06/06/2008
Genesis 22:7 - 14 (HCSB) 7Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.”
And he replied, “Here I am, my son.”
Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.
9When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
11But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
He replied, “Here I am.”
12Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”
13Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the LORD’s mountain.”
In Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock sits on Temple Mount. I had the privilege to enter it in 1998. It is clearly Arabic in its decor with fabulous, ornate designs everywhere. In the center of the mosque is a barrier that surrounds a stone. I asked how certain we are that this was the place where Isaac was offered, I was told 99.9% certain. Of course, the Muslims believe that it was Ishmael that was offered.
In the passage above, Abraham has set out to offer a sacrifice. We can assume that this was a common practice as no one seems to question what he is doing. Only Isaac questions about the lamb. He does not know that Abraham has been directed to offer his son as a sacrifice.
There is a lot of speculation about Abraham’s expectation at this time. He had been promised a son through Sarah and Isaac was born. He had been promised to be made a nation by that son. So how can a nation come from a boy that has been sacrificed? Did Abraham trust that God would raise Isaac from the dead? How could Abraham go through with such an act? I can hardly image how a father could do such a thing. Yet, Abraham’s act of obedience is seen by the Lord and a sacrifice – a substitute is provided.
We should learn from Abraham’s obedience; that God will always provide. Although we may not see or understand how things can possibly work out, God has a plan and will step in at the appropriate time. We also see in this event a wonderful example of Christ. While Isaac was the intended sacrifice, God provided an alternative. In our lives, we owe a debt of our very lives for our sin. But God has provided a substitute that is qualified to step in on our behalves leaving us blameless before the Father.
The place where Abraham offered the sacrifice, was named “the Lord will provide” or Jehovah Jirah. Let us always remember that when we place our trust in Him, God will always provide.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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