The Jesse Tree: Day 5
THE OFFERING OF ISAAC
God had given Abraham and Sarah a gift—their son, Isaac. From his earliest years of newborn wails and tottering first steps, to seeing their boy grow into a young man, he was their joy and delight. They treasured their son, and loved him more than anything.
Then one day, God spoke to Abraham concerning his son. But what he commanded was shocking and sickening.
Then one day, God spoke to Abraham concerning his son. But what he commanded was shocking and sickening.
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Genesis 22:2
Genesis 22:2
Sacrifice his son? It didn’t make sense. How could God command such a thing?
Wrestling with what to do, what to believe, Abraham rose early in the morning and left with his son Isaac for the land of Moriah. Three days they journeyed, until finally they reached the mountain. As they climbed together, father and son, alone in the wilderness, Isaac asked, “Father, we have the fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Wrestling with what to do, what to believe, Abraham rose early in the morning and left with his son Isaac for the land of Moriah. Three days they journeyed, until finally they reached the mountain. As they climbed together, father and son, alone in the wilderness, Isaac asked, “Father, we have the fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
“God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
Genesis 22:8
Genesis 22:8
It’s hard to know what Abraham felt, or thought. But it seems he believed that somehow God would preserve his son. That even if he was sacrificed, blood spilt and body burned to ashes upon the altar, somehow God would raise him from those ashes. From death to life, he’d be resurrected. Isaac’s life was a miracle in the first place; how much more would it be for God to accomplish this?
When they reached the summit, Abraham built the altar. He arranged the wood. And then he took rope and bound Isaac, and laid his son upon the altar. He took his knife in hand, and as he leaned the blade’s edge toward his son’s throat, a voice shouted from the heavens.
When they reached the summit, Abraham built the altar. He arranged the wood. And then he took rope and bound Isaac, and laid his son upon the altar. He took his knife in hand, and as he leaned the blade’s edge toward his son’s throat, a voice shouted from the heavens.
“Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Genesis 22:12
Genesis 22:12
Such relief. Such emotional release, all in a moment. Isaac would live, and no resurrection was necessary.
Abraham noticed something nearby, a ram whose horns were caught in a thicket—a sacrifice. This was a message; that whenever a sacrifice was necessary, God himself would provide it. Which is why Abraham named that mountain, “The Lord Will Provide.”
It was a painful test indeed, but it’s one God is no stranger to himself.
Because years later, once again, God would provide the necessary sacrifice. But this time, instead of a ram, God the Father would send his only son, Jesus, giving him as a sacrifice. What God didn’t require of Abraham, he himself fulfilled. So that we could have life, he sacrificed his son upon the mountain. But then, on the third day, God raised him from the ashes, from death to life, resurrected.
Abraham noticed something nearby, a ram whose horns were caught in a thicket—a sacrifice. This was a message; that whenever a sacrifice was necessary, God himself would provide it. Which is why Abraham named that mountain, “The Lord Will Provide.”
It was a painful test indeed, but it’s one God is no stranger to himself.
Because years later, once again, God would provide the necessary sacrifice. But this time, instead of a ram, God the Father would send his only son, Jesus, giving him as a sacrifice. What God didn’t require of Abraham, he himself fulfilled. So that we could have life, he sacrificed his son upon the mountain. But then, on the third day, God raised him from the ashes, from death to life, resurrected.
Pause to reflect
As followers of Jesus, we’re called to lives of sacrificial obedience. In the sacrifices God has called you to make, how has he been faithful?
What sacrifice might God be calling you to make now?
What sacrifice might God be calling you to make now?
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