NUMBER TWO (2-4)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The number two signifies union, division and verification by witnesses. God requires a minimum of two witnesses in any trial or dispute. Jesus sent the disciples out to witness and preach the gospel in pairs. The final witnesses of God during the tribulation will be the Two Witnesses, who will give their warnings for an exact number of days. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 2 can be found in the Bible.

1. How were Isaac and Ishmael DIFFERENT?

a) Isaac and Ishmael are presented together. Here the relationship was nearer, for they were step-brothers. Both were the sons of Abram, Sarah being the mother of Isaac, and Hagar the mother of Ishmael. Though the relationship according to the flesh was nearer than that between Abram and Lot, the difference was morally and spiritually greater. For it is written, "neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children: for in Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Romans 9:7). Oh! how great was the difference! Isaac, "born after the spirit"; Ishmael, "born after the flesh" (Galatians 4:29,30), and therefore a persecutor. We read of no "just" Ishmael, no "righteous" Ishmael, as we do of Lot. Lot's descendants were the Moabites and Ammonites, and Ruth from Moab was an ancestress of Jesus. But Ishmael's posterity were "cast out," and continue to this day wild and unchained.

The End ...