Genesis 22 is one of the most griping accounts in the Bible. God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. This seems confusing from the stand point that God had made Abraham wait until he was over a hundred years old to give him the promise, and now he wants him to give up that promise. This underscores the seriousness that God takes faith. Cult worship back in Abraham’s day often practiced human sacrifice. God wanted Abraham to know that his faith matched their faith. Yet, Abraham’s faith was far superior. Abraham this time trusted God. Abraham knew God would keep his promise. The writer of Hebrews stated that Abraham believed God could resurrect Isaac from the dead. I am touched at the scene as they are walking to the place of sacrifice. Even then, Abraham carries the fire and the knife things that could cause harm to a young boy. The conversation must have been excruciating for Abraham when Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” The Scripture records just as Abraham was about to thrust the knife into his son the angel of the Lord called out not to harm the boy. A ram was caught in the thicket. The animal was sacrificed and Abraham called that place Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”
There are several things that impact me about this account. First, is the seriousness that God takes faith. Too many times we believers take our faith too flippantly. Second, I am struck by the fact the God wouldn’t allow Abraham to do something that He will later do in allowing His son Jesus to be sacrificed. Third, the name Abraham gives to God Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide) is again another way that Abraham shows his faith. We all could learn to trust in Jehovah Jireh.
“Lord, thanks for allowing Your Son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. Help us to put our faith in You concerning all things for You really are the Lord who will provide. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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2 comments:
As a senior citizen what struck me most about this chapter is that God was testing Abraham even after He had blessed Abraham with Isaac. As we age we often get into the mindset that we can just coast into heaven while we enjoy our easy chair.
God wants us to keep on proving Him and His faithfulness by our obedience and our service.
"Lord, today, invigorate me - even test me - so that I may ever be busy doing ministry and being used by you. This is my earnest prayer."
This is one of those stories that I have a hard time with and causes a lot of questions in my mind. God actually tells Abraham the same thing he tells him in chapter 12, "Go to a place that I will show you." Many scholars see this as the bookends to Abraham's life. Whereas Abraham before believed God, but tried to do it his own way with the adventures in Egypt and then Ishmael, this time Abraham got it right and believed God the whole time. He even says "God will see to it." Even in the face of some of life's biggest questions and struggles, "God will see to it."
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