20121014
Hebrews 11:17-22 presents the record of Patriarchs who are familiar to Christians of the early church. In Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, we have four generations of faith and have much to learn from them. Abraham’s biggest test of faith is when God asks him to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac. The key point to learn is that Abraham obeys God even when he did not know why God is so working. Why would God want Abraham to sacrifice his only son when it is the Lord who gives him that son? All of God’s promises to the Jews are wrapped up in Isaac. It must have been a real struggle for Abraham to exercise his faith in God. The tests of faith are always challenging as we walk with God, yet the promise rewards are more wonderful! And we must not ignore the obedient faith of Isaac in this episode of his life.
The four Patriarchs of faith are not perfect. They sometimes falter but basically, they are people of faith. They stumble occasionally but they trusts God and His Word. They all pass their faith down to future generations. Isaac passes the promises and the blessings along to Jacob (Gen. 27) and Jacob shares them with his twelve sons (Gen. 48-49). Jacob is a pilgrim in a foreign land, for even as he is dying he leans on his pilgrim staff.
The faith of Joseph is truly remarkable. After the way his brothers treat him, you would think he would abandon his faith, but instead, it grows even stronger. Even the ungodly influence of Egypt did not weaken his trust in God. Joseph did not use his family, his job or his circumstances as an excuse for unbelief. Joseph knows what he believes – that God would one day deliver his people from Egypt (Gen. 50:24-26). Joseph also knows where he belongs – in Canaan, not in Egypt. He made the Israelites in Egypt promise to “carry my bones up with you from this place” (Ex. 13:19). The Israelites fulfils this promise 400 years later!
We have to admire the Patriarchs’ faith. They did not have the complete Bible (revelation from God) and yet their faith is very strong. They hand God’s promises down from one generation to another. In spite of their failures and tests, they believe God and He gave witness to their faith. How much more faith in God you and I should have!
