Monday, June 08, 2020

2020.06.08 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 26:26–33

Questions from the Scripture text: Who came to Isaac in Genesis 26:26? With whom? What does Isaac ask them in Genesis 26:27? What do they say they’ve seen (Genesis 26:28)? What do they want Isaac to do? What do they claim that they have done in Genesis 26:29? What does Isaac do for them in Genesis 26:30? What do they do, at what time, in Genesis 26:31? What do the Philistines do then? Who come in Genesis 26:32? When? What do they tell him? What does he call the well in Genesis 26:33? What was the city called? 
In this passage, we learn both of our dependence upon Christ for all of our blessedness, and of the privilege that we have of being ones through whom others are blessed.

Isaac is a picture of Christ, and how we depend upon Christ for all of our blessedness. Abimelech comes with great show. His name is “my daddy is king.” He comes with his friend “possessor” (Ahuzzath), and a commander who represents his army. We empathize with Isaac who sees this delegation and wonders why they are even there. But that’s just the point: Abimelech has all of this, but real blessedness comes from Yahweh. And, since Yahweh’s blessing is currently with Isaac, he needs covenant with Isaac more than Phicol or Ahuzzath or even Gerar.

Isaac has been sinned against, but enters into covenant anyway. He is in the position of power. Christ is almighty. He has been sinned against in a small way. We have sinned against Christ in an infinite way, because of the glory of His Person against Whom we have sinned. But Isaac makes peace instead of the revenge to which he had a right. And this is what our almighty and justly offended Lord has done. He has a right to revenge, but has made peace instead.

The difference is that instead of an animal being slaughtered for the cutting of covenant between Isaac and Abimelech, Christ Himself has been sacrificed for the covenant between Himself and us. He who has a right to vengeance upon us has endured that vengeance upon Himself instead!

So, in one sense, we find ourselves in the position of Abimelech, as it relates to Isaac. But, in another sense, we find ourselves in the position of Isaac as it relates to Abimelech.

God is with us for the sake of Christ, just as He was with Isaac for the sake of Christ. However weak our position might look in any situation, we are in a place of ultimate strength, where everything must work together for our good, and we are more than conquerors already, and nothing can separate us from God’s love, and we shall certainly be glorified at the last—perfectly holy and perfectly happy forever and ever.

We ought to live in a manner of diligence and hope that shows our confidence that God is with us. And, we ought to seek from the Lord that our blessedness in Him would be visible to others, just as Isaac’s was visible to Abimelech—whether by earthly blessing, or by godly character, or by our repeatedly offering public worship to God. We are to seek the good of those around us, and there is no greater good for them than to realize that blessedness is in Christ, and to come Him for that blessedness.
How have you responded to Christ being the One in whom is all true blessedness? How are you continuing to respond? How can others see that He is your blessedness?
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH265 “In Christ Alone”

No comments:

Post a Comment