OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL AND SUBMISSION TO GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY (GENESIS 24:1-9) - PART 2

Dear Members in Christ,

Obedience to God’s will and submission to God’s sovereignty (Genesis 24:1-9) - Part 2

In the last article, we read about how Abraham was obedient to God’s will despite his failing health and old age. The Bible describes him as “old and stricken in age”. This physical weakness did not deter Abraham from fulfilling God’s will in his life and the lives of his descendants. Thus, he made his faithful steward Eliezer swear an oath that if any ill shall befall Abraham and he is incapable, Eliezer must ensure that Isaac do not intermarry with the woman of Canaan.  

“And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.” Genesis 24:2,3

This is the commitment we wrote about in the last article, demonstrating the commitment of Abraham to obey God. The commitment not to have Isaac be unequally yoked has a theological basis. The promise of God to Abraham is the promise of the Saviour and the covenant blessing of salvation for, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3). The Messiah is promised through the lineage of Abraham, and we can see he is totally committed to ensuring the purity of the faith for his children and his children’s children. If intermarriage were allowed, pagan influence and idolatry of the Canaanites will corrupt their faith in the True and Living God. This preservation of faith in the lineage of Abraham is recorded in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning Matthew 1:2 “Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren…” and ending at Matthew 1:16 “…And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

In this article we will meditate upon the way in which Abraham conveys his oath to his trusted servant. We shall learn about how we ought to obey God’s Word and submit ourselves to His sovereign will.

A. Obedience is seen in the way a man carries out his task

God in His almighty wisdom knows His own child. Abraham was known to God for his faithfulness and obedience. We read in Genesis 18, what God thinks about Abraham.

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19

Abraham’s obedience does not just remain confined to his life, God knows that Abraham will “command his children and his household after him.” A phrase which speaks of faithfulness in the way Abraham will teach his children and his descendants. This is true obedience. Knowing God is one thing, but faithfully teaching his family and ensuring that faith in the Lord God is commanded from generation to generation sets Abraham apart in a demonstration of his obedience to God. Abraham instructs his servant, “But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:4). Here we see that he makes his steward swear that he will find Isaac a wife, but not one from amongst the idolatrous Canaanites.

Dearly beloved, let us learn the lesson of obedience. If you are a parent, think and pray that God will guide you with wisdom to teach your children. If you are a Christian, pray for faithfulness in telling others about salvation in the Lord Jesus. Obedience does not stop when we come to know God. We can continue in obedience to teach and tell others about the glorious gospel of salvation. Did not our Saviour command us to “go ye…and teach all nations?”

B. Submission to the sovereign will of God

Obedience to God is paramount in a believer’s life. But we see Abraham and his servant Eliezer in an unusual circumstance. Abraham is old and unable to travel to his homeland. His faithful steward is about to carry out his oath to find Isaac a wife. An important question arise, what if the woman that is sought is suitable for Isaac, but the woman refuses to accompany Eliezer back to Canaan?

“And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?” Genesis 24:5

A valid question is it not? We have the desire to serve God, but what if we are prevent by some circumstances from performing our service? Here we see Abraham’s submission to the will of God. He knows that God’s sovereignty encompasses all human activity. So long as they obey God, even if a wife cannot be sought from Haran, or if the woman refuses to accompany Eliezer to Canaan, God will still accomplish His sovereign will by some means. Abraham said to Eliezer, “thou shalt be clear from this my oath.” Abraham absolutely trusts that the Holy and righteous God will see to it.

Dearly beloved, let us love and obey our Lord and Savior. Commit our lives to Him. Whatever the circumstances, even if it is not what we desire, we must submit to God trusting that He knows best and He will certainly provide a way that is good and righteous in His sight. May God be praised. Amen. 

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor