Growing in God's grace

Creation/Abraham and Isaac window

Sanctuary

The Creation

"In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth” ~ Genesis 1:1

With these majestic words, the greatest book ever written begins the story of GOD’s relationship with HIS creation. The first chapter of Genesis tells us the order of creation, beginning on the first day with light on through the astoundingly rich diversity of life and ending on the sixth day with the pinnacle of HIS creation, man and woman. “And behold it was very good” ~ Genesis 1:31

The window portrays Adam and Eve in the paradise of The Garden of Eden, among all the wonders of GOD’s handiwork. A vivid picture fills the senses and the imagination. Every tree is pleasant to the sight and animals unafraid to approach the man and woman. The gentle perfume of flowers with the appetizing scent of ripening fruit, and for Adam and Eve, no doubt, was an overwhelming presence of love. Love and gratitude for GOD who made them in HIS on image, and then breathed into them, the breath of life and an eternal spirit. Love for each other, perfectly fulfilling abundantly, every GOD given need. Perfect joy, peace, love and an unbroken relationship with GOD, characterized each day. Plant life in the window includes wisteria hanging upon branches of an apple tree, rhododendron and azaleas surrounding Adam and Eve, dressing the edge of the stream is lady slipper, trillium and water lilies. Animal life includes doves, a fawn, a turtle, and a pair of rabbits. Unfortunately, the paradise of Eden did not last. Adam and Eve sinned by eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which GOD had forbidden them to eat. This caused separation from GOD and many other bad consequences, including being cast out of The Garden of Eden.

As mankind multiplied on the earth, they became increasingly wicked. Because they would not repent, GOD sent a great flood to destroy all people, except for Noah and his family, who were saved in the Ark. GOD’s promise to never again destroy the world by flood is seen in the rainbow above. After the flood, once again the world forsook GOD and began to build a city and tower to unify and glorify man. GOD was displeased with this prideful effort and so HE confused their language and thereby scattered them abroad on the earth ~ Genesis 11: 1-9 In this background, GOD chooses Abram (Abraham) as his servant, to father a nation that would be separated from other idol worshipping nations through whom he would bless all nations. ~ Genesis 12: 1-3

Abraham and Isaac

In this window, we see how GOD tests Abraham in a way that prophetically foreshadows GOD’s own plan for redeeming mankind, by commanding him to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. The story is told in Genesis 22: 1-18, how that GOD instructs Abraham to take Isaac, the son of promise, to a mountain in the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering to The Lord. As they approached the place, Isaac, (apparently unaware of his impending fate), asks his father, where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham’s response to this question is remarkable in that he answers the question for Isaac, while simultaneously foreshadowing GOD’s own plan by sacrificing HIS only son JESUS.

“The Lamb of GOD which taketh away the sins of the world” ~ John 1:29

Abraham is stopped however, by the Angel of The Lord and Isaac’s life is spared an instant before the deed was done. GOD having seen the demonstration of his faith, the knife, in mid-air, drops toward the ground in the cross-like shape while providentially, a ram caught in a thicket by its horns, replaces Isaac in the offering and this father of faith walks back home with his son by his side.

Connecting the history of the next window, Isaac marries Rebekah and to Isaac and Rebekah are born Esau and Jacob and from Jacob (Israel) are born twelve sons among them is Joseph. GOD used Joseph by interpreting dreams though him to preserve the Children of Israel in Egypt, through seven years of famine. When a pharaoh arose to power who did not know Joseph, the Israelites were enslaved and in bondage for 400 years.

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