Friday: Further Thought ~ Children of the Promise
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “Abraham in Canaan,” pages 132-144 and “The Test of Faith,” pages 145-155, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
“It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him … .
Image @ Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
But he did not hesitate to obey the call. He had no question to ask concerning the land of promise … . God has spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 126.
When Abram entered Canaan, the Lord appeared to him and made it clear that while he was to sojourn in the land that would be given to his descendants (Gen: 12:7). God repeated this promise several times (see Gen: 13:14-15, Genesis 13:17; Gen: 15:13, Genesis 15:16, Genesis 15:18; Gen: 17:8; Gen: 28:13, Genesis 28:15; Gen: 35:12). Some four hundred years later, in fulfillment of the promise (Gen: 15:13, Genesis 15:16), the Lord announced to Moses that He would bring Israel out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey (Exod: 3:8, Exodus 3:17; Exod: 6:8). God repeated the promise to Joshua (Josh: 1:3), and in David’s day it was largely, but not completely, fulfilled (Gen: 15:18-21; 2 Sam: 8:1-14; 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Chron: 19:1-19).
Now read Hebrews 11:9-10, Hebrews 11:13-16. These verses make it clear that Abraham and the other faithful patriarchs viewed Canaan as a symbol, or a foreshadowing, of the ultimate settled home of God’s redeemed people. In the sin situation, no permanent home is possible. Life is fleeting, like “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14, RSV). As the spiritual descendants of Abraham, we, too, must realize that “here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Heb: 13:14). The certainty of the future life with Christ keeps us steady in this present world of change and decay.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary:
Promises! How precious they are to the believer! Will they be fulfilled? Faith answers, Yes.
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My grandparents, and in one case, great grandparents moved from the United Kingdom to New Zealand around 1900. It was a time when migration was a fairly common activity but it was still a huge separation between families and friends. In most cases, they were relatively young people and many of them never went back to England or Scotland again. Two world wars and a global depression ensured that travel wasn't all that easy for a fair bit of the time. Migrating to "down under" in those days was what a trip to Mars would be like today. You had to start a new life in a totally new environment using a totally different set of resources.
Abraham had followed the call of God and made a similar decision. They left family, friends and their support network. Admittedly for two generations after they went back "home" to find wives for their sons though. So, not all contact was lost.
Starting out fresh can be challenging. At the tender age of 17, I left home and travelled to Australia to start my tertiary education. For a couple of years it was a pretty rough trot and I had to go back home for the experience of working in a concrete pipe factory to gain an insight into what God was really calling me to do. Now, over 50 years later I can look back and see that God has used all my experiences, both good and bad, to develop my character and skills. I have not achieved greatness. That wasn't God's promise to me. But I have a sense that God has been with me, even when I have been alone.
Jesus in his commission to the disciples said:
...and for us, Spiritual Israel, that may just be the covenant we need.
The promise of eternal life in a new earth where sin will not exist and where no memories will be of sin is a promise that gives me joy regardless of my circumstances now on earth.
In this world of sin and woe everywhere we look, the Blessed Hope to come is vital to keep before us. Incentive is an important part of how we live our lives.
In order to understand greatness as God regards it, one must know God, and have a right concept of His character, government, and purposes. In His word we will find the treasure of this knowledge which will preserve our way and guide every step in this sinful world. In the life of Jesus true greatness is demonstrated by our living Example.
It is interesting to discover how old familiar passages provide deeper understanding and appreciation as one gives them another look. This lesson has helped me see the circumstances of the ‘Children of the Promise’ in a different light. I feel deeper appreciation and empathy for Abram, Moses and their people - all of them shared the experience of ‘stepping out by faith’ in a much more profound and challening way then we do.
Even though theirs was a nomadic lifestyle, it is still not 'easy' to leave a settled place and familiar life, being led by someone who claims to have ‘heard from his God’ who told him that He would lead him to a culturally different, far-away country, promising that this country will be theirs, but has no proof to back up these claims; theirs was a true challenge to experience what it means to have faith and trust their leader and his God. But then, these where God-appointed leaders who had faith in the Creator God, the one and only God, and their God said it was time to go.
How would I, as a member of that tribe, have reacted upon hearing that I had been ‘settled’ with the consequences of a promise causing me to live in a land occupied at that time by hostile tribes – the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites; would I welcome this promise?
These people were not filled with the same faith as was Abraham and Moses, they still had to learn to trust their ‘new’ God. To be called and live as the ‘Children of the Promise’ is not an easy cake-walk; it means - well, we can find out what "Called' means for these people in the Scriptures.
According to Numbers 1:17-46KJV, it could have been as many as 600,000 or even more who were lead out of Egypt. It became a mass-migration, inspired by and lead by one man and his Faith in his God.
What an incredible experience to leave behind the securities in one’s familiar life and start new in a land surrounded by hostile neighbors, not being grounded in faith in this new God; not having a relationship with Him as a Father as we are blessed to experience and get to know Him so well! We benefit, and are certainly grateful for their willingness to give this unfamiliar God a good faith-effort and follow His guidance.
We all experience the flow of time – time is evidenced through its events – faith is its spiritual companion – patient, grateful faith is the spiritual gift specially designed by our Creator Father to help us bridge time between events.
To continue the walk by faith is offered to all who still believe the Father’s promises to guide them into eternity.
1John5:19-20KJV - ”And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
2Thessalonians3:5KJV - ”And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting (patience of Christ) for Christ.
It’s quite a surprise when a lesson entitled “Children of the Promise” does not cite any of the texts that include the specific phrase - Rom 9:8; Gal 4:28. These references, together with Gal 3:29 where the children are named “Heirs”, reveal that the “Children of Promise” are the “Children of God” who were promised to Christ in the eternal counsel, before the foundation of the world (Isa 43:5-7; 53:10-12; Matt 25:34; Jn 6:35-40; 17:1-3,6,9; Eph 1:3-11; 2 Thess 2:13,14; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Pt 1:1-5; Heb 2:5,10-17).
Like Isaac, who was promised and named before Sarah conceived, Christ’s brothers and sisters, His bride, His seed, were promised Him by His Father and named before creation (Jn 10:11,14-17,27-30; Rev 13:8; 17:8).
God, Our Father, is Faithful to fulfill all His promises in Christ (2 Cor 1:19; Rom 4:20,21)
Further thoughts on Sunday’s lesson regarding Gods protection physically. (Shield)I still don’t know why He does not protect all of His saints. I do know that as we put our trust in Him one day He will return as our protector.
He will be a sanctuary unto us. Psalms 27:5. Even if that sanctuary, is postponed until He calls us from the grave. Then His protection will be everlasting.
There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” ... Here they stand and the finishing touch of immortality is put upon them and they go up to meet their Lord in the air.... There are the columns of angels on either side; ... then the angelic choir strike the note of victory and the angels in the two columns take up the song and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been. Oh, what music! There is not an inharmonious note. Every voice proclaims, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” He sees the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. 34 . SD 359.5
Whether we get carried away now or then does not matter. What matters is that we be found between the two columns of Angels.
I'm gonna let the glory roll when the roll is called in Glory.
I'll gonna get beside myself when I get beside the King that day
I'm gonna have the time of my life when the time of my life is over
I'm gonna get carried away when I get carried away
Oh, I'll pass the clouds and shout so loud it may sound like thunder
My tearful eyes may fill the skies until it looks like rain
When I leave this world past the gates of pearl and stand before my Savior
I'll let my soul let the glory roll when from the roll He calls my name
I'm gonna let the glory roll when the roll is called in Glory
I'll gonna get beside myself when I get beside the King that day
I'm gonna have the time of my life when the time of my life is over
I'm gonna get carried away when I get carried away.
Glorious Sabbath
John
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