Bloodline for the Messiah. A. M. Deigloriam
most difficult truth for Abraham to learn was that he was God’s creation. God created all of mankind, has complete control over all of mankind, and required Abraham to understand that God was in control of all things including death. Abraham’s test came when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham followed God’s direction and placed his complete trust in God and believed without a doubt that God was in complete control. Abraham’s faith was without doubt and was strong enough to withstand any test.
The children of Abraham are all those of many nations that place their faith in God.
John 8:39-40 reads, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham‘s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”
Abraham was a man of truth, unquestionable integrity, strong faith, and a man that followed God’s direction without doubt. Today, the children of Abraham walk in faith and know God’s word and obey His commandments. God spoke to Abraham and instructed Abraham how to obey His charge, commandments, statutes, and His laws. God’s commandments exposed sin and allowed Abraham and others to live a righteous life.
Genesis 26:5 reads, ”Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statues, and my laws.”
Isaac and Rebekah
(Approximate 2065–1885 BC)
Isaac was Abraham and Sarah’s only son. He was a blessing and a miracle from God since Sarah was well past the age of being able to conceive (90 years old). God was in control and was going to ensure and approve the family lineage of His only Son Jesus Christ. God was prepared to unfold many miracles that would ensure a long family heritage of men that would precede the sacred birth of His only Son.
Isaac’s sins were similar to the sins of his father Abraham. Both men lied and said that their wives were their sisters for fear they would be killed. Both Sarah and Rebekah were very beautiful women and would be desired by many to possibly be added to a ruler’s harem.
Genesis 26: 2-4 reads, “And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee, for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these counties, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”
Genesis 26:12-14 reads, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and Philistines envied him.”
Blessings came in the form of property and other blessings. The property was divided equally between the children with the oldest children receiving a double portion. The blessing was given in the form of a prophecy of blessings that would be given to future descendants. Generally, the oldest child received the double portion and was made head of the family. However, if the oldest child fell out of favor the double portion of property and blessings may go to another child. In the case of Abraham, God made a special blessing that would be passed from one generation to another as long as each generation remained faithful to God’s word. The descendants of Abraham would become leaders and gain possession of the land of Canaan. More importantly, God’s blessing to Abraham would be the birth of His only Son, Jesus Christ as a direct descendant. The birth of Jesus Christ would be a blessing to all nations of the world.
Isaac was a faithful servant to God who never forgot how God provided the sacrifice of a ram as his substitute. In a time when polygamy was common, Isaac took only one wife, Rebekah. As Abraham’s wife Sarah, Rebekah was not able to have children. God heard Isaac’s prayers for children and God answered their prayers by blessing them with twin sons (Esau and Jacob).
Application
Isaac was a gift from God to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac would carry the bloodline forward and be an important part of unfolding God’s plan for all of mankind. The name Isaac was given by God and means, “he laughed”. It seemed impossible to Abraham and Sarah that they could have a child at their advanced age.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all consider patriarchs because of their close relationship with God and His wilingness to share with each of them His commandments, statutes, and laws. These men were given great responsibility and authority for communicating and enforcing God’s commandments and laws.
As Abraham, Isaac followed God’s commands and moved to different lands.
Genesis 26:2-3 reads,”And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these counties, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;”
God made the same covenant with Isaac as He made with Abraham. God’s blessings for Abraham were passed down to Isaac even though Isaac fails with some of the same issues as Abraham. God‘s love for mankind is a covenant that cannot be broken and is passed down from generation to generation. The conditions are simple and strait forward, as Abraham we must be obedient to God’s word and exercise faith in all situations to enjoy the promised blessings.
Jacob the Leah
(Approximate 1836–1689 BC)
The covenant given by God to Abraham was passed down to Isaac and then to Jacob and then to his descendants. Jacob was not a perfect man and struggled with sin his entire life. He started his life by cheating Esau out of his birthright and blessing and continued to struggle with God over the control his life. A personal relationship with God will include blessings, instruction, and discipline just as in all relationships there is some conflict. All of the patriarchs sinned, were disobedient and experienced God’s loving discipline. Jacob had a dream where God did confirm his covenant with him and his descendants.
Genesis 28: 12-13 reads, “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and thy seed:”
The dream confirms that there was a continual movement of angels between heaven and earth and that Jacob was under God’s protection at all times.
Jacob at the age of 130 had to make the most difficult decision of his life. He had moved his family to Canaan the land that had been promised to his family since the time of Abraham. Unfortunately, there was a great famine in the land and people were starving. To further complicate the issue Jacob discovered that Joseph his son was not dead, but living in Egypt under the protection of the Pharaoh. Jacob also received an invitation and a cart of gifts from Joseph to join him in Egypt. Jacob needed God’s direction and he prayed that God would answer his prayer.
Genesis 46:1-4 reads, “And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheda, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not go down to Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. “
God answered Jacob’s prayer in a way that provided specific directions as to where to go and that He would provide protection on the long journey. Jacob travel to Egypt during a drought that would last more than seven years. He travelled with his eleven sons, wives, children along with their herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. They were greeted in Egypt by Joseph and were given rich fertile land to work, allowed to manage the Pharaoh’s livestock, and Jacob’s family grew and thrived.
Genesis