A Study by Charles W. Holt
email: cholt@gt.rr.com
Good Givers and Reluctant Receivers
Genesis 25:5 and 24:36
Abraham is truly one of the greatest men of the entire Bible. He is not great in an all-encompassing sense. No one has ever attained to that status, except our Lord Jesus Christ. He is great because he faithfully filled his role and functioned within the calling God had determined for him. This same can be said for any of the many other "greats" we might want to name including such men as Daniel, Elijah, Moses, Joseph, and more. We have looked at some of the things that made him great. He was an original in more than one way. For example, he was the first man in Scripture to forsake everything, to enter into Canaan, to be designated a Hebrew (see Gen. 14:13, i.e., one from beyond). He was the first to have an intimate fellowship with God as one man to another man. As far as we know, he was the first to beget an heir at he age of 100 years, who rejected his natural son (Ishmael) in favor of the miraculous gift (Isaac) God gave him. He is the only man we know who was asked to sacrifice this gift from heaven at the request of Him who had given him. Abraham was a father in the fullest natural sense, but he is a father in the deepest and most spiritual sense--with tremendous significance for all that believe today. Scripture says:
And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of he righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, through they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them (the Gentiles) also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision (the Jews) but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised (Rm. 4:11:12 NKJV).
Also,
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Rm. 4:16,17 NKJV).
Turning now to chapter 24, we begin a close look at this "son of promise" and "heir" of all Abraham’s possessions. One of the most notable things about Isaac is how much unlike his father he is. That’s merely an observation without any particular importance but serves to illustrate what we all know about ourselves. In many ways we are like our parents but in most ways we are like the person we have chosen to be.
In many respects we can say that Isaac lived a life that was remarkably ordinary. Except for the time and culture differences it was a life very much like the one most of us live. He was a man seemingly without distinctive character. In this way he is just the opposite of Abraham. Abraham did many things that no one else had done. Isaac did nothing that another had not already done.
Think about this:
1. Ishmael mocked Isaac. As far as we know, Isaac said or did nothing about it.
2. He followed his father to Moriah and allowed himself to be laid on the altar. As far as we know, he didn’t utter a word--no questions; asked for no explanations.
3. He had nothing to say about his own marriage. He knew nothing about the woman, was not consulted by his father about her choice.
4. At age 60, Isaac had two sons. Abraham had two sons and one, the oldest, was sent away. Isaac did not do that.
5. Isaac was not asked to lay his son on the altar.
6. Everything was difficult for Abraham. Isaac’s life path was basically predictable, without deviation or too much disruption.
7. In his old, and dying, age he was pretty set on how he would bless his sons. He fully intended to bless Esau. But God wouldn’t allow it. Just like his father Abraham, he had to bless the younger son.
8. He didn’t have a choice of a burial plot. His father provided his tomb.
Abraham gave Isaac all he had. "And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has" (Gen. 24:36 NKJV). "And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac" (Gen. 25:5 NKJV). Everything was bestowed upon him. Abraham got his wealth through miles of trials and tests. Isaac inherited, in a single outright gift. Of all that he received, nothing was his own work. He didn’t even have to travel to reach Canaan as Abraham did; he was born there. Let’s tie two concepts together and make an important observation.
Isaac’s relationship with his father is based upon "privileges of birth." It was not what Isaac did, the works he performed, that resulted in his receiving everything from his father. When we look at Isaac’s relationship with God we find the same principle at work. Listen to this:
"There was a famine in the land . . . Then the LORD appeared to him and said: "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to your and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Gen. 26:1-5 NKJV).
Every blessing Isaac enjoyed was a received blessing. He didn’t work for one of them. They were given to him because he was Abraham’s son. This principle of gifts given and the manner of their acceptance are characteristics in the story of Isaac. The God of Isaac is the God Who gives--gives us everything in His Son, Jesus. He comes to us, as He came to Isaac. He blesses us for the sake of another--for Jesus’ sake. We can stake no claim for any blessing, any "inheritance" that is based upon anything we have done or could do. As the songwriter said it, "Nothing in my hand I bring, simple to thy cross I cling."
As strange as it may sound, one of the problems we have in our relationship with the Lord is that we don’t know how to receive. As simple as it may seem, receiving is a problem with many. No one of us can go forward in our Christian walk and attain to God’s purpose unless we know how to receive. Stop and think for a moment how this works in our personal relationships with either friends or family. For many people, it is very difficult for them to receive a helping hand, a gift of some kind. For years I had difficulty in this area of receiving what was offered from other caring people. I said all the usual things: "oh, please…you shouldn’t have…I appreciate it, but…you know…oh, thanks, but you know, you shouldn’t. . . I really can’t take that…you are so generous but … but …" and we are bowing and scraping, trying to be our humble best, needing everything that is being graciously offered and at the same time pushing it away. I don’t know what makes some of us react in that manner. It happens. It’s not good. Pride? Maybe. Humility? Perhaps. In a subtle way it is a mark of selfishness. If offered something, and we refuse to receive it, a message is sent that we are someway "above being treated this way." A subtle sense of superiority may motivate us to say, "oh, no, please…thank you anyway…I just can’t…" In the back of our mind may lie the unspoken, nevertheless real, thought: "hey, I ain’t not charity case, I don’t need your dole."
Last week, when my wife was in the hospital for a day, I went to the hospital cafeteria for lunch. As I went down the line choosing this and that a wee voice in my head suggested I should check my wallet to be sure I had enough money to pay for this meal. I rejected the suggestion feeling secure in the knowledge that I had it covered. When the cashier totaled my order it was $4.11. I opened my wallet and stared at three one dollar bills. I looked at the cash register--$4.11. I looked at my open wallet--$3. I said to the cashier, "I am so embarrassed." She didn’t smile as she repeated the total. "I don’t know what to do," I said. She didn’t offer a solution. At that time a doctor (I assume because he wore a white coat and a stethoscope) saw my predicament and said, "here, take this, it’s happened to me before" and handed me a dollar. Through the years I have learned an important lesson: if someone wants to give you something, open your hand, smile, take it and say, "thank you very much, I really appreciate it!" and go on. That’s what I did with the doctor. The cashier pulled some pennies out of the "kitty" as I handed her my four dollars. She still didn’t smile. I did.
I bring this up because the attitude reflected in our inability to graciously accept what others offer us carries over into our relationship with our Heavenly Father and the gifts He so generously and freely offers. In a very healthy sense we know we are not worthy of any of His blessings. We want to take everything He offers. In another very subtle level, however, we feel we don’t deserve what He freely offers and therefore we will not eagerly receive all that He gives.
In my new class at the Larry Gist State Jail that began last night we came to a portion of our lesson that said, "Because of Christ’s redemption I am a new creation of infinite worth." I asked, "what does redemption mean? What is Christ’s redemption?" I received all the good, and to be expected answers. Then, based upon the statement and their responses I asked, "How do you feel about yourself? Who are you?" The answer I was looking for would be something like, "I am a very important person. I am worth something. I am valuable in God’s sight, etc." There was a long silence. No one wanted to make those kinds of affirmations. And I understand why. These are inmates who have done dozens of wrong things. These are people who have done wrong things and society has said, "you are a bad person, you deserve to be punished." They are living in an environment that is totally anti-self-esteem and anti-self-worth. I was not at all surprised that no one was willing to say, "I am a creation of infinite worth." When they considered their past, their failures, all that has been said to them about how wrong they are, "I am a creation of infinite worth" was the last thing they could say about themselves. And that’s great because before you can have a need filled, you’ve got to feel the need.
Following a few remarks reemphasizing the statement, "Because of Christ’s redemption I am a new creation of infinite worth," one inmate spoke up. He said, "I hear all that you are saying. I believe in Jesus Christ. I read my Bible and I try to live a life that He wants me to live. But I have a problem with my weaknesses and failures so much so that I am afraid that He can’t accept me, He doesn’t accept me. I read the Scripture that says, because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth. It bothers me that he will spew me out because I’m not living up to all the things I should be living up to."
I said, "first of all, it is too bad that you have found that verse and are focusing in on it. You have been given a wrong meaning. The verse doesn’t apply to you at all. It is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible." I took a couple of minutes to explain the verse. More importantly, however, was the fact that this inmate had a misunderstanding of, as I said to him, "the difference between who you are in yourself and who you are in Christ." I told him that the Bible teaches us that the "carnal mind is the enemy of God. It is not subject to the law of God, and can never be made subject to the law of God." Our carnal minds rule and because it rules we are constantly in a state of warfare. I mentioned Galatians 5:17: "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." It is these fleshly (sinful) desires that cause us all the grief in our desire to do God’s will and live and act like a Christian is supposed to live and act.
At the same time, while we are struggling with and against, this fleshly (sinful) nature we have another nature. It is the spiritual nature. Because of Christ’s redemption we have this new nature and we are a new creation of infinite worth. We are a new creation of infinite worth at the same time we are struggling with the flesh and its subsequent works that bring us all kinds of grief. We are very conscious of who we are in our natural body with its natural mind and natural desires. We do not have a strong enough consciousness of whom we are in Christ Jesus. I suggested that the inmate read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and also Colossians. These two writings makes it abundantly clear the difference between who I am in, by, and of myself and who I am in, of, and by Christ. It is a question of relationship and position despite failure and weakness of the flesh.
How does this apply to our subject? Before we examine the answer to the question I want to lay a Scripture foundation. You will notice that the common thread in each is the words "all things." That’s the "giving factor." It’s the part we all admit to, believe in, and quote (on occasion).
1. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you (Jn. 15:15 NKJV).
2. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you (Jn 16:15 NKJV).
3. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Rm. 8:32).
4. Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours; . . . whether Paul or Apollos…all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s (1 Cor. 3:21-23 NKIJV).
5. …as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things (2 Cor. 6:10 NKJV).
6. … as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,… (2 Pt. 1:3 NKJV).
This leaves no doubt that as Isaac was rich and abundantly blessed with all possessions because of his father Abraham, we are likewise made rich and abundantly blessed because of our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture declares we are blessed with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love . . . to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:3,4,6 NKJV). This is true whether we feel like it or not. This is true whether we act like it or not. This is the truth that sets free:
1. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing--not may be…if…perhaps if the moon is in the right phase…some day…when I become good enough.
2. These blessings reside in our position in heavenly places--see the entire first and second chapters of Ephesians and selected portions of Colossians.
3. They are centered in Christ Jesus. "Because of Christ’s redemption I am a new creation of infinite worth."
4. We are chosen before the foundation of the world.
5. To be holy and without blame BEFORE HIM in love.
6. All praise to God and glory to HIS GRACE.
7. Grace makes us accepted.
8. We are accepted in the Beloved--Jesus Christ. These last four statements are undeniably true and you will notice that the emphasis is upon His grace, His praise, and His acceptance because of Christ Jesus. I said to the inmate student, "when God sees me He doesn’t see Charles Holt the sinner, sometimes lying, sometimes being the hypocrite, often failing and falling short of His glory; he sees me clothed in the righteousness that is Jesus Christ. The most succinct statement ever made on this very topic is found in 1 Corinthians 1:30. Paul says, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, ’He who glories, let him glory in the LORD" (NKJV).
Here’s how it’s working: God’s unmerited love, and favor (grace) accepts me as holy and without blame in Jesus Christ. His righteousness is my righteousness. His holiness is my holiness. His purity is my purity. His acceptance is my acceptance. All this and much more is my possession in Christ Jesus. It can, however, only be made real in my daily struggle against the flesh and feelings of inadequacy, failure, unable to measure up to various standards, fighting rejection, dejection and guilt if I receive what God has provided--if I acknowledge by faith that what God says I am in Christ Jesus is true--regardless of how I feel of what I am in my self. God gives it. I must receive it. It’s that simple. It’s that difficult.
Holy Toledo! And Mamma Mia! If that doesn’t fry your bacon, nothing I can say will.
Watchman Nee (the great Chinese Christian and author) makes these comments. "Victory, life, salvation, all is bestowed, not attained. When you are born into a wealthy home, it is very difficult to be poor! You are rich; your were born that way…
"Some of us force ourselves to do things we don’t want to do and to live a life we cannot in fact live, and think that in making this effort we are being Christians. That is very far removed from what Isaac was. The Christian life is lived when I receive the life of Christ within me as a gift, to live by that life. It is the nature of the life of Christ not to love the world but to be distinct from it, and to value prayer and the Word and communion with God. These are not things I do naturally; by nature I have to force myself to do them. But God has provided another nature, and he wants me to benefit from the provision He has made."(Changed Into His Likeness, Christian Literature Crusade, 1967, p. 74,75).
"The daily life of the Christian is summed up in the word ’receive.’ Every challenging thing that God demands of me--long-suffering, meekness, humility, goodness, holiness, joy--is not something I am, or something I do, or some virtue I acquire or attain to. It is Christ in me. Each is the manifestation of Him. Let Him be revealed, naturally and spontaneously, and that is enough.
"’He is made unto us . . . ’ If He were our Justifier, Sanctifier, Redeemer, we could understand. But it does not say He does these things. It uses abstract nouns: He is these things. Christ in us meets every demand of God, and every demand of the circumstances around us." (Ibid, p. 82).
In a future lesson we will take up the subject of Jacob, the man who struggles and is disciplined, and will address some of the themes of this present lesson in the light of those struggles and discipline. Meanwhile, before we leave Genesis 24, there is something beautiful and wonderful to be said about the selection of a bride for Isaac. This will be our subject for the next lesson.
