Now in our daily reading (Genesis22-24) we are going to be focusing on the faith of Abraham.
Remember that we as CHRISTians live by promises & not explanations.
1 Samuel 15:22 “22 Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings & sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”
God knew what was regarded as Abe’s most precious possession…his son Isaac! Abe went through a lot to get to the point of having Ike. Abram (high father) had no children at 75 years old when the LORD called him (Ge12). That was the first time that he was told that he would have kids, for how could you become a great nation unless you have kids! After going down to Egypt, & coming back up to Canaan, rescuing Lot, the LORD appeared to him again & told him that his descendants would be like the stars. It is recorded of Abram…
Genesis 15:6 “6 Then he believed in the LORD; & He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
Then Abram tried to help God out by marrying Sarai’s maidservant Hagar, & they had Ishmael (God Hears). But if read the account in Ge16 you will notice that Abram never sought the LORD in this decision, he just did it! Then 13 years later, the LORD appeared to Abram, who changed his name to Abraham (Father of a Multitude) & promise him a son next year. At this time, Abe was 99 years old & his wife 89! A year later, Isaac was born! Then there were problems between Isaac & Ishmael, so Abe sent Hagar & Ishmael away. Then, God asked him to offer up his son Isaac!
We see Abraham’s heart attitude here as well. He arose early in the morning! (Genesis22.03)
If the LORD asked something like this from any of us, we would have procrastinated as late as possible; yet, Abe got up at sunrise & started the preparations for what was requested of him.
There are many things throughout the Bible that the LORD tells us that we need to do, & yes, some of them require some sort of sacrifice. But have you ever been in a situation like this, where you had to do something that literally did not make any sense, even to fellow CHRISTians?
It is at this time that it is revealed truly where your heart is at, & how strong your faith is in God.
Proverbs 3:5-8 “5 Trust in the LORD w/all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD & turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.”
So as Abraham was about to kill his Son, the LORD interrupted him.
Genesis 22:12, 13 “12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, & do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13 Then Abraham raised his eyes & looked, & behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; & Abraham went & took the ram & offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”
So obviously w/great relief, Abraham puts the knife down, gets the ram that is caught & sacrifices the ram instead.
But I want you to notice some details…
The place of the sacrifice is Moriah (Genesis22.02), which means “Chosen by Yah”
Moriah was the very place that Solomon built the Temple (2Ch03.01)!
When his son Isaac asked Abraham where the sacrifice was, Abraham’s response is very telling. In the original language its says this…Genesis 22:8 “8 Abraham said, “God will provide Himself a lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.”
Notice that it says, “God will provide Himself a lamb”! But the sacrifice that was provided for was a ram. What all this means is that God will provide Himself (Jesus the Christ) as the perfect sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God (John01.29, 36)!
Genesis 22:14 “14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.””
Truly this is the place of the LORD’s provision! YHWH Yireh!
No comments:
Post a Comment