Orange Moon Thursday, October 6, 2022 "Righteous, In All His Ways"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Righteous, In All His Ways"

    "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure" (Hebrews 11:17).

    In a college philosophy class more than four decades ago, the professor raised the question, "Can the God of the Bible be viewed as ethical if He called Abraham to slay his son?"

   I argued that He most certainly could, since the narrative involves not only the death of Isaac, but also his resurrection.  Between the lines of the story exists the truth that the Lord had somehow informed Abraham He would raise Isaac from the dead.  "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).  Indeed, Abraham did not just think up such a wondrous thing by himself.  In some manner, God communicated to His servant that He would resurrect Isaac if Abraham trusted and obeyed Him.  A miracle would ensue beyond anything heretofore known, and a risen son would mean more to his father than could heretofore have been imagined.  As the prodigal's father exulted, "This my son was dead and is alive again!" (Luke 15:24).

   All true ethics and morality originate in the One of whom the Psalmist declared, "Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne" (Psalm 89:14).  If ever we perceive God to act in even the tiniest manner of unfairness, we must immediately still our hearts and consider that any notion of justice in our human understanding pales in comparison to the eternally pristine righteousness of our Lord.  "As for God, His way is perfect" (II Samuel 22:31).  Of course, it is the height of audacity for sinful created beings to question a righteous and perfect Creator.  The thoughts do come, however, and we must have established in our hearts and minds that all notions of injustice in God crash upon the rocks of true reason and righteousness.  "The LORD is righteous in all His ways" (Psalm 15:17).  

   I don't recall if I suggested that if we could ask Abraham about God's fairness, he would bestow the highest commendation upon it (I hope I did!).  As will all who trust the living and true God of perfect justice, morality, and ethics.  Perfection graces God's character, or we might rather say, God's character graces perfection.  As Abraham learned, the Lord can therefore be trusted without reserve, for all His ways will be found in righteousness.

"I… will ascribe righteousness to my Maker."

(Job 36:3)

Weekly Memory Verse    

    Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

(I Thessalonians 4:1)

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