199: Nate Soucy - Exhortation: Here I Am

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to Good Burger selfie and talks. I’m Levi and I’m Chris and I’m Brian, thank you for joining us this week. On this podcast, we select one taco week to help us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post a new episode of the start of each week with a short intro before. Hand to kind of set the stage for the talk. You’re about to listen to and now let’s talk more about this week’s talk.

2. 0:50

   Welcome to the good Chris at Alfea and talks podcast. This is brother Brian. This week’s talk is an excitation that was sent in by recommendation. A few months ago, it’s an excitation by brother Nate Susi that was given this past February at the Stoughton, or Boston, Ecclesia here in the states. But their need focuses on biblical accounts of when Faithful Believers answer the call from God specifically with the phrase, here I am. And he connects the lessons that we can draw from them specifically.

3. 1:28

   He reflects on what it means to make ourselves available to God, what it means to make ourselves available to our own families to those in the community. As the pandemic will just continues to drag on there, have been a lot of personal wants and needs and distractions that can cause us to be selfish or want to do things in our own time. And brother neat shows, how these are the same situations and feelings that had been felt and dealt with all throughout scripture by these faithful, men and women, and they like us, Have their reasons to doubt or delay but ultimately what our faith is built on is how we answer when God is calling us. So as always, we hope this strengthens your faith and brightens your day brother.

4. 2:28

   Nate Susie here. I am. Good morning, brothers sisters, family, and friends. Here I am. What does that mean when we read these words in Scripture? Sister Karen spy, this excitation when she recommended that. We study this exact phrase and the meaning behind it. This is the seventh Sunday to start 2022. So as we go through the Old Testament Genesis and exodus, we saw there was a pattern there and our goal.

5. 3:07

   This morning is to explore the context and characters who use the words here I am. And what do they do with that calling? As we go through this, the hope is that this provides us with extrication encouragement. When God calls us personally in our lives.

6. 3:34

   And I want to thank brother Gabriel for that fantastic reading of Genesis 22 for us. We’re going to start right there and our reading Genesis 22 verses starting in verse 1. After these things God tested Abraham. And said to him Abraham and he said, here I am. The Hebrew word tested in the ESV or tempt in the King, James version is NASA. Defined by Strong’s as a test to prove or to try. God is proving the faith of Abraham and how does Abraham respond?

7. 4:19

   God says take your son, your only son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains that I shall tell you, God here is acknowledging. This is your only son whom you love a parallel. Certainly to the table here.

8. 4:46

   But also God’s acknowledging. I understand the gravity of this request. What does Abraham do? Does he ask around and see sit on this to see, does he mold over? Whether he should act? No, he rises early in the morning, saddled, his donkey took two of his young men with him and his son.

9. 5:06

   Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering in a rose. And went to the place to which God has told him. And I read over this every single time, but this time it’s stuck with me on the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. He had to sit with not only the physical burden of carrying this wood but more. So the emotional and spiritual burden Awaiting hundreds, 100 years for his son.

10. 5:37

    Only now to be tasked with sacrificing him. Verse 5 and Abraham said to his young men stay here with the donkey Ian. The boy will go over there and worship and come again to you and Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son and he took in his hand, the fire and the knife.

11. 6:03

    So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham my father and he said here, I am my son. Here we have a next-door for both parents and for children for parents. Think about how often you make yourself available to your kids. For kids children, how often your parents answer the call.

12. 6:30

    When you ask for help? I’m directing this to children. But I mean are my mom right now or Joel’s GG as he calls her is looking after him right now. We ask we said hey we’re going to need help Corral in him and we’re still calling our parents for help. And it’s and it’s a beautiful thing because the unrelenting love of parents, they’re always there to help its intuitive for parents to be available for our children. But are we also just as available to God when he calls us to action?

13. 7:04

    If you’re reading from the King James, you will notice that in Genesis 22 verse 1 Abraham says behold here I am to God. But in Genesis 22 and 7 he says here. Am I But the root Hebrew word for both instances, the exact same and and brother Brian’s going to have to correct me afterwards on the true pronunciation.

14. 7:26

    But it’s henna henna, which is Strong’s 2009. Behold, Lo, or see it occurs 843 times in 799 versus So it’s used often, so it’s ultimately, the contextual clues that creates the translation of here. I am or here am I? It can be used interchangeably, but ultimately, The passage that we read today, think of here, I am.

15. 7:56

    As behold God, I am available. and we read the miraculous occurrence continuing in verse 11, but the angel of Yahweh called to him from Abraham called him from heaven and said, Abraham Abraham, you can sense, the urgency Abraham was ready, And he said, here, I am. Can you imagine how impactful this must have been for Isaac as a young man?

16. 8:29

    Not a child? A boy able to carry his own weight. We read when Isaac personally utters this phrase in Genesis 27, We’re picking this up in Genesis 27, verse 1, when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim so he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him. My son.

17. 8:54

    Esau answered here I am. He said, behold I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Now then take your weapon to quiver and your bow. Go out to the field and Hunt game for me and prepare for me delicious food such as I love. And bring it to me that I might eat that my soul mate. Bless you before I die.

18. 9:16

    We know how this turns out Rebecca prepares Jacob brings them over and convinces him to feel like Esau to deceive his father Isaac for the blessing. Picking back up in Genesis 27 verse 18. So now Jacob went to his father and said, my father And Isaac says, here I am, who are you?

19. 9:46

    My son, Jacob said to his father. I am Esau your first born I have done as you told me. Now, sit up that I might eat a my game. That your soul may bless me. It is no coincidence that the people who say here I am in this exchange is Esau in verse 1, Isaac in verse 18, but not Jacob.

20. 10:07

    The phrase is only presented when it is, genuine preserving the authenticity of the phrase. Even Jacob in this deception. Can’t utter the words here I am. but he does ultimately in his life after many years of spiritual maturation, We’re in a skip from Genesis 27, and now hop into Genesis 30:1 Jacob. Now, a married man has two wives the daughters of Laban And starting in verse 1. Now, Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying Jacob has taken all that was our fathers and from what was our father’s, he has gained all this wealth and Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before then Yahweh said to Jacob returned to land of your father’s into your Kindred and I will be with you So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field.

21. 11:08

    Were his flock were and said unto him. I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the god of my father has been with me. And Jacob Perkins to his two wives. How their father Laban has deceived Jacob Time After Time and picking up in verse 10 in the breeding. Season the flock, I lifted up my eyes and I saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock, with stripes bottled the modeled And the angel of the Yahweh said to me in a dream. Jacob.

22. 11:40

    And I said, here I am. And he said, lift up your eyes, and see, all the goats that made with the flock of Stripes. Spotted and modeled for I have seen, all that Laban is doing to you. I am the god of Bethel where you anointed a pillar. Made a vow to me now, arise, go from this land, and return to the land of your kindred.

23. 12:05

    Jacob shows immense spiritual growth as he migrates. His family. His family and alone should cost you as a flock. But not only that but his entire flock as well. And we understand the immense Potential Threat of a brother. That’s trying to enact Revenge Esau coming upon Jacob with his band of men. We see the faith, the humility of Jacob saying here, I am and making a tumultuous Journey. We know that Jacob also ultimately makes it to the promised land. but that’s not the last time that Yahweh asked, Jacob, and now Israel to move Picking up in Genesis 46. So Israel.

24. 12:58

    Took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba offered sacrifices to the god of his father. Isaac And God spoke to Israel and visions. And then the night and said, Jacob, Jacob and he said, here I am, then he said, I am God the god of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt for there.

25. 13:19

    I will make you a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt and I will also bring you up again and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes, it’s fitting that, Yahweh tells Israel, That Joseph will be closing his eyes for it is Joseph. Who uttered the phrase here I am to Israel and a couple chapters prior to that jumping into Genesis 37. Now, Joseph Brothers, went to Pastor their fathers flock near shechem in Israel.

26. 14:01

    Said to Joseph. Are not your brother’s pasturing, the flock of shechem, come, I will send you to them and he said to him, here I am. So he said to him, go now, see if it as well with your brothers, and with the flock and bring me word, we all know what happens after that.

27. 14:24

    We know the immense Trials of Joseph being cast into the pit sold to ishmaelites and that was a better outcome than being killed by his own Brothers. Going to being bought by potiphar going to his house diligently serving him only to be accused of a terrible sin cast into jail interpreting dreams to only then wait and say and say remember of the Butler and Baker remember me only to be forgotten for two additional years. We get down on ourselves when we have a bad day. This is, this is a bad decade.

28. 15:07

    But Joseph contextualizes this and understands the providential nature of this, his brothers, however, do not. They’re very concerned because ultimately how this transpires when the brothers Joseph stream. Ultimately comes to reality. The brothers are bowing at his feet, he saves them, which is what which what compels Yahweh to tell Israel. No, you can leave the promised land.

29. 15:30

    Go back into each. Go back to Egypt. And I’ll bring you back again. We understand this difference in understanding perspective. In Genesis 50 when Joseph’s brothers saw ultimately that Israel was dead. They said it may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him. So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, your father gave us this command before he died.

30. 15:59

    Stated Joseph, please forgive the transgressions of your brothers and their sin. Because they did Evil to you. And now please forgive the transgressions of the Servants of God. Your of your father.

31. 16:16

    You can see where they would be anger there. But Joseph shows his heart is availability to God Joseph wet when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, behold. We are your servants but Joseph said to him do not fear. Where am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me. But God meant it for good.

32. 16:49

    How often do we encounter people in our daily lives? That we think that, they mean, evil against me. They mean ill will But is it possible that God means it for good? Joseph continues, but God meant it for good to bring it about that. Many people should be kept alive as they are today, so do not fear. I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. We know ultimately what transpires. At the generations past that providential Sanctuary that Egypt offered.

33. 17:32

    Now, turns to slavery. For all of the Israelites. And we come to Moses in Exodus chapter 3 now. Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian and he led his flock to the west side of the Wilderness and came to Horeb, the Mount of God and the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush. He looked and behold the Bush was burning, it was not consumed and Moses said, I will turn aside to see this great sight. Why the bush is not burned. when Yahweh saw that, he turned aside to see God called him out of the Bush Moses, Moses. and Moses said, here I am.

34. 18:28

    This interaction, this availability. Moses being a completely different person at 80 years old in Egyptian. Being called. Making himself available in a distant land to do the unthinkable, liberating his people.

35. 18:52

    And that Liberation brings us to where we are in Exodus. As we’re migrating. From Egypt to the promised land. and once there we have a prophet Samuel, which we read our him this morning about We know the story all too. Well, in first Samuel 3, when Yahweh is calling to Samuel. He’s saying here I am. And here Annie thinks it’s Eli as a young boy but he’ll I perceive that to the third time.

36. 19:30

    This is real yahweh’s calling to you. he instructs him, when you When Yahweh calls to you you are to say here I am. And that’s exactly what Samuel does. and ultimately, Continuing on first Samuel, chapter 12, Samuels devastated. Because despite his Faithful Servants, since he was a young boy, the nation of Israel is asking to be like every other Nation around them. They want a king.

37. 20:14

    And Samuel is devastated by this. For he says, in front of all of Israel. In verse 12, verse chapter, 3, chapter 12, verse 1 behold, I have obeyed your voice and all the ways you’ve said to me and have made King over to you. And now behold the king walks before you, I am old and gray and behold.

38. 20:39

    My sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth. Until this day. Here I am. Testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed saying essentially search me I am before you I have been available to you. But Israel wanted a king. A king in appearance. We know how this transpires Saul.

39. 21:05

    A man who physically checks all the boxes for a king. Doesn’t make himself personally available to Yahweh. so instead God appoints a man after his own heart, King David, Who gives us a amazing exhortation and how we are to be available to God in all circumstances. But we find the specific phrase here I am. When David is at his lowest.

40. 21:40

    In second, Samuel chapter 15. And a messenger came to David in verse 13 saying, the hearts of men of Israel have gone after Absalom. And David said, all his servants were with my truism are all arise. Let us flee or else. There will be no Escape for us. From Absalom go quickly. Lets you overtake us quickly, and bring down to ruin on us, and strike.

41. 22:07

    The city with the edge of the sword, this isn’t Goliath. This isn’t a Philistine. This is Absalom. His own, son in a resurrect and insurrection. Continuing in verse 23 in all the land wept aloud and all the people pass by and the King crossed the brook kedron, and all the people passed on towards the Wilderness and abathur, came up and behold zadok came with them, with all the Levites bearing, the Ark of the Covenant of God, and they said it down the Ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city.

42. 22:47

    Here’s Dave and his humility. The king says to zadok. Carry the Ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yahweh, he will bring me back and let me see both it. And his Dwelling Place. Both the ark and the temple. but if he says, I have no pleasure in you, essentially, if David does not return if David Fails,

43. 23:19

    David says, behold. Here I am. Let him do to me. What seems good to him. This amazing City that David built up. For the God that he loves the one true. God, he is now climbing the Mount of Olives in tears.

44. 23:46

    And saying, essentially I am available. It Is Well with My Soul. We continue on to Isaiah who has some of the most memorable verses about being available, Isaiah 6:8 through 9 and I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send? And who will go for us? Then I said, here I am send me. And he said, go and say to his people keep on hearing but do not understand.

45. 24:16

    Keep on seeing, but they do not perceive. And the parallel of Yahweh asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, after three days journey. Is seen is brought to light. Furthermore, in Isaiah God’s not asking of us, anything that he’s not willing to do. For God’s asking us to be available. We’re seeing in some of these verses now and Isaiah 52 verses three through six that God himself is available for thus, says Yahweh.

46. 24:53

    You were sold for nothing and she’ll be redeemed without money for thus, says the Lord. God, my people went down at first to Egypt to sojourn there then this area depressed, and for nothing. Now, therefore, what I have here. Declares Yahweh seeing that, my people are taken away for nothing. The ruler shall where to As Yahweh continually all the day, my name is despised. Therefore, my people shall know my name therefore, in that day. They shall know.

47. 25:23

    It was I who speak? Here I am. Again, and Isaiah 58 verse 9, then you shall call and Yahweh will answer. You shall cry and he will say, here I am. Sometimes when I pray, I feel like I’m in a I’m in a bad relationship because all I do is talk about me. All I do is I ask for help them.

48. 25:55

    I’m always and I’m not faulting. God enough talking about his Beauty and his majesty. And here we have some absolute spiritual heavyweights. And all their examples, but what’s not forget every single instance, right? Today, tomorrow forever. God will be available.

49. 26:23

    And Isaiah concludes the Old Testament references of here, I am. And we have one direct New Testament reference. That really brings to light a supporting actor ananias in Acts 9. We all know the story of Paul being struck blind, on his way to persecute those belonging to the way in Damascus.

50. 26:56

    Starting up in verse 9 of Acts 9 and for three days. After being struck blind, and called by Jesus. He was without sight and neither ate nor drank.

51. 27:10

    Verse 10. Now there was a disciple at the mascis named ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision ananias and he said, Here I Am Lord.

52. 27:25

    Lord said to him rise and go to the street called straight at the house of Judas. Look for a man of Tarsus named Saul for behold. He is praying and he has seen in a vision him. A man named ananias come in and lay his hand on him that he might regain his sight.

53. 27:42

    But ananias answered Lord, I have heard from many about this man. How much evil he has? Done to your Saints in Jerusalem and here he has Authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.

54. 27:56

    But I always said to him. Go. For he is a chosen instrument of mine. Carry my name before the Gentiles and Kings and the children of Israel for. I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. Without any further, objection and I departed into the house. And this is, this is my favorite part of this entire account. Ananias is fully aware of the power, the legal Authority, that’s all has to put him in.

55. 28:36

    An is in prison, but what is the first word that ananias says to Saul? We read this in verse 17 and laying his hands on him. He said, brother Saul The Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately something like the scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and then he rose and was baptized taking food. He was strengthened For some days, he was with the disciples at the mascis, the ones that he was supposed to persecute and throw in jail and he immediately proclaimed. Jesus in the synagogues saying he is the son of God. This is the same Saul brother saw. Converted to Paul renamed as Paul who wrote in Romans 12 verse 1 that we are to offer our body as a Living Sacrifice. How do we do that?

56. 29:57

    How do we offer our body as a Living Sacrifice? Any time we’re being called. It’s about us saying here I am. I am available. I can shut the TV off. I can get a sitter. I am available for a moment, please, brothers and sisters here in online reflect on the past year. How has God called you to service? And how have you responded to that call? Did you embrace it?

57. 30:48

    Did you say I am available or are you like me and making excuses? During the announcements, we just had a call to action 8,000 christadelphians. Brothers and sisters are in need dire need of our help. We think a snow day, makes it tough. this is flooding, that is

58. 31:16

    displacing. Countless people three-year-olds being lost in these camps as they’re trying to seek Refuge. This is trial. Like, we don’t even understand. But we find a way to make an excuse, right, but we have these biblical champions of Faith to look to for excitation.

59. 31:45

    There’s some who might say, you know, I’m just too old. Abraham was over 100 years old. When he said here, I am. And Jacob wasn’t too far off either when he went to Egypt.

60. 32:02

    So, maybe you shouldn’t be shoveling the steps but you can still become a spiritual Mentor, mentor to younger, brother sister. Some might say conversely, I’m too young. Josephus claims Samuel was 12 years old when he answered the call from Yahweh. Here I am. So maybe there’s some friends out there that you know I still don’t feel comfortable enough.

61. 32:32

    Yeah. I don’t feel mature enough yet to get baptized I don’t quite feel comfortable yet to speak. That’s fair. You can still pick up a shovel with all due respect to our snow shoveling crew. They’re getting kind of tenured. If you notice last Sunday, they were kind of there was there were, there were some tough walking around. That’s a call to action for us young people. Well, you see I can’t speak.

62. 33:04

    Well, I can’t serve from the platform. Well, that’s exactly what Moses said to when he was called to action. He made some objections. Granted but God provided him. His brother. Aaron said, Aaron will speak for you. I need a leader leaders, do not have to be up here.

63. 33:30

    Well, not in the right place in my life. I can’t answer the call. I’m not in a good spot professionally. Physically. Well, move Jacob had to relocate his entire Ferrum family, herds of livestock to where God wanted them to be the promised land. Oh, and then in his old age, he had to move again.

64. 33:52

    If there’s a career, if there’s a profession, if there is relationship something that’s avoiding us from answering the call. Then we have to make these adjustments in our lives. it’s not that, I’m just I’m in a low Place, spiritually. In my life.

65. 34:17

    That I can resonate with. You know, who else can to King David? As he’s climbing the Mount of Olives weeping as he flees his own son Absalom.

66. 34:34

    David shows. That faith is kinetic. Sometimes it takes just looking out for someone else and helping them, and you somehow feel better with your own spiritual well-being. All right, fair enough. But it’s it’s challenging, it might be risky. Well, look to ananias, you want to talk about risky, he extended. The right hand of Fellowship, brother saw to the same man that had documents to put him in jail. We see in all of these instances, a theme of objections at times or sometimes availability, but there’s going to be challenges.

67. 35:23

    Every single one of them is every single one time we hear here, I am, there’s a challenge spiritually physically. But God sees us through it. And he helps every single champion of Faith to produce a favorable, providential result.

68. 35:44

    It almost makes me think, What miracles have I been missing? What action, what service have I missed? Because I personally making excuses. Makes me feel. Les.

69. 36:02

    But then we have the blessing. Of looking towards this table. To relieve these burdens. As we think about not only Jesus. and, His burial for three days. Similar to how Saul was blind for three days, not being able to eat or drink. But we also think about our heavenly father Parallel to Abraham having to walk for three days with his son. Dealing with the emotional burden. Of sacrificing his beloved Son.

70. 36:52

    The Gospel of John chapter 8 verse 42, gives us perspective into how all of this is made possible through Christ. First 42, John chapter 8, Jesus said to them. If God, we’re your father you would love me for I came from God. And I I am here.

71. 37:22

    I came out of my own accord, but he sent me. Thank you for listening to the good christadelphians talks podcast. We hope this talk helped you in your walk. If you would like to hear more, please subscribe for new episodes and leave a review and apple podcast or whatever service you are using to help more people find the show when they search for it.

72. 37:59

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73. 38:39

    Thank you for listening. God bless and talk to you next week.