0745. 727. Second Choice

727. Second Choice

1. Abraham was called at the first to go direct to Canaan, but he chose a second choice in staying at Haran for a time, till the Lord spoke to him again. How significant is the past tense of Gen_12:1, “The Lord had said unto Abraham” (Gen_11:31; Gen_12:1-3); also, “when his father was dead” of Act_12:1-3, plainly indicating that death had to snap the bond which caused him to tarry in Haran.

2. Lot appears to have been only a second-rate believer. He seems to have started wrong. Meanful is the statement that “Lot went with Abram” (Gen_12:4), while the latter went with God, in response to His call. Again, Lot “lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan,” etc., while Abraham who did not look, was bidden by the Lord to “look” at Heaven’s expanse, as He gave him Heaven’s promise—Gen_13:10-14.

3. God wanted Moses to go at His bidding and speak to Pharaoh; he hesitated, and complained he could not speak, and passed the honour on to Aaron. Thus Aaron got the best blessing and Moses the second choice—Exo_4:14-16; the same thing is illustrated again when the Spirit was distributed among the seventy elders for administration purposes, instead of resting on Moses alone—Num_11:11-17.

4. The Children of Israel made the second choice of wandering in the wilderness, instead of entering the Promised Land. They saw many things of the Lord’s doings, but they would have had a greater blessing if they had entered into His rest—Heb_3:11.

5. Martha made the second choice of being cumbered with serving, while Mary had the Lord’s rest in sitting at His feet—Luk_10:39-42.

6. Moses and Elijah, when transfigured on the mount with Christ, had fellowship with Him in conversing about His death; while the disciples were concerned about the place where they were found, and said: “It is good to be here.” Certainly the better was to be with Him—Luk_9:33.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH