demonstrated an important lesson to his own son.

Let us continue to learn from this great example of faith and more importantly, demonstrate it in our lives.

in Him
Paul

References cited
Clark, J.Winfred. “A Father’s Compliment”. Expositions of the “Expositor” Vol. 1. Ed. Michael R. McDaniel. Pulaski, TN: Sain Publications, 2001. 570-571

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. ~ Acts 22:16