The Offering of Isaac
1Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he answered.
2“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will show you.”
3So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.
4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.”
6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.
7Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!”
“Here I am, my son,” he replied.
“The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.
9When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood. 10Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
I cannot imagine a greater test than that which the Lord applied to Abraham. The Jews usually say that Abraham was tried ten times. Surely on this occasion he was tried ten times in one.” (Spurgeon)
God builds us up in faith slowly because we don’t handle change well. He slowly built up Abraham through the years.
When Cecilia and I became “born again” God slowly worked on our hearts and brought us to what we thought was foster care for His orphans. But He then worked our hearts in His Potters hands towards adoption. Our family and friends said we were crazy but we steadfastly followed the Lords will with faith.
The verses we read in today’s study are no different, Abraham was a man of faith and followed the Lords will. He knew God had made him a promise that through a son born to him and Sarah He would create a nation. With this faith, Abraham followed Gods will and was going to sacrifice his only son. Abraham had faith God would keep His Promise.
When preparing this study I thought, how is this different than God offering up His only Son as a sacrifice for mankind?
Some think Isaac was older than a young child at this time.
“The younger man, perhaps five-and-twenty — so Josephus thinks — possibly thirty-three years of age, and, if so, very manifestly the type of Christ, who was about that age when he came to die” (Spurgeon).
“God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
God Himself provided the Lamb for mankind.
When God asks you to do something, do you have the faith to follow Him?
Blessings, David
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