-Nine- Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22:1-13

Focal Verse: Genesis 22:8a

And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”

Many couples have known the pain of trying to conceive a child and being unsuccessful. Abraham and Sarah experienced that pain. It must have been very confusing to them to have received the promise from God for a child, but becoming older, past childbearing age, and still no child.

But then God fulfilled the promise. His name was Isaac. The joy Abraham and Sarah felt must have been indescribable. God had kept His promise and they had a son in their old age.

Can you imagine having this gift from God, raising him, and then giving him back to God? That is exactly what God asked of Abraham. I believe many of us struggle with this. We don’t understand why God would ask, and why Abraham would obey.

Abraham didn’t earn Isaac. Although he was a godly man, he still struggled with sin, just like you and me. God chose to give Isaac out of His grace, and He had the right to take him away.

Abraham understood God’s grace, however. He had experienced it on so many occasions that he trusted God. He knew God was a God of miracles. After all, Isaac was a miracle. Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us that Abraham knew if need be, God would raise Isaac from the dead.

Once more, out of His grace, God provided a substitute - -a ram. He didn’t require Abraham’s only son. Later, an only Son, would be sacrificed. God’s only Son. This time there would be no ram. This time, because of grace to you and me, He would make the sacrifice.

　

Abraham was willing to give his son because he understood the love of God and he was willing to put God first. Do you understand God’s love that way? Are you willing to put Him before everything?