That which first confronts us in relation to the son God gave to Abraham is the circumstances relating to his birth. Isaac was a special and direct work of God. We are all thoroughly familiar with the account given concerning Isaac’s birth, so we need not refer to it here, except to note in passing the essentially important fact that God allows just enough opportunity for human agency to operate in the execution of His plans and purposes, as forms the subordinate and secondary principle in the plan of salvation. The glory of God is the primary and all important fact in the arrangement, and man’s place is to receive with thankful heart the conditions offered and comply with willing mind to what is enjoined, with what force this is brought to our attention as we consider again the trial of Abraham’s faith, where he is commanded to offer up the son God had given him for a whole burnt offering.
When we consider with what gratefulness of heart Abraham must have considered this gift of God to him—a son in whim he saw the earnest of those things God had promised him, but the decree of Eternal Wisdom had gone forth, Isaac must die. We might imagine with what perplexity of mind Abraham set out to put into execution the Divine mandate. He questioned not the reason for it, but considered it, we feel sure, as part of the operation of that purpose made known to him whereby his seed would become the inheritor of the earth and bring the promised blessing to all mankind. With resignation to God’s will we picture him giving expression to words similar to those of another sorely tried servant of God — ‘The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” But what a supreme example of all conquering faith we have exhibited in his answer to the question addressed to him by Isaac, “My father, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the Iamb for the burnt offering?” The answer, “My Son, God will provide Himself a lamb for the burnt offering,” reveals a nobleness of heart, fortified by enduring faith, constituting a strength of character that has made the name of Abraham one of the greatest of the sons of men. It earned for him the distinguished title “The Friend of God.” But the most blessed part of it all, is for us to know this morning that we stand related to that same friendship. For the greater son and seed of Abraham, whose love we commemorate again, has said, “Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you. And who would care for the world’s friendship who have the friendship through Christ of the God of Abraham.
Let us not fail to take the comfort these messages convey, and resign ourselves with patience to the Father’s will, realizing that He doth not willingly afflict the children of men, but since He in His great love and wisdom has prepared for us a great and high and holy exaltation, it is His prerogative to apply the test necessary to prove whether we are worthy of the place of honour, He has prepared for us. Let us not then murmur at His wise decrees. Let us not complain that our burdens are heavier than we can bear. Let us remember that our trial is in itself a proof of our relation to His purpose. Because Paul has told us again, if we are without trial then are we bastards and not sons. How forcible also is the admonition, “Resist not the chastening of the Lord, for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” His eternal and unfailing wisdom requires that in order that we be vessels fitted to the place assigned us in His finished purpose, the dross and imperfections of character that is in us now must be removed.
The refining process may be a distasteful one, but it is a necessary one. The golden vessel of beauty and adornment does not come forth from earth in its finished form. But there is the smelting and refining process needed to make the metal suitable for the work of the goldsmith, and the article of beauty we behold is the result of a long and arduous process, and shall the gold for inlaying the work of the New and Glorious Temple of Yahweh not require a process by which its dross be removed before it is fit for use in that building? Keeping these things in view, hear again the words of the Apostle “Faint not when thou art chastened of Him,” though no chastening is for the present joyous, but grievous, but let us look at the end in view, for chastisement has its issues in the peaceable fruits of righteousness to all who are exercised thereby. How lovely indeed is the true chastened and purified character, and those who are striving to attain such perfection are the true children of Abraham. One cannot be in their company long until the power and influence of such nobleness of character is felt. Let us, brethren and sisters strive with earnestness to increase their numbers.
On the other hand, how blighting and soul chilling is contact with such as have a Name to live and are dead, who miss the beauty and power of the Truth’s treasures through hyper-criticism of the mistakes and short-comings of others.
The first class we have mentioned is manifest by their earnest and sincere appreciation of all that is good and true, and you will not find yourself long in their company until some glowing theme of the great mystery of godliness is introduced as the topic of conversation, and you leave their presence feeling you have enjoyed an uplifting and encouraging experience. But the other class have nothing to relate, but the development of some new trouble, ecclesial or otherwise, or the rehearsal of some other unpleasant occurrence that should have been long forgotten and done with. But brethren and sisters let us be careful even here, and be slow to condemn, and as such who hope to obtain mercy at the Lord’s hands, when He calls us to His judgment seat, let us be merciful, even toward our brethren who are weak and erring, and as wise men and women whose hearts are touched with the sympathetic love of Christ, let us be patient one with another, realizing that the experiences of the present are part of the necessary trial by which the true Abrahamic family is being developed.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One