My hope is that this series will offer my readers a chance to consider the names, characteristics and descriptions of our God in the Word.
The remaining Names of God in this series might be considered descriptors, or characteristics of the Lord. We have reviewed the three primary Names of God, along with nineteen compound Names of God in our previous posts. As we venture through these descriptors of our God, I hope we will recognize all the many characteristics of our God that we tend to take for granted.
The Word is truly rich with descriptions of the Living God, and this effort of searching in the Word was quite illuminating. He truly is the ultimate subject of the Word, and His revelation of self-descriptions, or the accolades offered Him by His priests, prophets, kings apostles and faithful truly is a blessing.
May the Name of the Lord be praised, and by thinking on His name, may you have a blessed day.
| 193 |
| GOD OF ABRAHAM |
| Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” |
| For the next few posts, we will be seeing our God as the God of specific people. Abraham and his offspring have the honor of being associated with the Almighty God in His naming, and it may be beneficial for a moment to consider the reason each of these names were used. For our name this morning, we have God speaking to Isaac, peaceful Isaac after he had given up another well to his neighbors. A little history may help. Upon Abrahams death, Isaac ventured on his own in the land of Abimilech, and after a period of time, sowed on the land, and reaped 100 fold. What a return on investment! But jealousy got hold of Abimilech, and Isaac was pushed him off the land. He then settled in the valley of Gerar. His servants unplugged the wells his father Abraham had dug, while his sojourn through the area. Not only did Isaac unplug old wells, he and his servants dug new wells, finding plenty of water. Again, his success brought out the worst in those around him. The inhabitants of the valley of Gerar, herdsmen by trade, quarreled with him, speaking of the water as it belonged to them. Twice. Isaacs men dug two new wells, and the neighbors demanded the use of both of them. Just before Isaac recieved this message from God, he claimed that by leaving the wells behind, and digging a third well, it was God’s way of making room for them in the land. Now let’s get this straight. He gave up his fathers wells, he gave up the two new wells his servants had dug, and now he is saying God has made room for them. What an attitude! At first, I am thinking what a wimp, what a weak kneed fellow to not stand up for his possessions. But he is looking for peace, and in the effort to get peace, he is willing to give “things” up. And then I “stumbled” on this passage in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 6:5-8 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud–even your own brothers! Strict parrallels might not be evident, for some may think, as I do, that Paul is speaking of quarrels in the church, and Isaac is looking for peace amongst those without faith. Yet the desire for peace, as Paul speaks of, should be of greater priority than things. Again, I stumbled onto a New Testament teaching that speaks somewhat in similar manner. Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Isaac wasn’t weak kneed or lilly livered, but strong in the desire to live at peace with everybody. Isaac sought to live peaceably with all. This may cost him some inner peace, for it opens him up to abuse, possibly that the neighbors may think of him as an easy target, a soft touch. The Lord, I think, addresses this very concern when He comes to Isaac. “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” No rebuke, but only an encouragement, a statement that God is with him for Abraham’s sake, and that his life will be blessed. Isaac is going to have many offspring. And Isaac has met the God of Abraham, even as he lives the believers life of self sacrifice for the sake of others. God will bless that life, and multiply that life, even as that type of life provides for some to take advantage. But God tells Isaac not to fear. Thought there seems to be reason for fear from those around, God is with him. Isaac sought to be peaceful, and in that effort found his father’s God. |
I would love to hear of your favorite name, characteristic or description of the Living God. Please leave me a comment, and I will include it in the list!
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