{"id":16050,"date":"2019-12-31T07:30:02","date_gmt":"2019-12-31T15:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=16050"},"modified":"2020-02-15T12:00:27","modified_gmt":"2020-02-15T20:00:27","slug":"the-overcoming-faith-of-the-patriarchs-lessons-to-be-learned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2019\/12\/31\/the-overcoming-faith-of-the-patriarchs-lessons-to-be-learned\/","title":{"rendered":"The Overcoming Faith of the Patriarchs\u2014Lessons to Be Learned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Scripture records that Abraham was the patriarch (literally chief father) of the Hebrew people, and a pillar of faith because of his trust in and obedience to YHVH Elohim. As such, he is often referred to as the Father of the Faithful. But when Elohim first called this man of faith and grandfather of the Israelite people, was he a giant in his faith? Not at all.  Yes he had faith, but his faith was imperfect; it had to grow, and it was a process, which we will discuss below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham\u2019s faith, like the proverbial mustard seed, started out small, but it was still enormous compared to most other people. After all, on a mere promise from Elohim, he uprooted his entire family and travelled on foot hundreds of miles across the dangerous desert and through various countries and encountering many hardships along the way in hopes of a better life. It was if he were moving from New York City to Jawbone Flats, Oregon, a virtual ghost town in the mountains\u2014population four!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham\u2019s first steps of faith were measured, cautious, incremental and at times hesitant, yet through it all YHVH was gracious because Abraham\u2019s heart was inclined to do his will. Because of Abraham\u2019s faithfulness, YHVH still counted it to him for righteousness (Gen 15:6). Not only that, but he passed his mountain moving, gravity defying faith on to his children and grandchildren and beyond, and this legacy of faith lives on in many of his descendants to this day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is much that we, as the children of Abraham through our faith in Yeshua the Messiah, can learn from this pillar of faith and his immediate descendants and associates that will strengthen our own faith in YHVH Elohim and his promises.
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Abraham and Sarah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 12:1, Get thee out of thy country.<\/em><\/strong> Did Abram immediately leave his father\u2019s house and go directly to the country that YHVH would show him, or did he fulfill YHVH\u2019s will for his life in incremental steps? Compare Genesis 11:31 with Genesis 12:1. Did Abram leave his father\u2019s house completely, or take part of his father\u2019s house with him including his father and nephew? Haran is located in northern Mesopotamia and is nowhere near Canaan. When Abram finally made his way to Canaan minus his father, did he still have part of his kindred with him, something YHVH instructed him to leave behind (Gen 12:1)? Did his nephew Lot prove to be a help or a hindrance to Abram in fulfilling YHVH\u2019s mission for his life in a new land? What lessons can we learn from this account? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, YHVH is gracious to us even when we don\u2019t obey him completely and immediately. Scripture still refers to Abraham as the father of the faithful or faithfulness (Rom\u202f4:12,\u202f16). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, Abram was a man of prominence in Babylon (Chaldea), was recognized as a mighty prince (Gen 23:6), and was 75 years old when YHVH asked him to leave the comforts of life in Babylon to trek across the desert to the backwoods region of Canaan. No doubt, this was not an easy move for Abram for the reasons already stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who would follow Yeshua have to make similar choices as Abram did: to stay in the Babylon of this world, or to leave it. What did Yeshua tell his disciples about the sacrifices that they would need to make to be a follower of YHVH? (See Matt 10:35\u201339.) At the same time, what did Yeshua say would be the eternal rewards of those, who like our father Abraham, set out in faith for a new spiritual destiny? ( See Matt 19:29.) What physical obstacles stand in your way of fulfilling YHVH\u2019s spiritual calling, mission and destiny for your life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 16:1\u201316, Abraham takes matters into his own hands.<\/strong> The faith of Abraham, the father of the faithful, was tried greatly. After waiting years for a son, he finally gave in to doubt and unbelief. In stead of waiting for YHVH to give him a son, Abraham too matters into his own hands and endeavored to work out YHVH\u2019s plans and purposes in his life through fleshly means. The result was Ishmael, the father of many of the modern Moslem Arabs. What can we learn from this mistake of Abraham? <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Do you have trouble waiting on YHVH? Remember that YHVH\u2019s primary goal in your life is NOT to bring YOUR dreams to pass, but to form in you the person and character of Yeshua (Rom 8:28\u201329). This only comes through time, and the heat and pressure of spiritual refinement. The faith-building refinement that to which YHVH subjected Abraham would also occur in the lives of his descendants as the patriarch saw in his prophetic vision (Gen 15:12\u201314). In his vision of \u201cBetween the Pieces,\u201d the birds of the air (a spiritual picture of Satan and his demons) wanted to interrupt the fulfilling of YHVH\u2019s plans for Israel (verse\u202f11). But through it through this dark vision, Abraham slept (verse 12). That is to say, he rested in YHVH and allow him to work out his purposes according to his time schedule regardless of the occurrence of concomitant and distracting events. Through this process of faith and character building trials, YHVH is refining his people into the spiritual vessels he wants us to be. Psalms chapter 37 describes this process of \u201cnot fretting,\u201d \u201ccommitting your way to YHVH,\u201d \u201ctrusting also  in him,\u201d  \u201cresting in YHVH,\u201d waiting on YHVH, and letting him direct our steps.  (See Ps 37, entire chapter, with special focus on verses 4\u20137, 23\u201324.) This is the process called sanctification (or being set aside for a holy purpose) and coming into spiritual maturity that every child of Elohim must go through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a lot of us, Abraham found himself struggling with waiting upon YHVH to accomplish his promises. As a result of Abraham\u2019s lack of faith, he chose to \u201chelp engineer\u201d the fulfillment of YHVH\u2019s promises in his life. He slept with Hagar and Ishmael was the result. There have been lasting problems in the that area of the world and beyond ever since due to this lack of faith ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 21:1\u20137, YHVH visited Sarah.<\/em><\/strong>YHVH had promised Abraham a son years before. At age 90 did YHVH suddenly drop a son into Sarah\u2019s womb, or during the intervening years, year after year, decade after decade did Abraham and Sarah have to walk out their faith by attempting repeatedly to become pregnant, each time failing, until finally, at the appointed time it happened? What does this tell us about the faith-walk, and about overcoming discouragement and doubt? Obviously, Abrahams\u2019s faith was tested. Could he still trust YHVH\u2019s word and promises after all these years? Often when don\u2019t receive quick answers to our prayers we give up. How is your faith compared with that of Abraham\u2019s?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham learned some hard lessons with Ishmael. After that, he finally began to have complete faith that YHVH would give him a son by Sarah. Faith is dynamic, and is neither passive nor presumptive. As an act of faithful obedience, Abraham continued to have physical relations with his wife until Isaac was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 22:1, Elohim did tempt Abraham.<\/em><\/strong>Trials and temptations show the disposition or character and metal of the human heart, whether it be righteous or unrighteous, pure or impure. When tested do you whine, grumble, accuse others, defend yourself, backbite and resort to slander? Or do you submit to the purifying fires of YHVH\u2019s spiritual forge? During his lifetime, YHVH tested Abraham tested ten times. Being told to sacrifice Isaac was the last and most severe test. Despite the severity of this test, his faith and obedience was steady.When was the last time you faced such a test? What was your response? Did you pass or fail the test?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note the development or progression of Abraham\u2019s faith from the time he left Uhr in Chaldea until the Akeidah<\/em> or Binding of Isaac. He went from a spotty or mixed faith to a full and mature faith in YHVH. Be willing to give up his only beloved son was the ultimate test of his faith, and he passed with flying colors to become the father of the faithful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eliezer, the Servant of Abraham<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 24:12,<\/strong> YHVH give me success.<\/em><\/strong> Scripture directs us to, \u201cTrust in YHVH with all your heart and lean not unto your own understandings, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths\u201d (Prov 3:5\u20136). Abraham\u2019s example of faith had a profound influence upon Eliezer, his chief servant, whom he directed to find a wife for Isaac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham was a man of faith\u2014even the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:12,16). Eliezer was likewise a man of faith. Abraham had taught him well, just like a son. Eliezer evidenced this faith when he blessed Rebecca even before he knew who she really is (Gen 24:22). This action was simply based on his faith that YHVH had answered his prayer. Do we walk in such trusting faith, day-by-day, moment-by-moment? Are we teaching the little ones under our charge these same attributes as Abraham taught his dependents? Abraham had mentored his dependents well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 24:45, Eliezer kept his faith alive through constant contact with Elohim.<\/strong> Obviously, Eliezer was in constant communications with YHVH through prayer. Is this not a character trait of a righteous person? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. In Luke 18:1-7, Yeshua teaches about the benefits of righteous and prevailing prayer. How often do you pray? Once a day? When you pray, is it merely a morning and\/or evening ritual that leaves your soul (mind, will and emotions) untouched and unchanged? Is this the kind of relationship the Father is seeking with you? A mighty man of Elohim once when asked the question, \u201cHow long do you pray each day?\u201d he replied, \u201cSeldom do I pray more than one-half hour, but seldom do I go more than a half hour without praying.\u201d Could this be said of you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that people of faith are people of continual prayer communication with YHVH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca, the Bride of Isaac<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 24:58, I will go.<\/em><\/strong> Rebecca demonstrated unusual faith. She, like her Uncle Abraham and Aunt Sarah before her, was willing to leave the comforts and security of Babylonia and to go with a stranger and to a strange place and live there as a virtual nomad roaming the barren wilderness. When asked, \u201cWill you go with this man?\u201d She replied quickly and to the point, \u201cI will go\u201d (Gen 24:58). Do you have such unreserved devotion to Yeshua, the Lover of your soul and your Betrothed, that you will go WHEREVER he leads no matter how difficult or uncomfortable the way? Or have you placed restrictions and qualifications on him? Compare your faith on a scale of one to ten with that of Abraham, Eliezer and Rebecca. YHVH is patient with his children. Allow him lead you slowly as your faith in his Word and promises grow day-by-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham in his wisdom sought a woman of faith for his son. He sent Eliezer hundreds of miles to find such a woman, while overlooking numerous Canaanite women in his own backyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 24:63, Meditate in the field.<\/em><\/strong> What does this one verse tell us about the kind of man Isaac was? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have moments each day where you turn off the world to connect with and listen to YHVH, to reflect before YHVH on the past day, and to meditate, pray and supplicate\u2014to place your faith in him? Can you think of any other great biblical personages who would slip away from the press and exigencies of life to spend time alone with their Heavenly Father? (See Matt 4:1; 14:23; 26:36; Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12; John 6:15.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 25:21, Pleaded with YHVH.<\/em><\/strong> As with his father Abraham, the faith of Isaac was tried mightily. Rebekah was barren and Isaac entreated YHVH that his promises to Abraham might be fulfilled through him. YHVH at long last answered Isaac\u2019s prayer with twins, Esau and Jacob. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the faith of a believer is tried, the promises of YHVH are always sure. What spiritual mountains have you been asking in faith for YHVH to remove from your life (Mark 11:23), or promises of YHVH to be fulfilled in your life (2 Cor. 1:20), or prayers to be answered? Galatians 6:9 says, \u201cAnd let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.\u201d Remember: never cease praying and believing! Doubts and fear will come, yet prevailing prayer and faith overcomes all. (Read 1 John 5:4\u20135.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 26:1\u201333, The wells of Isaac.<\/strong> At the well of Lachai-roi, Isaac was fruitful. There this man of faith met his wife while in communion with YHVH (Gen 24:62\u201364). It was also at this well that Isaac dwelt for 20 years (Gen 25:11, 19, 26), and there he entreated YHVH because of Rebekah\u2019s barrenness (Gen 25:21), and YHVH answered Isaac\u2019s prayer and Rebekah gave birth to twins (Gen 25:22\u201324). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then a famine enveloped the land, and Isaac, instead of trusting YHVH to provide for him in the land of his blessings and inheritance, he felt compelled to leave Canaan to seek relief in Egypt following the earlier example of his father, Abraham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This same thing happens to us as well. We run off and trust in \u201cEgypt\u201d (i.e. the world) for our sustenance instead of trusting YHVH to provide for us where he has planted us and already blessed us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While en route to Egypt YHVH gracefully redirected Isaac away from Egypt instructing him rather to sojourn in Gerar, Canaan (temporarily) where he would continue to bless him and his posterity (Gen 26:2\u20134). Did Isaac exhibit complete and faithful obedience  to YHVH\u2019s instructions? More or less. Isaac did indeed  go to Gerar, located on the border between Canaan and Egypt, where he dwelt a long time, but not temporarily as YHVH had instructed him (Gen 26:6, 8). Was Isaac fully obeying YHVH or hedging his bet between faith and fear, between Canaan, the land of promise, and Egypt, the land of comfort for the flesh man? You be the judge. Even though there is a lesson here for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How often do we halt between two opinions and compromise between YHVH\u2019s will and our own in matters where he has given us clear direction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did things go for Isaac in Gerar? Not well. He wasn\u2019t exactly blessed, because he wasn\u2019t in YHVH\u2019s perfect will. The men of that region took interest in his wife, and he lied that she was his sister, thus repeating the sin of his father Abraham (Gen 26:6\u20137 cp. 20:1-2). What can we learn from this faux pas of Isaac?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compromised obedience or lack of faith in YHVH\u2019s instructions often puts us in less than favorable situations. Sometimes, to \u201csave our skin,\u201d we have to compromise our values, and even commit an outright sin like lying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though Isaac was out of YHVH\u2019s will, the ever merciful and longsuffering Creator was still faithful to keep the promises to Isaac he had made earlier (Gen 26:3\u20134). Isaac was blessed one hundred fold in his wealth (Gen 26:12\u201314). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite YHVH\u2019s blessings, Isaac\u2019s labors were not without difficulty and opposition from an enemy who was intent upon stealing what was rightfully his. In Genesis 26:15\u201322 we read that the local Canaanites repeatedly attempted to steal or to destroy the wells that Isaac had dug. Wells in Scripture is a symbolic metaphor for blessings, salvations, life and joy. These are things of which Satan, the saints\u2019 enemy, works overtime trying to deprive them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaac still had some weak faith issues to overcome. He fell into some of the same traps his father did by wanting to seek refuge in Egypt when times got tough. He failed to learn from his father\u2019s mistakes. This teaches us that generational sins need to be identified, exposed, repented of and renounced, or else in times of weakness or else we will repeat the same mistakes as our forbears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 26:18\u201322, Isaac dug again.<\/em><\/strong> Isaac redug the wells that belonged to his father in the land YHVH had promised to him, yet the Philistines still opposed him and stole from him what was rightfully his. The well\u2019s names were Contention <\/em>and Strife<\/em>. The names of these wells represent the difficulties that many believers face when struggling with those in the world. Let\u2019s discuss this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How easy it is to allow demonically motivated people to oppose and deter us from our divine destiny. What was Isaac\u2019s response? He took the high road of peace refusing to be embroiled in carnal battles with his neighbors. His faith in YHVH was undaunted and at the third well, Rehoboth, he found spaciousness and a vast supply of water. Isaac was a faith-filled overcomer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you striving and contending with the spiritual Philistines in your life? Are they keeping you from moving onward spiritually into a place of fruitfulness where the river of life from YHVH\u2019s throne flows? Is it not time to let YHVH fight your battles so that you can move onward in your faith-walk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 26:23\u201325,<\/strong> Beersheba.<\/em><\/strong> What happened to Isaac when he retraced the steps of his father Abraham, back into the land of promise, while redigging the ancient wells? He ended up in Beersheba (well of the covenant or seven-fold oath<\/em>) back to the heart of Canaan, the heart and center of YHVH\u2019s will for his life. What happened? YHVH appeared to him and renewed his covenant with Isaac (Gen 26:24).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is YHVH calling you back to the ancient wells of salvation? Is he calling you to retrace the steps of your father Abraham, the father of our faith, to return to the ancient paths where a special blessing awaits you? (Read Mal 4:4\u20136 and Jer 6:16, 19; 18:15.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young Jacob and Esau<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 25:27\u201334, A man of faith and a man of unbelief.<\/strong> There are only two types of people on this earth: Esaus and Jacobs. Similarly, on either side of Yeshua, while on the cross, there was a \u201cJacob\u201d and an \u201cEsau.  One man placed his faith in Yeshua, the other did not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What type of person was Esau? He was a cunning hunter. Nimrod was the only other person in Scripture called \u201ca hunter.\u201d Scripture also calls Esau was a man of the field. A field<\/em> in Scripture is often a metaphor for the world <\/em>(Matt 13:38). As a man of the world, Esau was profane (unhallowed, worldly, ungodly; Heb 12:16). He had no esteem for things of eternal value, which is why he sold his birthright. He lived only to satiate his momentary carnal wants and had no eye for, hope in, or faith toward the future. He sought instant gratification of his sensual nature. His god was his belly. He disdained and dishonored his family heritage and those things that were highly esteemed by his father and grandfather. In Genesis 26:34\u201335, we see, to the great grief of his parents, that Esau married one of the local, Canaanite heathens. He did not honor his parents or respect their wishes in his choice for a wife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do these characteristics of Esau describe some unbelievers that you know, and even some believers? Perhaps you were even like Esau before you were saved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, people of faith, like Jacob, desire the things of YHVH. Though their faith may be immature and they may still be inclined to \u201cwork out YHVH\u2019s will by their own means\u201d as  Jacob did on several occasions, they still have a heart for YHVH, unlike Esau who was totally a secular, carnal and profane man. Despite their flaws, YHVH can use people like Jacob. Though imperfect, they still have a desire to obey YHVH, and he can work with and refine such an individual and use them to accomplish his purposes. This is the painful, yet successful story of Jacob\u2019s life. The process of growing in faith in Elohim and not relying on himself was very painful, but the results were fruitful. YHVH used him to start an entire nation\u2014the twelve tribes of Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 25:32, What good is this birthright?<\/em><\/strong> The implication here is not that Esau was about to die of hunger, but that he would die before seeing the fulfillment of the promises YHVH had made to Isaac and Abraham regarding possessing the land of Canaan. So what good would his birthright be? He would see no material gain from it in his lifetime. And he was right! But he was motivated by temporal and material gain, not by spiritual, future rewards, which are possessed by faith, not by sight (Heb 11:1\u20132, 8\u201310, 39\u201340). Esau was a profane and secular man, and the Spirit and character of YHVH strive against and loathe such individuals (Mal 1:3; Rom 9:13). Such people prefer secular and sensual pleasures over pleasing YHVH. Their carnal appetites rule them and temporal pursuits are their chief aim in life (Phil 3:19). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the state of the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14\u201322. Don\u2019t pass over these admonitions lightly. Search your heart for the areas where you put the secular, material and sensual above YHVH and then repent. Ask the Spirit of YHVH to open your eyes to the blind areas in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob the Adult<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 27:1\u201329, Jacob outsmarts Esau and tricks Isaac. <\/strong>In this passage of Scripture, we have the story of how Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving him the birthright blessing that rightly belonged to Esau, the firstborn brother. Instead of trusting YHVH that the blessing would be his, as YHVH had promised to his mother (Gen 25:23), Rebekah and Jacob connived to bring YHVH\u2019s will to pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly how often do we take matters into our own hands to \u201chelp\u201d YHVH out in fulfilling his promises for our life, instead of trusting him to work things out? Where is the faith in YHVH when rely on our own human efforts to accomplish his purposes in our lives? Read Psalms 37:3\u20137, 23\u201324, 34, and analyze the actions of your life on the basis of these words. Now consider the following concepts when it comes to faith:<\/p>\n\n\n\n