In life, things repeat themselves until they find fulfilment in Christ(Understanding Divine Order)
Today, we shall consider one of the ways God created the world; that everything happens as a pattern, a repetition, until something is done about it in Christ Jesus.
Text Ecclesiastes 1: 9-10; (Matthew 24:36-41)
On parenting.
In famine, Abraham went to a foreign land for greener pastures. Because of fear, he introduced his wife as his sister, the king took his wife, but God stepped in to help (Genesis 12:10-20 ). Decades later, in a famine, his son Isaac also went to a foreign land for greener pastures; what happened to his father happened to him (Genesis 26).
Hagar, Sarah’s maid, despised her madam when she saw she was pregnant, because her madam was barren. Hagar was mistreated because of her attitude and sent away from home (Genesis 21:8-21). What happened to Hagar happened to her son, Ishmael. Ishmael also mocked his step-brother, Isaac, and was kicked out of the house, but God helped him (Genesis 26).
Adam and Christ (Romans 5:18-19)
Everyone experiences sin and death in Adam, the first man. In Jesus Christ, grace and life reign. The choice is yours: Choose Christ and receive forgiveness and eternal life.
How can you stop what is not good from repeating itself?
E.g. because of Noah’s acceptable behaviour, God promised not to destroy all living creatures again. He did in the flood (Genesis 8:20-22). For example, when Isaac and Rebecca see that their first child, Esau, has married wrongly, they instruct Jacob correctly (Genesis 27:46-28:1-9).
Good things happen in life because of Jesus (e.g, 1 Cor 10:1-4; Acts 14:14-17). Because everything is for him (Colossians 1:15-20), our response should be thanksgiving to God. Jesus can only solve bad things and evil (Matt 11:2-5). Our response should be repentance (e.g. John 5:14)