Redeemer Reformed Church of Oklahoma City

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” –Genesis 24:1-4

Father Abraham was blessed in all things, but he had learned well that a man is easily swayed from trusting the promises of God and relying on himself and bowing to his own whimsical emotions. And there’s nothing quite as powerful as a woman to help him down the wrong valley. Throughout the Older Testament the temptation to take foreign wives proves irresistible for too many. And the Lord doesn’t hesitate to use this very earthly practice as a demonstration of infidelity to him, dangerously pressing on to apostasy.

Abraham tells his servant to swear by the “seat of the pants” <wink, wink> that he will not get a wife for Isaac from among the foreigners. Abraham knows the promise of God for a great nation depends on the offspring from the “seat of the pants” of Isaac. It is critical that Isaac bear this torch faithfully until he can pass it on to Jacob, who passes it to Joseph, who passes it until the buck stops with the One True Son, Jesus Christ.

God has an only begotten Son who also took a wife. This is not only his body, but his bride, as we are told several times in the Newer Testament, the church. He has a wedding feast with her at the Table where we see that the two are one flesh. He gave himself up for her to present her in splendor, in spite of her worst, and spotless. And she is made up of aliens and strangers who become citizens and friends of his Kingdom.

Abraham’s great desire was that the fidelity of the son would bring about a holy nation, the Kingdom of God. And his desire was realized in that perfect husband who never cheats, who never leaves, and who always protects his bride. His name is the only one under heaven by which we may be saved.

And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this Sunday.

The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun

Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (in Galatians) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15. 

Visitors are always welcome!