The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 353

type of man's helplessness to escape from the curse (cf. Luke iv.18), orfrom the law of sin in the members. The law of God of itself can only condemn. It can only be fulfilled by one "·ho loves God ; but he who is not at peace with God cannot love l,im. The sncrifice was now complete as far as Abraham could offer it. He had cas_t ~own self-will (cf._ Matt. xxvi. 39) ; he had sacrificed himself (Rom. xii. 1). Tln~ 1s ~he state of mmd of a)l others most prepared to receive blessings (rf. 2 Kmgs 1v. 3-6): "Lay not tlnne hand upon. th~ lad." God's purpose our deli- verance (Rom. nu. 1). The work of the law, bnngmg home the conviction of sin is the prelude to the knowledge of life (cf. Rom. vii. 10-13)-life throuo-h de;th. God's way of deliverance (Isa. liii. 6). The type, the ram caught in the thicket.1 the antitype, Christ fulfilling the Father's will (Mntt. xxvi. 54; Mark xv. 31). Tl.Je practical application of this shown in brazen serpent (John iii. 14). Marvellous love of God (Rom. v. 8). We had no claim on him, yet he would _not that we should p~rish (Ezek. xxxiii. 11 ). He wanted, for the fulness of his blessedness that we ,1,ould partake of it, and therefore Christ came that he might die in our st~ad 1• and now in him we are dead (2 Cor. v. 4). Do not dilute the truth by saying he died for belie"ers only. This is to miss the constraining power of his love. If there is a 11y doubt of his death being for each and all, the gospel is no longerfelt to be "who- soever will" (Rev. xxii. 17). Behold the Lamb. We need not now to say, 11 God will pro"\'ide; " he has provided (1 John ii. 2). The universe could not purchase that pro- pitiation. No efforts could make thee worthy of it, yet it is freely offered to thee to- day. And mark what that gift includes (Rom. viii. 32)-the help of the Holy Spirit (Luke xi. 13), wisdom (James i. 5), help in trials (1 Cor. x. 13), peace (Rom. viii. 33), needs of this life (Luke xii. 30). Bring all thy sins, thy wants, thy hindrance11 to the mercy-seat (Heb. iv. 16). The Lord will see, will look upon thy need; and ere thy prayer is offered be has provided what that need requires.-M. Yers. 15-19.-The great trial and the great revelation. In such a history the representative character of Abraham must be remembered. He was tried not only !c- his own sake, but that in him all the families of the earth might be blessed. I. The PREPARATION for this great grace. God end Abraham recognising each nther ; the servant called by name, responding with the profession of readiness for ubedience. II. The COMMANDMENT is itself a secret communication, a covenant. Do this, and I wi11 bless thee; follow me in this journey "as I tell thee," and thou shalt see my salvation. III. The simple, childlike OBEDIENCE of the patriarch is reflected in the quiet de- meanour of Isaac bearing the wood of the burnt offering, type of Jesus bearing his ,·roes, inquiring for the lamb with lamb-like innocence and patience. "They went both of them together" (vers. 6 and 8)-" together" in the beginning of the journey, "together" in the end, in the trial and in the blessing. IV. FAITH which accepts the will of God and takes up the DiYine mission WILL f'OllMIT THE FUTURE TO TEE GRACIOUS PROVISION ON WHICH IT DEPENDS. "My son, God will pro"\'ide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" (ver. 8). Already Abraham was saying, "The Lord will provide." We say it sometimes with a fearful burden upon our heart; but when we go steadfastly and hopefully forward we say it at last with the remembrance of a great deliverance sending its glory along the way of our future. V. THE TRlAL OF 'l"HE TRUE HEART IS OFTEN STRETCHED OUT TO ITS LAST EX· 1"REMITY, that the revelation which rewards faithfulness may be the more abundant ~nd wonderful (vers. 9, 10). We must take God at his word, otherwise we shall not experience the promised deliverance. "Take thy son, and offer him there'' (ver. 2). " And Abraham stretched forth hie hand and took the knife to sli1y his son." What else could he do? The commandment must be obeyed. The obedience must be "good and perfect and acceptable" 11s the will of God. VI. AT THE POINT OF ENTIRE SURRENDER ArrEARB THE ANGEL, is heard the voice of relief, the assurance of acceptance, the change in the method of obedience, the topenecl eyes, the provided sacrifice, THE RETURNING JOY 01' 6ALVATION (Yers. 11-13). Tl,erc iH a hlindness of self-sacrifice which leads to n sight of im111<':i~urnble joy, r,1,1. xx:u. 20-2-t] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. ---------------------- - ---------- Abrnlwm saw nothing before him but the plain path of obedience; he went on, l\nd nt last i; lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold" the self-sacrifice changed into peaceful offering of an appointed substitute (ver. 13) " in tlie stead of liis son." VII. THE CLIMAX OF OUR EXPERIENCE AND 01' DIVINE MERCY BECOMKS TO ns A NEW NAME OF JEHOVAH. \Ve know him henceforth by that knowledge of fact. 11 Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide) : as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided" (or seen) (ver. 14). 1. Not before the mount, but in the mount; therefore go to the summit and wait. 2. What the Lord will provide will be better ev"y way than what we could provide. 3. The offering on the mount is tlie great provision, the whole burnt offering for the sins of the world, by which the true humanity is redeemed and the true "joy" (" Isaac," laughter) is retained. 4. TLe last name of Jehovah which Abraham gave him was Jehovah the Ev"lastiff?.; now he adds to that name that which brings the Everlasting into the sphere of daily life-"Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide." We name that name when we rea,cl,, the mount where the great sacrifice was provided-Mount Moriah, Mount Calvary. 5. The end of the great trial and obedience was a renewal, a solemn republication, of the covenant. "God could swear by no greater; he aware by himself' (Heh. vi. 13). On the foundation of practical faith is built up the kingd-0m of heaven, which thf' Lord swears Bhall include all nations, and be supreme in all the earth. The notes of that kingdom are here in the history of the patriarch-(1) acceptance of the u-ord of God, (2) self-sacrifice, (3) faith instead of sight, (4) withholding nothing, (5) per- severance to the end. Beersheba became now a new place to .Abraham, for ho carried to the well and grove which he had na.med after the oaths of himself and .Abimelech the remembrance of the Divine oath, on which henceforth he rested all his expectations. .Alter this the man in whom a.II nations she.II be blessed looks round and finds the promise being already fulfilled, and his kindred spreading widely in the earth.-ll.