Genesis 25:7-11 Generations

The life you live in Christ will outlast you. Hallelujah!

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. In the U.S., a federal holiday, set for the last Monday in May to honor those who died serving in the U.S. military, a holiday at least since 1971. Originally the day was called “decoration day,” for decorating the graves of Union Soldiers who gave their lives in the Civil War. Formalized by a “Memorial Day Order” issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868.

The modern proclamation calls on Americans to observe the day by praying for permanent peace.

A day to remember, honor, mark the legacy of freedom, that the most valiant of us have left behind.

Brought to mind for me Capt. Brian Freeman, who while serving in Iraq met Ali, an 11-year-old Iraqi boy with a rare heart disease in need of surgery only available in the West.

As a young father himself, he was 31, Brian would not give up until Ali could be brought to New York for this life-saving surgery.

About two weeks after this picture, the day he learned he won the fight to save Ali’s life, he was kidnapped and killed. His selflessness is his legacy. More than a memory for his kids, and a family in Iraq. So we honor and remember Capt. Freeman.

Thoughts of legacy and memorial, of heroes that have gone before us match where the story of Genesis has brought us today.

We have come to the end of Abraham’s life.

Setting the preaching strategy last year, this series was titled “Orchestrated” with the intention that as we walked through most of the stories of Genesis we would recognize how God has orchestrated all of human history to tell his story of redemption. And that even seemingly unrelated events or characters are included in the telling of His grand epic. Of the offspring of Eve, the serpent crusher to come, who will come through Abraham.

The man of promise, covenant, faithfulness, obedience. The patriarch of God’s people. The father of the faithful.

And here at his “end” we memorialize, and think of his legacy and what he models for us as we live before Yahweh.

The life you live in Christ will outlast you. Hallelujah!

I am taking this in two acts without an intermission this morning! First Abraham’s legacy, reminder of God’s grace upon his life, and second, the Christian’s legacy, the all nation blessing part of his legacy, how we live in light of it.

Abraham’s Legacy

Legacy can be a loaded word. 1. An amount of money or property left to someone in a will, 2. The long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, of a person’s life.

And if we have been paying attention through our study of Genesis, legacy has been important. From being made a great nation, offspring, generations as numerous as the stars, legacy is underlying all of it.

Zooming out a bit from our text, the genealogies, and the regular tracking of time lends to this reality.

Near to Genesis 25 we see it too.

Genesis 23:1–2 “Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. [2] And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” (ESV)

Securing the son of promise, Isaac, a wife from Abraham’s own people hints at the generations to come.

Genesis 24:2–4 “And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, [3] that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, [4] but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (ESV)

Genesis 24:12 “And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.” (ESV)

In sending Rebekah to Isaac, her family prays for legacy…

Genesis 24:60 “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become

thousands of ten thousands,

and may your offspring possess

the gate of those who hate him!” (ESV)

Then before our text we learn of Abraham’s other wife and children, adding to the offspring. So there is much to be said about what he is leaving behind, of what he has accomplished.

“These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years.”

Where did this start for him?

Genesis 12:1–4 “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

[4] So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” (ESV)

100 years with the promise to be the father of the faithful. He has had brilliant reminders and retellings. 100 years of walking with God. And in those years his legacy had elements we still benefit from today.

Four famous New Testament passages expound the spiritual dimensions of his faith-legacy and together provide essential teaching about faith in the Christian life.

“Faith (Romans 4). When Abraham “believed the LORD, he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), and his example became the reference point to understanding that salvation comes through faith. So in Romans 4, the apostle Paul demonstrates that Abraham was saved by faith (vv. 1-3), that King David was saved by faith (vv. 6-8), that the Gentiles were saved by faith (vv. 9-12), and that under the Law it was by faith that righteousness came (vv. 13-17).

Faith and works (James 2). Whereas Paul uses Genesis 15:6 to prove that Abraham was justified by faith, James uses the story of Abraham’s offering of Isaac in Genesis 22 (which took place over a quarter of a century later) to argue that Abraham was justified by works. And it is the revelation of the two passages together that is essential to understanding true faith. The fact that for twenty-five years Abraham had lived a life of faith shows that Genesis 22 is, as Griffith Thomas says, “the crown and culmination of that faith, and is proved by Abraham’s act of offering Isaac. Faith wrought with his works, and by works was made perfect (Jas. ii. 22). Works are the essential proof of faith.”

Christ (Galatians 3). Galatians 3 teaches us that the ultimate offspring of Abraham is Christ and that if we are saved by faith in Christ, we are then the true spiritual offspring of Abraham: “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (vv. 8, 9). “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ” (v. 16). “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (vv. 26-29).

Faithfulness (Hebrews 11). Hebrews 11 uses Abraham’s life to demonstrate how the faithful person lives. Through Abraham we see faith’s obedience (v. 8), faith’s sojourn (v. 9), faith’s hope (v. 10), faith’s confidence (vv. 11, 12), faith’s longing (vv. 13-16), faith’s sacrifice (vv. 17, 18), and faith’s reasoning (v. 19).”

All texts we have encountered in our study of Genesis so far. Vital, foundational to our relationship with God, through Christ.

All of it outlasting Abraham. Generations beyond him. All of it proving the faithfulness of Yahweh.

“The careful observer of Abraham’s death will see that the account of his death and burial is framed on either side by genealogies. Immediately before his death are listed the names of Abraham’s six sons by his wife Keturah (vv. 1-4), and following his death come the names of Ishmael’s twelve sons (vv. 12-18). These genealogies answer the covenant promise that God made to him of untold offspring through phrases like “I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth” (13:16) and “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. . . . So shall your offspring be” (15:5) and “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations” (17:6). By bookending Abraham’s death with genealogical lists, the narrator Moses demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his promises of unnumbered descendants. Abraham’s multiple descendants at his death thus declared that God was faithful to his word.” Hughes

His peaceful passing 'at a good old age' suggests the tranquility that comes from a life anchored in divine promises, reminding us of the assurance of eternal life through Christ. Life's worth is measured by faith rather than years…

Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife” (vv. 9, 10). Machpelah was opened as it had been almost three decades earlier when Sarah was interred. Now, by faith, Abraham’s body was placed next to Princess Sarah’s bones. Abraham’s body was a reminder that his descendants would one day possess the land.

Abraham serves as an anchor of promise for God’s people. With a legacy that will carry them through as they wait for the Messiah to come. A legacy that serves as a model for us as we live in Christ.

The Christian’s Legacy

Abraham's faith points us to Christ, who fulfills the promises made to him, showing that true legacy is found in our relationship with Jesus. Just as Abraham was counted as righteous by faith, we too find our identity and legacy through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.

It is also a reminder that our lives, like all of the players in Abraham’s, are part of a larger story of God's redemptive plan and that we are called to leave a legacy of faith for future generations.

If we are up for it.

Truth is, you are secure. If you are in Christ, eternity is locked down, you will be with him forever. If you have repented of your sin and believed in his life, death, and resurrection for your salvation, you have been made a saint.

And now, with the help of the Spirit of God, you can choose to live into that identity and leave a legacy that marks that and points generations to come to Jesus.

It is a call beyond self. After all that is the Christian call. To a life for others. For children, grandchildren, disciples, those you mentor, neighbors. A call to serve those you may never meet.

“God is calling you to live your present life for the sake of your future family - and with an audacious faith in Christ they will be unable to ignore or forget. There are no guarantees, of course. You can’t control the future, but you can invest in it. You can give your heart away to it.” Ortlunds, To the Tenth Generation: God’s Heart for Your Family, Far into the Future

How could we do this? Maybe some clues in following the model of Abraham.

Keep growing/Stay teachable - I am confounded regularly by how much I don’t know that I thought I did!

Abraham had to keep learning, he was given the promise then didn’t understand it. He went into some places fearful, where he should have been honest. The Lord corrected and kept him. And Abraham never bailed.

In the waiting it wasn’t too long. Eventually he learned trust, obedience. God’s steadfastness.

Same for us.

Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.” (ESV)

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (ESV)

We are on a journey. We are in progress.

Grow with those you love. That bear your name.

Admit when you are wrong, exercise repentance, let them see! It is never too late.

Even this week, I got a phone call from my father. He wanted to apologize for his lack of engagement, involvement or accessibility in my childhood. In his 70’s. Thanking the Lord that his sons did not follow his example and seeking forgiveness.

God is using all of our stories for his glory.

Be Vulnerable - We’ve just come off the story of binding Isaac to be a burnt offering. And in that story there are two kinds of vulnerability.

First, Abraham is vulnerable to God through his dependence and obedience. In his unwavering trust in God. Exposed on the mountain.

Second though, there is vulnerability between Father and Son, between Abraham and Isaac. Remember the conversation, “Dad, we have wood and fire… where’s the lamb?” “God will provide the lamb for himself.” ‘I don’t have it, God does.’

Abraham, admitting he can’t accomplish it. He needs God to provide.

We have just finished the Reservoir Book Club reading of The Soul of Shame, about retelling the stories we believe about ourselves, in light of who we are in Christ, and community is vital for it. So is vulnerability.

“When we invite our children to talk about their uncertainties and to honestly share our own with them, we make possible the integration of their minds, bringing them not to certainty of knowledge but confidence in relationship. We teach them through our own naked vulnerability that when we suffer we learn to persevere, which culminates in the development of resilient character, which leads to hope that does not put us to shame.” Curt Thimpson, 154

Vulnerability is also a place of healing, honesty before God and each other.

James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (ESV)

You can be vulnerable because of who you are in Christ. You are secure in him. What he says of you is what defines you. Not struggles, not sin. Not the opinion of others.

Live in reliance on Christ -

More than a catch phrase, this is trusting Jesus, not ourselves. Living for him, not ourselves.

Abraham learned this after trying to advance the promise by impregnating Hagar. Taking things into his own hands, or loins.

God comes in glorious covenantal fashion and makes the statement that he will do it. He will accomplish the promise, and he does.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Or in the words of Forrest Frank:

“Oh Lord, I need You now more than ever

Would You put my heart back together

I searched the world 'til my head hurt

Just to find out Your way's better

Oh-oh, Your way's better

Oh-oh, Your way's better

Oh, Lord, Your way's better

Jesus, Your way's better”

This is humility. Relying on Jesus for life. Not about our name, certainly when it comes to legacy.

Just before his death, Tim Keller recorded a video to some leaders, as his last words. In it he cited Jeremiah’s words to his secretary Baruch in Jeremiah 45. Warning against trying to make a name for ourselves.

Jeremiah 45:5a “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…” (ESV)

“Don’t worry about your reputation, don’t worry about your credentials… don’t make success your identity…lift up Jesus’ name. ‘Hallowed be thy name.’ Forget yourself, forget your reputation. Do what you can to lift up God’s name. Seekest not great things for thyself… Thank you for listening.” Tim Keller

Taking up our cross, dying to self, and living a life relying on Jesus for provision, for wisdom, for what it takes just to get through the day!

In reliance, this is where strength is actually found.

Colossians 1:28–29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (ESV)

There are imposter forms of Christianity that make the faith about you pulling yourself together and accomplishing all you can in your strength… It leads to no faith at all.

“Nominal Christianity would be a curse to our children. But a real, rugged faith in Christ is a blessing to our children” Ortlunds

Do all this as family - here I mean both your named family and church family.

Abraham, by the listing of genealogies, the generations, is about family. A family is what is baked into his promise, what he longs for. What he desires to nurture and see flourish.

Psalm 145:4–7

[4] One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

[5] On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

[6] They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

[7] They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. (ESV)

Psalm 145:10–12

[10] All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,

and all your saints shall bless you!

[11] They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

[12] to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. (ESV)

Generations, all the saints together singing, to children…

Saints are called children of God to clue us in on the familial reality of life together in the kingdom. Your family is not meant to pursue Jesus by itself, you are meant to participate in the larger family of the church.

A safe place to work all of this reliance, and humility, and learning out.

For a lot of years I would give a recommendation on how to choose a church, some would use that twisting the intent. But this week I came across a better way.

In relation to making church central to child-rearing. “This is the kind of church to look for: a humble, gospel-centered, healthy church that feels like a family.”

In that family, your family can learn to flourish, to study the word, to grow together, to be vulnerable, to rely on Jesus.

God is using every story for his glory, even yours. And it is for our good. We don’t need to be the main character! Jesus is the hero!

Talking about this truth this week, Ewen retorted, “I am chicken enchilada…” to which I responded, “yes in God’s buffet!”

“Nothing, no matter how ordinary, if it's consecrated to Christ, will ever go unused by the one who “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” God loves to tell surprising family stories that will matter for a long time, even to the tenth generation!” Ortlunds

Lots of good advice here. The truth is we can only live this advice, following the model, because Abraham was faithful, and by his offspring all the nations of the earth have been blessed.

In Jesus we have salvation, righteousness, identity, purpose, and a legacy to pass on for generations.

The life you live in Christ will outlast you. Hallelujah!

That’s a little misleading, I suppose, because you do keep going.

Abraham being gathered to his people is meaningful. Gives us the first fact of what happens to the soul after death. Death was never conceived of as extinction.

“He is described as gathered to his people, a beautiful idiom, which lays stress on the resumption of fellowship with loved ones after death, and provides a prospect of community after the loneliness associated with death. The phrase must have meant more than burial in the family tomb, because so far only Sarah’s body lay there, and, in the light of the New Testament, resurrection opens the prospect of fellowship with all who are in Christ, and with all the company of heaven. There will be no loneliness when, along with Abraham and all who share his faith, we worship the eternal God.” Joyce G. Baldwin (British Biblical Scholar)

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (ESV)

Live to be outlasted, by the glory of Christ in those that come after you. That they may say of us, ‘they died in good old age, full of years, pointing to Jesus, gathered to their Savior.”

May it be so.