Week 3

Well, Job can be a little tough, but we are finishing it up. Then we'll enter a fascinating period of history as we read about the establishment of the nation of Israel.


Topics of interest:

* Genesis 11 indicates Shem was still alive at the time of Abraham.
* Abraham lived such a life that God called him out of his father’s house, despite his father Terah worshipping other gods. This was the Patriarchal Period, so Terah served as the priest for his family.
* Ishmaelites fathered by Abraham, and Moabites and Ammonites fathered by Lot, were later enemies of Israelites who were also fathered by Abraham.


Point to consider:

In many instances, the events of the lives of Abraham and Isaac are allusions (symbols or pictures of later events) of Jesus. This week we read the stories of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22) and of finding a bride for Isaac (Gen 24). Both of these events foreshadow the life of Jesus.

God tested Abraham’s obedience by commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Certainly, God wouldn’t accept a human sacrifice like this, but in setting this event up, He provided the picture of the sacrifice that He would make 2000 years later. Abraham left his servants behind but told them "we will come back to you". (Notice, "WE will return") This statement shows that Abraham was going to be obedient even without knowing what was about to happen. His faith was in the God who prophesied that it would be through Isaac (Gen 17:19) that his descendents be blessed. Abraham had no knowledge of what God’s intent was, but he knew that the word of God was true. "The Lord will provide for Himself a lamb for the burnt offering." Abraham took Isaac to the top of the mountain and built the altar. As Abraham stretched out his hand to slay his son, God stopped him and provided a ram for the burnt offering. Isaac is not mentioned again until chapter 24, and is not seen by the readers again until the end of the chapter when he receives his bride.

These events are a picture of our Lord. Abraham represents God the Father, who was willing to sacrifice His Son. Isaac is a representation of Jesus, willing to submit to His Father even unto death. Then the son is unseen until he appears to claim his bride (a picture of the rapture). The unnamed servant of Abraham (who we know to be Eliezer from previous identification) represents the Holy Spirit who is sent, not speaking of Himself but of the Son, to establish a bride for the Son. An interesting point is the name Eliezer means 'God is help'. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as 'the Helper' (John 16:7). The bride, Rebekah, represents the the church, Jewish and Gentile believers alike, who are brought to the Son by the Holy Spirit.

Again, God shows us His plan of salvation, but He uses a different method this time. He hasn't hidden His plan from us. He has told it to us in numerous ways so that we might find it, and Him, in just one of them.