KEEP YOUR HOLINESS
And if that girl refuses to come with you, then you will be free from my oath, but you should not take my son back there. Genesis 24: 8.
Introduction: Abraham had sworn to his steward Eliezer that he should not take a wife from among these Canaanite daughters for his son. He told him to go to his relatives and get a wife for Isaac. Here Eliezer presents the factual question of what to do if your relatives refuse to give you a daughter or if she is not willing to come so far? Abraham warned him clearly that if the girl did not come here, I would release you from my oath, but do not take my son back to my relatives in that country. What could be the reason for Abraham’s warning?
1) First God: now the Lord had said unto Abraham, get thee out of thy country. And from thy kindred and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will show thee and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing, and I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curse thee shall all families of the earth will be blessed through you, Genesis 12: 1-3 Abraham came to this land after God’s command. The Scriptures tell us about Abraham’s calling, that God called him to a special plan. God wanted to bless all the families of the earth through him. This meant that all people on earth, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, clan, colour, poor or rich or living in any country, speaking any language and following any socio-cultural system, wanted to bless everyone. By destroying the chaos in human life, cursed by sin. He wanted to give a peaceful, happy and prosperous life to all humanity. Because he is the creator of all. He finds happiness in human welfare. He wants man to live a holy life and walk in his company.
God had chosen Abraham for such monumental work. Abraham must have been about one hundred and forty years old now, which means he has been in God’s company for the last seventy years. He knew the significance, the truth, and the certainty of God’s plan. He knew that nothing in the world was better than being devoted to God’s plan. So he could clearly say, “If the girl refuses to come with you, you will be free from my oath, but you must not take my son back there,” Genesis 24: 8.
We need to prioritize God’s plan and his calling in our lives. As Christians must realize it first. Once you put your hand on the plough, you can’t look back. Luke 9:62 and Hebrews 10:37:39 say, “Retreating is like going to perdition. So we, like Abraham, must first give priority to God’s kingdom. God will see that He can do all things well. Matthew 6: 33.
2) Creating a Responsible and Faithful Generation: Abraham knew that God’s calling has not limited to him, but extends to future generations. Isaac and his descendants need to walk with God more responsibly and faithfully than he did. So, by this decision, he is clearly telling the next generation that no matter what happens, you must remain devoted to God’s plan. Walking with God should be a priority in your life.
We do not limit God to one person, one nation, or one generation. He is the eternal God, His will is eternal. He never changes, his plan never breaks. Through Abraham, he blessed all the families of the earth and, figuratively, removed him from the world, away from his ancestral home. So that he and the nations that are to come out of him should follow the holiness of God. God tells the nation of Israel created by him to be a holy nation, “because they are a holy people to our God; the Lord your God has chosen them from all the nations of the earth to be his special people.” Deuteronomy 7: 6. God promises the nation of Israel, “The nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60: 3.
God’s plan came to us through Abraham and the nation of Israel through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures say, “All who believe in Jesus Christ are sons of God through him. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs by faith. Galatians 3:26, 29. It is clear from this that all the people of the earth God’s work of blessing has now come to us through Jesus Christ, who has set us free from sin and curse and entrusted to us the gospel that has the power to save the entire world. God entrusts the ministry to you, “2 Corinthians 5:28.
Like Abraham, we must carry on this act of reconciliation from God with faith and prepare our next generation for it. Many people know their call but turn away from God’s work to get their children married to the same caste. Some believers reject boys or girls because they are not of their caste or social status. By doing so, we are not creating a believing generation, but we are displaying our negative attitude or ignorance towards God’s calling. Today, Abraham teaches us that any compromise is possible, but faithfulness to God is not a compromise.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you for choosing me and for having a special plan for me and my future generations. I may, like Abraham, give priority to you and your plan, and may my generation be more devoted to you than I am. Listen as I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.