When I became a Christian I felt like I came into the middle of a story. People always taught the Bible but I never understood the full perspective of what was being taught. It was like watching a movie from the middle and never seeing the beginning; how the characters got to where they were, what happened early on. People always said we need to be like Abraham. They said we had to have faith like Abraham. Having seen a little more about how Abraham grew up and how he lived, we can see that his relationship with God was developed. He started out learning about God from Noah and Shem, then he tested his understanding in the fields. He then had a lot of righteousness anger toward idolatry, and his father’s idols. He was tested by Nimrod on a few occasions, and then left Ur to Haran and eventually Canaan. His life was not easy; he did not have a church with like minded believers for support. He was not alone in his commitment to God as Noah and Shem were probably teaching others as well, but he was alone in his family. Yet everywhere he went he taught people about God, Haran, Canaan, Egypt, and Philistia. He made people into disciples everywhere he lived. He also taught people about the stars and mathematics. Abraham’s life wasn’t easy though, I believe we have a false impression that if we follow God our lives will be on easy street, yet that is not what makes us disciples or a friend of God.
What does it mean to be the children of Abraham? How was he a friend of God? It seems it cost Abraham something to be called the friend of God. He gave up living for himself, and others, and lived for God only. He was not a slave to anyone, but he was sold out to God. This is why God could entrust him with sacrificing the life of his son when satan accused him before God. Yahweh could count on Abraham to do what was asked of him. Therefore unless we behave like Abraham, we should not be so quick to put ourselves in this category of friend of God. Flippantly attributing ourselves as a friend of God is prideful, which is never a good thing. It would be better for God to say that of us rather than we saying that of ourselves. But we are called children of Abraham if we believe. God promised a heavenly city for the seed of Abraham.
Here is a history of Abraham.
2 Esd 3:11-15 Nevertheless one of them thou leftest, namely, Noah with his household, of whom came all righteous men.12 And it happened, that when they that dwelt upon the earth began to multiply, and had gotten them many children, and were a great people, they began again to be more ungodly than the first.13 Now when they lived so wickedly before thee, thou didst choose thee a man from among them, whose name was Abraham.14 Him thou lovedst, and unto him only thou shewedst thy will:15 And madest an everlasting covenant with him, promising him that thou wouldest never forsake his seed.KJV
Heb 11:8-19 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.KJV
Sarah also trusted Yahweh and believed he was faithful to his word. But God has to develop our trust in Him with things that try us. Just like Abraham, we are his seed when we are tried and still trust in him.
Jdt 8:25-27 Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us, even as he did our fathers.26 Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother's brother.27 For he hath not tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the examination of their hearts, neither hath he taken vengeance on us: but the Lord doth scourge them that come near unto him, to admonish them.KJV
We are tried and examined just as Abraham was. God doesn’t try us in fire or with vengeance but he does scourge those who come near to Him. So God punishes or whips those who want to come near to him and rebukes and advises them. We then should have a different opinion of being tested and tried. Do we suffer with sickness, or suffer with poverty, or do we suffer being childless, or as a widow or a widower? Our suffering is for our benefit, so that we learn to glory in sufferings. We then, when we are found faithful, can come near to God. But isn’t it the devil that tells us God is mean for letting us suffer, and for testing and trying us? It seems we have to change our thinking so that we align ourselves with God rather than acting if God is not listening when we are suffering. I think He is listening, but he has a purpose for us and we need to submit to the process so that we can find out what it is. We saw how satan accuses us and that God lets him attack us, within boundaries. We will explore this idea more next week.
Jesus has some interesting stories of Abraham, firstly it seems there is a place for the just or righteous dead called Abraham’s Bosom. Jesus describes this and then also tells us Abraham is not dead, as God is the God of the living.
Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.KJV
As we can see, this is not a parable, as these people have names, where as when Jesus speaks in parables the individuals don’t have names. Here it is interesting that the rich man,who could be anyone who has received good things, had a good life. But Lazarus received evil things. This is very revealing. There are plenty of people who are tested with lots of money and things, and that is what satan uses to accuse them before God. How will we respond with riches? How many pastors drive nicer cars than their congregation, or live in bigger more extravagant houses then their parishioners? They are being tested just like everyone else. I’m sure I’ve offended some with that statement but keep in mind that if someone is convicted by these words it could save them in eternal life. Yes the rich, mighty, even the televangelists are all being tested by God. So are we self indulgent? Isn’t this what Jesus was pointing out about the widow and her mite, it was worth more to God then the folks who made a big show of their lives and giving? It seems also that the ones who have suffered in this life Jesus says are comforted. While Jesus was making a point here regarding the afterlife, he does state that Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom, a special place for the righteous. But Abraham is still alive.
Mark 12:26-27 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.KJV
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are alive in a place called the bosom of Abraham, where there is apparently food and water. That is what Jesus said. Next we see that this place is somewhere people recline and relax with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Yet there will be heirs of Abraham that do not enter the kingdom of heaven and Jesus tells us why. Those people will be somewhere where it is dark and they will be crying and grinding their teeth, because they are not in the kingdom with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus’ words, “so great faith, no not in Israel” are a clue. The Israelites thought they could enter the kingdom by their works, but clearly they cannot, their works have to be accompanied by faith. Oddly the centurion was a “gentile” according to the Jews but he had faith in Jesus’ words. I just want to throw this out there, there are many people who may think by linage they are Jews, but there are many people who may have moved to other parts of the world that actually are of the linage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We will see why in a few weeks.
Matt 8:10-12 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.KJV
Faith NT:4102 pistis (pis'-tis); from NT:3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: KJV - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Faith is persuasion or conviction. Abraham trusted God, therefore he was obedient to God, which is the faith the centurion had, he didn’t need Jesus to come to his house, he simply believed His word. Again we see the same idea, that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be in the kingdom but some will be cast out.
Luke 13:24-30 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.KJV
The conversation that preceded this idea of the kingdom was having a small amount of faith would grow into much more and a small amount of leaven would infect everything. A little faith or conviction can go a long way, and a little leaven can destroy people. We see that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets will be in the kingdom of God (the all had faith), but the door will be shut and many people will stand outside the door (they had leaven). They will knock on the door, they will cry and get mad, but they won’t get into the kingdom. Yet a little faith will grow into a great tree so that others can see it, learn about it, and rest in that faith. It could provide comfort, or shade from the heat; it could provide nourishment for the hungry. Faith that is seen brings people in, drawing them to the thing they have been missing and seeking, a relationship with God. If people see your faith they can learn to have their own faith.
Jesus testifies that he is Yahweh, as we have seen before, and that Abraham knew him. While the religious leaders are always trying to say that their linage and their religious works are their guarantee from God, Jesus points out they do not do what Abraham did, therefore they are not of Abraham.
John 8:38-41 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.KJV
Jesus said that the Jews should have been doing the works of Abraham. If they should have been doing the works of Abraham we should be doing the works of Abraham as well. Not the works of the Levitical Priesthood, but the works of Melchizedek, which were the works of Abraham.
John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.KJV
The Jews could not understand Jesus being Yahweh; they simply did not believe, instead they trusted in ritual service to get them into the kingdom. It did not matter how many altars Abraham built, or how many burnt offerings he offered God, what mattered was that he listened, obeyed, and cultivated a personal relationship with God. Yet Abraham did have a personal relationship with Yahweh, and Yahweh talked with him as a friend. It was interesting to see how Abraham negotiated with Yahweh, not as a spoiled child but as a concerned elder of Lot. If we notice Abraham never took advantage of his relationship with Yahweh either, he didn’t make deals with God for himself. He didn’t say if you do this, I’ll do that, as some people do today. He simply lived and communed with Yahweh. At one point he laments to Yahweh and asks what good is it that I have all this stuff and I’m going to leave it to my servant. Abraham wasn’t asking anything of God, he was sad that he didn’t have any heirs. We saw how treasured Isaac was in Abraham’s and Sarah’s lives. Yet even still Abraham did not argue with Yahweh about sacrificing his son.
This is a lot to think about concerning the seed of Abraham. Learning to live better is our goal in looking at Abraham’s life. Next week we will see more about being Abraham’s seed and why God could count on him as a friend.
