These Three

THESE THREE

(by brother Tarran Dookie)

ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB

Matt 22:31-32 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Even though Adam and Noah were before the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God is still referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was unto Abraham that God said 'in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed' Gen 22:18. Abraham is the father of faith. He represents the beginning of our spiritual pilgrimage. We must come to God by faith. When God told Abraham to leave his country and his kindred and go unto a land that He would show him, Abraham in faith departed. As believers we have no continuing city on this earth but God wants us to walk by faith unto Canaan's land. By faith Abraham offered up his son, reckoning that God was able to raise him from the dead. God wants us to have faith that would cause us to yield our best to Him.

God promised a son through Sarah. Isaac is the son of promise. The blessings of Abraham fell upon Isaac and he received the inheritance. God wants us to know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:18). Isaac represents our rest in the Lord. Although Abraham journeyed much and Jacob also, it was not so with Isaac. Let us rest in the Lord Jesus for in Him all the promises of God are yes for He is the Amen of God.

Jacob was loved by God. 'As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated' (Rom 9:13). Even before they were born their mother Rebekah was told that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Jacob supplanted Esau of the birthright and the blessing of their father Isaac and although this was not commendable, God's election of Jacob was immutable. Jacob represents the perfecting of the elect. Chastening is necessary for the elect, 'for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth' (Heb 12:6). Though He would chasten us as He did Jacob yet because of His love for us He would draw us unto Himself. God named His chosen people after Israel (the name of Jacob) and they are called not Abrahamites, not Isaacites but Israelites. We who serve the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac will be perfected by God, for we are the elect, even the Israel of God (Gal 6:16), loved with an everlasting love by the God of Israel.

DAVID'S THREE MIGHTY MEN

2Sam 23:8-12 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

In the book of 2Samuel, chapter 23 we have the record of David's mighty men. Verses 8 to 12 tell us about the first three mighty men. Verses 18 to 23 tell us about Abishai and Benaiah who did exploits and had honourable names. However, in spite of the greatness of their exploits and the fact that they were mighty men yet they did not attain to the first three.

God is looking for mighty men today. He seeks those who will walk with Him and know Him and do exploits in His name. God wants to use us to scatter His enemies. Especially He is looking for men with the hearts of the first three mighty men, men who will not be afraid but who will break through the ranks of the Philistines. We will not be among the first three unless we are willing to serve our king. He who would be greatest among you shall be your servant. To attain to the first three we must deny ourselves, for he who hates his life shall gain it. We must not consider ourselves as having attained but we must press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil 3:10-14).