Abraham to Isaac

Who do you look up to? Who do you pattern your life after?

Be like Mike - watching the shadows.

But it wasn’t Mike, it was my mom.

Married at 17 (he was 20).

No kids for 10 years - then w/ lots of help, my sister

2 years later, me

5 yrs later my brother

2-3 yrs later, divorced at 37 - on her own for the first time, but with 3 kids.

Her faith never wavered.

He provided a job, a home, a church - a life

Psalm 68:5 NASB95

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

God never changes. From the Creation of all things to the creation of the nation of Israel, GOD LOVES TO BE TRUSTED. Adam and Eve did not obey His word, and they (and all humanity) were judged. From Adam to Noah, sin reigned and man became increasingly more corrupt and more disobedient towards God. They were judged with the flood. God then told Noah’s descendants to spread out and fill the earth, and yet once again man did not trust and obey God’s word, and they were judged for it - God confused their languages and spread them out.

Now He is going to provide a new NATION of people, purposed to be a blessing to the world. Their job was to model FAITH to everyone else. God gave Abraham a miracle child as He promised, as son named Isaac.

Gen 12 - God calls Abraham (Abraham 75yrs)

Gen 15 - God makes a covenant to Abraham

Gen 16 - Abraham tries to speed up God’s timing (Abraham 85 yrs old)

Gen 17 - God confirms His Covenant and promises Isaac (Abraham 99 yrs old)

Gen 21 - God reconfirms His promises through Isaac, and Isaac is BORN (Abraham 100 yrs old, Sarah 90 yrs old)

Gen 22 - God tests Abraham’s faith

Gen 23 - Sarah dies at 127 yrs old, Isaac still not married

Gen 24 - Isaac married at 40 yrs old

God had very special and specific plans for Isaac. He gave Isaac a great start.

God loves to be trusted! Isaac had learned that from his dad. He was going to have a chance to live it out on his own.

What about you? What do you believe about God? Why?