The Brinkley argus., 1913-02-28

Until within recent years 1t was fire ouently asserted that Abrams battle as recorded in Gen IA. had not ono whit of proof" yet the archaeolOgists have not only reconciled the apparent discrepancies but have proven beyond a question the accuracy of the rec ord. Abrams victory over the four confederate kings is story rich with typical suggestions.
 | "After rhese rhinss." w. IT. Gods word (v. n came to Abram nov only as a counsel but for assurance as we'll So, too. our assurance 1s nis word I John 5:13. In the midst oi the uncertainty and the strife. for we must remember Abram never pos sessed the land, God appeared to him fin a vision and said. Fear not" See Isa. 41:10 There in the midst or foes (Jas. 2:23) God promised to DC to Abram a shield and m exceeding great reward. A shield" for there 1s fo the Christian life . militant sado. Eph. s:13 14. Tim. e:12. A re ward" which was far more rich than any given by man See 14:H. Prov. 10:22
 Abram Was Human.
 But Abram was. after all. human. and we read in verse his question about descendants. he being as yef childless. Even so. however Abram was willing to count the child of his steward as fulfilling the promise of God. Not so with God for the prom ise f12:3) was to include Sarah also God very clearly makes this plain in verse 4. the heir was to be Abrams indeed and not the child of another But not only is Abram to have an heir but the land in which he was SO journinp as a pilgrim was to be his and his seed to be as the stars for multitude.
 And he believed" The great test to this faith came later. Heb. 11:1S, but here in this first distinct scrip tural history of faith we find set forth those principles that have governed through all time. CD The acceptance of the word of God, e. g., to have our trust built upon or supported by the word of Jehovah. see Isa. 3O:21; tS) to act upon that faith 30 that our course in life manifests the belief of the heart
 Gods covenant. 12:1-4. is confirmed in seven ways. 1. Posterity. Cal nat ural. earth (b) spiritual. "heaven." Co also through Ishmael, Gen. 17:1S- 20: 2. Blessing, both temporal and spiritual; ,. great name; i, Be . bless ing. Gal 3:13. 14: Q. T will bless them that bless thee:" 6. "and curse them that curse thee: '. the families of the earth blessed through Abram, .. E.. through Christ, Gal 3:16.
 And he believed in the Lord" (v. s. Abram built upon the naked word of God he simply looked at that and that alone, Rom. 4.2O. R. " All God asks Of us is for us to take him at his word So 1t is that as we take his word about Jesus, he reckons that faith to us as righteousness: no mat ter how unrighteous we may have been. see Rom. 4:3-s; Gal 3:67. The one think that God demands is that we believe him and his word.
 IL "Whereby Shall ! Know" w SIS. The weakness of human faith in- dicated by Abrams question tv S) is answered by God giving to him d'rec- tions for the preparation of . sacri- flee Abram did not really doubt Gods word fv e. but he did desire . confirming sign Many today are looking for assuring signs from God when his bare word should he enough. Asking for signs 10 not always safe, Luke l:ls-20. but as in Abrams case God does give us . pledge . sign Of our inheritance. 2 Cor. 1:22. Eph. l :14. God gave Abram. after he had explic- itly followed his directions, . sym bolc vision of himself. Someone has suggested that the vile birds of prey fv. III are symbolic of Satan. and Abram, driving them away. . symbol of one victory over evil. Jas. 4:7. God Is always nearer to man and best reveals himself when we are in the midst of sacrifice God tells Abram of those days of servitude on the part of his descendants while they are to be in Egypt. of Gods judgment to be brought upon that land and of their | ultimate deliverance
 Symbols of God.
 Every detail of these predictions and promises was fulfilled. In verse
 1s there is presented the great thought of the need of preparation in youth for the future days of good old age"-also in this verse a sugges tion of the life beyond the grave. The smoking furnace and the fam 1 ing torch were symbols of God him self Four centuries Of opportunity were to be allowed the powerful Amo rites who now possessed the land be fore the land came into bona-fide poo session in accordance with the prom I ise. for Gods judgment was condition ed upon the measure of their iniqutv 1 being full". In the midst of this hor 1 TOT of darkness came Gods final as surance to Abram in the symbolic flaming torch" which passed be 1 tween the pieces Of the slain animalf