By James Baker
Genesis 22.1-19 “After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mori′ah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; and he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, then come again to you.” 6 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 and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, with the wood. 10 Then Abraham put forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord will provide;[a] as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”[b] 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies, 18 and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.” As you have just seen, Abraham was not going to allow anything to stand in the way of his love and obedience to the Lord. This man was willing to take his son and offer his him as sacrifice. Just think about that for a moment. This is unbelievable devotion and it is the same type of love and obedience we should have. Look at these verses. Exodus 3.5-10, “You shall have no gods other than me.” Proverbs 3.5-10 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.7 Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled and your vats will be bursting with wine. Luke 10.27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Matt 6.33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. 1 Cor 8.3 “If a person loves God, the same is known of him. This leaves us one option and that is to do what these scriptures teach. Develop strong faith and obey the gospel, so we can benefit from the promises found in the word of God. |