When we read scriptural accounts, it is important to know to whom God is speaking, what he is saying, but always ask, “what is this saying to me?”
We have to recognize that not every promise is automatically for me, nor is every judgment of “curse”. Yet, the God speaking is the same and there are principles to learn that can apply everyone.
In Genesis 22 has an amazing account of a “one-of-a-kind” event. You know it – Abraham was old when God promised a son, a family, offspring and descendants what would bless the world. That promise wasn’t fulfilled for decades, until Abraham was WAY TOO OLD, and yet God did it.
WOW
What joy to receive Isaac… and then Genesis 22 says God tested Abraham?
God called, “Abraham” – and he replied, “Here I am” – that word henneh = behold – He is saying “look here Lord”.
God says, “take your son… your only son… whom you love… go to Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering”
We don’t have any interaction / conversation recorded. If they had it, it wasn’t recorded… and that’s something that usually is found in scripture, like Moses, Like Gideon…
But here – it just says, “SO Abraham got up early in the morning… saddled his donkey… split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go…”
This was a Three Day Journey to the place God directed.
v5 he tells his servants with him … the boy and I will go over there to worship: then we’ll come back to you.”
Let me stop and point out some principles here. Remember now, Abraham now has been on this “journey to promise” with God for probably 38 years. He was 75 when God called him in Genesis 12. He was 100 when Isaac was born. Now Isaac is probably 13+ years old.
Abraham had been down the road and learned to trust God, to have faith in God. It has been good and bad, failure and success, but he has learned. Some principles when God calls, and asks from us.
- When God called, Abraham said, “Here I Am”. We don’t need to know the fullness of the plan, nor question our ability, but simply express availability.
- He Split wood for the Offering – that means he expected to carry out this difficult task. He may have believed God would provide an alternative way, but he did NOT take a “back up plan”.
- God said, “do this… give me back your son as an act of worship, a sacrificial offering.” What did Abraham do? “He got up early and set out”. The very next day he got to it.
- He made the journey – 3 days
- He was set on worshipping God. And I would add to it, that the moment he set out, he was already worshiping God in action of faith and obedience. I define worship as “an expression of adoration to the object of our affection.” Anything we do, say, believe that is an expression of adoration is worship. When his heart was set, his mind made up, he started the journey and worship began
- He told his servants – “WE Will Come Back”. Abraham believed in the provision of God.
- He Took Supplies for Obedient worship. v6 he loaded wood on Isaac’s back for the offering. In his own hands he carried a fire in one hand and the sacrificial knife in the other. I have many knives. I’m sure Isaac had seen this knife many times as his father used it to slaughter the sacrificial lamb.
- vv7-8 Isaac asked “Abi (Daddy) where is the lamb for the offering?” Isaac had seen worship with his father before. He knew the tools. Perhaps this teenager was wondering for a couple of days, and maybe even putting 2 and 2 together. Abraham answered, “God himself will provide, my son.” What a beautiful intimate statement. Reassuring words of faith. Then the two walked together… I wonder if Isaac suspected, but I believe he trusted his Father, and he trusted God.
- Abraham carried out the pre-worship routine – Built the altar – Arranged the wood – Bound His SON (now It’s real) – Placed Isaac ON the Altar – Took his knife to slaughter…
v11 – “BUT… But the Angel of the Lord (that’s Jesus) ‘Abraham, Abraham”…
What does Abraham say? “Here I Am” (hinneh – behold)
Jesus says, do not lay a hand on the boy… For I know that you FEAR GOD, since you have not withheld your only son from me”
Did God not know what Abraham would do? No – I believe God knows all, and he knew… But Abraham needed to know – 1) God is in Charge 2)Everything is His 3)God will provide 4)Obedience is better than sacrifice and often IS the sacrifice 5)and know that he would go anywhere with God.
God provided a ram caught in the thicket
Abraham named the place – “The Lord will Provide” – Yahweh Yireh
Then notice v15 – the Angel of the Lord called a Second Time
… “Because you have done this… have not withheld… I will indeed bless you…”
Now there is a lot of blessing mentioned here… it bookends from Genesis 12 – the blessing of obedience for Abraham, the descendants, the blessing of the world through him… Those are specific blessings for Abraham… BUT the PRINCIPLE for Us is this
- Do Not Hold Anything Back from the Lord – God blesses Worshipful Release of Rights and Ownership
Listen to His Voice. Get Up and God. Make Preparation. Release Control.
HE IS OUR BLESSING – There is blessing in Obedience that will extend for generations.
I don’t what God is asking from you today… but…
Lay it All Down!
Truly knowing God comes in the JOURNEY not in the classroom
