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Genesis Overall
The
Steps of Abraham’s Faith
(Rom.4:12)
Observe that it does not
say—‘who walk in the steps of our father Abraham’, for sometimes he took false
and wrong steps, but ’who walk in the steps of that Faith of our father
Abraham’ see Heb. 13:7
1 Step number One—Leaving all
for God Gen.12:5; Heb. 11:8
2 Step number two—Leaving all
with God Gen. 13:9, 14
3 Step number tree—Finding
all in God Gen. 15:1
4 Step number four—Yielding
all to God Gen. 22:16
GOD’S
CHARGE TO ABRAM.
There
are three reasons why the Lord charges Abram to walk before Him.
Ⅰ. Because of past failure. For thirteen years it seems that
Abram had been walking before Sarah in listening to her, and following her
advice with reference to Hagar. When Ishmael was born, Abram was eighty-six
years old (Gen.16:16), and he was ninety-nine years old when the Lord appeared
and gave him the charge to walk before Him. As A. Fuller says, “ This
admonition implies a serious reproof. It was like saying, ‘Have no more recourse to unbelieving
expedients; keep in the path off uprightness, and leave Me to fulfil My promise
in the time and manner that seem good to come!’” What a lesson is here afforded
us, never to use unlawful means under the pretence of being more useful, or
promoting the cause of God. Our part is to walk before. Him, and be upright,
leaving Him to work out His own designs in His own way.
Ⅱ. The
Lord charges Abram to walk before Him, because He commands it. Where the word
of a king is, there is authority. I know a little boy who, when he is told to
do a certain thing, says to his father, “What for?” and the reply he receives
is , “ Because I tell you.” It is without questioning.
Ⅲ. The
Lord bids Abram to walk before Him, because of what He is. “ I am the Almighty
God.” The meaning of the words “ El shaddai,” translated “ Almighty God,” is
the Irresistible One, who is able to make and destroy. It is the name that
expresses God’s Almightiness, by which He was specially made known to the
patriarchs (Exodus 6:3). The title occurs six times in Genesis ( 17:1; 28:3;
35:11; 48:3; 49:25), and thirty-one times in the book of Job. Some have derived
Shaddai from Shad a nipple, because God feeds His children with sufficiency of
all good things, as the loving mother doth the child with the milk of her
breasts. Hence we might speak of God in His all-sufficiency as “ The
Many-Breasted God.” There is no lack with Him, therefore we may well count upon
supplies from Him. What does it mean to walk before God” (1) To live as in His
sight, and under His inspection. (2) To realize at all times His presence and
His providence. (3) To feel the dignity of the godly life. We are not to walk
behind Him as if ashamed, but before Him, as conscious of the dignity of our
high calling. (4) To feel the constant energy of spiritual life. The light of
God’s countenance is upon us, and in that we have life. We cannot fail with the
Almighty power behind us. (5) To feel the love of God towards us. Unless there
was redeeming love on God’s part, it would be impossible for us to walk before
Him. In that alone our souls can live and move. (6) To apprehend God’s love by
our faith. This is that power in the soul that lays hold of the Divine
fullness. Hence “ the just shall live by faith.”
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
"THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH" Genesis 37:1-50:26
INTRODUCTION
1. When we think of "the patriarchs", the following likely come to mind... a. Abraham, man of faith b. Isaac, son of promise c. Jacob, father of the twelve tribes of Israel 2. Yet consider this about the patriarch Joseph... a. More space in Genesis is devoted to him than the others b. There is not a single word of reproof against Joseph 3. Indeed, "The Character Of Joseph" is worthy of careful study... a. His nobility of character, his purity of heart and life b. His magnanimity as ruler and brother -- Make him, more than any other of the Old Testament characters, an illustration of that type of man which Christ was to give to the world in perfection (ISBE) [Let's review the life of Joseph, and be reminded of the wonderfulcharacter displayed by this man of God. We begin with..]