Ishmael and Isaac

Ishmael and Isaac

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic.” Gal. 4:22-24.

There is definitely much to be learned by meditating on the symbolic meaning of this scripture, and we are going to take a look at how Abraham received these two sons.

We can say that Abraham received Ishmael on this side of death and Isaac on the other side of death. Ishmael was born according to the flesh. He was a fruit of Abraham’s human strength, whereas Isaac was a fruit of faith. In order to receive Isaac, Abraham’s human strength had to die.

“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” Rom. 4:19-22.

God gave us the promise that we are to be saved from our sins. Matt. 1:21. A person can make considerable progress under the law, but the result will be a fruit of his human strength. It will be nothing more than an Ishmael. However, Paul did not want to be found in Christ with his own righteousness, which was according to the law. All that righteousness is only human. If it is to be godly, a death has to pass over my human nature, so that my righteousness will be a fruit of faith in Christ. Therefore we read further, “That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Phil. 3:9-10. “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Cor. 4:10-11.

It can be difficult to discern between Ishmael and Isaac, and many people are fooled by Ishmael, believing that he is Isaac. There are some people who are patient, and people can say, “Look at that patient man.” However, the question is, of what sort of disposition is this man? Perhaps he does not dare to speak up? There are many people behind the counter who show great patience, but they do it for the sake of gain. It is human patience. Then there are others who are zealous, but it is a fruit of their human strength, and you can sense that it is a human zeal. It is on this side of death. However, if you want to obtain the virtues of Christ, you must first let death pass over your human nature. It must be a resurrection life.

“You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!” 1 Cor. 4:8.

“This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:11.

The Corinthians had become rulers, but Paul could not reign together with them. They had become lords in the flesh; they had become lords on this side of death. However, death had passed over Paul’s life so that he could be a lord. There was just as much difference between these two ways of being lords as there was between Ishmael and Isaac. Therefore, if we are dead with Christ, we shall also live with Him. Many people want to live with Him without dying with Him, thereby deceiving themselves.

There are marriages that appear to be so ideal and harmonious. The marriage partners have common interests and love one another according to the flesh—even to the point of worshiping each other. It can appear so pious when you see their mutual love and helpfulness. But you can be sure that it is on this side of death. Of course it is good for the present life, but our mother is the Jerusalem that is above. If one day the marriage partners should begin to hear the voice of the Spirit and then love Jesus more than each other and their own life, conflicts would soon arise. Now they would need to enter into the dying of Christ with their own interests. On this point it is not so sure that they both would be equally willing, and so the battle would begin. But if they would be faithful now, they would find each other again in the resurrection life. Their love will have become godly, and this love is of eternal value. This also applies to relatives. Jesus says, “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” He did not want to cultivate these relationships according to the flesh; consequently, they thought that he was out of His mind. Mark 3:21. But if they wanted to live with Him, they had to die with Him. Then they also had to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Isaac came on the other side of death. The result was a relationship that had significance for eternity. Many people praise these unspeakably good family relationships on this side of death, but such relationships are not of eternal value.

It is important to have spiritual discernment, so we can discern between Ishmael and Isaac. This is also the case when it comes to the knowledge of Christ. There are many people who are quite gifted; they are quick to comprehend things. They can testify and write songs about the new and living way, but they do not understand anything with their heart. They become great according to the flesh. But on the day when they enter into death with their own life, they will get a taste of a completely different fellowship in the church.

Most religious factions cannot be called a church. Of course they are organized according to a “biblical pattern,” but it is a fruit of their own human strength and understanding. They have ordained leaders and elder brothers, but you cannot say that God has ordained them to it. Not at all! They were voted in by majority vote of the assembly, and the majority are usually carnal. The church, on the other hand, is born by the word of the cross—by dying to all flesh, so that Christ can be the head. Outwardly these two resemble each other just like Ishmael and Isaac did; but the essential difference between them is just as great. Just look at all the display of human strength