Jireh
Press In To Press On #10
Mark Geppert
Isaac carried the wood. Abraham carried the Rhema. Isaac had questions. Abraham believed God.
It is not an easy thing to follow someone who is driven by someone you can not see, to do things you cannot understand. The children of we, who have a rhema, can not be faulted for not “understanding” our direction, when their lives are intimately affected. It is totally reasonable to think that at some point Isaac might throw down this wood and start asking some very serious questions about his father’s sanity.
Abraham gave the correct answer, “God will supply the lamb for a burnt offering.” Abraham was moving in faith. He was obeying the direction of the Lord; but, it is totally reasonable that the young man, Isaac, had questions. The promises of God move from generation to generation of those who seek Him. Isaac is about to learn in no uncertain terms that his father would obey God and that God would honor that obedience. For the rest of his life, Isaac, the child of promise, will tell the story of the day they went to worship. It will be told for about 400 years until Moses writes it for us and then a couple thousand years until it is incorporated in the letter to the Hebrews. It will become an award winning song in worship and be declared around the world as fact, God Will Supply.
It will become a standard in the community of faith, God will Supply.
But, to a young man carrying wood following his father with fire and a knife. There needs to be an explanation. We who follow the Rhema of God must understand the impact on our children as they see the “cost” and do not understand the eternal values. How we respond to their legitimate questions will shape their faith.
It is essential that we be transparent with our children and their children about the impact of the word of God. Abraham lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob. Three generations seeing the daily provision, protection, and guidance of the God who is and rewards Abraham’s diligent search for Him. (Hebrews 6:11) The children watch. They see the ups and downs of a life lived contrary to the world’s norms. They see their parent going through changes, standing for Jesus, and they admire the faith and courage. They see and they wonder.
They trust as long as trust is not violated.
Abraham bound the promise to the wood and reached for the knife.
The Seed of Abraham lay bound on the wood looking to the father’s eyes.
The Angel of the Lord spoke to Abraham.
The sacrifice was provided.
God does not ask you to build a ministry on the sacrifice of your children. God will provide the sacrifice for Himself. When choices come, go to God for the answer. When questions come, go to God for the answer. Press In to God for the difficult times. He will give a present direction and always remember that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Abraham had seen Isaac figuratively raised from the dead as the boy had come forth from parents past the age of conception. Isaac was a child of promise. God had said that “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” (Hebrews 11:18) Abraham was required by God to lay his promise on the altar and so are we.
His will, His way, in His Time, for His Results, and His Glory is the prayer we must carry in our hearts. Not mine but yours be done. Tell your kids you love them and God will provide.
Mark
