Characters: God, Abraham and Isaac
Plot:
• God asked Abraham to sacrifice his “only” son by killing him and presenting him as a burnt offering (This was a test from God but Abraham didn’t know!)
• Abraham without hesitation prepared for the journey and took his son and servants along
• He got to the designated place, prepared the altar and was going to offer his son to God
• God stopped him and replaced the about to be sacrificed son with a ram in the thicket
• Abraham offered the ram as burnt offering to God
• God blessed Abraham
The relationship between Abraham and Isaac
• A very cordial father-son relationship
• Abraham was VERY ready to do what God had commanded without hesitation
• Isaac was very to do what his father asked him to do: Carry the wood and follow him
• When Isaac asked his father about the animal to be offered. The response from his father reassured him that all was well. Cite the example of Pastor Derek and son when he asked his son to freefall backwards without looking back)
• When his father asked him to climb unto the altar, Isaac never hesitated! He had the TOTAL TRUST in his father just as Abraham believed that God will sort out something!
In this chapter, there are three instructive issues here:
ABRAHAM TEST (your only son repeated thrice. 2, 12, 16
Genesis 22:1-2 tells us what was at stake
• Take your son, your ONLY son (over 20 years old) whom you love and go to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you.
• He obeyed God and went on the journey to do what God had commanded.
. A 3 day journey- 72 hrs is a long period to come to a logical conclusion
. Offer him as a burnt offering. Kill him and set fire to him.
James 1:2-4
James 1:12-18. Talks about perseverance.
ABRAHAM TRUST
• Genesis 22:8 and Genesis 12:1-3(A great nation!) An Abrahamic covenant.
• Abraham did not know how God will do it but he knew that God would do it. VISUALISE THE TRUST. It’s a very BIG TRUST!
ABRAHAM’S TRIUMPH
• In v19 of Hebrews 11, Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead and figuratively speaking, He did raise Isaac back from death.
• God asking Abraham to go kill his son “contradicts” Genesis 12:1-3(I will make you a great nation)
• Abraham believed that God will NEVER allow him kill his son, Isaac and that He would provide something in lieu but peradventure He did not, so be it. I WILL OFFER HIM nonetheless!
PUTTING OUR 100% TRUST IN GOD
• Twice in the chapter, Abraham hinted at his extreme faith in God. He told the servants(v5) that they should wait behind as they approach Moriah and that “we” would return. If Abraham was going to sacrifice his son, why use the word “we”? Total trust in God.
• Isaac asked him, Where is the burnt offering in v7? His response is that of a MAN SPEAKING FAITH INTO WHAT IS A HUMANLY HOPELESS SITUATION. God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, v8.
Solemnly sing the chorus
“God will make a way where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we can not see, He will make a way for me, He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way”
FAITH AT ITS HIGHEST POINT
Now we can stand back and see the story in clear perspective.
• Did God ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Yes!
• Was this a legitimate request? Yes!
• Did Abraham know in advance how the story would end? No!
• Did he know that God was going to put a ram in the thicket in lieu of his son, Isaac? No!
If Abraham didn't know this, what did he know then?
• He knew and understood what God had asked him to do (Offer your son as sacrifice to me!)
• He also knew that God had promised to give him a son through whom he would bless the world.
• What he didn’t know was how God was going to RECONCILE His promise (To bless the world through Isaac) and his explicit command (To offer the same promised child as sacrifice)
Solemnly sing this chorus “Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for you/2x. The Lord shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory, He will give His angels charge over you, Jehovah Jireh cares for you, for you, for you. Jehovah Jireh cares for you!”
JESUS CHRIST AT CALVARY
Over 2000 years ago, Our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ died for us all. He paid the ultimate price. He redeemed our souls. He gave us new life!
• In Genesis 22, we clearly see what a man(Abraham) would do for the love of God
• At Calvary, we saw what God did for the love of man.
• Abraham was asked (Tested) to sacrifice his son; God actually sacrificed his only son!
• When Jesus died on Calvary, there was no ram in the thicket to replace him. There was no saying “Do not harm that child” as was said to Abraham.
• God’s hand fell in judgement on his own son!
• Jesus died for you and I.
• Jesus Christ rose from the dead and because of this; we have life and have it more abundantly.
If God could give us His only son, Jesus Christ, He surely deserve the very best from us. He deserves our ALL!
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