652. GEN 11:32. FORMALISM AND PROCRASTINATION ILLUSTRATED IN TERAH

Gen_11:32. Formalism and Procrastination Illustrated in Terah

"And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran."’97Gen_11:32.

Our text records a fact in the history of the father of Abram. Terah had dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees, and like those around him, was given up to idolatry. At this time Terah with Abram and Lot, and their wives, left their country and kinsmen, to go towards the land of promise.

Now Haran was midway towards Canaan. Here Terah halted,’97here he remained,’97here Abram left him,’97and the text says, here Terah died. Now, the text, purely incidental as it may seem, and probably to most appearing of little moment, furnishes valuable thoughts for serious and profitable meditation. Observe,

I. Terah’s original state fitly represents the natural condition of the unconverted sinner.

He dwelt among idolaters. He was a worshipper of strange gods. Now that which has the supremacy of affection, and for which we make the greatest sacrifice, is our god. Hence, the Apostle John urges on Christians, the caution: "Little children," &c.

The covetous idolize wealth.

The worldly his business.

The sensualist his pleasures.

The selfish themselves.

The intellectual often science, or literature, or heroes.

The ambitious fame; or some their friends, or relatives, or pursuits. If God is not on the throne of the heart, and some other object be there, it is idolatry. This world, in all its unconverted territory, is one vast territory of idolatry. Like Athens of old, full of altars and gods.

II. God calls men to the love and service of himself.

He now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. To forsake the way of evil and peril, and to turn unto him. "Repent ye and be converted," &c. One very applicable passage, 2Co_6:17, &c. Just as he called Terah. Now he often calls sinners,

(1.) By providential visitations. Reverse of fortune. Afflictions. Bereavements, &c. Or, by want of happiness in the enjoyment of every thing, &c.

(2.) By the admonitions of conscience. A deep inward sense of the evil of sin, and importance of a change of heart and life.

(3.) By the preaching of the gospel. This is God’s direct, loud, and gracious call. Here is mercy, pity, expostulation, entreaty, &c.

III. Many persons rest in mere external reformation, or outward profession.

Terah seems to have heard the call of Jehovah. He bowed to it. He obeyed it. He proceeded some length in the right way. Just so do many who hear the gospel. They pay reverential respect to it. They admit its divinity and excellency, &c. They are moved by it. They enter on a course of obedience to it. Feel sorrow for sin. Desirous of holiness. Necessity for a change of life. They cease to swear’97or to drink’97or break the sabbath’97or mix with the profane. They are outwardly moral. They attend public worship, support religion;’97perhaps unite with the church.

Now all this is in the right direction, and good, so far as it goes. But it is Haran; only half way towards religion. No inward change. No newness of life. Christ said, "Verily, verily," &c. "The kingdom of God is not meat," &c. Now they rest and settle here. How sad, and necessarily wretched, this is! No doubt Terah was satisfied; or perhaps intended to proceed at some future time, but did not.

For we notice,

IV. That men generally die as they live.

I say generally. Some few exceptions to this. In the dying thief we have one. We now and then meet with an isolated case; but the rule is, men die as they live.

Look at the profligate! Look at the worldly! Look at the formal! as fearful illustrations of this. Especially is this the case with those midway towards the better land. They are respected and self-satisfied, and hence self-secure. As the foolish virgins. Such, of necessity, do not enter the promised land. They are self-excluded. As they live and as they die, they must forever remain.

Then the subject,’97

1. Should lead us to self-investigation. Have we obeyed God fully, as Abram did?

See the contrast between the parent and the child! How often is it the case; or the reverse,’97the parent on the way to glory, and the children, at best, in Haran.

2. The necessity of inward spiritual religion.

The mere external will not do. There must be something more, and better than this.

3. Call on all to secure a title and meet ness for the land of promise.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS