Failures of Abraham - Part 2

The second lesson we can learn from “Father Abraham” is this:

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR

Genesis 17:15-19 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Thirteen years have passed since Abraham’s lapse of faith in chapter 16 (16:16 w/ 17:1). God comes and repeats his promise of a son through Sarah. Abraham laughs (as does Sarah in chapter 18). As a reminder, the son is to be named “Isaac” (laugher).

In verse 18 of Genesis 17, Abraham falls on his face and prays to God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! He’s still seeking God’s blessing on his human intervention. Outside God’s promise of a child through Sarah, you can understand the desire of a father for his son.

It’s a prayer God heard. Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

In hindsight, Abraham might wish that God didn’t hear that prayer. As we mentioned last time, Ishmael was a wild man (16:12), and the nations that came from him have followed his course throughout history. To this day, they do battle with the sons of Isaac.

Instead of asking God’s blessing on our own plans and designs, let’s ask for His help to bring our lives in line with His will. It’s just better that way.

Failures of Abraham - Part 1

I want to take a brief look at 3 of the not-so-commonly known mistakes in the life of Abraham, in hopes of gleaning some practical lessons for our daily lives. First of all this simple thought:

ANY ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE WILL COST YOU IN THE LONG RUN –

AND PROBABLY MUCH MORE THAN YOU THINK IT WILL

We’re all familiar with Abraham’s lapse of the faith in Genesis 16 – where he goes in unto Hagar who bears a son named Ishmael – and what it cost him and the Hebrew nation. The reason that Jews and Arabs fight to this day in the Middle East is that this son of Abraham became father of the Arabian people. It was prophesied of him in Genesis 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

But what about the problems Abraham caused for his nation way back in the beginning when God called him out? Let’s take a look.

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

God told Abram to leave his family, to leave his country, and to go to place that He would show him. But in Genesis 12:5, the Bible says that Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son…

I’ve often wondered why Abram took Lot if God told him to leave his family behind. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m of the opinion that Lot’s being included on this journey was not part of God’s design; that this was an act of disobedience on Abram’s part.

And it didn’t turn out real well. There was strife between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen in Genesis 13, and Lot ended up pitching his tent toward Sodom. In chapter 14, Abram had to go to war to deliver Lot from the army of Chedorlaomer.

But the real kicker is in chapter 19 – one of the most disgusting chapters in all the Bible. God delivers just Lot (2 Peter 2) – against his will (Genesis 19:15-16) – from the destruction of the wicked city of Sodom and Gomorrah. His wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt (v. 26), and after a brief stay in Zoar, Lot and his daughters flee to the mountains surrounding the cities of the plain (vv. 29-30). There his daughters get him drunk and conceive his children (vv. 33-36). Those boys became the fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites (vv. 37-38). If you know your Bible, you will recognize those as enemy nations that harassed and fought and were a thorn in the side of Israel throughout the course of the OT.

And it all started with a seemingly small act of disobedience on the part of Abraham. And what makes it amazing is the fact that Abraham partially obeyed the Lord. He left his country. He went where God told him. He left MOST of his family. And I’d imagine he would’ve never imagined all the problems it would cost his people hundreds of years later.

But that’s how sin works. The consequences are often far greater than we’d ever imagine. We’re just often deceived into keeping our minds in the short-term and thinking “it won’t be that big a deal.”

Brit Hume On Tiger Woods

Someone (formerly) in the news bold enough to stand for Jesus. Watch with wonder. And remember to pray for Tiger Woods.

A New Mark To Press Toward

Bro. James brought a challenging and convicting message from Philippians chapter 1 on New Years’ Eve. Here’s the gist of the sermon.

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

As Christians, we can understand what Paul expressed as his desire to depart and be with Christ. We all have a certain longing for the day when we are absent from this body and present with our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Many times, when faced with a terminal illness or the onset of old age or some tragic accident, God’s children testify of a readiness to take that journey through the valley of the shadow of death, knowing the Good Shepherd will lead them safely through.

Oftentimes, they also testify of what makes that departure so difficult. Understandably it’s the loved ones they’ll be forced to leave behind – a husband, a wife, a child, a grandchild, a parent, etc. We know that death is but a temporary separation for those who know the Lord, but the love we have for the people with whom we share our lives day in and day out kind of serves to counter that whole desire to depart and be with Christ thing. And I don’t believe there’s anything necessarily wrong with that.

Here’s what’s amazing about Philippians 1. Paul was in a strait betwixt two. His desire to depart and be with Christ is evident throughout the book of Acts and the other epistles he penned, but he was torn between that and the need to abide in the flesh. But by what? What tied him to this earth when he had a “far better” situation awaiting him in heaven? It wasn’t a husband. It wasn’t a wife. It wasn’t a son or daughter. It wasn’t father or mother. But it was a love as strong as FAMILY for his brothers and sisters IN CHRIST. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful FOR YOU.

The passage goes on to read, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue WITH YOU all for YOUR furtherance and joy of faith; That YOUR rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming TO YOU again.

To Paul, “Brother” was more than a name he used when he couldn’t remember someone’s name. It meant FAMILY. And the love he had for his spiritual brethren was enough to tie him to this earth. “Yeah, I’d sure like to go to heaven and be with the Lord, but if it means a temporary situation from my brothers and sisters, then I’ll just stay down here a while longer. I’ve gotta help further their joy and their faith.”

Wow! Talk about convicting! I don’t know about you, but I don’t even come close to measuring up to that mark. God grant that my attachment to this earth be due to more than just flesh and blood relationships. God give me that kind of love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

A Sobering Question

I would like to ask this nicely. David, why do preachers define "wine" as alcoholic thru-out the Bible. Yet when Jesus turned water into wine, it is defined as grape juice w/o fermented (alcholic effects).

Drunkenness has no appeal to me. Knocking down a brew while mowing the lawn certainly does not feel like a sin to me.

Received this comment in response to “What Are You Seeking?” It had nothing to do with the post, but I appreciate the question and the spirit in which it was posed. As long as we can agree that it doesn’t matter how we “feel” about the issue, then the Bible can guide and direct us in the way of truth (Psalm 119:105). Here we go.

The Definition of “Wine”

The term “wine” is used throughout the scripture to refer to grape juice in BOTH its pure (unfermented) and intoxicating (or fermented) forms. In most cases, the context and common sense are enough to determine which is being referred to (Genesis 9:21; see below). In others, it is neither clear nor terribly important (Deuteronomy 32:38). Admittedly, still others leave us scratching our heads and/or debating over which is in view (1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 5:23).

It is clear that every mention of “wine” does not refer to the intoxicating sort for several reasons. Let me give you just a few.

1. The Israelites drank of the PURE blood of the grape (Deuteronomy 32:14).

2. This “wine” is that which can be gathered in from the fields and vineyards (Deuteronomy 11:14; Deuteronomy 16:13).

3. The Levites were instructed not to drink “wine” (Leviticus 10:9) but were given the best of the “wine” (Numbers 18:12) that the Israelites brought as part of their offerings/sacrifices (Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:5, 7, 10; Numbers 28:7, 14; Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23, 26; Deuteronomy 18:4; Nehemiah 10:39). Obviously, what the people brought to the temple was not off-limits and must have been something other than what was forbidden, though both are referred to as “wine.”

Some teach that “new wine” is used specifically to refer to this “fruit of the vine” (Genesis 40:9-11; Matthew 26:29), and that idea seems to fit well with the following passages – Proverbs 3:10; Isaiah 65:8; Nehemiah 10:39; Joel 3:18. However, the distinction does not seem to hold up in places such as Hosea 4:11; Joel 1:5; Acts 2:13.

Jesus and Wine

It is wrong to assume that Jesus drank wine (as we commonly refer to it) or that he condoned doing so, much less accommodated it at a wedding party.

1. The scripture NEVER states that Jesus drank an intoxicating beverage. He did not drink the miracle water in John 2, and what He drank in the upper room was called “the fruit of the vine” (Mark 14:25).

2. The Bible does NOT state that anybody in John 2 drank wine. Watch what it actually says. There were six WATERpots of stone (v. 6). Jesus said, “Fill the WATERpots with WATER” (v. 7). The ruler of the feast tasted the WATER (v. 9). This is significant for at least a couple reasons. First, Jesus turned WATER into wine. He did not turn FRUIT into wine. When you turn FRUIT into wine, there is a fermentation process (think TIME), but WATER cannot ferment – especially not in the time that it takes for a servant to draw the cup and bare it to the governor of the feast (v. 8). Secondly, perhaps the miracle of John 2 was that the men were fully convinced that the WATER they were drinking was actually wine. Let me explain. God once put potable WATER in ditches that looked red as blood (2 Kings 3:15-24). So is it possible for God to give men water while they are fully convinced that it is blood? Yes. Likewise, is it not possible for Jesus to give men water in John 2, while they are fully convinced it is wine? Why not!

3. In fact, this would much more in line with His character. Jesus never sinned. Had he provided alcoholic beverages for the wedding party in John 2, He would have placed himself under the woe of Habakkuk 2:15. In addition to that, Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging. It bites like a serpent and stings like an adder (Proverbs 23:32; Deuteronomy 32:33). It overcomes men (Jeremiah 23:9); inflames men (Isaiah 5:11); robs them of their senses; and leads them into immorality (Genesis 9:21-24; Genesis 19:32-35) and spiritual darkness (Isaiah 28:7-8). It is unholy and unclean (Leviticus 10:9-10). Would Jesus really pass it out? I’m not convinced that He would.

The Christian and Wine

In addition to the above, here’s why I believe that knocking down a brew while mowing the lawn is a sin:

1. Proverbs 23:31 says not to even look on the type of wine that “moveth itself aright” (the fermented stuff). How can I drink it if I’m not supposed to look at it?

2. Proverbs 31:4 says that it is not for kings to drink wine. Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 say that I am a king.

3. Proverbs 31:6 says that wine is for those who are ready to perish. If you’ve been saved by the grace of God, that’s not you (John 3:15-16; John 5:24; John 10:28).

4. Proverbs 20:1 says that whoever is deceived by wine is not wise. Ephesians 5:17 says that I am not to be unwise.

5. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it would cause some brother to stumble or be offended (Romans 14:21-23).

6. Even if it were lawful, I am not to be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12). I must not partake of anything that would hinder my life from being under the full and complete control of God’s Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

7. I’m not yet willing to give up on drinking water (1 Timothy 5:23 – see The Devil’s Bible, 9/23/08).

I understand that not everybody who drinks a beer becomes a drunk. Some say it’s genetic. Some say it’s a matter of will. Others contend it’s entirely a spiritual matter. But in any case, I am not willing to take a chance at becoming a statistic by taking that first drink. Nor am I willing to encourage anyone else to take that chance by taking a social drink every now and then – even if “I can handle it.”

So there it is. I appreciate your feedback, but I ask you to check every Bible reference before you decide to argue with me. If you’re concerned about what the Bible says, there’s plenty to consider. If you place more weight in how you “feel” about it, then nothing the Bible says is going to matter anyway.

Cheers!

Visit THE BIBLE Baptist Church website to order The Lost Cause Series, including a chapter on “Drinking in Moderation.”