Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Abrahamic Covenant, Part 10. Abraham's capacity to appreciate his blessings.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
rose early - Hiphil imperfect - shaqam = causative active voice; he was caused to get up early.
One of the great strengths of being a mature believer = there is no reference to going to someone else to seek counsel from anyone else.
Divine challenges and commands are only confused when counseling becomes involved.
donkey - chamor = the most expensive and ostentatious type of individual transportation at the time.
Abraham had a capacity to appreciate his blessings.
TLJC rode the foal of an ass in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to announce Himself as the Son of David and the king of the Jews.
If God sees fit to bless a believer with certain blessings there is nothing wrong with the ostentatious display of those things.
To own a chamor ass was a sign of extreme wealth; Pharaoh, GEN 12:16, Jacob, GEN 32:5, Moses, EXO 4:20, Balaam, NUM 22:21 ff.
There is nothing wrong with a believer possessing the most expensive means of transportation.
Not only should Abraham not to be subject to criticism for his wealth, but he is to be commended because it was a part of the blessings of God.
He is not only riding the greatest bit of transportation but he is riding alone and everyone else walks.
RHIP - Rank has its privileges.
RHIR - Rank has its responsibilities.
It isnt the possession of things that holds you back; its lack of occupation with the person of Christ.
1CO 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
ROM 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
By standards of pseudo spirituality Abraham would not be regarded as spiritual or mature because he owned an ass.
He is followed on foot by two slaves.
The man or woman who is occupied with the person of Christ can have the greatest accoutrements of luxury.
There is no problem in possessing things when you have a true capacity for life, maximum capacity in the soul, true thanksgiving, occupation with the Giver rather than the gifts.
Isaac - “beno” with a suffix = this is his beloved son.
Piel imperfect - baqa = there was a lot of exercise.
The mature believer is well organized in both his thinking and his actions.
PSA 81:10 I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
Qal imperfect - quwm - “arose” = vigor.
Qal imperfect - jalak - “went” = indicates the vigorous execution of a command; his soul was in it.
Qal perfect - amar - “spoken” = the details of a command.
The verbs indicate no hesitancy, no evasion; the mature believer assumes the responsibility for his own actions and is decisive in them.
The expulsion of Ishmael and the sacrifice of Isaac both demonstrate that Abraham thinks clearly!
The mature believer understands the issue and pursues the policy of God with vigor and strength.
The mature believer is never confused about the will of God nor does he question the will of God.
The mature believer is not only a man or woman of thought but when the necessity arises, he is a man of action.
Abraham is capable of thought because of his spiritual condition of doctrine, and he is capable of action because he has great physical vigor and strength, even though hes 125!
Robert R. McLaughlin All Rights Reserved 2002