Let us remember it takes a lot of Christian trials, proving, chastening, a lot of leaving things dear, of praying long and getting answers, to make a good Christian. We have said that one may trust Christ and in a moment become a Christian, but it takes long rearing to make a lady or a gentleman. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 358]
We have said that Isaac prefigured Christ in some ways. Now [Gen. 22] he is to be offered in "the land of Moriah." But II Chronicles 3:1 says, "Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite." The mount is identified. It is that ridge that goes through Jerusalem. On one end was built Solomon's Temple, in the southeast corner of Jerusalem. On the other end a great gash was cut through the ridge long before Christ, to make a moat outside the city wall. Then looking down on the city is the cut face of this part of Mount Moriah like the face of a skull--Calvary, where the Lord Jesus was crucified outside the gate (Heb. 13:12) and "nigh to the city" (John 19:20).
God had Calvary in mind centuries ahead. If the proposed interrupted sacrifice of Isaac was a picture of the death of Christ, let it be on the same hill! So God instructed David to buy the threshingfloor belonging to the Jebusite in Jerusalem later (II Sam. 24:18-24). God is heading toward Calvary and pictures it so. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 359]
Isaac did not struggle. He did not rebel. Just so the Lord Jesus faced His suffering eagerly: "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" He said (Luke 12:50). We are told that He went like a lamb to the slaughter and like a sheep before her shearers is dumb so opened He not His mouth (Isa. 53:7).
Some expositors have understood that in Gethsemane when Jesus prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me" (Matt. 26:39), that He was shrinking from the cross and urged to be excused from it. Oh, no! The Lord Jesus knew, had known before the world began, that He would die. Why, I can read the Old Testament and know there was no way for sin ever to be paid for without the death of the Saviour. He knew that, too, so well.
No, He prayed that He would not die in the garden that night when He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death" (Matt. 26:38). He prayed IN THE WILL OF GOD, not against the will of God, that He might die tomorrow at the time appointed when the passover lambs are slain, on the cross when the curse of hanging on a tree would be His. He must die between two thieves. He must be mocked on the cross and God must turn His face away (Ps. 22). Oh, Jesus knew He must die: ". . .according to the scriptures" (I Cor. 15:3, 4), if there was ever to be a saving Gospel.
So Jesus prayed and was delivered: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared" (Heb. 5:7). - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 361-362]
I have sometimes said that the secret of preaching, after one knows the Scripture, after one has a fervent and burning message on his heart--is meditation, meditating until the heart burns and until the dark things are made clear, until holy zeal and holy indignation mount high. Wait upon the Lord! Seek His face! - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 387-388]
We should note here that men need the fellowship of good women. In the Garden of Eden, God had said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
If men are to be strong, they need the tenderness of good women. It is foolish to talk to much about equality between men and women. Men and women are different. A man ought to be a good man and a woman ought to be a good woman. Each has his place, and each needs the other. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 388]
The successful man will have enemies simply because he is successful. And the improvident, lazy and jealous people will think the rich man got rich by oppressing them or by some crookedness! So Laban's sons hate Jacob and Laban is displeased with him [Genesis 31]. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 438]
In America where about half of the population is either employed by the government (city, county, state or national) or are on relief or getting food stamps or farm subsidies or free school lunches or disaster relief—that nation will be a nation of complainers at the success of those who, by free enterprise and hard work, have prospered greatly. It is sad for the nation, and prophesies disaster in the future, when most people want to live on the labors and taxes of other men. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 388, written in 1975]
Some minister preaches and feels, “Oh, I cannot prevail on men to hear, to repent, to serve God.” But your failure was not in the pulpit but in the secret closet before you entered the pulpit. If you had first prevailed with God, you could prevail with men. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 455]
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