Archive for the ‘Hebrews 11’ Tag
Above: The Pages of the Original Document
Images Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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EDITOR’S NOTES:
- The proper label for those who practice Islam is Muslims (alternatively, Moslems), of course.
- I make no apologies for the near-sacrifice of Isaac. If my father had tried to sacrifice me…. http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/arguing-with-god/
- My opinion of Abraham is considerably more nuanced than my great-grandfather’s opinion of him.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 27, 2014 COMMON ERA
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Heb. 11, 8-10
I.
The greatest man of antiquity, the father of those who believe in the one true God–Jews, Mohammedans, and Christians. In a day of vague ideas of God he recognized the unity and personality of God.
II.
Moral rather than intellectual greatness, exalted and pure faith, so profound that he obeyed God unhesitatingly.
(a) A man of peace, magnanimous toward Lot–“let there be no strife,” etc. Rescued Lot from his captors–brave.
(b) Man of prayer–interceded for pardon, very humble and reverent about it.
III.
Of great faith:
(1) The birth of Isaac when he was an old man. He believed God’s word regarding it.
(2) The offering of Isaac, the supreme test of his faith. How then could he be the father of a great and mighty nation? But if God called he would obey: he had nothing too good to devote to God.
(3) The father of the faithful and “the friend of God.”
“By faith Abraham.” By faith all may become great before God and be the friend of God. May our faith prove equal to every emergency.
O for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!
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That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.
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A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness knows no doubt.
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Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
The great mythic tale of Cain and Abel does not explain why God rejected Cain’s offering, although one might surmise that attitude might have had something to do with it. Or maybe it is a story about agriculturalist versus pastoral societies.
I do detect in my great-grandfather’s notes upon which I base this post his antipathy for formal worship. As I have written already in this series, I adore ritualism.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JUNE 10, 2013 COMMON ERA
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Gen. 4, 7
1. God is no respecter of persons–is without partiality. Is of great mercy unto all who call upon Him.
Who can doubt his good will? When one pleases Him he smiles? His approval is man’s joy & peace.
2. Cain is conscious [that] God is not pleased with his formal service, and is in an ugly mood about it. God shows him the reason. Heb. 11, 4. 1 Jno. 3, 12. Matt. 15, 8.
3. He need not be mad at Abel, nor complain at God. Sin–his own sin–is the trouble.
What a truth is here. Rid of sin, rid of all disturbance of one’s peace. Would men really believed it.
Cain should be mad at himself, for he is the guilty one.
4. Cain could yet remedy the trouble and all would be well. If he offer a righteous sacrifice God would accept him.
Men need not go another day without peace (1 Jno. 1, 9).
Do you have peace, is all well with your soul?
If not, get right with God now and you too shall rejoice in Him.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Above: Moses (1887)
Image Source = Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006677478/)
Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-pga-03309
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Ex. 2, 6-9 and Heb. 11, 24 & 26
1. What Moses’ mother did must be done early. He must soon be put in school. Her only change is to do her work well before Egyptian training began.
2. Hers certainly was a religious home. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam came from one home. When Moses was grown up he esteemed his mother’s God above the honor, wealth, and power Egypt could give. Religious training prevailed.
3. The early years are most valuable. First impressions are the strongest. Before the devil gets a chance at them fill their young minds with every noble truth and ideal. Parents may wait but the devil never loses an opportunity. “If you want to beat the devil you must fight him with the cradle.”–Gypsy Smith
4. Such homes save the boy and save the nation. “A hedge on the edge of a precipice is better than a hospital at the bottom.”–Smith. “Save one old gray head and you save a multiplication table.”–Smith. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the nation.” Moses’ faith rested upon the religious infrastructure of childhood and was reinforced by her prayers.
Happy boy, happy parents, happy nation.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
Heb. 11, 1
1. Faith, belief of the truth, is an act of the whole man–the heart. Involves the intellect, emotions, & will.
An “assurance”–“substance, giving substance to.” Truth is eternal–independent; but is real only to the believer, or him who has faith.
Evidence–proving, a conviction or test. By it “things not seen” are proven.
2. Its foundation is God’s word. “What more can He say than to you He hath said?” “Thoroughly furnished.”
3. Faith yields rich rewards. Who has it builds Godward. Christian character is daily fortified and perfected. Men of action are men of faith. Faith underlies all action. This is the victory that overcometh the world.
4. Hath eternal rewards in glory. God’s people have ever found it so. By believing Him we come to know Him.
Give this life and overcome all things through Him.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT
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