---

I. The SOJOURNERS — Abraham's seed the spiritual progenitors of believers. "They that are of faith are the seed of Abraham." The Jews were —

1. A chosen people; so Christians are a chosen generation.

2. A separated people. In whatever circumstances we find them they will not mix. They would not in Egypt; they will not to-day. So a distinguishing mark of Christians is separation from the world — "What concord hath Christ with Belial."

3. A people owned of God — "I will be their God; they shall be My people." His own inheritance, portion, "special treasure." Observe also, that this people owned their God. In their feasts, sacrifices, offerings, first-born. God was to be owned as their God in all. They were not to take a journey nor engage in battle without first asking God. Another and a double mark of Christian character.

4. A blessed people. "Blessed art thou in Israel," etc., and all who are of the faith are recipients of "the blessing of Abraham." The covenant treasures laid up in Christ Jesus, the righteousness which is by faith.

II. THE SOJOURNING. We should never consider the world through which we are passing as any other than a strange land. Do not think of building your nests as if you were to be always at home here. Leave the worldling to his toys, and let us contemplate the fact that we are only strangers and sojourners as all our fathers were.

1. Abraham's seed are considered strange beings in this world — so strange, that they are held "an abomination," and positively offensive (Genesis 43:32). The case is not altered in the present day. "The world knoweth us not, because it knows Him not." "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God," etc. He who is "born after the flesh" is still as bent upon persecuting him who is "born after the Spirit" as in Paul's days. Nor can the servants of Satan, the soldiers of Sihon and Og, allow the Israel of God to pass through their territories unmolested. And yet I am anxious that all the seed of Abraham should be able so to live, that their very enemies may come to the same conclusion that the enemies of Daniel did (Daniel 6:5).

2. They are annoyed with strange things as they pass through this strange land with its —

(1)  Principles.

(2)  Practices.

(3)  Persons.

3. Though grievously annoyed, yet they advance continually in the face of every obstacle and foe. Nothing stops them; on they must go. But how was it that no powers could arrest, no floods or plains intimidate, or armies vanquish Abraham's seed? Just because God went before them as their guide, a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. And is it not the same now? The Lord is a wall of fire round about them that fear Him. The real advancement of the seed of Abraham will always include these two things; an advancement in the knowledge of ourselves that shall lay us low; and in the knowledge of Jesus that shall elevate and cheer us.

III. THE KINGDOM BEYOND. It was Jehovah's good pleasure to give His people Canaan, and they got it not with sword or bow. They did not deserve it, for they were a stiff-necked and perverse generation, but it was Jehovah's good pleasure to give it to them, just as "it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom." Many things might be said about this kingdom; but note these: We shall then be so situated as to be above all annoyances, in a kingdom where there is not an unwholesome law; where there is not a dissenting voice from the will of the Monarch; where there is no infirmity, and nothing but joy, and peace, and righteousness.

(J. Irons.)

---

---

KJV: Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

WEB: Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.