September 10, 2006

Forgotten Lives - Isaac

Identity Fraud

Genesis 27:1-13

Opening Words: There are sixty-six books in the Bible, thirty-nine in the Old Testament. The New Testament is dominated by Jesus, himself, our Lord and Savior. The Old Testament consists of a variety of lives. Each one played a small part in God’s plan for the salvation of the world. Most of those lives are forgotten. So what I have been doing this summer is looking at some of those forgotten lives. It is for this reason that I have call this sermon series Forgotten Lives. This weekend we look at Isaac.

To understand this morning’s scripture lesson you must understand the concept of the Old Testament “blessing.” The blessing was more then just words of good will for a child. The blessing was the time when the dying made their final deathbed bequests. It was legally binding and should not be taken lightly. It was the time when the estate was divided. How many families have been divided forever because of the reading of a simple will? Let me call this message Identity Fraud.

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“I have held many things in my hands and have lost them all, but that which I have placed in God’s hands I still possess.” Those words were first uttered by Martin Luther and they summarize this message in a single sentence. I could summarize this message in a single word, trust!

We are in the twenty-seventh chapter of Genesis. It is a story of identity thief. Isaac is near the end of his life. As a matter of fact he is in his deathbed. His family is near to hear his last words. There is his wife Rebekah and his twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Let me say this clearly. Jacob and Rebekah were not the best parents. Good parents love their children equally, yet differently. Every child has a different personality. Jacob and Rebekah loved their children unequally. Jacob’s favorite child was Esau, who was a man’s man. Rebekah’s favorite child Jacob, who was more refined. Jacob had decided years earlier to give his estate to his favorite, Esau. For years Rebekah had been waiting for an opportunity to steal the inheritance for her favorite, Jacob. Let me state the obvious this is a family with some serious problems. This is a family where no one trusts anyone else. Perhaps, it is for this reason that they speak to our world today. From one preacher perspective the art of trust seems to be on the decline. Jerome Blattner once said, “A person who trusts no one can't be trusted.”

Where do you put your trust? Do you put your ultimate trust in God? Or do you put your trust in your money? Or in your 401k plan? In salaries or retirement or benefit program? Do you put your trust in God or your contacts within the community? Do you trust your family, your spouse, your children, your brother-in-law, your mother-in-law? We live in a time when we put our trust in institutions and a strong national defense. Is anyone here like me? I say I want to trust God with all I have but I take them back two minutes later because I am afraid in the way God will handle my things? Where do you put your trust?

I want to ask you three questions this morning. These three questions will reveal your core believes. These three questions are illustrated in this morning’s scripture lesson. The mission of this church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Part of being a disciple is trusting God but how far can you trust God if you can’t trust yourself or others? So if you are ready for my three questions say, “Amen!”

Do you trust yourself?

This is question number one. Do you trust yourself? Isaac was near the end of his life. It was years early that his father, Abraham, was asked to sacrifice him as a test of faith. (Genesis 22) His body is weak and his senses are failing. He is what we would call, legally blind. He asks his favorite son, Esau, to prepare his favorite meal. Rebekah seizes the opportunity. She sends her favorite son, Jacob, back in disguise. For good reasons Isaac doesn’t trust his own family. And what is even worse he can’t even trust himself. His eyesight is failing! He doesn’t want to be a victim to his own senses. Do you trust yourself?

I don’t believe there is anything wrong with trusting yourself. God has given us gifts and abilities so we can succeed in life? America is a great place because we still have more opportunity then any other place in the world. In my own life I am constantly re-revaluating my life so I can be a successful person. If you have a plan for your life based on your skills and abilities say, “Amen!” The plan will work as long as we can eliminate the surprises in our lives. Is anyone here surprised by the cost to heat your house or full up your car? Is anyone here surprised at what it cost to send someone to college? Is anyone here ever been surprised by at a doctor’s visit or a doctor’s bill? Have you ever been surprised by life and you wonder if you can handle one more thing?

When architect Sir Christopher Wren designed the interior of Windsor Town Hall near London in 1689, he built a ceiling supported by pillars. After city fathers had inspected the finished building, they decided the ceiling would not stay up and ordered Wren to put in some more pillars. England's greatest architect didn't think the ceiling needed any more support, so he pulled a fast one. He added four pillars that did not do anything -- they don't even reach the ceiling. The optical illusion fooled the municipal authorities, and today the four sham pillars amuse many a tourist. Have you ever felt like you are holding your world up but it is only an illusion? You look good on the outside but in the private chambers of your heart you are tired. It is at those moments you wonder if you can be trusted. Question number one is can you trust yourself? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Do you trust others?

This is question number two. Do you trust others? Jacob couldn’t even trust his own family. Rebekah comes up with a scheme to trick her husband. The Momma’s boy does what is told. As I have worked on this message I wondered how much Isaac really trusted Esau. Surrounded by people Isaac was really all alone. Have you ever felt all alone? Do you trust the people in your life?

There is an old story of a father who took his young son out and stood him on the railing of the back porch. He then went down, stood on the lawn, and encouraged the little fellow to jump into his arms. "I'll catch you," the father said confidently. After a lot of coaxing, the little boy finally made the leap. When he did, the father stepped back and let the child fall to the ground. He then picked his son up, dusted him off, and dried his tears. "Let that be a lesson," he said sternly. "Don't ever trust anyone." That is the message that society is trying to teach us! The age of innocence is over in America.

Sociologists tell us the Second World War changed the way we looked the world. We use to trust our leaders but Hitler taught us leaders should not be trusted blindly. In our time of twenty four hour news we are constantly questioning and challenging authority. There is a part of that that is good but there is a part of that that is sad.

Do you trust others? Do you trust your doctor to give you the right medicine or do the needed procedure? Do you trust your dentist or pharmacist to put the right pills in the bottle? Do you trust the local school board or elected officials? Do you trust your plumber or electrician to work on your house? Do you trust your minister with your soul? Do you trust other people? If this part of the bothers you then say, “Amen!”

Do you trust God?

This is question number three. Do you trust God? It was Isaac’s father, Abram, who make the covenant with God. His descendants would grow into a great nation. Isaac was part of that promise. Jacob and Esau were part of that promise. When Isaac realized he had been tricked by Rebekah and Jacob he was angry! One of the reasons he is angry is he didn’t really trust God. He was thinking in temporary earthly terms and not eternal terms. It isn’t just Isaac’s problem. Everyone in the story is guilty. Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau are all guilty of thinking in earthly temporary terms and not eternal terms. Isaac was in his deathbed and eternity should have been the most important thing to him. When you are in your deathbed the only one you can really trust is God. Do you trust God?

In 1810 a baby was born in Rutland, Vermont. His name was John Todd. At the age of six John Todd suffered a great disaster. His father and his mother were killed. John Todd and his siblings were farmed out to various family members to be raised. John Todd was sent to an Aunt who he had only seen twice. She took him into her home and raised him as her own. When John Toss was in his late forties that aunt wrote him and said she was near death. She afraid and wanted to know what death was like. John Todd wrote this letter back.

Dear Auntie,

Do you remember a six year old boy who came to live with you? He didn’t know what to expect that night? His parents had just died and he was afraid. A messenger took him to your home, a new place to him. He saw a candle burning in the window. His aunt met him with a kiss and a hug. She fed him a warm bowl of stew and tucked him into bed. She loves him until this day. Someday, a messenger is going to come for you. He is going to take you to a new place. You may be afraid now but you won’t then. There will be a candle burning in the window. Some warm nourishment on the table and some eternal security. Auntie, do you think the God of the universe will do less for you than you did for me?

Love,

Johnny

“I have held many things in my hands and have lost them all, but that which I have placed in God’s hands I still possess.” Martin Luther first said those words but they are still true today. May we never forget them. Where do you put your trust? Do you trust yourself? Do you trust others? Do you trust the God of the universe? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”