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changed circumstance (Gen. 9: 1-7).
"In the six hundred and FIRST year, in the FIRST month, the FIRST day of the
month, the waters were dried from off the earth" (Gen. 8: 13).
Thus Noah and his inheritance anticipates that day when He that sits upon the throne
shall say, "Behold, I make all things new", faintly suggested also by the "no more curse"
of Gen. 8: 21. We have further light upon the faith that inherits in the case of
Abraham, who pairs with Noah; this we must reserve for another paper. Meanwhile, let
us rejoice in the fact revealed in Rom. 8: 17, "If children, then heirs; heirs of God".
#51. Abraham.
The obedience that inherits (11: 8).
pp. 183 - 188
The association of faith and inheritance is set forth by the two great examples of Noah
and Abraham. In our last example, the great contributing motives were a divine warning,
a godly fear, and a preparation. Abraham's example supplies other facets of the jewel of
truth.
The obedience of faith.
"By faith Abraham . . . . . obeyed." This simple statement is supplemented by
illuminating clauses which we must earnestly consider.
A1 | He was called to GO OUT.
B1 | Unto a place . . . . . an inheritance.
A2 | And he WENT OUT.
B2 | Not knowing whither he went.
First let us observe, "He was called to go out . . . . . and he went out". Such is the
record on the tablets of faith. Abraham's actual record is not so simple. His obedience
was partial, and in stages; this we can read in Genesis. The record in Heb. 11: 8
indicates how many seasons of our lives are blanks in the roll of faith. The story of
Abraham's obedience is written for our learning. Let us seek grace to be humble
disciples in this school of grace. The first movement is indicated by Stephen:--
"The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia,
before he dwelt in Haran, and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and come into the land which I will shew thee" (Acts 7: 2, 3).
The second movement is revealed in Gen. 12: 1:--