THINGS NEW AND OLD
[p. 373] THINGS NEW AND OLD
I seek to connect things new and old. There are personal links between the saints and the fathers; Abraham and Isaac. We get in chapter 6 the inheritance of promise given to Abraham. We, on believing, are exhorted to lay hold on the hope set before us. The dealings of God with Israel were unfruitful, and are now set aside for a time. We are now in the promise of God — not connected with the law. The principles of our position now are seen in God’s dealing with the fathers; Abraham and Isaac. God took the seed of Abraham, also a number of nations, and they were called the “Garden of God”. Israel was God’s vine. It was brought out of Egypt and planted in the land of promise, illustrating man under culture. Instead of bringing forth fruit unto God it was only productive of wild grapes. God judged the vine, also the nations, because of their rejection of Christ. The Jew is now cast forth a vagabond and wanderer on the face of the earth; without king, prince, or any kind of recognition. Nevertheless, God has a mark set upon them that they may not be exterminated.
The parable of the fig tree is an antitype of them. It brought forth no fruit for God, therefore He says, “Cut it down”. Although God dealt so long with Israel there was really no great advance in His purposes. The golden calf brought out their hopeless condition, but judgment was not then executed. Read Hebrews 11:7-10; Hebrews 11:13-16 and Hebrews 11:27-30. In verse 8 we see that by faith Abraham left all, or severed all his fleshly connections, and went out not knowing where he went.
In Psalm 8 we see Jesus crowned with glory and honour; God has made Him to have dominion over the work of His hands; also in Hebrews 2 and 9. In these the world to come is in view. This bring us back to Abraham and [p. 374] Isaac, as Abraham is heir of the world to come (Romans 4: 13). He was made the depository of promise and represents the world to come in which all the promises are fulfilled. He sought for a better country, or looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. The purpose of God was to have a heavenly company, and he was made the heir. The existing world has been set aside by God and He has the world to come in view in connection with the “Son of man”.
Sarah is connected with Abraham. She, in Galatians 4, symbolises Jerusalem above; Hagar, Jerusalem below. We, like Isaac, are children of promise (Galatians 4: 28, 29). As he was mocked by Ishmael so we may expect it from our relations after the flesh.
There are three points thus brought out. (1) Our connection with Abraham. (2) Our connection with Sarah. (3) Our connection with Isaac. Israel is put aside as they do not advance God’s purpose. They shew out more distinctly God’s dealings with man. Our connections with these are great landmarks.
Abraham was called out of the world. This separated him from all flesh outwardly that he might become a vessel of blessing. We are his children by faith in Christ. We are in Christ and are attracted to Him by the Spirit; a moral link by which (from real attraction, not formal, very real in the heart) we are become His seed and heirs according to promise. In God’s call of grace to us we have not to go from one country to another as in the case of Abraham; but He, by His Spirit, separates fleshly links, also attracts to Christ, as John 12; “I, if I be lifted up”. He forms the centre of attraction to men. If we are in Christ we are children and heirs according to promise. We do not sufficiently take into account what a great inheritance is ours. Free from sin and sorrow; we have got the Earnest now, the Spirit (Ephesians 1: 14). The inheritance is very great; as great as could be. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with Him. It is a great, grand thing [p. 375] to look for His coming, when all things shall be put under Him and we shall be in the full enjoyment of it. It is, however, our privilege now to be led through it by the Spirit of God.
Sarah is our mother. We are children of Jerusalem above. It is said that, naturally, the character of a child is taken from its mother. Most men of note or fame have had illustrious mothers. Ishmael was born into bondage; Isaac, freeborn, liberty. Thus we, being children of Jerusalem above, take our character from that and are in the liberty and truth of the new covenant. People brought up under law are characterised by Hagar — bondage. God has no pleasure in bondage. The new covenant sets forth God’s disposition towards us. If we are really in the good of what it is we should know perfect deliverance from everything contrary to God. The true reason why we are not enjoying liberty is because we are not sufficiently acquainted with God’s disposition towards us. “Perfect love casts out fear”.
We get this set before us every Lord’s day. “This cup is the new covenant in my blood”. Wherever the Spirit of God is there is liberty. We are, by the Spirit, in the region of divine love. We ought to be in the good of perfect love, even on the judgment day. The two disciples asked Jesus, “Where dwellest thou?” He answered, “Come and see”. We only need to “come and see” and we find ourselves in His abode in full liberty, and in the blessed presence of divine love.
Isaac associates us with the true Isaac; that is, Christ risen. Isaac was, in figure, the child of resurrection and the promises were confirmed to him in resurrection. We are on the ground of His death (dead to sin) and on the ground of His resurrection, in accord with Christ risen, and the Head of the universe of bliss. The resurrection morning was an event of immense import. There was never a morning like it. It meant the revival of everything for God; the introduction of a universe, the church is seen.
[p. 376] By faith we have died with Him, but we are also risen with Him. Therefore, set your mind on things above; that is, the Son of man crowned with glory and honour. If then we are risen with Him, we are the children of promise. He says to the Father, “I in them and thou in me”. Also, “Go to my brethren and say to them I ascend to my Father and your Father”, and, “He is not ashamed to call us brethren”. He has annulled the power of death and destroyed him that had the power of death and He is now the leader of our salvation that He may save and conduct us within the veil. Israel was a stiff-necked and rebellious people; there was nothing for God in them — like the barren fig tree. We are viewed in Christ, and by the Spirit are seed of Abraham according to promise. The seed of Sarah, secret of true liberty. If a christian is in bondage there are some fleshly links that have not been severed. We are children of a free woman and associated with the true Isaac.
May the Spirit conduct us to the place where Christ abides; as Ruth said to Naomi “Whither thou goest I will go”. May we be influenced by the power of His life, with His love in us and associated with Him in glory. Man’s legality always hinders the unfolding of these blessed truths.