Genesis 22:1-19
Verse 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
This is one of the more obvious hints to what God was preparing as His plan of redemption. He was being meticulous about the details of His plan and this is one of the stories that shows this.
Abraham had a close relationship with the Lord. The father of many nations had eaten with the Lord, made a covenant with Him and had seen Him keep His word on multiple occasions. God had kept His word by protecting Lot and his family when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. The only one lost that night was Lot’s wife who disobeyed because she didn’t want to leave. He had also kept His promise about giving Abraham and Sarah a son. That is what made this command from God so hard. Kill his son? The one he had waited so long for?
God needed Abraham to know how much he loved the Lord. Though he didn’t know it, Abraham needed to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had true faith in the Lord. So the Lord tells this doting father to sacrifice the son of promise. Abraham didn’t waste any time in obeying. Early the next morning he loaded up the donkey and gathered a couple of servants and his beloved son and started off to the mountain of Moriah.
By the third day of this journey the travelers had plenty of time to think about the various scenarios that could be awaiting them. Abraham had shown his faith that God would provide by telling the servants that he and his son would be back after worshiping on the mount as the Lord had directed. With the servants left behind Isaac finally asked the question that had likely been on everyone’s mind, “Where is the sacrifice.”
With his answer that, "the Lord will provide," Abraham once again shows his faith in God. He may have been working at convincing himself but it is important that he was verbalizing that he saw the Lord in charge of the situation. Of course the Lord showed up in a major way and confirmed Abraham’s faith. And with that confirmation God revealed yet another piece of the puzzle, the only way we could be saved was that His only Son be offered up as the sacrifice without any blemishes. Abraham’s love of the Lord led him to be willing to give his beloved son as a sign of obedience. God’s love of His children led Him to give His beloved Son as a redemption payment. That is pure love.
Making It Personal
Have you ever felt like God was asking you to give up something that you didn’t want to give up? Did you obey God or show that you loved the item instead? What do you need to give up today?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever been told to do something you didn’t want to do? What would you do if Jesus told you to do something? What are some of the things that Jesus has told you to do?
Closing Prayer
Father, forgive us the times that we have not obeyed You. Thank You for the example given by Abraham and Jesus about being willing to obey even to death. Give us a heart for God that will make us be willing to obey at any cost. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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