The Fire and the Knife

Gen 22:6 HNV
(6) Avraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Yitzchak his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.

In every sacrifice, there are two elements. A knife, and fire. The knife is for killing, while the fire is for transforming. This entire process is a picture of a redemption plan.

To enter the presence of a Holy God, we cannot bring our sinful flesh. The knife puts an end to the flesh, and the fire transforms it to smoke - or spirit. Remember, it's a picture. Ultimately, pictures were only a reminder to God of what He must do to restore us completely - and ultimately - He did it, through Jesus.

The problem with the angels that sinned is they have no blood to shed, nor do they have a transformation to make, for they are already God-like in that they are spirit.

Killing time is a real phenomenon. We can really waste it away. But when sacrificed to God, it is always transformed into something beautiful that we would not trade. Finances are no different. Talents are no different. Anything can be wasted. But when sacrificed to God, something beautiful always comes of it.

Perspective

Can we have wrong-minded faith? Have we ever heard this statement… or perhaps even said it: I just KNEW he/she was the one for me! God told me He would provide and he/she was that provision! I just knew it!

Abraham ‘thought’ that Ishmael was the answer to God’s promise of an heir. He ‘knew’ it. He was sure of it, after all, he was 99 years old and all was well. Then God comes along and says “I’m about to make good on my word.” Abraham falls out. This does not negate the fact that Abraham had faith – and had believed God – that God had answered his prayer for an heir and had given him just such an heir, Ishmael. His faith was there, but he was wrong. However the faith of Abraham was attributed unto him as righteousness.

Abraham bargains with God for the fate of Sodom – for his nephew Lot lived there. God agreed that if even 10 righteous were found, He would spare the city. The next day, Abraham watches from a distance as smoke rises from Sodom. Abraham did not have the luxury of the scriptures to know the fate of his nephew. What was Abraham’s view of God’s mercy at that point? Not even 10.

What about... Isaac?

Remember in John when all the people were arguing with Jesus about their lineage?

Joh 8:39
(39) They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham.


Notice how the people were enamored with being the 'seed' of Abraham. If we go back to Genesis and read, Abraham had multiple children, including Ishmael. You would think that if the people really cared about being heir to the Promise, they would clarify. "We are children of Abraham and Isaac!"

Do you know why they didn't? Because although they thought they knew and understood the father, they forgot the son. Does this have a familiar ring?

Rom 9:6-8
(6) Not, however, that God's Word has failed. For not all those of Israel are Israel,
(7) nor because they are Abraham's seed are all children, but "In Isaac a Seed shall be called to you." Gen. 21:12
(8) That is: Not the children of flesh are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for a seed.

You know... Isaac was so important. He was the child of promise. Without promise, there is no need for faith. I can sit around all day and hope the house next door becomes a huge piece of chocolate, but believing that is moronic because it hasn't been promised by God. In what or whom do we have faith?

If Abraham was a picture of God the Father, and Isaac a picture of the Son (in that the Father was willing to sacrifice the Son), is it really any wonder they never mentioned the Son?

More On The Name

Gen 17 - the changing of the names

When God confirms His covenant with us, He often changes our name. Isn't that interesting?

With Abram and Sarai, He added His breath... 'Ahhh'.. like an exhale. It's NOOMA... air... life...(pneuma). So instead of Abram, he became AbraHAm, and instead of Sarai, she became SarAH. You might say that until God truly gets ahold of you, you are lifeless.

So how important is the name change, and does it apply to us?

Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul.


Rev 2:17
(17) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To the one overcoming, I will give him to eat from the hidden manna. And I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name having been written, which no one knows except the one receiving it.

So overcomers, too, will receive a new name from God. I think for a minute what it must be like for God to tell me, "Steven, from this point on you will not be called Steven, but will be called..., because I have determined that you shall always be known for..."

Does that work at all in your spirit? Is there any motivation toward holiness there? There is for me.


Even the Lord will take on a new name:
Rev 3:12
(12) The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.

So we see, even having His name written upon us will be an honor of the ages. It is unfathomable. There is much in a name!