I want us to see today what great change is brought to Isaacs relationship with others when he learns to trust God - even with his greatest fears. Just as the Israelite's saw themselves as grasshoppers easily controlled and easily crushed, they were thereby seen in a familiar manner in the eyes of their enemy. How they perceived themselves ultimately became how they were seen by others. In this narrative, we see how Isaac saw himself, and how that led to how he was seen and treated by others. I want us to get this - Isaacs enemies saw that he was POSITIONALLY blessed of God, but they also saw that Isaac was not PRACTICALLY blessed because he did not walk in that way. Isaac - positionally was blessed, but because of fear, distrust - they knew they could dictate to Isaac his roles and even his choices - - even in the midst of the promised land.
The point I wish to make is this: the conflict that Isaac so terribly feared persisted because to root of the conflict and the manner in which his enemies were treating him stemmed from his own self perception. As long as he was controlled by his emotions of fear and distrust, he would be easily controlled by circumstances and people, and not God.
But something change. God gave Isaac a command - - and we must give Isaac credit here - - because he DID fear God more than he feared men. God told Isaac to dig a well, and to stay put, and Isaac did. God made Isaac take a stand - and when he did, it changed everything. We will see the results tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment