_God did tempt Abraham_ THE TRIAL OF ABRAHAM I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ABRAHAM WHEN THIS TRIAL CAME. His hope was set on Isaac as the medium through which God’s promise could be fulfilled, and he had been encouraged by observing him rising year after year to the age and stature of manhood. II. GOD’... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship_ HELPS AND HINDRANCES OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE I. In the path of faith, HUMAN HELP IS PROFITABLE. II. In the path of faith, HUMAN HELP IS LIMITED. III. In the path of faith, HUMAN HELP MUST RECEIVE A TIMELY DISMISSAL. IV. In t... [ Continue Reading ]
_God will provide Himself a lamb_ GOD’S PROVISION OF A LAMB IN CHRIST This incident shows us in what lies the value of that sacrifice, and with what feelings we should regard it. I. THE SACRIFICE WHICH GOD APPROVES MUST RE OF HIS OWN APPOINTING. II. THE SACRIFICE WHICH GOD HAS PROVIDED IS SUPREM... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar_ THE LOVE OF THE FATHER Of all the many parts of the great truths concerning our redemption, which stand out in the history of Abraham and his son, there is one which seems to need especial consideration. We have a very striking view, not only of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son_ ABRAHAM’S SACRIFICE OF ISAAC I. That we may properly ascertain the extent of Abraham’s virtue, we must consider THE RELATIVE SITUATION IN WHICH HE IS PLACED AT THIS CRITICAL PERIOD. Two Abrahams combated one against the other;... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh THE LORD WILL PROVIDE I. THE LORD WILL PROVIDE FOR THE BODY. Temporal blessings, no less than spiritual, come to us through the medium of the covenant of grace. 1. The Lord will provide food for the body. He will bring round the seasons without... [ Continue Reading ]
_By Myself have I sworn_ GOD HIMSELF THE FOUNDATION OF OUR HOPES “By Myself have I sworn. ” By Himself God swears to us; by His power, His tenderness, His sympathy, He assures our hearts. 1. If we take up afresh any work for God, He is pledged--by Himself pledged to us--not to despise that work,... [ Continue Reading ]
_In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed_ BLESSING IN ABRAHAM’S SEED 1. There was to be a seed, a natural seed, including a spiritual seed, and this again including an individual seed. 2. The seed of Abraham is to have a relation to all the families of the earth. As Abraham was... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abraham dwelt at Beersheba_ MAN’S FIRST HOUR IN HEAVEN, ILLUSTRATED BY THE PROBABLE FEELINGS OF ABRAHAM AT BEERSHEBA, IMMEDIATELY ON HIS RETURN FROM THE OFFERING UP OF ISAAC I. ABRAHAM NOW AT BEERSHEBA HAD THE SATISFACTION OF HAVING PRACTICALLY RECOGNIZED GOD’S ABSOLUTE CLAIM UPON HIM. 1. An imm... [ Continue Reading ]