“Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”. . . ” – Genesis 22:8a
As the sun reflected off of the long jagged blade, the boys eyes became large and fear rippled through his mind. He struggled mightily against the ropes that bound his hands, and tried to kick his feet upward to no avail as they were bound also. In his fear and confusion he thought of everything he had done that might have caused the situation. Wasn’t he good enough? Hadn’t he helped out enough in the fields and with the livestock? Did his mother know what was going on? Only 10 hours ago he had been bathing in the river and then horsing around with his brother. Was his brother in on it? Why was his father going to kill him? What had he done wrong?
Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised Abraham that through this boy great nations would rise up and that all others would be reckoned. God’s covenant with mankind would be through this child, the son of Abraham. This covenant would be an everlasting covenant until the end of days, and demonstrated by the circumcision on the 8th day of the boys life. King’s would come from his lineage, and rule the nations of God in the promised land forever more. Why then was this boy now bound and laying upon an alter to be sacrificed by his own father?
Imagine if you would for a moment; your father and you walking up a hill together, building an alter together of sticks that you yourself had carried. Then your father lifts you up, sets you on the pile of sticks and binds your feet, then your hands, and lies you back on the wood. He reaches into his satchel and pulls out the blade and lifts it to plunge into your heart. You would think he was mad, crazed or deranged. Somewhere he had lost his mind and now you were going to die because of it. We know how the story ends, but at that moment Isaac did not. He truly thought his own father was going to kill him.
Most people rightfully focus on the incredible faith of Abraham. Would God truly allow me to kill my only son? This is the son of His covenant with me, through Sarah, to which all nations will be reckoned. Why then would God tell me to sacrifice him? There must be a bigger plan. He trusted the Lord enough to actually go through with what he was asked to do. He trusted in the covenant that God had made with him. As a father of 5, I cannot even imagine what unbelievable emotions had to be running through Abraham’s mind.
But, what about the boy. How would Isaac ever look at his own father in the same light again. Did this experience strengthen Isaac’s faith in God as the provider of all things? I rightfully think it did. He personally experienced the grace of God and the mercy of His love through the provision of a sacrificial lamb at the perfect moment. Similarly, you and I have received that same last minute salvation from God the Father.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God, we are all redeemed. This is the new covenant with mankind, that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) will have everlasting life with God the Father in heaven one day. Jesus Christ comes from the lineage of Abraham through Isaac and has paid the ultimate price for our transgressions and unrighteousness. Redemption is only available through the lamb that God has provided on our behalf.
Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised Abraham that through this boy great nations would rise up and that all others would be reckoned. God’s covenant with mankind would be through this child, the son of Abraham. This covenant would be an everlasting covenant until the end of days, and demonstrated by the circumcision on the 8th day of the boys life. King’s would come from his lineage, and rule the nations of God in the promised land forever more. Why then was this boy now bound and laying upon an alter to be sacrificed by his own father?
Imagine if you would for a moment; your father and you walking up a hill together, building an alter together of sticks that you yourself had carried. Then your father lifts you up, sets you on the pile of sticks and binds your feet, then your hands, and lies you back on the wood. He reaches into his satchel and pulls out the blade and lifts it to plunge into your heart. You would think he was mad, crazed or deranged. Somewhere he had lost his mind and now you were going to die because of it. We know how the story ends, but at that moment Isaac did not. He truly thought his own father was going to kill him.
Most people rightfully focus on the incredible faith of Abraham. Would God truly allow me to kill my only son? This is the son of His covenant with me, through Sarah, to which all nations will be reckoned. Why then would God tell me to sacrifice him? There must be a bigger plan. He trusted the Lord enough to actually go through with what he was asked to do. He trusted in the covenant that God had made with him. As a father of 5, I cannot even imagine what unbelievable emotions had to be running through Abraham’s mind.
But, what about the boy. How would Isaac ever look at his own father in the same light again. Did this experience strengthen Isaac’s faith in God as the provider of all things? I rightfully think it did. He personally experienced the grace of God and the mercy of His love through the provision of a sacrificial lamb at the perfect moment. Similarly, you and I have received that same last minute salvation from God the Father.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God, we are all redeemed. This is the new covenant with mankind, that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) will have everlasting life with God the Father in heaven one day. Jesus Christ comes from the lineage of Abraham through Isaac and has paid the ultimate price for our transgressions and unrighteousness. Redemption is only available through the lamb that God has provided on our behalf.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
As You provided for Abraham, You have provided for each of us the perfect sacrifice. Our lives are filled with unrighteousness and sin from the moment of our first breath. Through Your perfect plan of salvation though we are forgiven and receive grace to allow us life eternal with You in heaven. Thank You for giving of Your only Son, that we can be redeemed in His blood. In Your name I pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
As You provided for Abraham, You have provided for each of us the perfect sacrifice. Our lives are filled with unrighteousness and sin from the moment of our first breath. Through Your perfect plan of salvation though we are forgiven and receive grace to allow us life eternal with You in heaven. Thank You for giving of Your only Son, that we can be redeemed in His blood. In Your name I pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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