An Interview with Abraham
By
Curt Scarborough
Publisher’s Note…
The MetroVoice is pleased to
announce a new column which makes its debut with this issue entitled Holy Ground Interviews by Dr. Curt
Scarborough. As you will see, Dr. Scarborough travels back in time to
masterfully interview biblical figures much like a present day journalist would
do. We hope that you will find his
interviews informative as well as educational.
Curt: Abraham, how does it feel
to be acknowledged internationally as the father of three great world
religions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity…all of which trace their roots back
to you?
Abraham:
I am not
the father of any religion. In fact, any
religion founded by a human being is a false religion. Only Almighty God has the authority to
establish a system of worship for Himself.
Curt: But
for centuries you have been called “Father of the Faithful” and even a “Friend
of God.” Surely we ought to look to your
life as an example of genuine faith?
Abraham: My faith often wavered…especially
in those early years. Oh, it took some measure
of faith to pack up my family and possessions and head out when God said, “Go west,
young man.” But it was more of an
adventure in obedience than a great step of faith.
Curt: Still,
to hear a mysterious voice telling you to move, that must have required a special
depth of faith?
Abraham:
Perhaps,
but where was my faith when I tried to pass off Sarah as my sister…twice! And
what faith did it take to try to fulfill God’s promise of a son by suggesting
my servant, Eliezer, could fill that role.
Curt: Not to mention the episode
with Hagar! That didn’t turn out very
well at all, did it?
Abraham:
Sarah,
Hagar, Ishmael, and I certainly became a dysfunctional family, I admit. But I
learned two valuable lessons there. Don’t
try to ‘make’ God’s promises happen. In due
time, He’ll do what He said.
Curt: You said two valuable
lessons?
Abraham:
The other
lesson is that doing exactly what your wife says does not guarantee that she’ll
always be happy with the results.
Curt: Tell me, Abraham, about the
most important “Holy Ground” spiritual experience of your life…the most
significant and/or life-changing personal encounter you ever had with the Lord God
Almighty?
Abraham: It was on
Curt: What do you mean?
Abraham:
God was
testing my spiritual discernment…did I really hear what I thought I heard Him
say, “Sacrifice your son, Isaac.” Also,
it was a test of my obedience. Frankly, it
was with fear and doubt that I made preparation for our trip that morning.
Curt: Fear and doubt?
Abraham: Of course! Isaac was our son of promise, through whom
God had promised we would have a multitude of descendents. But if I killed him, how could this
happen? I had no clue…maybe God would
raise him back to life. Isaac was
conceived out of two ‘dead’ people.
Curt:
You
mentioned it took place on
Abraham: Yes. King David purchased that property centuries
later, and Solomon built a temple there.
Most importantly, that hill was
Curt:
Moses wrote
that you “lifted up (your) eyes and saw the place afar off.” How did you know it was the right place?
Abraham: I just knew because I knew…somehow
God had enlightened my perception to recognize His site of destiny.
Curt: So, the highest “Holy
Ground” experience of your life, then, was when the angel spoke to stop you
from plunging the sharp knife into Isaac’s heart? Or, was it…
Abraham:
That was no
ordinary angel! That was the Son of God,
the Messiah in human flesh! He was standing on the very spot where centuries
later Almighty God would sacrifice His only Son to take away the sins of the
world. The ram in the thicket was a picture
of the Lamb of God.
Curt: You built an altar and
worshiped the Lord on that “Holy Ground” spot…
Abraham:
I named the
place “Jehovah-Jireh” meaning “God is our Provider.”
Curt: Indeed, He does supply all
our needs!
Abraham: That whole event on
Curt: That’s one test you passed,
giving us a great example to follow. Do
you have any further practical words of wisdom and advice to pass along to
contemporary believers?
Abraham: Two things. First, know that God has a divine purpose for
each and every life. Seek diligently to find His personal vision of destiny for
you. This will become your life’s greatest
discovery.
Curt:
And the
second thing?
Abraham: Realize that, not often…but
at least once in each lifetime…there comes an occasion when you are called upon
by the Lord to be willing to sacrifice all that you are, all that you have, and
all that you can be…including your dreams, your hopes, your aspirations, your
future…all these must die.
Curt: The Messiah said something
like that in John 12:24, about a
grain of wheat dying in order to bear fruit.
Abraham:
Correct,
son. Remember this: Jehovah is the God
of the living. He delights in bringing
dead things to life! No relationship, no
dream, no situation is so dead that His power cannot bring resurrection to
it! This truth can become your life’s
greatest faith-builder.
Curt:
Thank you,
Abraham, for sharing these deep truths and spiritual insights with us today.
Abraham: Jehovah-Jireh!
Dr. Curt Scarborough is the founder and
president of the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity, and CEO of the FreeWay
Foundation located at 3426 Bridgeland Drive in Bridgeton, MO. Dr. Scarborough has
authored more than 40 books, including Personal & Practical, the 5-volume devotional commentary on all
1,189 chapters of the Old and New Testaments. Hundreds of his essays, feature articles, devotional
meditations, and short stories have been published in national monthly
magazines and religious journals. For more information regarding the FreeWay
Foundation and the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity visit their web
site at www.pillsburyinstitute.org or call (888) 737-3392.