ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
Genesis 18-22
INTRODUCTION
1. Sometimes we struggle with trusting others
a. For some this is worse than for others
b. We often doubt someone who lies often
c. Sometimes we doubt those who have lied occasionally
d. We doubt people we do not know sometimes
e. And even sometimes we doubt people that we know, even if they are generally honest
f. Usually our doubt is related to things they say that are fantastic or incredible
2. Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac have a story about promise and doubt that involves three aspects of life:
a. Divination (from God about a son, Isaac)
b. Doubt (by Abraham and Sarah)
c. Dedication (when God is proven true)
3. We will struggle with doubt from time to time, this is human, (in difficult times) we can see our faith built up through it if we look to God for the answers to our doubt
TRANSITION: Let’s notice first of all God’s:
I. Divination
A. God promised something to Abraham and Sarah that they had given up hope of
1. He promised them a son
a. Genesis 15:4, "…This man shall not be your heir; but one who comes forth from your own body; he will be your heir."
b. Following Ishmael’s birth the Lord returns to visit them, Genesis 18:10, "I will surely return to you this time next year; and behold, Sarah, you wife, will have a son."
2. His promise was to both Abraham and Sarah
B. What event prompted the promise of Genesis 18?
1. The Lord visited Abraham and Sarah because of something
2. Abraham had obeyed the Lord’s commandment to circumcise all those in his household
3. The covenant of God was sealed with obedience at the circumcision of Abraham and all the males in his house
C. God makes promises
1. But they always have stipulations attached
2. Genesis 17:1-2
a. God said that He would establish His covenant with Abraham
b. IF he walked before God blameless
3. Joshua chapter 1, three times God promises Joshua
a. I will be with you
b. IF you remain strong and faithful to me
c. Proven in Joshua 7 when Ai is attacked
d. For the first time ever Israel is defeated
e. They were defeated because Achan had taken forbidden spoils from Jericho
f. They did not walk blameless before God so He did not go with them into battle against Ai the first time
g. His reason, Joshua 7:11, "Israel has sinned and transgressed my covenant which I commanded them"
h. God’s promises are great, but they are also given commandments that must be kept
4. Israel is taken captive over and over again and promised deliverance and protection over and over again, IF they will continue to follow God
5. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
a. God will be our God and Father
b. IF we separate ourselves from the world and follow Him
D. God has always been true to His word, Paul tells Titus that He cannot lie; when His people are true to His word they can enjoy His promises
1. For us that is heaven
2. If we are true to Him
TRANSITION: But Abraham and Sarah had their:
II. Doubts
A. Genesis 16:1
1. She still has no children
a. God was not on her time-table
b. So often we make this mistake
c. John 11:24-26, Martha was not on Jesus’ time-table either
2. She offered Hagar to Abraham
a. No biblical record of multiple marriages to this point
b. We should help God within His system and not make-up our own
c. We still have trouble with Ishmael today (Genesis 16:12)
B. Genesis 18:12, Sarah laughed when the Lord told her and Abraham again that the two of them would have a son by this same time next year
1. Isaac means laughter, this is why he has this name
2. Abraham and Sarah had their doubts
C. I suppose Job had doubts along the way as he struggled with what was happening
1. He searched for answers looking for reasons and having doubts
2. But he kept looking for answers from God and not his friends
a. Rehoboam sought answers from his friends
b. He ended up with a divided kingdom
3. The answer for our doubts is found in God
4. Never let doubt kick you out
D. You will see some doubt, and most of us already have
1. When you get sick and can’t seem to get over it
2. When the doctors cannot find the source of your illness or the cure for your injury
3. When a spouse, parent or child is suffering and you do not know the answer
4. When life seems like more than you can bare, you may feel doubt, this makes you human
5. Let God answer your doubts by looking to Him in meditation with His word, in prayer, in sharing your feelings and concerns with a brother or sister in Christ
6. Do not be afraid when you doubt, God is still there
TRANSITION: And let’s see the end result of faith through doubt, it is shown in Abraham’s:
III. Dedication (Genesis 22)
A. Go kill your son
1. Who will sign up for that duty?
2. No parent could easily deal with such a command or expectation
3. But that was exactly the expectation God had for Abraham
B. Imagine this, Isaac understood the situation
1. 22:7, "…Here’s the fire and the wood, where’s the burnt offering?"
2. He had to fight the love and aching in his heart, and the fear in the eyes of Isaac who knew what his dad planned
3. Before God stopped Abraham, Isaac knew his hands were tied and he knew that on top of that altar animals died
4. But Abraham pushed through all the emotions and served God
5. Knowing that God could raise him from the dead
a. No record of a dead person being raised to this point
b. But God gave him Isaac from an old and barren womb so He could raise a dead boy
C. Not everything goes our way
1. James 1:2-4
2. Sometimes these things happen, not because God wants us to suffer but because they just happen as part of life
3. But we can grow through them if we stay true and faithful
4. Our trust in God is the thing that sees us through
5. Tough times like Abraham faced can break us down
6. But like muscles with protein, God builds us up again when we have faith
