W. R. CARSWELL by W. R. Carswell

Signs Publishing Co. · Melbourne, Victoria · Jun 14, 1920

FromAustraliasian Signs of the Times, Vol. 35, No. 24.

W. R. CARSWELL

By W. R. Carswell

The Conflict of the Ages—No. 3

In Abraham’s Time

W. R. CARSWELL

AMONG the heroes of faith, in God’s great picture gallery of Hebrews, chapter eleven, Abraham occupies a prominent place. This is natural, as he is the representative, or father, “of all them that believe.” Rom. 4:11.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:8-10.

According to Josephus, Abraham had already published his views in Mesopotamia, concerning the one true God, Creator of all things, before he was called of God to go to Canaan. A tumult having been raised by his countrymen, in their opposition to the doctrine of the one true God, he was sent into another land. This was in harmony with the instruction given by Jesus to His apostles at a later date, “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.” Matt. 10:23.

The fact that idolatry was so prevalent in the days of Abraham proves that the descendants of Noah had soon forgotten the wonderful deliverance of their forefathers from destruction by water, through the love and mercy of God. According to the “Antiquities of the Jews,” Abraham learned to believe in the Creator through the contemplation of His works. And as he became a faithful home missionary, endeavouring to give the light to others, the Lord chose to send him out as the visions given of God with a view of the city “whose builder and maker is God.” Though promised that he should be heir to the whole world, Abraham received no more than a burial-place as his reward in this life; and this he purchased with money. See Rom. 4:13; Acts 7:5; Gen. 23:16-20. Surely the faith of Abraham in God’s word was sublime, and worthy of emulation till time shall end! He knew that somehow, sometime, God would fulfil His word of promise, and in this hope he went forth to his great field of missionary endeavour.

First Foreign Missionary

Among unknown, and perhaps hostile tribes, Abraham was called to journey just as do the faithful missionaries of our day. As a recompence for the life of wandering to which he was called, God promised Abraham a future home, a permanent inheritance. His eyes were gladdened in visions given of God with a view of the city “whose builder and maker is God.” Though promised that he should be heir to the whole world, Abraham received no more than a burial-place as his reward in this life; and this he purchased with money. See Rom. 4:13; Acts 7:5; Gen. 23:16-20. Surely the faith of Abraham in God’s word was sublime, and worthy of emulation till time shall end! He knew that somehow, sometime, God would fulfil His word of promise, and in this hope he went forth to his great field of missionary endeavour.

Growth in Faith

While Abram (as he was first called) went out at God’s command without questioning His promise, his faith was not then perfect. Twice, because of his want of trusting faith in God’s protecting care, Abram practised deception stating that his wife, Sarai, was his sister. See Gen. 12: 11-20; 20: 2-16. Again, at Sarah’s own suggestion, he took as his second wife the Egyptian bond-servant, Hagar. This was an evidence that the faith of Abram that his true wife should be the mother of his numerous posterity was lacking. He had previously by faith accepted the promise of God that his seed should be as innumerable as the stars in the sky, and this was counted to him for righteousness. But in taking Hagar as a second wife, while his true wife still lived, Abram and Sarai sought to help God to fulfil His promise, and manifested an imperfect faith.

The Final Test

But when the final test was applied, Abraham’s faith was found perfect. By this time the child of promise, born of Sarah the true wife, was living, and had reached the age of twenty-five years, according to Josephus. The command of God to His faithful servant was couched in language calculated to make the test even more severe. “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of

the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Gen. 22:2. While such a command seemed utterly at variance with the sixth precept of the divine law, which says, “Thou shalt not kill,” Abraham’s faith did not waver. Although the command came with heart-breaking force to the aged patriarch, his faith in the word of God was implicit and his consequent obedience prompt. The father of all believers accounted “that God was able” to raise his son Isaac from the dead to fulfil His promises through him. His words to the servants who were left at the foot of the mountain indicated his faith. He bade them tarry, while he and his son would go to worship, “and come again to you.” Gen. 22:5.

The victory of Abraham in this supreme conflict showed the perfection of his faith, and brought out more fully the promise of the Messiah who should be born of his descendants. Because of Abraham’s self-sacrificing obedience, the promise of the conquering Seed who should “possess the gate of His enemies,” was given to him, with the additional promise that in him all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Gen. 22:16-18.

Purposes of the Test

The question may be asked, “Why did God command Abraham to do that which He intended to prevent; and Isaac to submit to a fate from which He intended to save him? One fact must stand out clearly as an answer. It could never be known if Abraham recognised the duty he owed to God as dearer than any earthly tie, unless such a test were applied. It could not be known if he were really standing on the side of the Word of Truth, unless he was perfectly obedient to its requirements. More than this, Abraham could never have understood the sacrifice of the infinite God in giving up His Son to die, until he himself had passed through the awful ordeal. The willingness of Isaac to yield his life as a sacrifice, when he could easily have escaped from his grief-stricken father, was also to be recorded as a type of God’s only begotten Son who freely gave Himself for us.

But perhaps one of the most important purposes of the test was the lesson it contains for the children of Abraham today. “If ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed” (Gal. 3:29); and Abraham’s experience was written for our learning. When fiery trials come to you, and your faith is severely tried, remember it was even thus with our father Abraham. The children of Abraham will be tested as was their father. But in every test, God has a purpose of love, “that we might be partakers of His holiness.” Heb. 12:10. The test of Abraham has therefore precious lessons for all time.

The Character of Abraham

Though a man of peace, Abraham went to war to rescue his nephew Lot. And incidentally we may remark, the number of young men in his encampment fit to bear arms proves the success of Abraham’s missionary labours. Probably his household amounted to one thousand, when 318 were men fit to bear arms. Those who accepted the true God joined themselves to his household. His faithfulness to God was again shown in the payment of the tithe upon all his booty; while his unselfishness was shown in refusing to accept any for himself. Gen. 14:12-24. Hence in the closing part of Abraham’s victorious conflict with evil, we see hospitality, unselfishness, courage, and liberality added to unswerving faith and loyal obedience. Surely here was a character exemplifying devotion to duty, and love to his fellows, and worthy of emulation by the children of Abraham to-day!