It was the end of an 'era', with the death of the great Patriarch. Yet, God's plans and purposes still continue. This session serves as a transition from Abraham, to his son Isaac.
(A) How the story of redemption continues (Gen 25:1-6)
Abraham took another wife after the death of Sarah and God blessed him with more children. However, before he died, he gave all that he had to Isaac. The other children received only gifts. Even when he was about to die, we see how Abraham acted in obedience and faith. His children and their comfort, and the perceptions of those around him would not stand in the way of God's promise. Once again, he displayed an utter devotion and commitment to the Word of God and His promises. What about us? Will we be wiling to stake everything in life, and even nearing death, to obey God?
(B) How this chapter of redemption ends (Gen 25:7-11)
Gen 25:7-8 described Abraham's life, and the fullness of his long life was emphasised. Abraham did not die alone, but "he was gathered to his people". Even at the end of his life, he was able to see a tiny bit of God's promise given in Gen 12 fulfilled. Abraham had a full life, not because of the riches he accumulated, but because of the people that he was able to build and bless. What about us? Can others say that about our lives at the end?
Abraham was buried in the same cave at Sarah, which was in the promised land (Gen 25:9-10). In death, Abraham was in the place that God had promised him.
After his death "God blessed Isaac his son". Throughout his life, God's blessings on him and his household were evident from the narrative, and from this chapter on, God would bless his son. Why is the word “blessing” so important? It meant that God was continuing his promise to Adam and Abraham. The world is cursed following Gen 3. Every time the word “blessing” appears, it is a mark of God undoing the curse in a world that deserves judgment. Blessing is not God giving us gifts on top of our riches. Biblical blessing, therefore, is God giving us gifts when we were undeserving, and deserved judgment instead. It is grace.
Abraham's life also reflected the gospel, and the New Testament helped us understand how:
New Testament | The Gospel According to Abraham | Teaching | Implications |
Rom 4 | Abraham’s Gospel Root | In the mode of Abraham’s faith, salvation comes by faith alone, not by the law. Abraham trusted in God, and because he did, it was counted as righteousness. For example, instead of doing, as he tried through Hagar, he trusted God and was saved. | Again and again, the Bible shows us that for the Christian, there are three ways to live – sin, law and gospel. We are saved not through our actions, but by trusting the way that God has provided for us. Therefore, we need to continue to remind ourselves of the root of our salvation. |
Jas 2 | Abraham’s Gospel Fruit | This faith that saves must result in fruits of works. The mark of genuine faith is the production of good works. A tree with healthy roots, will bear fruit. A fruit-less tree implies problem with the roots. | We must constantly be drawing from the root to bear fruit, being cautious if we are not. We ought to encourage others in the same way. In the same way, our heart is like the tree. Therefore, we can never bear fruit just by willing ourselves to. If we want to be kind and loving, there is no point just summoning our will to do so. Instead, we go back to the root, looking at the kind and generous and loving God, and dealing with the root of the problem. |
Gal 3 | Abraham’s Gospel Identity | This faith-salvation comes by Jesus Christ, Abraham’s Son, and so are those who come through Him. | We must constantly be reinforcing our true identity and rejecting false ones thrust upon us, remembering God’s intent to bless, the examples of others, and our present and future blessings. If we are saved by this mode of salvation, we are sons of Abraham, a children of faith. If we are sons of Abraham, we are part of the promise, one of the stars promised to Abraham. We are part of God’s plan to bring his promise and plan to the world. We need to remind ourselves daily of who we truly are, and not adopt identities that society impose upon us – based on our jobs, our schools etc. |
Heb 11 | Abraham’s Gospel Life | Those who come by this faith-salvation are then called to live by this same faith in Christ. | Daily then, we must live holy lives. We hope on God, remembering His promises, turning away from false trust, acting boldly. If you are a child of God in Jesus, you do not go back to a life under the law. God is not impressed by our works. Instead, we live and die by this same faith. ‘Holy’ does not mean perfect, but wholly different from the world. |
(C) How the story of redemption does not go on (Gen 25:12-18)
The bible also indicates the genealogy of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18). God did not only bless Isaac, but also blessed Ishmael, as promised. This is a gracious God that continues to bless people that do not deserve it at all. However, Ishmael settled in Egypt, and his life appeared to be different from Isaac's, as he lived a conflict-riddled life (Gen 25:18).
The Bible continues to present two different lines, though God blessed both. From Gen 25, we say two lines -- one was the child of the promise, and the other, was one that moved away from God.
For us that come way after Abraham, we are confronted with a choice -- how do we want to live?
Years later, among the people of Israel, Joshua presented the same decision to the people:
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh 24:15)
The New Testament also records for us a similar radical decision made by Paul:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8)
What about us? Today, are we willing to say that we have committed ourselves wholeheartedly to the plans and purposes of Jesus Christ, who is gracious and continues to bless us who are undeserving?