God Wants Abraham; He Also Wants Isaac
*Just for your thoughts.*
*God Wants Abraham; He Also Wants Isaac*
Our God is not only the God of Abraham, but also the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
The history of the Jewish nation begins with Abraham and continues through Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. When we carefully examine the lives of these four men, we discover that God accomplishes His purposes not only through people of one particular type but also through individuals with different personalities, different spiritual journeys, and different levels of spiritual maturity.
When we look at Abraham, we see the father of faith. Yet his life was not without weaknesses and failures. He went down to Egypt without God's direction, accepted Hagar as his wife, and even claimed that his wife was his sister. Nevertheless, toward the end of his life, he faithfully fulfilled his part in God's redemptive plan by arranging the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah and completed the race God had given him.
When we consider Isaac, his early life appears bright and promising. He married Rebekah and prayed earnestly to God for children. However, in the closing years of his life, he failed to discern God's will and intended to bless Esau in exchange for a meal. This became a significant spiritual weakness in his life. Although he lived many years, Scripture records relatively little about him. Even so, he fulfilled the role God had appointed for him in His divine plan.
Jacob, on the other hand, deceived both his father and his brother. He believed that through cleverness and manipulation he could accomplish anything. But everything changed after his encounter with God at Peniel. From that moment onward, his life took a decisive turn. He walked with God and finished his race successfully.
Joseph's life stands out as one of remarkable spiritual victory. Scripture records no obvious moral failure in his life. Though he endured intense trials, suffering, betrayal, and injustice, he remained faithful to God and completed his race triumphantly.
Thus, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all lived very different lives and experienced different levels of spiritual growth. Yet each one fulfilled God's purpose.
Not everyone will finish the Christian race with the same spiritual brilliance as Joseph. But that does not make them useless to God. The Lord did not reveal Himself merely as the God of Abraham, but also as the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
Likewise, within our churches there are Abrahams, Isaacs, Jacobs, and Josephs. Not every believer possesses the same level of spiritual maturity or steadfastness. Even the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ came from different backgrounds and had very different personalities. Yet God used them to transform the world.
If we truly understand this spiritual truth, we will neither exalt spiritually successful believers beyond measure nor despise those who appear weak.
Ultimately, only God can determine whether a person's race has been run well or poorly. The world's standards of evaluation are often mistaken.
To accomplish His great purpose in this world, God wants Abraham; He also wants Isaac. He wants Jacob; He also wants Joseph.
More than that, people from every background, every nation, every language, and every social class have a place in God's plan. God fulfills His purpose not through a select few alone, but by using all kinds of people.
Our God wants everyone.
God does not operate by saying, "I will use this person, but not that one."
He can accomplish His purpose through anyone and will reveal His glory through all whom He chooses.
Conclusion
People may decide who is great and who is insignificant, but only God determines who is truly useful. Human beings judge by outward success, ability, and reputation, but God looks at the heart and at a person's faithfulness in fulfilling His purpose.
Therefore, we should neither become proud by comparing ourselves with others nor live with a sense of inferiority. God has given each believer a unique calling, a unique ministry, and a unique race to run. Our responsibility is simply to finish that race faithfully.
Abraham's life was not like Isaac's. Isaac's life was not like Jacob's. Jacob's life was not like Joseph's. Yet every one of them occupies an indispensable place in God's redemptive history. In the same way, every believer is precious in the Body of Christ.
Let us therefore neither despise anyone nor elevate anyone beyond measure. God uses each person according to His own purpose, according to their circumstances, and according to the calling He has given them. Our task is not to judge others, but to faithfully complete the race God has entrusted to us.
Our God wants Abraham; He also wants Isaac. He wants Jacob; He also wants Joseph. Likewise, there is a place for you and a place for me in His Kingdom. He has not created anyone without purpose. He will accomplish His glorious purpose through each person He chooses.
References
W. W. Wiersbe — The Bible Exposition Commentary
William MacDonald — Believer's Bible Commentary