Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 17:17-27
“Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”
19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; 27 and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.”
GOD’s Relationship with Abraham
The relationship between Abraham and GOD is astounding and we see mutual respect here, in three ways.
- Abraham laughs at GOD’s word and GOD debates with him (heart to heart). Of course GOD “wins”, but there is a respect for Abraham which GOD shows clearly, in that He replies to Abraham without scorn.
- GOD outlines His plan for both of Abraham’s sons. He didn’t need to explain but He does. And in so doing, it is abundantly clear who is to inherit the land of Canaan and who will be GOD’s chosen people.
- Abraham gets on with the job of circumcising every male, according to GOD’s explicit command.
What is our takeaway
As sons of Abraham, we too can argue with GOD. We are not robots and automatons. He hears our hearts, whether we speak aloud or not.
We can trust GOD’s plan for our lives: i) as individuals, who love and follow Him; and ii) as sons and daughters of Abraham, whether Messianic Jews or Gentiles who follow Yeshua — Jesus our Saviour.
Ultimately, when GOD gives us something to do, we need to get on and do it. He prefers obedience to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
Conclusion
The great Creator of the Universe has shown us a way to relate to Him and asks us to trust Him, to be real with Him, and to obey Him. The cost is small and the blessing is huge, if we will but “Just say yes!”