Genesis 12:1-4(a), 13:2
Abraham's blessings can be explained, emphasized and expressed in manifold ways. First is the Call of Conversion, from the lifestyle of a sinful idol worshipper to being a friend of God; second is the Call to Physical Prosperity (blessings)- in which he was rich in lands; third is the Call to Spiritual Prosperity (blessings); fourth, the Call to Financial Prosperity (blessings), being rich in livestock, gold and silver; fifth, the Call of Eternal Blessing; and sixth, the Call to being a channel through which all families of the earth, could be blessed. And in addition to these, he was provided with protection from his enemies. This is to tell us that Abraham's blessings can be traced in every sphere of life! Yet, some persons would like to have just the material and financial blessings, without being bothered about the conversion and repentance of Abraham. They aren't interested in having intimacy, or being in a relationship with the God of Abraham. All they desire are 'parts' of his blessings.
But, 'Who was this Abraham?' From Joshua 24:2-3, we see that Abraham, his father and brother, alongside all their family members, were living in an idolatrous nation before the Lord called, converted and separated him from idol worship, so as to make him His friend, servant and representative. On this note, I'll ask you, " Where are you coming from? Have you been converted? Have you been separated from the world, Satan and idol worship?...or are you still there, despite being a churchgoer?" The first thing the Lord did in the life of Abraham was 'separation from idol worship (other gods)', calling him to leave his father, mother and other relatives in order to follow Him. He called him into a personal relationship and communion. This is the call for you also, today. He's saying, "Leave your current sinful condition of lying, adultery, stealing, bribery, corruption, deceit, hypocrisy and any other kind of wickedness..." My friend, you cannot serve God with such a nature; you need conversion and freedom. But first, like Abraham did, you are to forsake your sinful lifestyle, and follow Him... And in this, you need from the Lord, His work of transformation and new life. Have you known this Jesus whom Abraham served? No man can experience Him and still retain the old man! 2 Corinthians 5:17. This was Abraham's first call.
His second call was to Physical Prosperity- a land flowing with milk and honey. When a man decides to follow the Lord, He doesn't leave him stranded, but establishes him. Lands carry a lot of wealth- it's where our houses are built, farming is carried out, and from whence gold, silver and other mineral resources are gotten. All these are able to a man rich! He also received the call to Material Prosperity when the Lord promised to bless him and to make him a blessing... And had, dispensed to him, Financial Blessings- Genesis 13:1-2, and Spiritual Blessings (noting that he ought not to be carnally minded); but that he rather walked in perfection- the spiritual nature of righteousness and holiness. And finally, Abraham had the call to Eternal Blessings; this was why the Bible stated, that when Lazarus died, angels carried him to Abraham's bosom. Therefore Abraham didn't follow for just financial, material, and physical blessings, but also followed for the things which are ETERNAL; searching for the City Whose Maker and Builder is God. In other words, Abraham obeyed and followed God...and in Genesis 13:2, this man was said to be VERY rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And one may ask, "Is it possible for somebody to be rich and righteous?...wealthy and incorrupt? Yes! Abraham was such a man. He believed in the Lord; and it was counted to him for righteousness- Genesis 15:6. This is to show that he wasn't a rich sinner or some rich fool, but was a righteous wealthy man.
Again, Abraham was neither earthly nor worldly bound; instead, he was holily and righteously seeking for Heavenly things -Hebrews 11:8-10. Is there any city or country in the world, with building not made by human beings? No, none in this present world! Abraham saw them all, but he sought for that whose Builder and Maker is God. Though he had been promised lands and buildings on earth, he still desired the ones designed by God. Brethren I charge you, as you build on this earth and acquire lands, precious stones and wealth, don't be wretched towards Heaven! Don't be poor and miserable in the things above ( the unperishable and everlasting City); for many in Church are in it for the things (earthly/perishable things) they can gain from them, while a few desire the things which pertain to eternity, as did Abraham. So he, who at first was just an obedient servant to the Lord, went further to become His friend by keeping His commandments and covenant. He forsook ALL - his family and home of nativity - and followed an unseen God, without knowing where he was headed to. What an intimacy! What a relationship!...to cleave to the One who has called you, knowing He would also care for you! What a communion! Even when he made some mistakes along the line, His Friend (the Lord Jesus) still forgave him, and returned again, to lead him as promised- Genesis 17:1-8.
Abraham sinned when he listened to the voice of Sarah, over the voice/words of God, and the Lord left him. Now when He appeared again to him, the Lord said to him, "...walk BEFORE ME and be PERFECT..." Walk before Me... And for us today, the command remains same, "Walk before Me and be thou perfect." We haven't been called to walk before men or pastors, but before God. And the promised result was (and still is), "... I will make my covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly...Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee." This is the result of following God consistently; so when its time for you to have children, a spouse, promotion, prosperity or anything else, the Lord will provide them on time. What a blessing!
God is still faithful and can never lie; He's still on the throne and can never fail; He is too faithful to leave those who trust in Him. So, in the midst of their troubles and temptations, He would be with them still. Even when they derail, He wouldn't abandon them. Remember His words in 1 John 2:1? "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.." Are you backslidden, and hearing several voices of the world, discouragement, and condemnation, know that the Lord still calls to you. And in every situation you find yourself, the Lord will appear, to strengthen, direct on how to go, and guide you on how to serve, and worship Him. He will appear to encourage you! So, do not despair and be discouraged for He is a faithful God, even to a thousand generations. He didn't abandon Abraham, but gave him promises both for him and his descendants, whom we are by faith. Now wonder He wasn't just called the God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, of David, of the Lord Jesus, but also, the God of the Church!
Do you want to be a part of these blessings? If yes, then you must first be committed to Him; and this begins when you are born again, having rejected the world. And in order to sustain this commitment, you mustn't deliberately nor carelessly fall into sin.... Instead, ask the Lord for help never to fall in times of trials and temptations. Still on the message, When the Lord called Abraham to forsake all and follow Him, this man obeyed without question. And when this same God demanded the life of his son (which he bore at the very old age of an hundred), this man was ready to give him also- Genesis 22:1-18. Why? It was because he was certain that the Lord would never fail him. Man may fail and situations turn around, but God never fails, be it in trials, temptations, sickness and even unto the death of the righteous. This is a promise for the children of God... And we know that right from the Call of Abraham, the desire of the Lord has been to make a difference between the Church and the world, the clean and unclean, light and darkness, holy and unholy, righteous and unrighteous, Heaven-bound Christians and the condemned souls of hell. There's no middle ground... You are either here or there! So as you hear this call to separation, and you cry unto Him in submission, He will answer you in Jesus' Name! And His promises will be credited to you...
But again, in verse 18, we see that Abraham was blessed because He obeyed the voice of God... Whose voice are you obeying, the crowd's/multitudes or the Lord's?...the Broad way or the Narrow way? Are you following Light and Truth or Darkness? Are you still a sinner? Hear me, the blessings of Abraham are for those justified by faith, redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, with names in the Book of Life. This is the reason Abraham was called the 'Father of Faith.' Romans 4:17-22. So many claim Abraham's blessings, but what about his faith, conversion, righteousness, obedience, self-denial, sacrificial life, holiness, and purity? If you are to be blessed with his blessings, you must first follow through in obedience and dedication to the Lord, as he did. Obedience to the Lord always brings blessings and peace. Yes, there is a kind of peace which the Lord alone can give. This kind cannot be gotten from money, children, marriage, cars or material things, because it is tagged 'eternal': and it was promised to us in John 14:27. This peace flows from the righteousness of Christ, credited to us through salvation. So I ask again, "Are you still a sinner/backslider/adulterer/idolater/evildoer, rooted in sin, yet looking for this peace?" You can't get it! Not until the Prince of Peace saves you and gives it to you.
Abraham's obedience also got him progress and prosperity, in that he became very rich in cattle, silver and gold, manservants and maidservants; and at the end, he became a carrier and distributor of blessings (not just of material blessings which 'come and go', but even of the eternal ones-1 Corinthians 15:50. After death, your flesh and beauty goes back to the dust; and it's only the spiritual man who has the identity of God that can be resurrected to life in Heaven). He was also the first man to pay tithe- Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek, the Lord in flesh, received tithes of all from Abraham after He had blessed him. This tithe, as shown in Genesis 14, can be a form of gratitude to God. And after Abraham, his seed - Isaac, Jacob and the children of Israel also paid tithes... It is a kind of worship done unto the Lord, and there are blessings attached to it- Malachi 3:10-11. Abraham's kind of blessing is one which transcends all generations of the faithful, reaching as many who believe. Isaac also learnt obedience from his father, as he stayed in his father's covenant with God; and God blessed him- Genesis 26:1-6. And as the Lord spoke to Abraham, so also He spoke to Isaac, then to Jacob, and to Israel, and now to the Church. Its the same saying, "Whosoever hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." Isaac dwelt in Gerar during a time of great famine, and because he obeyed the Lord, he prospered. This shows that, truly, there is prosperity and comfort in obedience. So you, asking the questions, "Why should I obey the Lord and not enjoy my life in pleasure as I desire?" Know that enjoyment, without the joy of the Lord, only leads to crisis and damnation... Enjoyment in sin will lead to eternal misery. True joy and enjoyment comes only from obedience to God. And as Isaac obeyed, the results of his decision were very great, so much so that the heathen of the land (unbelievers), acknowledged that he was a different person- Genesis 26:12-16, 22, 24-29. And becasue of his continual prosperity despite his oppositions, Abimelech's plea to Isaac was, "Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we." One man, mightier than a whole nation! My prayer for you is, " As you follow, serve, and live for the Lord, He would make you mightier than your enemies... And as you follow this way of Calvary, which is the narrow way to Heaven, the Lord will always be with you in Jesus' Name. Amen." Jacob also was blessed to take over from his father- Genesis 28:1-4. And this God, Who is same yesterday, today and forever, didn't fail in any of His promise - Hebrews 13:8, Genesis 28:24-29.
Conclusively; God is always with them that trust in Him... He will always be there to protect them, defend them, bless them and encourage them: because His promises in Christ are yea, in Him, they are Amen- 2 Corinthians 1:20. Remember still that at the beginning, the call of Abraham was said to be manifold; a Call to Conversion, then to physical, material, financial, spiritual and then eternal blessings. So my brother, since you have been coming to Church, have you met this Jesus? Have you experienced Him? Has He saved you? Is your name in the Book of Life? Are you born again or still playing Churchy? It's not about the religion, but the life of God which we saw in Abraham when he was converted from being an idol worshipper to being a servant of the Lord... And his name was changed from Abram to Abraham, then he was blessed in all ways possible; all because he feared and obeyed the Lord. Let me draw this to your attention that, the first sin man committed which led to the fall of humanity was that of Disobedience: so in order to enter Heaven, there is a great need for Obedience. We are the new Israelites, descendants of Abraham by faith, called of the Spirit and born of the Lord. It is only those who are born of the Lord, whose names can be written in the Book of Life, for eternal blessings. For as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in Him- John 1:12. And for any to be saved, redeemed and forgiven, with his name written down in Heaven, it is done by the precious Blood of the Lamb of Christ- 1 Peter 1:18-19. All you have to do is acknowledge your sins, your insufficiency, inability and helplessness, and confess Christ- Romans 10:9-10, 13. Just believe that Jesus died for you, confess that the Father raised Him up on the third Day and you will be saved. "For whosoever (i.e, any sinner, backslider, immoral man and evildoer of any race, culture, country, nation or ethnic group) calls upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved." So, are you ready to enter/key into the blessings of Abraham? They are now found in Christ Jesus: for he that hath Jesus hath life- 1 John 5:11-12.
So what does the life of Abraham tell us? Come to Jesus! He is the life, the way, and the light, to the Kingdom of God... If you believe, you will be saved!
REMAIN BLESSED!!!
Pst Ig Nwabuo