Title: Don't Take the Easy Way
Contents
In life's journey, our choices determine the path we take.
In general, people want to be comfortable with the easy way.
But the path of faith is a difficult path.
Jesus said that the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road is strait, and few find it.
In today's text, Isaac lived by choosing an easy path.
He did not resemble his father Abraham's strong spirit of challenge and the life of faith with driving force.
Children of strong-natured parents often find themselves more docile than their parents.
Isaac was that kind of child.
He must have been very similar to what a young man in a modern novel would say.
"No matter what I do, I can't be as successful as my father. He has already broken records and accomplished great things that will remain for generations to come. I don't even have the enthusiasm to start anything."
However, we do see that the family's passions occasionally show up in their grandchildren, re-inheriting the momentum of the first generation. In a way, it is Jacob.
This time Isaac, and everyone who resembles him, is trying to think.
What are the temptations of their lives? Wouldn't that be an easy way out?
Isn't it possible to live using what the previous generation left behind? Perhaps it is.
Otherwise, it's probably because the things he did didn't really matter.
However, in a competitive society where the competition for survival is fierce, we sometimes envy this kind of person.
But living easy means that when you encounter life's difficulties, it is difficult to overcome them.
Let's take a look at some lessons from this quiet life of Isaac.
1. His Background
Beersheba, where Isaac grew up, had one of the two main roads leading to Egypt.
This is the last green area before entering the desert road.
To the north were the gentle hills of Judah.
To the south there were fertile, uninhabited arable land.
The area adjacent to the desert is a beautiful spectacle, with tall shrubs and wildflowers blooming for several weeks each year.
There are fine pastures nearby and farming could be done at the bottom of the hill or in the valley.
Wells could easily be dug because there were water veins in the shallows of the earth.
Isaac was brought up in such a peaceful environment.
Here, how was Isaac at home?
He was the only son of his parents when he was old.
The word "pampered" is too simplistic.
As Ishmael continued to mock Isaac, Sarah forced Abraham to let the "bad child" go.
When Ishmael and her mother Hagar left, their vacancy probably made the stage for Isaac's poison.
After they left, there must have been a strange atmosphere.
Arguing, mocking, or harassing Isaac ceased to occur.
Isaac must have looked like a treasure in the eyes of his parents, and he must have enjoyed being considered a precious son.
He grew up in awe of his father and loved by Sarah.
Growing up like that, Isaac would not have had to develop a strong driving force. Because he lacked nothing and could have had anything he desired.
2. Passive personality
Why didn't Isaac get married until he was forty?
Some say it was because life expectancy was long at that time, but is that an accurate estimate?
It is assumed that in any culture, especially in the culture in which Isaac grew up, it was probably physically mature long before that.
Nevertheless, he appears not to have any interest in marriage, as he is not married until the age of 40, and as he entrusts the work to an old servant rather than going to Paddan Aram himself to meet his wife.
We cannot know the exact state of his mind about Isaac's actions. But it must be almost irresponsible and careless for a man to get his servant to find a wife for him.
Isaac's personality is passive, and he seems to have lived an easy and comfortable life in everything.
The Bible doesn't say much about how Isaac cooked with Rebekah after marriage.
However, we can make some inferences with a little bit of information from the Bible.
Perhaps Rebekah completely seized Isaac.
Look at the incident when Isaac grew old and tried to bless his son.
When Isaac was about to bless his older son, Rebekah conspired with his younger son Jacob, whom he loved, and deceived Isaac.
How naive is Isaac who did not notice such a conspiracy?
It is easy to feel that this was the image of him living a rough and easy life in everything.
3. See both sides
As I said before, living a normal life is not a bad thing.
Some people do more while maintaining a quiet life.
We all achieve our dreams through our individuality.
Above all, how did you grow up as a child? Children are supposed to grow according to their parents' education.
Proverbs 22:6 also says, "Teach a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
All parents of more than one child are well aware that no child is alike.
Some children need to be taught strongly. But the other child does not accept rigor. Another child is beaten to death and yet does not listen. Parents should study and teach each child well.
Likewise, everyone must make decisions about how to live his life.
Some people don't become strong and driven leaders. The leader cannot blink. Rather, he has to act as an advisor from behind. Some are suitable for office jobs, others are perfect for sales jobs, and some are perfect for teachers.
This study of Isaac is in no way intended to slander him.
In our next sermon we will see the wonderful qualities of Isaac.
Above all, the point of today is to make use of the strengths of each and make it your own.
Please keep your individuality alive.
Learn how to be successful and achieve your dreams.
Please keep in mind that all of this is done through your own decisions.
We all have a life planned.
When the time comes, you will have to set out on a journey to carve a path in your life.
And you will have to do what is designed to achieve a glorious life.
Here's something to keep in mind.
Never take the easy road. Because the path of life is by no means an easy path.