Letting go of loss properly (Genesis 23:4)
“I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
Genesis 23:4
Being that Abraham already had a firm understanding of eternity, death, and the grave with his previous faith experience with Isaac, he was now able to properly practice grieving and by faith leaving Sarah’s memory into the hands of the Lord. By faith he was seeking to move on, fully honoring the Lord as well as honoring Sarah properly, you see, a lot of what Abraham had become as a man was partly due to who his wife was as a woman. To celebrate and commemorate Sarah Abraham didn’t lie down, give up, or get bitter…instead he chose to press on, move forward, and finish what he and his wonderful wife had begun together. Abraham wanted to move forward towards heaven by continuing that which he was called to do here on earth.
Sure he was grieving his loss!
No, he wouldn’t forget about Sarah!
He was doing what was best because Sarah had now moved onto what was best, the company of the Father…God. We make a huge mistake when in grieving loss we choose to close up shop, to let go of vision and calling, and simply trade in our blessings for bitterness. We, like Abraham, should seek a place to grieve and then leave, letting go of the loss and heading on towards the blessing and gain that God has in mind for us, not only here on earth being that we are still living, but also in the next life where we see the rewards for how we lived.
a quick word to those following along
Hey Scribbles fam,
Just wanted to pop in and say hello after a brief couple days of silence. My schedule here in England has been quite demanding leaving me with little time to be able to write, which unfortunately has affected our schedule here on the website. My apologies to you all. However, I am back and writing and you all can be expecting a new post tomorrow. Feel free to brush through the archives at your leisure. May you continue to seek, as His word blesses you and satisfies.
Blessings to you all in Jesus,
-Dan
The Master Marksman
In Switzerland there is a famous story told of a man who was an expert marksman. At the time the Habsburg Emperors were seeking to dominate Uri, the newly appointed magistrate raised his hat on the top of a pole smack in the middle of the village square. He demanded that all would bow before the pole. While this was going on the marksman passed by without bowing and was immediately arrested. He received the punishment of being forced to shoot an apple off the head of his own son. If he refused to do so the result would be the execution of both of them.
At this point many of us are familiar with the legend of William Tell who won the freedom of himself and his son, Walter Tell, when he split the apple off of his sons head with one arrow. In Switzerland today William Tell is considered a hero.
In the Bible, the word for sin in the Greek is “hamartia” which means “Missing the mark”. It speaks of an archer or bowman aiming to hit the mark of a target, bulls eye, or perhaps an apple. If the Archer were to miss the mark his ability would be considered imperfect and if the stakes were as high as that of William Tell it wouldn’t go so well.
The truth is that the stakes are pretty high when it comes to our ability of perfection or lack thereof. I’m not talking about apples or bows and arrows; I’m talking about Holiness and Sin. The standard of abiding with God in heaven is perfect holiness. The Bible tells us, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” If William Tell had an off day, which I’m sure he had at one time or another when practicing to be a marksman, his son would have died. When it comes to our spiritual life the same is true, due to an imperfect ability to gain salvation we face the consequence of death, it says in the book of Romans, “For the wages of Sin is death.” This isn’t good news for us.
“But Dan, I haven’t missed any marks, I’m a pretty good person” You claim.
To be a pretty good person doesn’t cut it, just like being an alright shot wouldn’t have cut it for Ol’ Willy Tell. You see, according to the Bible if anyone has broken the Law (also known as the 10 commandments) any law, even if it was once, then you have missed the mark, you’ve sinned, you’re guilty.
What if I don’t believe in Bible and the Ten Commandments Dan?
Your belief in the Law doesn’t void it from being the Law just like me not believing in a speed limit doesn’t get me out of a ticket when I’m caught and justice is served.
Don’t get bummed out though…there is good news!
That verse that I just quoted from Romans has a second part to it.
It tells us, “The gift of God is eternal life.” Just like Walter Tell’s dad won his life and freed, so too our heavenly daddy won our life and freedom by sending His only Son to this world to die on the cross and pay the penalty of our sin.
That’s it…Jesus is a master marksman, being fully God and fully man He was perfect and worthy to cover the consequences of our sin. When we as sons and daughters of God had the apple of Sin hanging over our heads, Jesus came and split our sin in two, not stretching out His hands for a bow and arrow, but for a few nails. He shed His blood for our punishment, saving our lives and raising His own life up, becoming the hero of our salvation.
If you wish to receive this free gift that was paid for you on the cross all you have to do is simply “believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and confess with your mouth that He died on the cross for your sins.” (Romans 10:9-12)
I know when it comes down to a life and death target shot, I wouldn’t trust my life into anyone’s hands that were less than perfect, I’d want the highest standard of perfection deciding my outcome. Jesus has done that. He has completed the work saying, “It is finished”. And for those who have received that free gift have also received their freedom and eternal life.
A Heavenly Hope (Genesis 23:3-4)
“Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
Genesis 23:3-4
Abraham’s words go deep, “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you”, tell us of his mindset at the moment. Technically Abraham had spent a long enough time in this area of Hebron, as well as developed in financial status to be able to have a piece of land and be considered a resident, however, Abraham hasn’t purchased land up to this point and now we get a peek at his perspective of himself and his latest situation.
Something happens to your perspective the moment a loved one dies. Relationships that seemed to have such a strong connection are ripped from our hands; the people we thought would go on with us forever suddenly leave. Where did they go? Questions like this often follow death, and thoughts about the eternal begin to mix in with your current thought process. You see, when loss happens it brings a very real contrast between temporary and eternal. The love that you had for someone becomes longing, and that longing desires to continue with those that have passed. I believe this was the meaning of Abraham’s words. The moment Sarah died, home wasn’t home for Abraham, it didn’t matter how much wealth and security he had, death plays no favorites and claims whomever… whenever it pleases.
In the same way we as believers in Jesus Christ have a similar longing, a love that is eternal made to wait upon the temporary. The difference is that Jesus has told us that He is not bound by death, He rose again defeating death and sits at the right hand of God in heaven preparing for us a heavenly home where things that were once temporary are eternally secure. We’re told that Abraham had this understanding:
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance…By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God…These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11:8-16
The Bible teaches us that through our faith in Jesus Christ we not only hope for, but we are certain of our eternal destiny. We declare on earth where it is we choose to make home, and in the same way that preparations are made for us when we book into a hotel, we see that preparations are made for us in heaven by our heavenly host, the builder and maker, God.
Gifts of Grief, and Faithful Fellowship (Genesis 23:1-2)
“Sarah lived one hundred and twenty seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.”
Genesis 23:1-2
Just a short while ago Abraham received back his son from the altar, now he was saying goodbye to his bride. So we see the same in our lives. Sometimes we’re receiving blessings from God, and then the difficult moments of having to let go arrive. Death and loss are always subjects of difficulty for everyone; we see that even Abraham, a spiritual giant of a man, wept for his wife. Grief is okay, it actually helps us to release that which is going on in our heads and hearts before the Lord, and when done properly it allows the Lord the opportunity to clarify and console.
It’s said the reason why God created the tear ducts and tear reflex was to keep the eye lubricated and cleansed of any particles that might harm the eye’s surface or impede on the eye’s ability to see. In the same way God has given us the gift of grief to work the spiritual cleansing of the hearts interior as tears cleanse the eye. As we tell God how we feel, the Lord begins to comfort and reply with His faithful and gentle cleansing of the particles that irritate the peace of our hearts and heads, keeping us from seeing clearly His character.
After one hundred and twenty seven years of life Sarah had now died in Hebron, which literally translated means “fellowship”, this is so fitting being that most of Sarah’s life was spent in fellowship with her husband. Sarah and Abraham’s relationship is an awesome example to us of commitment, love, faithfulness, and honor to each other and the Lord. We often think of Abraham as the Godly example being dubbed things like, “Father of the faith” or “the friend of God”, however, we see Sarah gets a mention when Paul likened her to grace while Hagar was likened unto the Law. Then Peter mentioned her as the example of what a woman of God should be (1 Peter 3:5, 6).
Yeah, they both made mistakes, hit some bumps together, but the wonderful thing was their willingness to accept correction from the Lord, admit their wrongs, and stay committed to the Lord as He led them on to be ‘A Man’ and ‘A Woman’ of God.
Introduction of the Bride (Genesis 22:20-23)
“Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.”
Genesis 22:20-23
Just before the ending of Chapter 22, we are introduced to some extended family of Abraham. Now one of the children of Abraham’s brother Nahor has a child, her name is Rebekah. And here we have the beginnings of the story of Isaac and Rebekah, probably one of the coolest love stories in the Bible. So just after we close with the story of Isaac as the burnt offering we see the introduction of the bride. Which is interesting because not too long after the sacrifice of our Greater-than-Isaac we see the introduction of another bride…the Church; as we take a look at the chapters to follow we’ll see a beautiful story of husband and wife begin to unfold, from pursuit, to first meeting, and finally to marriage, in the same way we as the bride of Christ are living in a similar love story.
We’ve witnessed His pursuit as He sacrificed Himself on the cross so that we might be in a relationship with Him.
We meet Him and get to know Him through the truth of God’s word, the Bible.
And finally we commit our lives to Him when we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that He is Lord, similar to vows taken at an altar in marriage.
It’s a beautiful thing this relationship with Jesus Christ, to have and to hold till death draws us infinitely closer!
God’s blessing to us! (Genesis 22:15-18)
“Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said; “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son-blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 22:15-18
God instructed and Abraham obeyed. As we continue to learn from the lives of the Word we see that obedience is one of the most valuable keys to our relationships with the Lord. For in obeying God we will find that faith will grow, hope will become clear, and love will blossom to maturity.
In Abraham’s obedience all the generations to follow would be blessed as a great nation. Today the testimony of that blessing is apparent as the Jewish race is the only ancient civilization to have survived the test of time. It’s a common fact that after any ancient civilization lost rule of their land that civilization would soon fall and become overcome and eventually wiped out. The Mayans, Incas, Assyrians, and Babylonians are a few among many of these fallen empires. The Hebrew nation, commonly known today as the Jews or Israeli’s is the only people group, culture, and nation that have survived with its identity completely intact. As it were, that would be enough; however we see that upon this particular blessing God has been abundantly clear in His faithfulness to the Jews throughout the years.
Let me explain:
Jesus, or the Angel of the Lord, speaks this promise to Abraham… “Blessing I will bless you” which is also abiding with the blessing and promise earlier spoken by God Himself unto Abraham:
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:3
Any nation that has attacked or cursed the Israelites has soon after been overcome as a nation. The Jews have been persecuted and attacked for centuries; their enemies have included Assyrian’s, Babylon, Midian, Moab, Philistia, Agag, and even more contemporary nations like Nazi Germany. It isn’t coincidence that soon after these nations sought to wipe out the Jews they themselves were the ones being overcome. So too we see that through Abraham’s seed, God not only blessed the Jewish race, but the whole world, because millennia later the Messiah would arrive and bring freedom and salvation to all mankind; every race, gender, and culture; multiplying the number of those who would enter into heaven as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
You see, in the eyes of the Lord we as mankind had a common enemy. It wasn’t an opposing race, nation, or culture…it was a hereditary condition called sin.
In the same way God was faithful to defend the Jewish race, God has also carried His faithfulness through Abraham to the entire Human race. Blessing us and not cursing us, saving us from destruction and delivering us unto abundant life.
As I was sharing this with a friend more recently I was asked, “How is it that you as a Christian can be so exclusive about salvation and entrance into heaven?”
I responded by saying, “Christianity isn’t exclusive, it’s actually quite open. Because of the finished work that Jesus carried out on the cross, all can freely receive salvation!”
The question that follows is, “Will you receive it?”
Jehova Jireh, The-Lord-Will-Provide (Genesis 22:14)
“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Genesis 22:14
Jehova Jireh, or literally “The-Lord-Will-Provide” is a just another of many different and wonderful names for the One true God. This particular name was formed from the proclamation of faith Abraham made to Isaac in verse eight. This particular dub is similar to when Hagar referred to God as “The-God-Who-Sees” (16:13), both were in a tight spot between life and death, and Jesus draws near, sees the need (Jehova Elroi), and provides for the need (Jehova Jireh). As I reflect on the names and the character of God; I’m often reminded of times in life where I’ve wondered if God was paying any attention to my predicament, if He saw my need, and whether or not He would provide. As I came to find out, the answer to all of these questions is found at the cross.
Whenever I question God’s instructions, or perhaps I feel as though I’m only being led to the slaughter in my personal situation, the cross always speaks a reminder of peace and hope into my life. For it was there that the Lord provided, and “as it is said to this day” God has never let us down.
“But God has let me down, Dan!” you say.
“I’ve been robbed, cheated, and shorthanded plenty of times in my life!” you might think.
The fact of the matter is “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) so that makes me wonder what it was that you didn’t receive.
Perhaps what you thought was your need was simply a want, and God knowing best knew that it wasn’t best for you. You see, that is the amazing truth about God! He loves you and will always lead you to the blessing regardless of what you think to be best.
So the next time you pray and begin to think, “Man! God didn’t answer my prayer!”
Remember that He has!
It may be that God has simply delayed or developed your answer in a different way than what you had expected. (James 4:2-3)
Rams and Lambs (Genesis 22:13)
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.”
Genesis 22:13
As a child I often wondered why God gave a ram as the offering here.
Wasn’t the sacrifice supposed to be a pure and spotless lamb?
Upon further study I came to find out that the ram was speaking of the fact that God’s promise to provide Himself a lamb (vs.7) was yet to be fulfilled. It would be later in history that God would bring forth the Lamb (John 1:29), He Himself would become the provision as He would come into this world as a pure babe, live a spotless life, eventually to climb the very same mount, be bound to the wood of the cross, and be pierced as a sacrifice for our sins.
It never ceases to amaze me how well in advance God sorted out salvation.
Lay Your Isaac Down (Genesis 22:11-12)
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22: 11-12
Once again we see “the Angel of the Lord” make an appearance in the life of Abraham. As we’ve learned from the previous appearances, the Angel of the Lord is Jesus Himself. The dialogue held in this appearance gives us a little behind the scenes insight into the perspective of the God the Father and us, his children.
Let me explain.
As instructed Abraham was called to give up that which was most dear to him…literally. The son that was promised to him by God was now being demanded from him. At first glance this all seems a bit cruel, but it’s not a mind game, or a bad joke, God actually has a reason behind this whole process that He has asked Abraham to walk through.
What is this process?
It’s called, “Abiding”.
Jesus called to Abraham and said, “Stop!” “You’ve done everything I’ve asked and your obedience has proven your love for me!”
God wasn’t trying to ruin Abraham’s life, He was refining it. God didn’t desire to murder Isaac; He desired to draw him and his father into a deeper relationship of love. As Abraham took each step of obedience we see a clear demonstration of that which was most important to him, and as we watch Isaac grow up its clear that his father’s demonstration of love and integrity toward the Lord deeply impacted him to do the same.
Take note parents, with every God given instruction that you obey, your kids will take notice. As you demonstrate your love and desire for the Lord you’ll see it impact your children deeper than any sermon, book, or class could ever teach them. As Abraham abided with the Lord we see that he clearly led Isaac in the way to deeply love and know God.
It’s kind of like this, if my 8 year old nephew asked me for an ice cream cone, I could very easily explain to him how to get to the grocery store. I could draw him a map and give very concise instructions on how to find, pay, and enjoy his ice cream cone. The explanation would be spot on, but the facts are my nephew probably wouldn’t be able to do it on his own. On the other hand, if my little nephew asked me for an ice cream cone and I said, “Sure buddy, hop on my shoulders and we’ll go get it together!” As I carry him I no longer am giving directions…I’ve now become the directions. I carry him there and walk through it all with him; and he will receive exactly what was desired. So too, Jesus said, “I am the way…” As Abraham followed the Lord we see that Isaac abided in the direction and received deeply what Abraham was also experiencing as he abided with the Lord.
Not only did Abraham demonstrate direction for Isaac, he also grew in gratitude of God. With each defining step Abraham deepened in his capacity of appreciation for what God had given him. How does God help us keep blessings in perspective so that they don’t distract us from first loving Him? He calls us to lay our “Isaac” down. So that we begin to see and understand where the blessing came from and the heart of the one who gave it.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6, 7
You see as we obey the Lord and cast upon Him that which we care about, we’ll see that in due time He’ll lift us up, give us our Isaac back, and bless us with what’s best.
God not only cares about blessing us with His promises, He also cares about seeing us abide closer to Him.
Love at its finest (2 Samuel 9)
We here at Scribbles have decided to throw a fresh study in today just to shake things up a bit 
. So instead of reading, take a break, grab a cup of something hot, kick back and listen…enjoy!
Below is a clip of a teaching that Dan gave on 2 Samuel 9 while in McConnelsville, Ohio. Listen while he shares about Love instead of Hatred, Kindness instead of Anger, and how God makes good on His promises for everyday ordinary people!
Dan\’s sermon on 2-samuel-9-at-mcconnelsville-ohio, USA
Walking together with the Father (Genesis 22:7-8)
“But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.”
Genesis 22:7-8
Notice the repeated words, “the two of them went together.” These few words speak volumes about the relationship Isaac and Abraham had. Based on the Hebrew word “na’ar”, translated “Lad” we find a bit of insight to Isaac’s age. Scholars believe Isaac wasn’t a kid at this stage, more than likely he was around the age of thirty, which blew me away considering every Sunday school lesson about this story I had ever witnessed portrays Isaac as a child not more than 8-10 years of age.
“So what!” you say.
“What does Isaac’s age have to do with anything?” You might think.
Considering old Abe was over 100 years old, it’s not too hard to believe that a young buck like Isaac didn’t have to obey his dad when it came to being slain with a knife, burnt over a fire, and offered as a sacrifice. He could easily have run away the moment he noticed his dad’s intentions, or wrestled the knife away from Abraham, which is more than likely what anyone of us would have probably done. In this situation most of us would simply write Abraham off as old and delusional and be done with him, but not Isaac, these verses show the amount of meekness and faith that Isaac held in character.
The same is true for Jesus Christ, the pure and spotless lamb, who perfectly obeyed the Father even when led to the destination of death on the cross. The story of Isaac is like a photo negative of the story of Jesus Christ. The picture is taken and over time and through the process in the darkroom of “trial and testing” the development of the image is manifested. In the same way we see God’s “bigger picture”, or the will of the Most High Himself, which is that none would perish, but that all would be saved through the Holy offering of His Son, the “Pure and spotless lamb” which He Himself did provide. He brought the flesh for the offering by becoming like us in the flesh and dying for our sins (John 1:14). Showing the same kind of meekness and faith in the Father as Isaac, Jesus was willing to lay down His life trusting that the Father knew best.
This all serves as an encouragement and example to me. Often when I desire to “offer myself as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2) I mistakenly think that it’s a task that I must do on my own. Like Isaac shows us here on Mt. Moriah, and like Jesus on Calvary, we see that to perfectly abide and obey with the Father’s plan it takes meekness, and faith. We are to trust, sit still, and know that God is working things together for good in our character even when it seems like He’s killing us, or we’re getting burned by others, or we’re being wounded by those we love.
“Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
He is with us in the conflict, He strengthens us while we journey up the mountain to the altar, and His powerful Holy Spirit accompanies us to the altar so that we might learn to trust and not squirm away from the Fathers desire…that we too would be altered to the likeness of His Son.
“The two of them went together”
Abraham with Isaac
The Father with the Son
God Almighty with You
