“By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” Hebrews 11:20
November 13, 2023
Halls of fame are abundant and for the most part interesting, especially if you are a fan of the chosen field of interest. But there is one that is only on paper and is the one that is most significant. It is the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. We need this. Faith is far too often reduced to whatever one believes about God, whoever He might be. The Holy Spirit has given us a selected record of Old Testament heroes who were exemplary in their assurance and conviction that what God has said is true and that it is to be acted upon. Isaac, Abraham’s son, made the list. His mention tells us that faith transfers God’s promises from one generation to the next. It could be said that Isaac’s faith was kind of a “passive” one. Credit is given that he had a desire for the purpose of God to be fulfilled. The Word of God meant something to him. We know that Isaac and Rebekah knew that the promise to Abraham was to continue through Jacob. The problem was that Isaac was partial to his other son, Esau. If you are a second generation believer in Christ, you might want to pick up on this, namely, being familiar with the things of God but not very real to you, at least early on. Is your Christianity a personal experience? Isaac preferred Esau and was willing to be disobedient to the promises of God. But Isaac’s faith did break through when he dealt with his own disobedience. The fact remains, however, that if you are a believing parent you should want to rear your children to prepare them to live life God’s way. It is vital that trusting and following Jesus Christ is the most important legacy we as parents can give our children. That is far more important than passing on mere wealth.
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Is your faith in God determining what is most important to you?
How does your faith respond when you have done something that is plainly wrong?
Are your children aware of your allegiance to God and His Word above all else?