T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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December 2, 1923 A BRIDE FOR ISAAC Genesis, Chapter 24
an extra good boy. One day Sarah saw Ishmael (Hagar’s son) mocking, and acting very badly, so ELEMENTARY she told Abraham to send Hagar and Kate H. Haus Ishmael away; they could not stay in the house any longer. Abraham felt sorry, but God said, “Do what Sarah asks.” So Abraham gave Hagar food and water, and sent her away. Hagar traveled a long way, and the water gave out, and Ishmael began to cry for water. Hagar thought he was going to die, so left him, as she did not want to see him die. God then said to her, “What’s the matter with you? Go to your boy. You’ll find plenty of water there.” Hagar went to her boy, and there was the water, as God had said, so Ishmael did not die, but lived to grow up, and have many descendants. Abraham served God better than ever after Isaac was born. One day, after Isaac was almost grown, God decided to try Abraham’s faith, to see how much he would obey Him. He said, “Take Isaac, go to Mount Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering to Me.” Abraham felt very sad about it, but he trusted God would make it come out right in some way, for he knew God was not cruel, though this request seemed so. Abraham took Isaac, and two men to carry wood for the altar, and started early in the morning for the mountain. They came as far as the bottom of the mountain, then Abraham took the wood and laid it on Isaac’s back, and sent the men home. Abraham had a knife, and some fire,
Golden Text: “And they called Rebekah and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” Gen. 24:58. Outline: (1) A Prosperous and Persecuted Man.
(2) A Patient and Persistent Man. (3) A Pretexted and Peaceful Man. Introduction:
Chapters 24 to 26 give us some touches of the life of Isaac which will be helpful in a running comment, although we will seek to give the spiritual application of the 24th chapter in which we have Isaac as a type of the church. There is a marked contrast between EXPOSITION Abraham and Isaac, as there is between T. O. Horton Isaac and Jacob. Isaac has many excellent traits, but lacks in robustness of character. He had the example of a father who lived the life of faith. His life suggests the perfect Man of whom, in some respects, he was a type. Note a few com parisons: Isaac means “laughter.” There was joy in the promise of his birth (Gen. 21:6) as there was in the promise of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:46, 47). Isaac’s conception was miraculous (Gen. 21:1, 2); so was that of Christ (Luke 1:34, 35). Angels announced Isaac’s birth (Gen. 18:10); so they did the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9-11). Isaac was named before his birth (Gen. 17:19); so was Christ (Luke 1:31). Isaac was mocked by Ishmael (Gen. 21:8, 9); Christ was mocked by Herod (Matt. 2:8). Isaac was submissive to his father (Gen. 22:9) as was Christ to His Father (Luke 22:42). Isaac was alive after three days (Gen. 22:4) and so was Christ (Luke 24:21). Isaac suffered on Mount Moriah (Gen. 22:2). Christ died on the same mountain (Luke 23:33). The influence of Mount Moriah shadowed the whole life of Isaac, as the Cross shadowed the whole earthly life of Christ. Abraham sought a, bride for Isaac who had been raised from the dead, and appointed his servant who had complete rule over his house, to find the bride. This servant is a type of the Holy Spirit and is the example of what every true servant of Christ should be. Eliezer was a bond servant as was Paul (Rom. 1:1). Every believer should be, and rejoice in being, the bond servant of Jesus Christ. Note the steps in the call of Eliezer for the service of se curing a bride for Isaac: Abraham had enough servants to provide an army, as we found in his deliverance of Lot (Ch. 14) but Eliezer was next to Abraham and his son. (3) He was prudent. He took precaution to know the extent and limit of his power (24:5). (4) He was prompt. He proceeded immediately to carry out the orders of his master (24:10). (5) He made proper provision. He took with him gifts as evidence of the grace and glory and riches which his master was ready to bestow upon her who was chosen to bear his master’s name (24:22-53). (1) He was chosen (24:2). (2) He was proved (24:3).
in his hand. Isaac said, “You have the fire, knife and wood, but where is the sacrifice?” “God will give the lamb,” said Abraham. When the altar was built and the wood laid on it, Abraham came to Isaac and bound his hands, and laid him on the altar. Isaac knew then that he was to be the lamb, but he did not fight, or cry out against it, for he loved God too much. He was willing to die, if God wanted him. Just as his father raised the knife to kill him, he heard God call to him from heaven, and answered, “Here am I.” “Don’t hurt Isaac,” said God. “I was just trying you to see if you truly loved Me. I see that you love Me more than you love your dear son Isaac, and I am satisfied. Look behind you.” Abraham looked, and there was a ram for a sacrifice. You may be sure he unbound Isaac quickly, and took him off the altar, and offered the ram instead. Abraham showed that he loved God more than anything or any one in the whole world, and we ought to love God the same way. Memory Verse: “John 3:16.” You see God loves us more than Abraham loved Isaac.
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