The End of an Era

 Continued from A Good Neighbor

The Departure of Abraham; the Rise of Isaac

BibleAtlas.org

Once again journey with me back in time to the Biblical days Abraham, in particular, we are reading the Bible at Genesis 25:1-18. Abraham is well advanced in years; his time for departure from this earthly temporal realm is near. The era that commenced with him, however (see Genesis 12:1-3), continues on to this day and beyond (see Acts 1:6-8).

At a “ripe old age” Abraham remarries – a concubine (see 1 Chronicles 1:32-33) whose name is Keturah. Through her Abraham fathers six sons: Zimran, and his five brothers – Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

But to Isaac, Abraham’s principle heir – son of his first wife, Sarah – will go "all of Abraham’s property and authority", from the Life Application Study Bible. To the other sons and grandson, however, and to Keturah, many other gifts from Abraham are given.

Abraham then dies having lived for 175 years. “His sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite … where he had buried his wife Sarah” (Genesis 25:9-10; cf. Genesis 24:17-20). Ishmael’s years numbered 137 then he too breathed his last, and joined his ancestors.

God’s blessing to Abraham is passed on to Isaac, who settles in Beer-lahai-roi in the Negev.

Consider further: What can we learn from the life of Isaac?

  

The Era Moving Forward

Let us fast forward now to the first century A.D. in particular to the year of our Lord A.D. 30. We are reading in the Bible at Matthew 27:45-56, 28:1-7, 16-20.

God had come to earth as a man (see John 1:1-5, 10-14) in the person of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah) around 6 or 4 B.C. Jesus begins His public ministry around 30 years of age proclaiming the blessing of Abraham (see Galatians 3:14-15), which is for all generations.

“He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him” (John 1:11). Finally, He is tried. During His trial, He is mocked and ridiculed, and accusations are made against Him. At last, the people cry out, “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22), asking that Barabbas be released instead (see Matthew 27:21).

Though nothing is found against Jesus He is hung on a cross where He dies. Three days later the borrowed tomb where His body is laid is found empty. Early on that third day, the two Marys go to visit the tomb (see Matthew 28:1). Finding the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body gone, fearfully they wonder what had happened. “Don’t be afraid,” the angel said to the women, “I know you are looking for Jesus…. He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead. Just as He said would happen.” (Matthew 28:5-6)

“Now go and tell his disciples,” the angel said to them (see Matthew 28:7). “Tell them to go to Galilee; they will see him there.” At Galilee Jesus meets with His disciples one last time on earth. He issued His Great Commission, for the era to move forward: “Go and make disciples of all the nations [peoples]” (see Matthew 28:19).

Consider further, read The Blessing of Abraham

Continuing Through Time

From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya

Fast-forwarding now further through time we come to the late 17^th century. The year is A.D.1690; the place, Moravia, and we witness the birth of a boy to a devout Roman Catholic family. He is Christian David. Through his youth, he, too, is devoted to Roman Catholicism – zealous in observing rituals, holidays, and adoring the Virgin Mary.

In growing up however he searches to find more meaning to his life, not finding it totally in Roman Catholicism, or among Lutherans, or even among Jews. Traveling about – from Moravia – he searches for the truth. He finds it in the Bible, recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Traveling about David meets hundreds of persecuted Christians, longing for a refuge. That stored in his heart he shares with Count Zinzendorf and together they establish Herrnhut.

Married at the age of 27 and encouraged by his wife, Anna, “he becomes a traveling lay preacher,” Ruth A. Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. Also, Tucker writes that other than Count Zinzendorf, David, too, is most involved in forming the Moravian church.

Johan Hörner, Hans Egede, c. 1745,
Danish Museum of National History

Eager for work in evangelism, he is commissioned, along with other Moravian Christ-followers, and sent as missionaries to Greenland. There, in meeting with Lutheran missionary Hans Egede, they work side-by-side proclaiming God’s Good News, which is for all generations – The Blessing of Abraham (see Galatians 3:14-29).

For more on Christian David and Hans Egede read

Ruth A. Tucker’s From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya.

Coming next month Laborers Together

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