Isaac - Genesis 26

The Bible does not tell us a great deal about Isaac, the son of Abraham.  Most of what we are told is in chapter 26 of Genesis, yet most Christians know one item from when he was a young man and one item from when he was an old man - neither from chapter 26.


The chapter begins by telling us that because of a famine Isaac had travelled to the more fertile area close to what we now know as Gaza.  Here he settled for a while among the Philistines who were ruled by King Abimelech.  This could be the grandson of the king of the same name that Abraham had met years before.  It is while Isaac is here in the city of Gerar that we have the first record of God speaking to him.  There is no evidence at this point in time that there is any faith in his life.  God tells Isaac three things:


(a)  Firstly, he is not to carry on his intended journey.  He had proposed to go to Egypt but that is not the right way.


(b)  Then God tells Isaac that he is going to bless him and fulfil through him the promises he gave to his father, Abraham.


(c) Finally God tells him that he will do this because of the faith of Abraham and its resultant obedience.


Isaac was the son of a believer.  Sometimes that's not an easy place to be in.  One grows up with a life style that is often restricted.  It makes us different from some of our friends.  They do not have to do some of the things we have to do.  Some of the things they do we are not allowed to do.  Take, for example, Sundays.  Our friends might be out playing while we have to go to church, and if we do not have the same faith as our parents that might be uncomfortable.  If you stop to think about it I guess Isaac found the consequences of his father's faith less than welcome from his point of view on an altar!


We do not know how old Isaac is by now other than he is older than forty, the age at which he married.  But Isaac is to be a beneficiary because of his father's faith.  Often it is as we get older that we suddenly realise the value of trust in God.  Also this often starts with God warning us not to continue life's journey on the road we have been travelling.  At least this was so in my life.  I was living an ungodly life running drunken parties for my friends at the age of sixteen.  Then one day I had taken a friend to the casualty department when a drunken man was brought in severely bleeding.  He was so drunk he didn't realise how bad his injury was and started to assault the nurses trying to care for him.  His friends told the nursing sister (nurse in charge) that they had been having a good time at a pub when this man's wife objected to the way in which her husband was fondling a young woman.  She had smashed a half pint glass in his face.  As I looked and listened to this scene I heard God speak for the first time in my life: "That is how you will end up if you do not change your ways."


Isaac wisely follows God's advice and starts to reap the benefits.  Like Isaac I too followed God's advice and my life was turned around.  But this was not the result of any self reformation.  I tried that and failed.  It came about for me by handing my life over to God, recognising that the death of Jesus on the cross was sufficient to cancel the debt of my sin, and inviting Christ into my life.


The next episode in Isaac's life relates to a lie he told.  Fearing that the local Philistines might kill him and take Rebekah if they realised she was his wife he told everyone she was his sister.  How tragic that he was repeating the same mistake that Abraham had made years before.  It is easy for us today with our knowledge of the Bible and years of Christian history to see that Isaac could and should have trusted God in this situation rather than using his own methods.  But Abraham's and Isaac's knowledge of God and his ways was limited.  In my early days as a Christian, anxious to keep friends and fearful of how they might judge me I found it easy to avoid coming into the open about my relationship to Jesus.l  Sometimes it was easier to admit that I attended church rather than say that Jesus was my saviour and Lord.  And i know that I'm not the only one who has done that.


Fortunately King Abimelech sees through Isaac's story and comes to the rescue. But it's not long before God's blessing on Isaac creates jealousy among the Philistines and some opposition.  Isaac is told to leave the city and moves out into the valley nearby.  But opposition and conflict follow him.


Water is vital for life.  By now Isaac is a successful farmer and has flocks and herds to water as well as his own and his servants' needs.  But old wells originally dug by Abraham have been filled up by the locals.  These wells and the supply of fresh life giving water remind me of the conversation that Jesus had once with a Samaritan woman at a well.  "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water", he told her.  On another occasion Jesus declared that if anyone was thirsty they should come to him and drink and from their innermost beings would flow rivers of living water.


Isaac now finds that he is no longer welcome in Gerar and is told to leave.  Millions of Christians have experienced this.  It is not always understandable.  It is possible that nothing has been done that deserves hostility but it can come.  Sometimes within our families, among our friends, at school or at work.  Is it, I wonder, that those who do not acknowledge God find our presence threatening, when we only want to bless them?  Isaac does not fight against this but meekly goes.  I am reminded that Jesus "came to his own but his own received him not".


His need for life-giving water is frustrated because the wells that Abraham dug have been filled up.  This makes me think back to times of great blessing in my life and in the churches.  Have the wells that once brought refreshment and revival been filled up.  What rubbish is getting in the way of the blessing flowing again?  Is there digging out to be done?


Isaac also runs into problems of a different kind.  Twice he digs an effective well but the local herdsmen claim the rights to the water.  In the UK we enjoy lots of benefits that are the result of Christian mission in the past.  This includes employment rights, access to education and medical services, and more.  Today there are many atheists and secularists who want the benefits from the well dug but do not want the Christian influence.


The Isaac arrives at a place where he finds water and no opposition.  He calls it Rehoboth declaring that here God has made room for him.  This is the first recorded time that Isaac acknowledges God's blessing.  Driven by the search for water he has found more than that.  Are we driven by spiritual thirst?  Do we press ever forward looking for that refreshment that only God can supply?


The final scene is the relatively short journey to Beersheba.  In this place Abraham had dug a well and made an agreement with an earlier Philistine king.  Now this scene seems to be repeated as Abimelech comes to him acknowledging Isaac's God and seeking a treaty with Isaac.  As one is made I find myself noting that many generations later a descendent of Isaac will note that when a man's ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7).


God's blessing has come to Isaac because of his obedience and his driven desire to find water.  Now he is brought to a place where he can also bless his neighbours.  And here yet another source of refreshing water is found.

Divine Guidance?

One of the lessons preachers have to learn is that God often tests us on what we teach others.  Sadly, we don't always pass those tests!

On Sunday 27th November 2011 I took the subject of divine guidance as the theme for a meeting at Theddingworth Congregational Church.  It was a precious time of fellowship and we explored the subject in several ways.

We sang hymns and songs on the theme.
We shared in a dramatised and fun version of the time Gideon used a fleece to explore God's guidance.
We shared some of our own experiences of guidance.
We discussed why, when and how God guides us
And we did a quick Bible study of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official.

When discussing why, when and how God guides we reflected that sometimes God intervenes and guides us when there is something he wants us to do for him.  As to how God guides we covered a lot of ground and concluded that God speaks in many ways to us.

The following day I travelled by train to London for a meeting.  Before leaving I put £30 in my wallet for emergencies and I had a few coins in my pocket.  On arrival I had just a few minutes to get something to eat so I visited Macdonalds near St Pancras Station and bought a cheeseburger using one of the £5 notes.

After the meeting I made my way back to St Pancras Station and was walking briskly along the upper concourse and caught up with a man using his mobile phone.  "Hi" he said to the person on the other end and then went on to ask if he could possibly lend him £25 as he was short of cash and needed to get to Sheffield to visit his mother who had been taken ill.  From the part of the conversation I was able to hear it sounded as if his enquiry was unfruitful.

Now the £25 in my wallet seemed a trifle heavy.  But was this genuine or was I being conned?  I checked out my own train time and then discreetly looked for the man.  The area was crowded but I found him alone, looking worried and toying with his mobile phone.  I prayed and watched him some more. He seemed genuine.  After a few minutes I approached him and asked him outright if he lived locally and if so where.  He seemed surprised but gave me the information I sought.  I then told him that if he had anything on him with his address I would give him £25.  Now he looked shocked.

He immediately produced a business card which I exchanged for one of mine and the £25 that emptied my wallet.  He immediately emailed me a receipt from his mobile and I noticed a few minutes later that I had received the email.  I now had his address, mobile phone number and email address.  It looked genuine.

Seeing from my card that I was ordained he said he thought all reverends wore dog collars, so I put him right on that.  My train was about to depart so I wished him well and left him on the concourse.

I can't afford to give away £25 but I had to make a decision as to whether overhearing that conversation was guidance from God who wanted me to share with this man what was not really mine - but his.

What do you think?  Was it a con?  Was he genuine?  Today I will email Chris (his name) and ask after his mother.  Whether he managed to get enough money to get to Sheffield I don't know.  I had thought of the £25 as a loan but afterwards decided I should think of it as a gift.

No doubt you know the story of the Good Samaritan (No, I know I'm not in the same league!).  Have you ever noticed that Jesus speaks of those that came across the man who had fallen among thieves as being there 'by chance'?  Yet the implication is that the priest and the Levite should have acted compassionately.  Have you ever reflected on all that the Samaritan did?  He put himself at risk, he took on a responsibility voluntarily.  He probably stayed up much of the night with them man he helped.  He gave the landlord enough money for the man to stay two months and on top of that offered to pay any extra costs!  Obviously, Jesus was using exaggeration to make the point.

I remember a simple Sunday School lesson on this story in which the man who fell among thieves thought "What's mine is mine and I'm going to keep it".  The thieves thought, "What's yours is mine and I'm going to take it".  But the Samaritan thought, "What's mine is really God's and he would want me to share it with you".

I guess that God will not mind if I gave away £25 of his resources if I was being conned.  On the other hand I wonder if God is also speaking to a London glass blower who had fallen on hard times and found himself in a crisis.  Sometimes it is better to act on how we believe God is guiding us, risking getting it wrong, rather than passing by on the other side.

What is Speaking with Tongues

As I set out to write this post my intention is to try to keep it as simple as possible.  What I write is informed by both scripture and experience.  I have many good Christian friends some of whom make statements about speaking in tongues that I know to be inaccurate.  Sometimes this is because although they read the Bible they cannot understand what it states about speaking in tongues through their own experience, and sometimes because it is entirely experientially understood but not supported by biblical text.  Both situations make me sad as this is a wonderful and important gift that the Holy Spirit gives to some Christians, and a balanced understanding is bound to prove helpful.

The first biblical reference to this is Luke's account of the experience the disciples of Jesus had on the Day of Pentecost.  It is probable, in my opinion, that around 120 people were regularly meeting in a large upper room (or gust chamber) in Jerusalem. Jesus had told them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them to give them power (not ability) to be his witnesses (Acts 1: 4-8).  Luke goes on to tell us in verses 12 to 14 of those specifically named as gathering in the upper room.  But he then tells us of a gathering numbering 120 people (verse 15).  This appears to be the total number of believers in Jerusalem at that time.  Acts 2 begins by telling us they were all together when the Holy Spirit came.  Clearly, over the ten days between the ascension of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost there may have been some coming and going.  But events in that upper room were to become such that it would have been exceedingly noisy, so much so that it quickly attracted a large crowd.

One of the things that happened that morning was that as the Holy Spirit came upon those there they began to speak in other tongues - or languages - as they were enabled by the Holy Spirit. The text goes on to tell us that some of those in the crowd attracted by the noise were able to recognise some of the languages as those spoken in their (the listeners) native country.  Those who could understand the assorted languages describe this as 'declaring the wonders of God'.  What is not described here is any kind of communication to them.  It is as if they are listening in.  They are amazed and perplexed by what they hear and see.  It is irrational such that they conclude they must be drunk.  Such a conclusion would not be made if what was happening (as some suggest) was multi-lingual gospel preaching.

The phenomenon of speaking in tongues occurs in other places in Acts usually when the Holy Spirit comes upon people for the first time (though it is not mentioned specifically on every occasion).

We need to go to 1Corinthians 12 - 14 to build up our understanding.  It is listed as one of the twelve gifts of the Spirit.  In 1Cor. 12:10 it is mentioned alongside another gift of "interpretation of tongues'.  Later in verse 30 Paul asks a question that implies that not everyone has the gift of speaking in tongues.

We then need to go to chapter 14 for more information.    The first 25 verses cover speaking in tongues and contrasts this with prophecy.  Both these gifts of the spirit are about inspired utterances but is important to emphasise that a person speaking in tongues or prophesying is not 'taken over'.  They remain totally in control of themselves, which is why Paul later in this chapter writes about things being done in order.

Note in verse 2 that someone speaking in tongues is speaking TO God.  So there is no such thing as 'a message in tongues'.  Paul tells us in verse 14 that speaking in tongues can be praying.  Note here that when a person speaks in tongues he or she does not understand what is being said; this is spiritual communication from the believer to God enabled by the Holy Spirit.  In verse 16 it is described as 'thanksgiving'.

So what do we know so far.  People that spoke in tongues were described by those who understood them as declaring the wonders of God.  It is a communication from a believer to God.  So it could be praise, prayer or thanksgiving.  

In the first part of chapter 14 Paul compares speaking in tongues publicly (i.e. at a church gathering) to prophecy (i.e. an immediately understandable inspired utterance communicating 'to men and women' see verse 3).  The point that Paul makes in this chapter is strictly about the benefit these gifts have in a gathering or meeting of a church.  He points out that if someone speaks in tongues and nobody understands what is said the only person to benefit is the person doing the speaking, who is edified (built up) by the experience.  On the other hand is someone prophesies then everyone can benefit.

The only way someone speaking in tongues can benefit a meeting is if there is an interpretation.  While verse 5 and verse 13 seem to imply that interpreting your own utterance in a tongue is acceptable, verses 27 and 28 seem to suggest otherwise.  What is clear is that verses 27 and 28 is speaking about the actual practise of speaking in tongues in a meeting but that verse 5 and 13 is talking about who brings greater benefit to a meeting.  Paul argues clearly that a person who prophesies is of greater benefit in a meeting situation.

For this reason I discourage self-interpretation.  On the other hand I have heard amazing interpretations that have revealed wonderful and sometimes profound expressions of praise and worship.  If a so-called interpretation is God speaking to man then it clearly cannot be a true interpretation.  It could, of course, be a prophecy.

So what is the point of speaking in tongues?  It is for personal edification.  It can be for a sign to unbelievers but note verse 23 as hearing people speaking in tongues can create a misunderstanding.  Paul values his gift of speaking in tongues (verse 18) and states that speaking in tongues should not be forbidden (verse 39).  This is a precious and wonderful gift he longs that everyone should have (verse 5).  Obviously the primary purpose of this gift is for its use in private and personal devotion, though Paul states that provided it is exercised with discipline and interpreted it has its place in public worship (verse 26).

Many years ago the Holy Spirit was moving in a Kent village.  Conversions were taking place and some Christians were being baptised in the Spirit and had spoken with tongues.  This was an area where Strict and Particular Baptists were prominent and some who had spoken in tongues were from families well known in those circles.  A concerned group of Strict Baptists arranged a meeting to try to understand this.  They were uncomfortable that the gospel was being preached with an open invitation for people to come to Christ, as they felt that this was presumption and one should always leave it entirely to the Spirit to convince people that they were being called to salvation.  However, they could not deny that people were being saved.  But what is this about speaking in tongues.

We had an interesting discussion.  Part way through one of the Strict Baptists who was a greatly respected preacher suddenly spoke up.  "Brothers, you have all said at times how my preaching has been used of God".  They all expressed agreement to this.  "You may also have noticed", he went on, "That it is my practise that during the hymn before the sermon I bow in prayer in the pulpit".  Again they all expressed agreement.  He then let loose his bombshell: "During that hymn I quietly pray in tongues"!

Nothing more needed to be said.  Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  As such it should not be despised, demeaned or criticised.  Who would dare to do that to a gift that a loving generous God gives.  Those who have this gift and who use it in their personal devotions know of its value.  It enables a quality of communication with God that can never otherwise be experienced.  The speaker feels strengthened.  Used correctly in a church meeting, together with interpretation it can also be a blessing just as a hymn of praise can be.

But it was not given to enable the gospel to be proclaimed or as a means of bringing messages from God.  I was drawn back to God in my teens, having strayed away from him. At that time the gospel engaged with my heart as well as my head and I gladly surrendered my life to the Lord.  A year or so later, while sitting in a church in north Kent I was overwhelmed by the Spirit while listening to a sermon and can only describe this as being baptised in the Holy Spirit.  I could not stop praising God and my legs had turned to jelly, and fountains of spiritual joy were erupting from deep within me.  I was as one drunk.  I did not speak in tongues, though after the service people laid hands on me and sought to encourage me to speak in tongues.  It was perhaps a week or so later in the privacy of my bedroom as i knelt in prayer and praise that I found some strange words forming in my mouth instead of the English I had been using.  It is a gift often used since that day which, like Paul and my Strict Baptist friend, I value and for which I thank God.

I hope these notes have proved helpful.

Beyond the Town The following was published on the Revive Rugby website.  I convene a rural group within this mission orientated ecumenical group of churches.  You can find out more at www.reviverugby.net. Revive Rugby includes many churches that are outside the town boundaries where God is also at work. Approximately one person in six now lives in the rural areas of the UK. Uniquely in the world there continues to be inward migration into rural areas. While there is a fairly stable core population in most villages, there is also a substantial amount of change that takes place producing special challenges for rural churches.   Both ministry and mission in rural areas are very different to towns and cities and call for special training. Because the issues are so distinct Revive has a Rural Group and the leaders of the rural churches meet four to six times a year. Most rural congregations are small so to be effective the style of worship has to change. Where it is more informal, intimate and engaging it not only works better it also enables better spiritual growth individually and collectively. It is sometimes better to think of worship in small numbers as requiring a style more usual to a home group.   In a village most people are known; there is no anonymity and mistakes have to be lived with – sometimes for a long time. These are just some of the factors that make evangelism difficult. But it is not impossible and there are many creative activities going on at this time.   Rural churches have high impact in their communities. It is not unusual to have 5% of a community attending a church. Imagine that happening in the town! Furthermore special festivals, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and Remembrance Sunday can engage with the majority of the village community. So rural churches have opportunities for mission that would be unimaginable in a town. Recent research revealed that the churches in rural areas contribute 70% of the social capital (that which enables communities to stick together).   Of course rural communities have their problems but they are often more hidden and demand a discreet response.  Rural churches also have problems.  High on the list is the maintenance of what is often an inappropriate, old and expensive building. Those of us who work with small rural churches often use a catch phrase, "Tangerines are not small oranges".  A small village church is not a failed urban church.  It is different.  Tangerines are preferred by many.  They are usually sweet, easy to get into, and great for sharing. Rural communities are becoming more suburban in many ways but they retain some unique features that call for appropriate enculturation on the part of those that minister the gospel there, and their message and ministry needs appropriate contextualisation.  When we get it right it is an exciting place to be.  But whether or not things are going well rural church leaders need to fellowship and network with others in similar situations, and Revive Rural Group offers that possibility.

Barry Osborne, 30/07/2011

Throwing Stones

Here's the monthly article for the August edition of our local Parish magazine.

I am writing this at the time when the News of the World affair has been dominating the news. The newspaper has been closed, Andy Coulson arrested, the judgement of the Prime Minister called into question, and an outraged public are crying out for Rebekah Brooks’ resignation. I am aware that by the time you are reading this there may be further developments to shock us or it is just possible that we might have forgotten the current hue and cry.

While indignation over alleged gross illegal misconduct is understandable, and it is right for offenders to be held to account there does appear to be a level of self-righteousness and some opportunism among the voices baying for blood.

It reminds me of the time when a crowd brought to Jesus a woman caught in an act of adultery.  Under the Law of Moses this was a capital offence and the punishment was stoning.  The witnesses to the offence were required to be the first to throw stones (literally).  Jesus takes time to write in the dusty ground.  Some surmise that he might have listed other sins.  When he spoke he simply said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.  The crowd gradually left, from the eldest to the youngest.  Her sin was not excused, but it was forgiven and she was told never to sin again.

It seems to me that there is something dangerous within the current atmosphere – a human weakness that is quick to join the mob and condemn, but slow to admit our own faults.  The way in which we judge others will be the standard by which we will be judged ourselves.  
The Bible is not soft on crime; just strong on putting right the causes.  That seems a better way; and one worth exploring.

1 divided by 3 = 1?

The following is an article from the June 2011 issue Parish News for the villages of Clay Coton, Elkington, Lilbourne and Yelvertoft.

The month of June contains two religious festivals that often cause confusion.  The first of these on June 12^th is Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday).  The second is Trinity Sunday on June 19^th.  If the concept of the Trinity is confusing to you, know that you are not alone.  The reason for this is the uniqueness of God.  We have nothing that we can compare to God, and the idea of three persons that are essentially one is bound to be confusing.

Once when Jesus was talking with his disciples he spoke of “the Father”.  Understanding God in this way was not new.  There are a couple of Old Testament references to God as Father.  Also Jesus had taught them how to pray to their “Father in Heaven”.  But on this occasion one of his disciples said what a wonderful thing it would be to see the Father.  To this Jesus replied that if anyone knew him [Jesus] then they knew the Father, for they were one.  He then went on to tell them that although he would be leaving them another (similar) person would be with them – the Holy Spirit.

In other words the presence of the Holy Spirit would be just the same as having the physical presence of Jesus with them, and knowing what Jesus was like was like meeting the Father. 

Confused still?  Not surprising.  The only real way to understand this is to experience a relationship with God.  After Jesus had died, risen again and 40 days later ascended to be his Father, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was received by 120 disciples (men and women) who had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem.  They were ecstatic with joy and found a new boldness to share their faith with others.  Now the wonder of knowing the presence of Jesus with them had become an even more wonderful intimate personal experience.

When a crowd was attracted by the noise of the believers praising God and revelling in their experience they listened as Peter explained who Jesus really is and what they had experienced.  The crowd asked what they should do and were told they should turn from sin and be baptised.  This would then enable them to receive the same promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise, they were told, was for all throughout the future who would repent and believe.

I don’t drink alcohol but I guess that to really understand the flavour and the effect of a good wine you would have to drink it.  As the Scots say, “Some things are better felt than telt!”  The Holy Spirit is the person of God through whom all God’s blessings come into our lives.  We might never fully understand it here on earth but we can certainly enjoy experiencing it.  And that is not limited to one or two days a year. 

I know just how you feel!

I thought it might be interesting to some if I post my monthly letter in the Yelvertoft Parish Magazine.  Here is the latest; I'll look through some of the past ones where the content might not be dated.


I think that one of the most annoying things that can be said to anyone going through a tough time is, “I know just how you feel”, when you know very well they have absolutely no idea.  What’s worse is when they proceed to list all their troubles!

Usually when people go through tough times they pray – even if they’re not sure they believe in God.  It might not be in church, and it probably won’t be on their knees, but at some time or other they are likely to utter, “Oh God, help me”.  Of course if we had a God who had no idea what it was like to lose a loved one, to be badly let down by people you thought were your friends, to be in fear of death, to feel at life’s extremity, to know extreme temptation, to be in financial difficulty, to be the victim of slander and lies, to suffer exhaustion or hunger – if we had a God like that how could he truly empathise with us in our hour of need.

But because God stepped into this world, bringing his divine nature into union with our human nature in the extraordinary person of Jesus, he does know what all of those conditions (and more) are like.  Not only that, but he spent his ministry responding with compassion to people on the margins of society.  Some suffered from dreadful illnesses, some had just been bereaved, and some were considered socially unacceptable for a range of reasons.  All experienced the wonder that this very special person cared about them and, because his love is matched by his power, their lives were transformed by that contact with him.

No other religion can offer anything approaching such a God.  Last month we thought afresh about the arms of Jesus stretched out upon a cross.  I want you to imagine those arms now stretched out to welcome you – if you will turn to him and come to him.  He promised never to turn anyone away who comes to him.  And if you do that you will also come to know those same arms lovingly wrapped around you – holding you safely through the toughest times of this life.