In Genesis 22 the story is told of God calling Abraham. Responding, Abraham says, "Behold me," or "see I am here." In their dialogue, God instructs Abraham to take Isaac his son, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains. God told Abraham that he'd tell him which mountain upon his arrival. Interestingly enough, Moriah means "God instructs." Furthermore, upon coming to the place of sacrifice, Isaac states, "I see the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham replies, "my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering... ." Abraham later names the place of sacrifice on Mount Moriah, "Jehovah -Jireh," which means God Himself will see and provide. Indeed there are important lessons to be learned from the call of Abraham to sacrifice his only son of promise, Isaac. One of the main lessons is how to respond when God calls, so that we are willing to hear Him. The other lesson is that by faith, if we will allow Him, God will see and provide for our needs. According to Ephesians 3:20, "...God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," and in John 10:10 Jesus says, "... I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly."
Isn't it amazing how Abraham was so ready to respond to God speaking to him? Don't we wish we were ready and willing to hear God? In Genesis 22:1, 7, &11, Abraham is addressed four times, once by God, once by his son Isaac, and twice by "the angel of the Lord." In each case, Abraham responds, "here I am." His response shows his willingness to hear what the person addressing him is going to say. You know, listening is really hard work for most of us. Often we are preoccupied with our own agenda-- our plans, our goals, our needs, and we really don't have the inner space to hear what's being said. Sometimes, we don't even want to hear the other person. That God spoke to Abraham should not surprise us, for we have the benefit of history via the scripture. Have we not read that His name is Immanuel, "God with us?" Have we not seen the scripture which tells us, "and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... ." This was so that He might speak to us in our language. Brothers and sisters, God enjoys our company, and it is His plan that we
might have intimate fellowship with Him (see John 14:1-3).
Another example of the listening ear is when God called little Samuel. (Yes, children can hear him too, for He wants to speak to them). Well, in I Samuel 3:3-10, we find that God not only calls Samuel three separate times, but He waits for Samuel to respond before going on in conversation. Let's follow the story. Thinking that Eli had called him, Samuel arose, went to Eli and inquired what he wanted. Of course Eli had not called him and told him so. Samuel returned to bed. A third time, Samuel heard his name called and went to Eli. This time Eli instructed Samuel to "Go and lie down: and it shall be that if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." In verse 10, we read that "... the Lord came, and stood and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth."
You know, many reading this may say, "but both Abraham and Samuel were prophets." "I'm not a prophet, and don't want to be." You are right. They were both prophets. However, in John 10:3, 4 - Jesus says "the sheep hear the voice of the true shepherd, He calls them by name, and they follow Him, for they know His voice." In verse 16, Jesus further says, " ... and they shall hear My voice..." And lastly, in John 8:47 He says, " He that is of God heareth God's words; ..." From these texts, we can conclude that God desires to speak with us through the means He chooses, and those who are His, who love Him, will listen attentively, and in hearing they will respond and follow Him.
Ok, so we may know that God wants to talk with us, but we're not sure we want to hear what He has to say, let alone listen attentively. Yet how many of us are going to church, paying tithe, and giving to the needy? You say "well, we're supposed to do these things, we just can't be takers in life and not give back anything--right?" Well--maybe those of us with this attitude are feeling guilty, maybe we are afraid that if we don't do these things we'll seem selfish-- and well, we don't want to be selfish right? Maybe those of us doing these good deeds who don't want to listen are missing out on something much better. Here is someone who knows us intimately, and who loves us deeply and passionately; someone who has given up everything that we might be together-- what might such a person want from us? Simply this-- that we might be together forever. By walking in the light, and loving one another (I John 1:5, 7; 2:6, 10; 3:11, 16, 18 & 23), we have fellowship with one another.
Yes, God knows our fears, secret and otherwise. He has said, "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (I John 17:18, see also verses 19, 17 & 21). Abraham by faith, listened attentively, heard and was willing to allow God to provide for his needs a lamb for the sacrifice. On the contrary, Cain did not. He provides us with an example of a person who was not willing to hear, listen or forgive. Hence his sins were not forgiven, and the occasion of his brother's sacrifice being accepted caused his covetous feelings to be made known. His secret sin was revealed. But God had made provision for even this sin, yet Cain would not listen, and thinking he knew better, did not avail himself of the gift.
How about us? Are we listening and paying attention? Are we quickly responding when our name is called; or are we delaying to answer, hoping the one speaking will just go away? Although not covered in our lesson for this week (or quarterly), Enoch is an example of a man who walked and talked, yes communed with Christ. He (like Abel and Abraham) was willing to listen attentively to what God had to say. He trained his ear so he would hear the nuances of God's responses to his questions and to his thoughts.
Listen to this thought. God is more willing to answer our prayers than we are to pray them. He has made provision for every one of our problems, and will gladly answer if we would but ask in faith not wavering (Phil. 4:19 & James 1:6). So let us no longer put off listening. He is speaking. Let's hasten to hear, and as the song says, "as He breathes, move --- closer."
Maria Greaves-Barnes
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