God told Abraham to Sacrifice his Son Isaac
One night God gave His servant Abraham a very usual instruction.
“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Genesis 22:2
This was a test. God wanted to see Abrahams faith. He had trusted God for his son, would he trust God with his son?
Imagine Abrahams confusion. This was the son that God had promised to him so long ago. This was answer to his prayers. His pride and joy. Now God wanted Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice.
Abraham was ready to obey God
What do you think Abraham did? the Bible says he got up the next day and got to it. He didn’t hesitate, but immediately prepared for the trip and set out to the mountain that God would show him. He took with him everything he would need to make this sacrifice.
After three days of travel they could see he mountain off in the distance. Abraham left the young men he had brought along with the animals and most of the stuff, then he and Isaac went on to the mountain carrying the wood for the fire, the fire and a knife.
As they climbed Isaac asked a question: “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Gen 22:7) Isaac could see that something was missing, he had surely seen many other offerings performed but this one lacked the key part: the lamb.
Abraham answered: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Gen 22:8) Even this close to where God had told him to sacrifice his son, Abraham was sure that God would meet the need.
God Met Abrahams Need
They got the place where the offering was to be made, Abraham set up the altar, laid out the wood. Then he tied up his son, laid him on the wood, and took out the knife that had been brought for him to kill his son as a sacrifice to God.
Just as he was about to use the knife God stopped Abraham
“11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Genesis 22:11–12
Abraham then looked and behind him a ram was caught in the undergrowth. He used this ram as the substitute for his son. God had provided for the sacrifice. Abraham named the altar “Jehovah-Jireh” beginning the saying: “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” (Gen 22:14)
But note: God didn’t provide a “lamb” like the passage leads you to expect. Vereses 16-18 give us an indication of why this is.
God Made a Promise to Abraham that would Meet the needs of all Humanity
In verses 16-18 we see God’s promised blessing of Abraham and his decedents. God would bless his faith and obedience greatly through many generations. This blessing was so great that wouldn’t be just for Abraham’s decendents.
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:18
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through Him all nations of the earth are blessed. He is the lamb that God provided. And He was sacrificed as a substitute for every human being. God has provided Himself a lamb.
The Lord will still provide for Us
But the gift of Jesus Christ holds one further lesson about how “The Lord will Provide.”
Jesus IS the provision of our greatest need: redemption. But He is also an indication of how far God will go to meet each and every need.
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32
If God was willing to give His Only Son as the cost of the provision of our need, what would He withhold.
We tend to spend a pretty good chunk of time in our prayers telling God about our needs and the needs of those we care about. These prayers and supplications don’t fall on deaf ears. God hears, cares, and has proven that He can and will meet our needs.
As we pray, let’s present our needs to the Lord who Provides with understanding that there isn’t a need that He can’t or won’t meet.
Studying and Application:
- What are some needs that you have or should present to God? (List them out)
- Are you willing to trust God with these needs in the same way Abraham trusted God with his son? Talk to God about the level of trust you currently have.
- What promises of God’s provision have given you boldness in prayer?
