Advent Day 4: The Sacrifice

Scripture = Genesis 22:1-19

The Test: vss 1-2
The Obedience: vss 3-10
The Provision: vss 11-14
The Promise: vss 11-18

1. The Test: Genesis 22:1-2

• The way God words vs 2 leaves no room for interpretation. He called Isaac by name, and acknowledged that Isaac was Abraham's only son, and recognized Abe's love for his son. This request was horrible. Unthinkable. As a mom, I don't want to imagine it. 

• But along the journey God had taught Abraham how to trust. What would Abraham do? Who did he love more? Would he give up the thing most precious to his heart for God? Would he try to lie his way out of it, as he did with the Egyptians (Genesis 2:20)? Or would he try to manipulate the matter, as he and Sarah did with Hagar (Genesis 12 and 20)

2. The Obedience: vss 3-10

• This section is perhaps one of the greatest examples of faith in the Bible, but it is also one of the hardest for people to process. Don't be too hard on Abe for his willingness to obey God. He  knew 2 things. 1) God keeps His promises. 2) God had promised that he would make a great nation of Isaac. Since Isaac still had no offspring, Abe knew this was not the end of Isaac's life. I'm sure he had questions. I'm sure he had doubts and internal struggles, but his trust in God did not waver. It's clear that he believed God would deliver Isaac. In verse 5 he tells the young men that both he and Isaac will return. In verse 7 he tells Isaac that God would provide a lamb. I have read some critics that say Abraham was lying to Isaac. That's not the case. Abe believed God would deliver Isaac. Abraham trusted that God would work these things out, and that is why he was willing to give up his only son to HIM. 

• Abraham's obedience to God is indeed noteworthy, but what about Isaac's obedience? Isaac was not a small child here! He was old enough to notice that there was no lamb to sacrifice, and to discuss it with his father! (Gen 22:7-8) He could have fought his father or run away. After all, Abe was over 100 years old! But Isaac willingly put himself in the care of Abraham and trusted God as well. 

• Parents, don't miss this! Abraham showed Isaac how to trust in God by trusting in God! Wild huh? How many times do we expect our children to exhibit God-like behavior that we ourselves do not practice? Chew on that one for a while. 

3. The Provision: vss 11-14 

• WOOHOOO!! Enter the Angel of the Lord! This passage shows that God never intended to allow Abraham to go through with the sacrifice. God does NOT condone child or human sacrifice. In fact, he prohibits it in the law. (Leviticus 18 and 20). 

• This is one instance where Jesus was actively involved with the events of earth before he was actually born on earth. It's important to remember that Jesus did not begin his existence when he was born as a baby in Bethlehem. Note the above account, and the verses below to show how Jesus is eternal, He actively took part in creation, and that He is the part of God that appears to mankind. 

Jesus is eternal: (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6; John 8:58)

Helped with creation: Col 1:16; Heb 1:10

He appears and delivers messages to Mankind: Gen. 16:7-13; Gen. 22:11-18; Judges 6:11-24; Genesis 18 (vs 13?)

**I think this is such a powerful, and important story when leading up to the birth of Christ. The real life account of a father's willingness to sacrifice his son illustrates why Christ had to come to earth, and what it took for God to let him. Remember, Isaac was a willing sacrifice. As Isaac willingly laid himself on the alter at his father's request, so Jesus willingly gave up his authority in heaven to come to earth, knowing He would be killed.