0938. Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, or the Faith That Sees Israel's Inheritance

Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, or the Faith That Sees Israel's Inheritance

"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

"By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph: and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

"By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones" (Heb_11:20-22)

Three generations of Abraham's sons we group together. They all are enrolled in God's galaxy of the heroes of the faith which gives substance to things hoped for and yields evidence concerning things not seen.

These three men all saw things to come and were persuaded concerning them. They looked beyond the hour of their own death. It was nothing to them to prophesy the departing of the children of Israel from their own land of bondage, for they looked through many centuries and saw Israel finally and forever established in the land.

It is most illuminating to turn back to Genesis and read the words of Isaac and Jacob, as they in turn, blessed their sons.

Isaac said: "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee: and blessed be he that blesseth thee" (Gen_27:28-29).

Jacob spoke many things in his final blessing upon his twelve sons. He prophesied not only the birth of Christ, but he prophesied the time when Shiloh should come and "unto Him shall the gathering of the people be" (Gen_49:10).

Joseph before he died, took oath of the children of Israel, concerning the carrying of his bones from Egypt, for said he, "God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."

If the patriarchs looked down the years and their faith saw Israel, a great nation, ruling the nations of the world; if their faith saw Israel inheriting all the blessings promised to Abraham and reiterated in positive covenant, statements to Isaac and Jacob, why should not we too believe in God?

Is there no more room in this star cluster of those whose faith makes real coming things? May we not have our names added to the list of those who give evidence to things not seen? Why should we doubt where Isaac and Jacob and Joseph believed?

Hath God cast off His people? Then these men believed in vain. Hath God forsaken His covenant? Then why are there 11,000,000 of the preserved of Israel before our very eyes today? If the men of old believed God why should we doubt Him? If they looked down through millenniums and saw things afar off and were persuaded of them, why should we who stand on the very verge of fulfilled prophecies, doubt?

The faith of Abram's sons saw well,

How Israel would one time dwell

In their own land, forever blest,

Their sufferings and their wrongs redressed;

How Israel would shout and sing

And dwell together with one King;

How Israel would rest secure,

As long as sun and moon endure.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR