Genesis 12-25
Introduction
Abraham was undoubtedly a man of faith who repeatedly said yes to God at all stages in his life. Along with Sarah he was open to God’s leading and became a role model for faith. However just as with other Biblical heroes he was not without fault. Sometimes his “yes” to God was somewhat guarded, on occasion it seems as if his actions denied his faith.
In saying “yes” to God there are varying degrees of conviction that we might use. Sometimes it is a fairly straightforward response. God asks us to do something and we simply say “yes” and do it. At other times we may be more guarded, God asks us to do something and we say “Yes….but”. At other times when God asks us to do something we respond wholeheartedly with an unequivocal “YES” – similar to the response when your side scores a goal.
I want to look at a few episodes in the story of Abraham and Sarah which illustrate these grades of response. Firstly the straight-forward yes.
Yes
Gen.12:1-5 In answering God’s call to move from one place to another Abraham seems to have had a very straightforward “yes” response. The background to these verses in ch.11 sees Abraham’s father Terah setting out from Ur but settling down half way to Canaan in a place called Haran. God calls Abraham to leave the security of his family and to step out into the unknown and he simply does it “Abram left as the Lord had told him”. Hereby lies the key to discipleship, hearing God speaking and doing what He says. In all his journeyings back and forwards through Canaan we gain the impression that Abraham was constantly listening to God’s direction and following it
Yes….but
Gen.15:1-6 God promises Abraham that he will have children and Abraham believes him, says yes……but Gen.16:1-4 Abraham and Sarah had said yes to God, but after many years they took things into their own hands. This re-inforced in the interesting episode described in Gen.18:1-15 where three visitors visit them and the promise of children is renewed. Sarah laughs, yes….but. How often do we say and do this, we want to believe God and take him at his word, but sometimes it seems impossible, we can’t help laugh with Sarah. The key verse here is v.14”Is anything too hard for the Lord?”.
YES!!!!
Gen.22:1-18
This is one of the most extraordinary stories of faith in the whole Bible. Just stop and think for a moment. Abraham and Sarah had waited long years for this promised child. I expect most of us know couples who have such precious children and how protective they are of them. Isaac was not simply a precious child in that sense but also because of the solemn covenant which God had made that he was to be the source of blessing to future generations. Now God says to Abraham, offer him as a sacrifice and Abraham says “yes”. His faith has grown throughout his life to the point where he is confident that “God himself will provide”v.8 Such faith is recognised by the Lord when he says:”because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you”v.16-17 Note how this points to Jesus, the one and only Son, whom God did not withhold. Note too how the fruit of Abraham saying Yes to God is God saying Yes to him – as we saw with Noah last week.
Application
To what extent are we saying “yes” to God in our lives? Is it yes, yes….but or YES