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The Reluctant Patriarch - Protestant Caucus/Devotional
Gracetoyou.org ^ | 1993 | John McArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 11/22/2023 6:04:00 AM PST by metmom

"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come" (Heb. 11:20). When you disobey God, you forfeit joy and blessing.

Isaac is a fascinating Old Testament character. He was Abraham's long-awaited son, the covenant child, the child of promise. Yet aside from that, he was rather ordinary, passive, and quiet. Just over two chapters of Genesis center on him, whereas the other patriarchs (Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph) command about twelve chapters each.

In the final analysis, Isaac believed God and submitted to His will. But overall, his spiritual character seems more reluctant than resolute.

After a famine prompted Isaac to move his family to Gerar (a Philistine city on the border between Palestine and Egypt), he received a vision from the Lord. In it God passed on to Isaac the covenant promises He had made to Abraham: "Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 26:3-4).

You would think such promises would infuse Isaac with boldness and confidence, yet no sooner had he received them, then he lied to the men of Gerar about his wife, Rebekah, because he feared they might kill him to have her (v. 7).

It was only with great difficulty and prodding that the Lord finally brought Isaac into the Promised Land, where He once again repeated the covenant promises (vv. 23-24).

Later in his life Isaac even sought to bless his son Esau after Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob (25:33). Only after he realized that God's choice of Jacob was irreversible did Isaac acquiesce.

Isaac is a vivid reminder of how believers can forfeit joy and blessing by disobeying God. But he's also a reminder of God's faithfulness—even toward reluctant saints.

Is your obedience reluctant or resolute?

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for His unwavering faithfulness to you.

Seek His forgiveness when your obedience is reluctant or withheld altogether.

Ask Him to teach you to love Him in the same unwavering, resolute way He loves you.

For Further Study

Read of Isaac in Genesis 25:19—26:34.

From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 11/22/2023 6:04:00 AM PST by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; ealgeone; Elsie; Gamecock; HossB86; Iscool; ...

Studying God’s Word ping


2 posted on 11/22/2023 6:04:25 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: metmom

Thank God for His Grace. In spite of our errors. God is Faithful to fulfill His Covenant.

Romans 5:8
King James Version

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.


3 posted on 11/22/2023 7:51:22 AM PST by patriot torch (..)
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To: patriot torch

AMEN!

And praise God for that because if it was a matter of us making ourselves worthy, I’d NEVER make it.


4 posted on 11/22/2023 8:48:59 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: metmom

Amen!

You and me both my friend.

The works of mankind are unacceptable to God no matter what some religions proclaim.


5 posted on 11/22/2023 8:55:21 AM PST by patriot torch (..)
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To: patriot torch
Romans 8:6-8 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
6 posted on 11/22/2023 8:59:11 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: metmom

Amen.


7 posted on 11/22/2023 3:49:22 PM PST by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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