Not Knowing Whither
Selected quotes from Oswald Chambers's Christian reader "Not Knowing Whither: the Steps of Abraham's Faith."
The Reunion of the Irreconcilable. (Genesis XXV v. 9-10)
Ishmael and Isaac are re-united at the grave of their father. Ishmael-strong, rugged, human perfection; Isaac-meditative, incomplete visionary, but on the trail of God. These two unite at the burial of Abraham, the Friend of God, whom God will not forsake. "Gathered to his people" means gathered to the unseen world. This is immortality in direct statement in the Old Testament.
Thre Fanaticism of Sensual Dominion. (Genesis XVI v. 6)
Sarah through her harsh treatment of Hagar evidently thrust her back into the position of a mere slave; Hagar believed that she had grown above that position, and fled. Hagar does not stand for sin, but for the natural life when it gets out of place and up against the spiritual life. Hagar and her son received real protection and blessing from God. Sin can never be in a subordinate position. My natural life must be in subordination and under the absolute control of the spiritual. The natural must be turned into the spiritual by obedience, whatever sword has to go through its heart. The natural life must be 'spiked' for the glory of God. The characteristic of the natural life is the independent passion for the free dominion over itself. Immediately the natural life fights to get away, it comes into opposition. It is the good that hates the best. It is not only sin that produces the havoc in life, but the natural determination to 'boss the show' for God and everyone else.
Awe (Genesis XVII v.3)
It is significant to note the times when Abraham did not speak to God but remained silent before Him, not sullen, but silent. Awe is just that -reverential dread and wonder. Beware of its imitation; the pose of reverential awe is the greatest cloak for unbelief. Awe is the condition of a man's spirit realizing Who God is and what He has done for him personally. Our Lord emphasizes the attitude of a child, no attitude can express such solemn awe and familiarity as that of a child. In the Apocalypse the attitude of St. John is that of an awestruck child of God.
Back to Faith
Back to Main Page
