5 February 2010
Psalm 69; Gen. 24:1-27; Heb. 12:3-11; John 7:1-13

The story of a wife for Isaac is a wonderful story of God keeping faith with Abraham and answered prayer for his servant. It is interesting that Abraham does not want his son to go back to the land of Abraham’s family. His grandson will go there himself looking for a wife and will not return for twenty years. Abraham seems to have a particular fear and aversion to his son going back. He was in the land of the promise and yet he owned none of it other than the cave in which he had buried Sarah and it would surely have been tempting for Isaac to go back to the land where they had ownership and never return to claim the promise.

If Jesus goes to the festival in Jerusalem as his brothers suggest it is for the wrong reason, to make a name for himself. His purpose in live was to make the Father’s name known, his name spoke for itself, the Lord saves. It seems strange that He goes anyway and “in secret” and yet we have to assume that the Father told Him to go in much the same way that Nehemiah went up to the city several hundred years earlier and surveyed the ruins of the city in order to determine his next move in rebuilding. The motive for the action needs to be right in order for the will of God to be done.

The issue of discipline is important. We have too many preachers and teachers who would say that becoming a Christian is a ticket to health and wealth. Jesus said we were to take up our cross and follow Him, He told the disciples that they weren’t above their master, if the world hated Him it would equally hate them. When He sent them on mission He told them to take nothing for the journey to provide for their own material comforts, instead requiring them to trust God to provide all they would need. Paul speaks of the privations he suffered for His work. The writer of Hebrews speaks of discipline as though it should not only be expected but also welcomed in that it will lead to growth and maturity in their Christian walk. Indeed, discipline is painful in the moment but often we look back and see that it was for our good. It is important that we experience the frustration of our own wills in order that we can more gladly seek His.

I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.